Bexhill High School Down Road Site - East Sussex · Bexhill High School – Down Road Site September 2008 1 0.0 SUMMARY White Young Green was commissioned to carry out a tree survey

Bexhill High School Down Road Site Tree Survey Report for Longley Kier / East Sussex County Council September 2008

thinking beyond construction

Reference:– Bexhill High School – Down Road Site – Tree Survey Report

Issue Prepared by Checked by Verified by

V1 Sept. 2008

V2 Feb. 2009

V3 -

V4 - Guy Morrison Peter Harrison Dr Steve Mustow

V5 - Principal Arboriculturalist Regional Director Director

File Ref: N:Projects/A049964/reports

White Young Green Environmental Limited, Arndale Court, Headingley, Leeds. LS6 2UJ. Telephone: 0113 278 7111 Facsimile: 0113 275 0623 E-Mail: [email protected]

Bexhill High School Down Road Site Tree Survey Report for Longley Kier / East Sussex County Council September 2008

WHITE YOUNG GREE

Longley Kier / E Sussex County Council Tree Survey Report Bexhill High School – Down Road Site September 2008

i

LONGLEY KIER / EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

BEXHILL HIGH SCHOOL – DOWN ROAD SITE

TREE SURVEY REPORT

SEPTEMBER 2008

CONTENTS Page No

0.0 SUMMARY 1

1.0 SCOPE AND BRIEF 2

2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION 2 2.1 Introduction 2 2.2 Topography 2 2.3 Geology and soils 2 2.4 Vegetation 3 2.5 Site access and visibility 3

3.0 STATUTORY TREE PROTECTION 3

4.0 METHODOLOGY 4

5.0 SURVEY RESULTS 5

6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 5 6.1 Tree quality and value categories 5 6.2 Works recommendations 6 6.3 Sustainable tree retention 6 6.4 Construction phase tree protection 6 6.5 Protected species 6 6.6 Topographical survey 7

7.0 REFERENCES 7

APPENDIX A - SURVEY SCHEDULE 8

APPENDIX B - TREE QUALITY AND VALUE ASSESSMENT CATEGORIES 15

APPENDIX C - SPECIES LIST AND POTENTIAL TREE HEIGHT 16

APPENDIX D - TREE CONSTRAINTS PLAN 17

APPENDIX E - REPORT CONDITIONS 18

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


1

0.0 SUMMARY

White Young Green was commissioned to carry out a tree survey on part of the Bexhill High School Down Road site and adjoining land to the south and north-east. The site is proposed for development of a new skills centre, multi-use games area and associated access. The site was visited during August 2008 and the trees assessed in accordance with BSS5837:2005 ‘Trees in relation to construction – Recommendations’. The school site contains a relatively small number of trees. The majority of the trees are ornamental trees planted in mown grass and located to the south and east of the main school building. Other trees surveyed are associated with the highway or leisure centre car park to the south of the school. An area surveyed to the north-east of the school contains willow-dominated scrub. It is not currently known whether trees on the site are subject to a Tree Preservation Order or other statutory protection. Confirmation of this is awaited from the local planning authority. No trees of high quality and value (Category A) have been identified on the site. This was because there are no trees that are likely to make a substantial contribution though their arboricultural, landscape, cultural or ecological value for a period of at least forty years. Nine trees have been assigned to the moderate quality and value category (Category B). These include a Scots pine and blue Atlas cedar to the south of the main school building and an ash tree and silver birch in the north east corner of the site. Other moderate quality trees are a London plane in the leisure centre car park and a black pine, silver maple, fastigiate hornbeam and London plane in the highway verge to the south of the school. All of these trees are likely to make a significant contribution over a period of at least twenty years. Thirty nine individual trees and groups of trees and shrubs of low quality and value (Category C) have been identified. These include younger and smaller trees that are easily replaced, trees with significant structural defects that do not require the felling of the tree, ornamental shrubs and scrub. Eighteen trees or groups of trees require felling because of their condition, irrespective of any development proposal (Category R). Many of these trees are multi-stemmed sycamore which have self-seeded on fence-lines and have weak basal forks or have ingrown with the fencing. Other defects include major crown dieback and major stem bark wounds. Trees on the site represent a constraint that should be taken into account when designing future development. It is recommended that all the moderate quality and value trees are retained within the development with sufficient space to protect their root protection areas and provide sufficient space for future development without causing a nuisance. Where possible, low quality and value trees should be retained, but their presence should not represent a significant constraint on the design.

