Many developers think that its a good idea to remove as many trees as they think necessary from a site before making a planning application. This can be a double edge sword. Local planning authorities are wise to this trick, and the practice can seriously jeopardise the chances of a successful application now.
It is far better to work with the planning authority, get you scheme designed around a tree survey, then make an application. Tree officers are not adverse to development, and will not use trees to stop it. If the proper procedure is followed, the application will be seen as a ‘reasonable request’, and the Town & Country Planning Act says that this cannot be refused.