Description: Proposals for the redevelopment of the Mill House Hotel site providing ancillary facilities including further accommodation units, a restaurant, alehouse, reception/bakehouse, and demonstration barn. Associated parking, landscaping and the reinstatement of the former mill leat also formed part of the scheme. Planning permission achieved August 2024. 

HCUK Group involvement:  HCUK Group prepared a Tree Survey & Arboricultural Impact Assessment, as well as a Landscape Visual Appraisal and Heritage advice​​​.

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Summary

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Many of the mature trees are located around the perimeter of the site, or within open ground near the boundary and the site entrance. The tree species within the site included old willow pollards adjacent to the watercourse plus oak, birch, ash, fruit trees and other hardwoods species with some mixed conifers.  The boundary hedgerows were mainly native and undermanaged and a number of the old willows around the perimeter form an impressive landscape feature, although a number of the white willow pollards have suffered limb failure due to lack of management. Near the southeastern section of the site, the trees (mature Lombardy poplar, white willow, oak, birch and weeping willow) were of excellent landscape amenity value. Arguably the most impressive tree on the site is the large walnut directly in front of the hotel complex, with a lovely spreading crown and high visual amenity.

 

The main tree related issues concerned the decision on retention or removal of an existing short avenue of mixed conifer and deciduous trees along the primary access and retaining enough tree cover to provide some screening from local residential properties and the Conservation Area, to limit the perceived development construction. 

 

The proposals retained most of the existing tree cover, with mainly low quality trees removed to facilitate the development. The landscape design maintained a riverine feel with a variety of proposed native and ornamental trees/shrub planting whilst strengthening the existing native hedgerows.​

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Key considerations

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There were no trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders within 150m of the site. However, the site was located close to the Kingham Conservation Area.

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