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


2

1.0 SCOPE AND BRIEF

This arboricultural report was commissioned by Longley Kier on behalf of East Sussex County Council. It relates to the Down Road site of Bexhill High School, Bexhill.

The report was prepared by Guy Morrison Dip.Arb.(RFS) M.Arbor.A MICF, Principal Arboriculturalist at White Young Green Environmental. The scope of the report was to prepare a tree survey report for the site in accordance with BSS5837:2005 ‘Trees in relation to construction – Recommendations’ (BSi, 2005). This would determine the size, condition and value of trees and provide recommendations for remedial work and root protective distances to ensure the future health and stability of retained trees. The proposed developed is the construction of a skills centre and multi-use games area, plus new school access and a potential future piazza and car park. An outline proposal (Devereux Architects drawing no. SK019 Rev.C) was available at the time of the survey. However, this proposal was not taken account of when carrying out the survey where trees were assessed irrespective of any development proposal. The brief for the survey was to survey only those trees in the south and east of the school site that might be affected by the proposed development. Trees were also surveyed on land to the south and north-east of the site as these may be affected by proposed access works. A red boundary plan was provided showing areas to be surveyed.

2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

2.1 Introduction

The site lies north-west of Bexhill town centre at the intersection between the B1233 A259 Little Common Road / King Offa Way and Down Road. The surveyed site includes the eastern part of the Bexhill High School Down Road Campus, plus the western part of the leisure centre and derelict and highway land to the south as far as Down Road. It also includes areas of scrub and grassland to the north-east of the school as far as a footpath that joins Bancroft Road with London Road. To the south and west of the school and surveyed area is a large area of common-like urban parkland, which is bisected by Down Road. To the east and north of the site is is housing. This is predominantly semi-detached to the north and terraced to the east.

2.2 Topography

The site is located approximately 10m above sea level. The site area is flat, with no significant slopes, although there is a steep bank to the small stream on the eastern boundary of the site. The surrounding land slopes gently up to the north-west of the site. The site is located just over 1km from the sea to the south, but is relatively sheltered with no obvious maritime exposure.

2.3 Geology and soils

The underlying geology is unknown and soils were not inspected, but vegetation growth indicated that they were relatively fertile and apparently well-drained over most of the site.

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


3

2.4 Vegetation

The school site does not contain a large number of trees. At the main entrance to the south of the main building there are a number of middle-age and early mature trees growing in mown grass. These included a Scots pine, blue Atlas cedar, common catalpa, Lawson cypress and several Japanese cherries and a short row of Leyland cypress. To the east of these is a single field maple and a corkscrew willow. In the north-east corner of the school site are two rows of Leyland cypress screening a tennis/netball court and several ash trees on and close to the northern boundary. The surveyed area to the south of the school site contains a short row of middle age silver birch on the drive to the school and several multi-stemmed sycamore and clusters of sycamore stems that have self-seeded along fence lines on derelict land. On Down road there is an early mature sycamore planted within the pavement and a group of trees at the junction of Little Common Road that includes a mature black pine and an early mature silver maple, hornbeam and London plane. To the north of this a London plane, purple myrobalan and Norway maple have been planted within the leisure centre car park. The surveyed area to the north-east of school site contains areas of willow and hawthorn scrub and larger trees of crack willow, common alder and silver birch. Within the school, but not surveyed are a number of mature black poplar and single pedunculate oak adjacent to the dinner hall in the north-west of the site. To the west and south of the school are a large number of mature and early mature trees planted within the area of parkland. These include white willow and black, black Italian and Lombardy poplar, which line a path parallel to the school’s western boundary. Many of these poplars have been topped in the past. Other trees include horse chestnut, common lime, sycamore, bird cherry and silver maple. At the western end of the parkland are areas of middle age woodland with pedunculate oak, silver birch and sweet chestnut, and abundant smooth-leaved elm suckers. To the east of the site is a residential area with a low tree density.

