We applied for planning permission in summer last year, and our planning department is so chaotic that it still hasn't been granted over nine months later. They now look like they're going to grant it, which is great, but have suddenly decided they want us to a tree survey before we start the build. The thing is that over the winter, we laid the hedge around the property (which had to be done over winter because of birds nesting etc). The hedge had been laid before but it was very overgrown, so arguably what was there could have been called trees. In general, our planning authority is very pro hedge laying because it's a good habitat etc and I have no doubt that they would have agreed to the hedge laying if that makes sense? We've also cut back some overgrown hazel and withy (again, not sure if this would even qualify as a tree??). None of this would have required any sort of interaction with the local authority normally (def no TPOs etc). But now not sure what to do. Feel like it's a bit tricky to get round a tree surveyor when it's obvious that someone's been busy with a chainsaw. But also not sure to do!! Now that we've laid the hedge, there aren't really any trees on the property! (We are going to put in lots of trees!). Seems a bit mad to get a tree surveyor round to note that there are now no trees although arguably there used to be.