Proarb Limited

Proarb House, Abergele Road, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, LL18 5WQ Tel: 01745 828380 Fax: 01745 828381 e-mail: admin@proarb.co.uk Website: www.proarb.co.uk VAT GB821 8994 96 Registered in Wales, Company Registration Number: 4516313 Registered Office: Unit 32, St Asaph Business Park, Denbighshire. LL17 0JA

BS5837:2012 Report

RELATING TO TREE(S) AT

Bryn Hyfryd, Llanrwst

PREPARED FOR

Owen Devenport Ltd. on behalf of

Myrddin Davies

BY

Rob Jones Arboricultural Consultant

INSPECTION DATE

Wednesday, 24th October 2018

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Caveat Lector

1. Information supplied to Proarb Ltd by or on behalf of the client on which this report is based is assumed to be accurate. Any erroneous data supplied to Proarb Ltd and contained within this report renders it null and void in its entirety.

2. No liability is assumed by the author or by Proarb Ltd for the misuse, misinterpretation or misrepresentation of this report.

3. This report is not valid in adverse or unpredictable weather conditions or for any tree failure resultant of ‘force majeure’.

4. No responsibility is assumed by the author or Proarb Ltd for any works undertaken on the basis of recommendations of this report. Conversely, no responsibility is assumed by the author of this report or by Proarb Ltd for any legal matters that may arise as a consequence.

5. Neither the Author, nor Proarb Ltd will be required to attend court or give testimony as part of this work instruction.

6. Trees were assessed from the ground only. No climbing inspections were conducted. No wood, root or soil samples were taken for further analysis.

7. Alteration of site conditions in close proximity to trees noted on the date of survey will invalidate this report in its entirety.

8. This report and all its annexes are intended for the sole use of the client. Reproduction and distribution of this report is forbidden unless consent has been given by the author.

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Table of Contents

Page

1. Introduction 4 1.1 Professional Details 4 1.2 Instruction 4 1.3 Background Information 4 1.4 Documents and Plans 4 1.5 Site Visit 5 1.6 Wildlife and Habitat considerations 5 1.7 Limitations 5

2. Arboricultural Implications Assessment (AIA) 6 2.1 Tree Stock Analysis 6 2.2 Tree Removals 6 2.3 Above Ground Constraints 7 2.4 Below Ground Constraints 7 2.5 Light and Shading 7 2.6 Replacement Planting 7

3. Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) 8 3.1 Trees and Development Principals 8 3.2 Protective Barrier Fencing Specification 9 3.4 Site Monitoring and Communication 10

Appendices Plans (i) Survey Schedule (ii)

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1. Introduction

1.1 Professional Details 1.1.1 My name is Rob Jones; I work as an Arboricultural Consultant for Proarb Limited, an arboricultural

consultancy, contracting and training practice headquartered at Proarb House, Abergele Road, Bodelwyddan. The practice specialises in arboriculture, forestry, arboricultural consultancy, sector skills training and National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC) Assessments. I hold an honours degree in Forest and Woodland Management and have specialised in arboricultural consultancy for over ten years. I am also a LANTRA accredited Professional Tree Inspector.

1.2 Instruction 1.2.1 This report has been commissioned by Jamie Bradshaw of Owen Devenport for the purposes of

identifying tree constraints in contemplation of development at Bryn Hyfryd, Llanrwst. 1.2.2 The survey and report focus upon all trees within impacting distance of the proposed development,

including third party trees located beyond the site boundary.

1.2.3 All trees have been surveyed and categorised in accordance with BS 5837: 2012 ‘Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations’ whilst also following the principles set out within the Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) method, as prescribed by Prof. Dr. Claus Mattheck. The site survey is supported by both an Arboricultural Implications Assessment (AIA) and Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) as well as tree constraints and protection plans.

1.3 Background Information

1.3.1 The site currently consists of open semi improved grassland, with individual trees, groups and hedges located on the periphery. An existing two storey residential property with associated outbuildings is located in the South Eastern corner of the site. Access is currently gained via a private driveway, to the South/South East of the site.

1.3.2 The site is located outside of the Llanrwst Conservation area. It is not know whether any Tree Preservation Orders are in force on site at this time.

1.3.3 The proposed development to which this report pertains, involves the construction of a new housing

estate, with 16 new build plots and a 17th plot which incorporates an existing barn. Details relating to the 17th plot have not been provided at this stage. The new build properties are to consist of a mixture of 2-3 bedroom dormers and 3-4 bedroom houses, all with associated hard and soft landscaping and parking areas.