2.5 Site access and visibility

There is a high level of use of the school site, except for the area in the north-east corner, where access is restricted. Most of the trees within the site are visible to users of the site, particularly the trees to the south and east of the main school building. Beyond the school, these trees have moderate public visibility due to the footpath that passes between the school and the leisure centre to the south. The surveyed trees to the south of the school have a high degree of public visibility, particularly the highway trees adjacent to Down Road. Given the high level of access and the high or moderate public visibility of the trees, individual trees have the potential for significant individual public amenity value.

3.0 STATUTORY TREE PROTECTION

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and location within Conservation Areas place various restrictions on the felling, pruning or damaging of trees, subject to various exemptions (DETR, 2000). An enquiry has been made to the Local Planning Authority on the presence of TPOs and Conservation Areas within and adjacent to the site and it is currently unknown whether any of the trees on or adjacent to the site are the subject to this statutory tree protection. It is recommended that no felling or pruning, or other works that could damage the trees, is carried out until this has

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


4

been determined, other than the removal of hazardous trees and features, for which 48 hours notice should be given to the LPA if possible. Tree felling on non-residential land is also controlled by the need to obtain a Felling License from the Forestry Commission before felling more than 2m

2 of timber per three month period, subject

to various exemptions and variations (FC, 2005). There is an exemption for the above statutory controls on tree felling and pruning for works strictly necessary to implement development that has received full planning permission. It is recommended that no tree felling, other than the felling of hazardous trees, is carried out until planning permission has been gained and that trees to be felled are shown on a tree protection plan (see section 6.4), which is submitted to the LPA.

4.0 METHODOLOGY

The site was visited during August 2008 to carry out an assessment in accordance with BS5837:2005.

A topographical survey was supplied (Axis Land Surveying drawing number: 001/008/KIER-DS Rev. -) identifying the position of the trees and this formed the basis of the tree constraints plan (Appendix D). This topographical plan did not show trees on land to the south and north-east of the school site, which was included in the tree survey. Trees in this area were positioned on the Tree Constraints Plan by temporarily overlaying and re-sizing an aerial photograph. This method has provided an approximate indication of tree location only and should not be used for detailed planning assessment (see section 6.6)

The following information was collected for each tree: species, age class (see Table 1), height, stem diameter at 1.5m above ground level, crown spread in the four cardinal directions and height of the crown above the ground (excluding basal sprouts and epicormic branches).

Table 1. Age class categories

Age class Proportion of life expectancy

Young < 1/3

Middle-age 1/3 – 1/2

Early mature 1/2 - 2/3

Mature >2/3

Over-mature >2/3 and crown retracting as a result of age

Where multi-stemmed trees and shrubs were identified, the stem diameter was measured close to ground level, immediately above the root buttress flare. Where clusters of stems joining below ground level prevented the measure of a single basal stem diameter, a visual estimate was made of the effective basal stem diameter. An assessment was made of the trees' physiological and structural condition, noting any disorders or biomechanical features that present an obvious hazard to present or future users of the site or affect the trees' life expectancy. Trees were assessed visually from ground level. No climbed inspection, removal of ivy or detailed investigation of decay was made.

Tree condition can change significantly over a relatively short period of time, and therefore the results and recommendations of this survey can only be held to be valid for a period of 12 months following the survey date.

