10 Jul 2026
Big Budget = Big Risk | Harriet Henderson
🌳 Welcome to AskTheArb — the podcast where we explore arboriculture, ecology, planning, and the real-world challenges of balancing development with the natural environment.In this episode, we sit down with Harriet Henderson, a RICS-chartered project manager specialising in luxury hotel and hospitality developments, to hear the project manager's perspective on working alongside ecologists and arboriculturists on complex construction projects. In This Episode- What a project manager actually does—and why they're responsible for keeping clients, architects, contractors, and consultants aligned- Real stories of bat surveys, nesting birds, and ecological constraints delaying multi-million-pound developments- Why "convenient" storms sometimes seem to happen just before a tree survey is due- How ecology and arboriculture delays translate into real financial costs for developers—and why every week matters- Whether ecologists and arboriculturists are viewed as an asset or an obstacle on major construction schemes- Harriet's thoughts on the planning system, inconsistent local authority decisions, and whether AI could improve the planning process- Behind-the-scenes stories from major hospitality developments, including projects such as The Belfry and other high-profile hotel schemesIf you've ever wondered how ecological surveys, tree constraints, and planning conditions look from the client and project management side of the table, this episode offers an honest insight into the realities of delivering complex developments.---🌐 Connect with Harriethttps://hendersondow.com/ (https://hendersondow.com/)--- Need Help with Trees, Planning, or Ecological Headaches?If you're trying to avoid planning delays, manage environmental risk, and keep your project moving, we've got resources to help.📩 Join Our NewsletterGet practical advice, industry insights, and updates from the AskTheArb team.👉 https://roavr.activehosted.com/f/31 (https://roavr.activehosted.com/f/31)📚 Free Tree & Ecology ResourcesDownload our free guides covering arboriculture, ecology, planning, and development.👉 https://www.roavr-group.co.uk/roavr-group/survey/free-books/ (https://www.roavr-group.co.uk/roavr-group/survey/free-books/)🌿 Need Expert Help?The ROAVR Group supports hundreds of planning-sensitive projects across the UK every month, helping developers, architects, planners, and homeowners navigate tree and ecological constraints.📧 support@roavr-group.co.uk (support@roavr-group.co.uk)🎤 Subscribe for new AskTheArb episodes every week.💬 Got a topic you'd like us to cover? Drop it in the comments below.– The ROAVR Team---👍 Enjoyed the Episode?• Like the video• Subscribe for more AskTheArb episodes• Leave a comment with your biggest takeaway• Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode
