Description: HCUK Group prepared a Tree Survey & Arboricultural Impact Assessment with Arb Method Statement to support a successful planning application for a proposed paragraph 84 house (NPPF planning policy) within a greenfield site near Kington Langley in Wiltshire. ​​​

HCUK Group involvement: Arboricultural and Landscape services.​​

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Summary

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The steeply sloping site included small grass fields with fragmented hedgerows, small tree groups and open grown trees, with some impressive oaks including two veteran oak trees within the site boundary vegetation.  None of the trees were protected by Tree Preservation Orders, and the site is less than 1km from the Kington Langley Conservation Area. The Stein Brook runs along the southern boundary of the site where some old willow coppice stools could be found. Other on-site tree species included poplar, horse chestnut ,hawthorn and hazel (coppice stools).

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In addition, HCUK Group also undertook the Landscape Visual Appraisal (LVA) to support the planning application. 

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Key issues:

• The enclosed and verdant character was an important feature of the site and the surrounding landscape. The tree Assessment allowed the successful protection and retention of the on-site tree resource and landscape character. 

• On such a sloping site, with potential for root severance during construction, appropriate mitigation was essential to retain the integrity of the tree resource. Protection measures included hand-digging and/or no-dig policies alongside tree protection fencing, permeable footpath surfacing and pile and beam foundation for sections of the main house construction.

• A small number of mainly low quality stems were removed to facilitate the construction, with native trees, hedgerow and shrubs planted to blend with the existing retained vegetation.