Preliminary management works are proposed in order to either remove/reduce hazards or promote good future growth of the tree. These recommendations do not take account of any development proposals at this stage. All works carried out should comply with BS3998:1989 British Standard Recommendations for Tree Work.

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


5

The trees’ overall quality and value for retention was assessed in accordance with BS5837:2005 Table 1 (Appendix B). This was dependent on the trees’ physiological and structural condition, safe useful life expectancy and arboricultural, landscape, cultural, ecological value and amenity value (as a function of size, prominence, attractiveness and screening). The root protection area (RPA) radius and area for each tree was also calculated in accordance with BS5837:2005. The RPA is an area of ground that provides sufficient soil rooting volume to ensure the survival of the tree.

5.0 SURVEY RESULTS

The survey results are shown in the survey schedule (Appendix A) and partially summarised on the Tree Constraints Plan (Appendix D). The survey assessed fifty three individual trees and thirteen groups of trees. No trees of high quality and value (Category A) have been identified on the site. This was because there are no trees that are likely to make a substantial contribution though their arboricultural, landscape, cultural or ecological value for a period of at least forty years. Nine trees have been assigned to the moderate quality and value category (Category B). These include a Scots pine (no. 39) and blue Atlas cedar (no. 40) to the south of the main school building and an ash tree (no. 51) and silver birch (no. 61) in the north-east corner of the site. Other moderate quality trees are a London plane (no. 2) in the car park and a black pine (no. 3), silver maple (no. 4), fastigiate hornbeam (no. 5) and London plane (no. 7) in the highway verge. All of these trees are likely to make a significant contribution over a period of at least twenty years. Thirty nine individual trees and groups of trees of low quality and value (Category C) have been identified. These include younger and smaller trees that are easily replaced, such as the purple myrobalan (no. 10), rowan (no.s 23 and 25) and a Japanese cherry (no. 28). Trees in this category also included those with significant structural defects, such as weak forks, but which nevertheless have a safe useful life expectancy of more than ten years, such as the Norway maple (no. 11) and several ash (no.s 46, 49 and 52). Trees in this category also include trees with significant damage that does not require the felling of the tree, such the field maple (no. 38), catalpa (no. 42) and corkscrew willow (no. 43). Other trees and shrubs in this category include areas of ornamental shrubs (no.s G9 and G47) and scrub (no.s G48, G56-59, 63 and G64). Eighteen trees or groups of trees require felling because of their condition, irrespective of any development proposal (Category R). Many of these trees are multi-stemmed sycamore (no.s 6, G12-13, 16-18, 24, 26 and 65) that are self-seeded on fence-lines and have weak basal forks with included bark or have ingrown with the chain-link fencing. Other defects include major crown dieback (no.s 1 and 31) and major stem bark wounds (no.s 22, 34, 37 and 50)

6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 Tree quality and value categories

Trees on the site represent a constraint that should be taken into account when designing future development. Of these, the greatest constraint is represented by nine moderate quality and value trees. It is recommended that they are retained within the development with sufficient space to avoid construction damage and allow their future development. Where possible, low (C category) quality and value trees should be retained, but their presence should not represent a significant constraint on the design. It should be noted that although the

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


6

individual loss of low value trees will not have an impact, the cumulative loss of a large number of low value trees could produce a local landscape and ecological impact due to a loss of overall tree cover. Under these circumstances, consideration should be given to providing space for mitigation planting as part of the landscaping of the development scheme. The eighteen trees and groups of trees requiring removal irrespective of the development proposal should obviously not represent a constraint. However, consideration should be given to providing space for their replacement as part of the landscaping of the development scheme.

