1. Project Summary

Urban Forestry Group was been asked by Candover Estates to provide in support of a planning application for demolition of an existing 1960’s vacant property that is to be demolished the following documents:

  • BS: 5837 - 2012 Tree Survey [Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations] for 71 mature trees within the site boundary.
  • Tree Constraints Plan to illustrate to scale permitted distances between trees and proposed buildings.
  • Arboricultural Impact Assessment. [AIA]
  • Arboricultural Method Statement. [AMS]
  • Tree Protection Plan including the layout of Tree Protective Fencing.
  • A Soft Landscaping Plan as Mitigation for Trees being Removed.

1.1 Site Address: 29 Brownheath Road, Waverton in Cheshire

1.2 Chester West and Chester Council Planning Status: Approved

1.3 The tree survey information is used to determine the site layout around the trees to be retained and to accommodate two new detached 2 storey residential properties, a turning head, car parking and a 100m resurfaced driveway.

2. Procedure:

2.1 To provide a compliant BS 5837:2012 Tree Survey; the following information was surveyed, assessed and produced as a scale site plan.

A. Tree positions [as per site plan provided]. H. Physiological condition.
B. Tree reference number. I. Shrub masses and relevant site features.
C. Species; common and scientific name. J. Structural condition.
D. Trunk diameter. K. Preliminary management recommendations. /td>
E. Branch spread in metres N. E. S. W. L. Estimated remaining contribution in years.
F. Tree height in metres, canopy and first branch. M. Category grading U or A to C.
G. Age class. N. Inclusion of shrub masses and relevant site features.
  • Walnut
  • Avenue
  • Distance view
  • Front view
  • Outbuilding

2.2 The completed BS 5837 Tree Survey tree survey site plan was then overlaid over the proposed building layout and the following list of considerations is taken into account in discussion with the ‘BS 5837 Arboricultural Impact Assessment and Method Statement’, is completed and includes following BS 5837 required site factors to support the planning application:

  • Trees / Hedges to be removed:
  • Site construction access:
  • Contractor’s car parking:
  • Phasing of construction works:
  • The location and space including any proposed trenching for all:
  • Depth and foundation type for driveways:
  • All changes in ground level, including the location of retaining walls, steps, and making adequate allowance for foundations of such walls and back fillings:
  • Space for cranes, plant, scaffolding and access during works:
  • Space for site huts, temporary latrines [including their drainage] and other temporary structures:
  • Safe storage of materials:
  • Specifications for tree root pruning:
  • Tree Protective Fencing Specification:
  • Road safety and visibility splays:
  • Wildlife considerations:
  • Ground protection:
  • Tree Protection Plan

3. Site description:

3.1 The development site is set back from main Road at the rear of the narrow 50m driveway. At present there is an unoccupied 2 storey 1960’s unoccupied residential property with a large garden to the sides and rear.

3.2 The gardens consists of undermanaged mature trees and overgrown conifer hedges, and self seeded groups of saplings entwined with sprawling shrubs and weeds.

4. Ground protection for trees along the 50m driveway:

4.1 To protect tree 2 [Oak] tree roots / tree root protection area in relation to the proposed re-surfacing and in advance of construction traffic entering the site that could be co-ordinated with the agreed with the driveway excavation, foundation depth / type and top surface; please consider the use of:

Product: Terram Geocell 25/10 & 22/20

4.2 The Terram geocell is a cellular confinement system that is used to protect tree roots from damage caused by heavy vehicles; particularly where a Tree Protection Order (TPO) is in force. Conventional construction would be invasive and trees are sensitive to disturbance.

4.3 The geocell is manufactured from one of the Terram geotextiles range which means that air and water are free to move across the root area from cell to cell. The geocell supplied in the form of flat-packed panels which expanded on site to form a much larger honeycomb area of interconnected cells. The panels are secured to the ground using steel pins which are also available to purchase.

4.4 The road or parking area can be constructed once the tree roots have been covered by the geocell and filled with a granular material. The geocell ensures that axle loads are spread laterally rather than applied vertically. This also minimises compaction beneath the traffic line which would be harmful to the roots as they could become starved of oxygen and moisture. Without the cellular system, loads would be transferred to the roots resulting in damage and the possible loss of trees. A Terram tree-root-protection geocell is suitable for:

  • Access roads and parking areas.
  • Driveways & paths.

5. References:

Terram Geocell 25/10 & 22/20
Tel: 01621 874200 | email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | For more information in Geocell

Site post development (click images to enlarge - images coming soon)