1.4 Documents and Plans 1.4.1 The topographical survey has been supplied in .DWG format (drawing reference: 18_130/01). All

plans that accompany this report have been produced using this plan as a base map.

1.4.2 The proposed scheme has been supplied in .DWG format. This report has been written in conjunction with this proposed scheme (drawing reference: Ty/398/PL01A).

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1.4.3 Trees on or adjacent to the development site have been plotted onto the plan to form a Tree Constraints Plan (TCP). Where necessary, root protection areas (RPA’s) have been augmented to mirror restrictions to root development on site. This in turn has been used to create an Incursion Plan (IP-01), on which the proposed scheme has been overlaid to highlight areas where the scheme conflicts with trees on site. A Tree Protection Plan (TPP-01) shows the positioning of protection measures required to ensure retained trees are afforded protection at all stage of the development process. Protection measures recommended in this instance are limited to protective barrier fencing (PBF), which will be used to create a construction exclusion zone (CEZ). Plans can be found in Appendix (i).

1.5 Site Visit 1.5.1 The site visit took place on 25th October 2018. Trees were assessed and information gained can be

found within the survey schedule, appended to this report. 1.5.2 Weather conditions on the day of survey were dry and overcast with occasional sunshine.

1.6 Wildlife and Habitat Considerations 1.6.1 Trees have the potential to support a whole host of bird and bat species; birds and bats are afforded

protection under both Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW).

1.6.2 Where birds and/or bats are found to be present, the advice of an appropriately qualified person must be sought.

1.7 Limitations 1.7.1 Trees were inspected from the ground only; no climbing inspections were conducted. No wood

material, soil or root samples were taken for further analysis.

1.7.2 This report focuses upon Arboricultural implications associated with the proposed scheme only. Specialisms outside of this area have not been commented upon.

1.7.3 This report is valid for a period of one year from the date of inspection. Any building development or changes in soil levels within the vicinity of trees not compliant with this report will invalidate it in its entirety.

1.7.4 It is stressed that assessments of tree condition are valid for a limited period only and should be

regarded as a ‘snapshot’ of the trees’ condition at the time of inspection. The trees referred to in this report are living organisms and are therefore subject to natural processes. They will also be subject to changes in their natural environment caused by human activities and weather conditions.

1.7.5 Information regarding the routing of service lines on site has yet to be determined. In the event that

services are to be installed in close proximity to trees, reference should be made to NJUG Volume 4: Guideline for Planning, Installation and Maintenance of Utility Apparatus in Proximity to Trees.

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2. Arboricultural Implications Assessment (AIA) It is assumed that section 2 of this report will be read in conjunction with the TCP, IP, TPP and survey schedule as appended. All tree works required to facilitate the scheme are to be completed prior to the installation of protection measures. All protection measures are to be installed prior to the commencement of development works on site, affording retained trees the highest level of protection during the development process. The location of protection measures are shown on TPP-01. Specifications for PBF can be found within the Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) section of this report.

2.1 Tree Stock Analysis 2.1.1 A total of 7 individual trees, 6 hedges and 3 tree groups have been identified and inspected for the

purposes of this report. All trees, groups and hedges have been inspected and data collected has been entered into the Survey Schedule appended to this report. Trees/shrubs of less than 7.5cm diameter at breast height (DBH) measured at 1.5m have not been recorded.

2.1.2 Dominant tree species on site broadly consists of ash, oak and sycamore, with mixed species hedges

present throughout.

2.1.3 Tree stock on site is generally of reasonable quality, providing both amenity and habitat value to the site and to the wider area more generally. Tree Work Requirements Summary

Tree Removals Above Ground Constraints Below Ground Constraints

H1:C2 N/A N/A

H2:C2

H3:C2

H5:C2

H6:C2

G3:C2

2.2 Tree Removals

2.2.1 Hedge numbers H1, H2, H3, H5, H6 and group number G3 have attained a BS5837 category of ‘C’,

primarily as a result of their lack of amenity value and obscured viewpoints. These hedges/groups are in direct conflict with the proposed scheme and are to be removed. Because of their low quality, they should not constrain the development in any way and their removal is deemed as acceptable in this instance. Only the section of H1 adjacent to plot 7, 8 and 9 is to be removed. The remaining section of hedge is to be retained and protected.

2.2.2 Group number G1, is a third party tree group located beyond the site boundary. The group has been incorporated into the survey as a result of its close proximity to the proposed scheme; however, the group will not be impacted upon by the proposed scheme in any way. Existing restrictions to root development noted on the day of survey dictate that there is no need to provide additional protection measures during construction work on site.

2.2.3 All remaining trees/groups/hedges are to be retained and protected for the duration of development

works on site.

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2.3 Above Ground Constraints

2.3.1 No above ground constraints relating to the construction of the proposed scheme present.

2.4 Below Ground Constraints

2.4.1 No below ground constraints relating to the construction of the proposed scheme present.

2.4.2 Landscaping processes within the RPA’s of retained trees must not involve excavations using heavy plant machinery or rotovators. Any lifting of the current ground cover must be done by hand and to a depth no greater than 100mm. Resurfacing within RPA’s must mirror current soil levels. Changes to ground levels currently observed within the RPA’s of established trees must be avoided.

2.5 Light and Shading

2.4.1 It is not anticipated that shading from retained trees will be an issue in this instance.

2.6 Replacement Planting

2.6.1 Soft landscaping which is likely to incorporate tree planting is proposed; however, exact details are not known at this stage.

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3. Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) 3.1 Trees and Development Principles 3.1.1 Following scheme approval from the local planning authority, all tree works are to be carried out in

accordance with BS 3998:2010 ‘Tree Work - Recommendations’. Please contact Proarb in relation to tree work required to facilitate this development. Tree works to be completed prior to the installation of PBF.

3.1.2 PBF must be installed prior to the commencement of any building activities/plant movement/materials

storage on site and must remain in situ for the duration of works unless otherwise agreed to by both the appointed arboricultural consultant and the local authority tree officer.

3.1.3 Care shall be taken when planning site operations in proximity to trees to ensure that wide, tall loads

or plant with booms, jibs and counterweights can operate without contacting retained trees. A banksman/supervisor should be used to ensure that adequate clearance from retained trees is maintained during these processes. In the event that additional pruning is required to facilitate access, the advice of Proarb should be sought.

3.1.4 The following activities are not permitted within the RPA’s of retained trees:

No soil disturbance, compaction, raising or lowering of soil levels;

No linear mechanical excavation whatsoever;

No change in soil level by stripping or filling;

No storage of plant or building material;

No vehicle/plant machinery parking;

No temporary buildings, sheds or offices;

No fires within 10m of tree canopies;

No Storage, handling or mixing of chemicals (including cement) or washing down of vehicles within an unprotected RPA.

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3.2 Protective Barrier Fencing Specification 3.2.1 Location of PBF is documented within TPP-01; PBF is to remain in situ for the duration of

construction works on site. Relocation of PBF to take place only following approval from the appointed arboricultural consultant and local authority tree officer.

3.2.2 Two types of PBF are to be used on site; details are as follows:

Type 1

Type 1 PBF will be used to protect high quality retained trees on site (in this instance, T7625). Type 1 PBF is to be constructed in accordance with specifications set out in BS 5837 section 9.2.2, namely- “A scaffold structure comprising a vertical and horizontal framework, well braced to resist impacts, with vertical tubes spaced at maximum intervals of 3m. Onto this, weldmesh panels should be securely fixed with wire or scaffold clamps. Weldmesh panels on rubber or concrete feet are not resistant to impacts and should not be used.”

BS5837:2012

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Type 2 Type 2 PBF will be used in situations where the extra protection afforded by Type 1 fencing is not required. Type 2 PBF will consist of split pale type fencing. Whilst this type of fencing is less resistant to impacts when compared to Type 1 PBF, it is anticipated that it will provide sufficient protection for retained hedges in this instance.

3.2.3 All weather signs are be attached to the PBF every 10 metres with words such as “CONSTRUCTION EXCLUSION ZONE – KEEP OUT”.

3.2.4 Should PBF become damaged, impairing its ability to protect retained trees, all work shall cease within the vicinity of the damaged PBF until it has been repaired or replaced. If any tree damage is sustained during the interim period, notification should be given to the appointed arboricultural consultant so prescription of remedial tree works can be given.

3.3 Site Monitoring and Communication

3.3.1 All site personnel are to be provided with a copy of this report and associated plans.

3.3.2 It is advised that site visits from both the appointed arboricultural consultant and tree officer take place at regular intervals during site activity, ensuring recommendations within this report are adhered to. THIS CONCLUDES OUR ADVICE

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Appendices Appendix (i) – Plans (TCP – 01, IP – 01 and TPP – 01)

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Appendix (ii) – Survey Schedule