6.2 Works recommendations

The survey schedule (Appendix A) contains preliminary work recommendations. These recommendations do not take account of development proposals and it is likely additional felling and pruning would be necessary to accommodate any development proposals (see section 6.4). Many of the preliminary work recommendations could be postponed for up to 12 months until a development proposal is finalised and receives planning permission. The only urgent work is the felling of tree number 1. This sycamore is a highway tree and it is assumed that it is the responsibility of the highway authority, rather than the school. All works carried out should comply with BS3998:1989 ‘British Standard Recommendations for Tree Work’. The status of the trees with regards to statutory protection should be resolved (see section 3.0) before any felling or pruning works take place.

6.3 Sustainable tree retention

In order to allow for the long-term sustainable retention of trees, two requirements need to be met. The first is that there is no adverse physical impact on the trees. This can be met by ensuring that no adverse construction takes place within the RPA given in the survey schedule and shown on the tree constraints plan. In addition to reducing the physical impact on the tree, it is also important to allow the space for trees to grow and develop without causing significant nuisances such as severe loss of light to adjacent properties that will lead to pressure for their future felling or severe pruning. Provisional maximum heights are given in Appendix C and it is recommended that this information is taken account of during the design process.

6.4 Construction phase tree protection

It is recommended that all retained trees on or immediately adjacent to the site should be protected by protective fencing during the site clearance and construction phases. This construction exclusion zone should protect the RPA and ensure that trees to be retained and their essential rooting zone is not damaged during the works. All potentially damaging operations should be excluded from within the construction exclusion zone, including: excavation, changes to levels, temporary access, vehicle parking or movements, fires and the storage, disposal or mixing of materials and chemicals. An arboricultural method statement and tree protection plan has been commissioned and will be produced once the proposed development layout is finalised. The plan will show the location and design of the protective fencing and other tree protection measures, such as ground protection. It should also show trees to be retained and removed. The method statement should include procedures and details for tree protection and a schedule and specification for remedial works to trees that are necessary in order to accommodate the proposed development.

6.5 Protected species

Trees on the site may contain nesting birds and roosting bats, both of which are legally protected.

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


7

Generally it is best to avoid felling or pruning trees from March to August to avoid an impact on nesting birds. If it was necessary to carry out the work during this period then it is recommended that a nesting bird survey is carried out an appropriate period prior to the works taking place. Bat roosts within trees are usually associated with features such as cavities, cracks, loose bark and dense ivy and it is recommended that advice is sought from an ecologist before felling any trees with these features on the site.

6.6 Topographical survey

Due to the limited extend of the topographical survey, the positioning of some trees (no.s 4-18, 22-29, 37-38 and 44-66) is based on visual interpretation of aerial photographs only (see section 4.0). This method has provided an approximate indication of tree location only and should not be used for detailed planning assessment. It is recommend that the topographical survey is extended to include these trees and the surrounding features if development is planned in the vicinity. Following this, the Tree Constraints Plan should be revised to show the accurate position of the surveyed trees.

7.0 REFERENCES

BSi. 1989. BS 3998:1989 British Standard Recommendations for Tree Work. British Standards Institute. BSi. 2005. BS5837:2005. Trees in Relation to Construction – Recommendations. British Standards Institute. DETR. 2000. Tree Preservation Orders: a Guide to the Law and Good Practise. Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. FC. 2005. Tree Felling – Getting Permission. Forestry Commission leaflet. More, D. and White, J. 2003. Cassell’s Trees of Britain and Northern Europe. Cassell, London.

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


8

APPENDIX A - SURVEY SCHEDULE

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


9

SURVEY SCHEDULE

Crown spread

radius (m) Ref. no.

Species Age class

Stem diam.

@ 1.5m (mm)

Stem no.

Height (m)

Crown clear-ance

height (m)

N

E S W

Physio-logical condn.

Struct-ural

condn.

Comments

Preliminary work recommendations Rema-ning

contri-bution (yrs)

Qual. and

value grade

RPA radius

(m)

RPA area (m

2)

1 Sycamore Early mature

430 1 11 3 3 4 5 5 Very poor Poor Highway tree in 2.0x2.0m pit in pavement. Significant crown dieback, leading to major deadwood . Approximately 70% of crown dead. The tree is in terminal decline and requires felling.

Fell tree NB: This tree lies beyond the school boundary

<10 R 5.2 84

2 London plane

Middle age

230 1 10.5 1.8 5.5 4.5 3.5 3 Good Fair Located in car-park of Territorial Army Centre. Tree located within raised cobbled area, with a metal circular tree grid. Forks within the crown are weakened by moderate included bark.

No action >40 B1 2.8 24

3 Black pine Mature 710 1 17 4 4 3 6 7 Fair Poor Located in a narrow landscaped strip between the highway and a leisure centre car-park. Major deadwood snags on the stem. Crown density slightly low, but tree not under any obvious stress.

Remove deadwood snags on stem. NB: This tree lies beyond the school boundary

20-40 B1 8.5 228

4 Silver maple Early mature

400 1 12 1.5 4 7 5.5 5 Good Good Highway tree growing in mown verge. Suppressed by adjacent pine, which limits height growth.

Crown-lift to 2.0m to improve access and visibility beneath tree. NB: This tree lies beyond the school boundary

20-40 B1 4.8 72

5 Fastigiate hornbeam

Early mature

370 1 12 2.5 5.5 5.5 3.5 3.5 Good Good Highway tree growing in mown verge. Tree of good form with no visible significant defects.

No action >40 B1 4.4 62

6 Sycamore Middle age

400 @base

2 10.5 2.5 3 3 3 3 Poor Poor Located in a narrow landscaped strip between the highway and a leisure centre car-park. Twin-stemmed from fork at base obscured by ivy. Significant crown dieback. Tree of poor form in decline.


<10 R 4.0 50

7 London plane

Early mature

490 1 15 1 6 8 6 6 Good Good Highway tree growing in mown verge. No visible significant defects.

Crown-lift to 2.0m to improve access and visibility beneath tree. NB: This tree lies beyond the school boundary

>40 B1 5.9 109

8 Scots pine Early mature

400 1 9 4 2 3.5 3.5 4 Fair Poor Located in a narrow landscaped strip between the highway and a leisure centre car-park. Top previously removed at 7.0m, leading to poor form. Low crown density and major deadwood.


<10 R 4.8 72

G9 Cotoneaster,

Pyracantha, Escallonia,

Spirea

Early mature

Mixed Multi-stem

1.5-5 0+ 0.5-3.0

Good Good Mixed shrub bed No action 10-40 C2 Crown spread

Crown spread

10 Purple cherry plum

Early mature

280 @base

2 8 1.5 1.5 4 3.5 2 Good Fair Located in leisure centre shrub-bed. Twin-stemmed from fork at 0.5m No visible significant defects.

No action 20-40 C1 2.8 25

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


10

Crown spread radius (m)

Ref. no.

Species Age class

Stem diam.

@ 1.5m (mm)

Stem no.

Height (m)

Crown clear-ance

height (m)

N

E S W


Struct-ural

condn.

Comments


contri-bution (yrs)

Qual. and

value grade

RPA radius

(m)

RPA area (m

2)

11 Norway maple

Middle age

250 1 11 2 2 5.5 5.5 1.5 Good Fair Off-site tree growing in leisure centre shrub-bed. Weak forks with included bark at 2.0m. Slight stem lean south.

No action 20-40 C1 3.0 28

G12 Sycamore Middle age

50-200 3 9-11 1.5+ 1-4 Good Fair/poor Line of trees growing on fence-line. Many trees have stems ingrown with chain-link fence. Many multi-stemmed trees have weak basal forks with included bark.

Fell trees <10 R Crown spread

Crown spread


50-250 Multi-stem

10-12 1.5+ 1-4 Good Fair/poor Line of trees growing on fence-line. Many trees have stems ingrown with chain-link fence. Many multi-stemmed trees have weak basal forks with included bark.

Fell trees <10 R Crown spread

Crown spread

G14 Blackthorn Mature mixed Multi-stem

5 0 1-3 Good Good Small patch of blackthorn scrub. No action 10-20 C2 Crown spread

Crown spread


<200 Multi-stem

10 1.5 1-3 Good Fair Small cluster of stems self-seeded on the edge of a concrete hardstanding.

No action 10-20 C2 Crown spread

Crown spread

16 Sycamore Young 150, 100, 100

3 7 2.5 2 3 2 2 Fair Very poor Self-seeded cluster of 3 stems growing on the kerb-line and fence-line. Stems ingrown with chainlink fence.

Fell tree <10 R 2.5 19

17 Sycamore Young 150* 1 8 2.5 3 4.5 1.5 2.5 Fair Very poor Self-seeded tree growing on the kerb-line and fence-line. Stems ingrown with chainlink fence.



350 @base*

3 8 2.5 3 3 3 2.5 Dead Poor Dead tree growing on the kerb-line and fence-line. Stems ingrown with chainlink fence.

Fell tree 0 R 3.5 38

19 Silver birch Early mature

240 1 10 1.5 3.5 3 3 3 Fair Fair Tree growing in narrow grass strip between school access roads. Stem kink at 1.2m. Water exudation from pruning wound at 1.3m. Poor occlusion of wound and associated bark death near the wound.

No action 10-20 C1 2.9 26

20 Silver birch Middle age

200 1 10 1.5 3 3 2.5 3 Good Good Tree growing in narrow grass strip between school access roads. No significant visible defects.

No action 20-40 C1 2.4 18

21 Silver birch Middle age

240 1 9 1.8 4 3.5 2.5 2.5 Fair Fair Tree growing in narrow grass strip between school access roads. Slight stem lean north. Stem base bark damage, probably caused by mower.

No action 10-20 C1 2.9 26

22 Silver birch Young 170 @base

5 5.5 1 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 Poor Poor Tree growing in overgrown strip between footpath and car park. Dieback of main stem. Strip of dead bark and decay at 1.0-2.0m. This tree of poor form and condition requires felling.


23 Rowan Young 80 @base

1 3.5 1.2 1 1 1 1 Good Good Tree growing in overgrown strip between footpath and car park. No significant visible defects.

No action 20-40 C1 1.0 3

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


11


Ref. no.

Species Age class

Stem diam.

@ 1.5m (mm)

Stem no.

Height (m)

Crown clear-ance

height (m)

N

E S W


Struct-ural

condn.

Comments


contri-bution (yrs)

Qual. and

value grade

RPA radius

(m)

RPA area (m

2)


600 @base*

10 11 1 4.5 7 5 5.5 Good Poor Tree growing in overgrown strip between footpath and car park. Multi-stemmed with weak forks at base with included bark. Dense ivy partially obscures the base and stems. Stems ingrown with adjacent chainlink fence. Roots appear to be causing distortion of the tarmac footpath to the north.

Fell tree <10 R 6.0 113

25 Rowan Young 100 @base

1 4 0 1 2 1.5 1 Good Good Recently planted tree growing on area of wasteland. Single primary stem, with secondary stems growing from the base. No significant visible defects.

Remove redundant stake 20-40 C1 1.0 3


400 @base*

2 8 0 3 3 3 3.5 Good Poor Tree growing on area of wasteland. Twin-stemmed with weak fork at base with included bark. Dense ivy partially obscures the base and stems. Stems ingrown with adjacent chainlink fence. Roots appear to be causing distortion of the tarmac footpath to the north.


27 Sycamore Early mature

590 1 6 1.3 6 6 3.5 5.5 Good Fair Located in caretaker's garden and overhanging house. Recently crown-lifted.

No action 20-40 C1 7.1 157

28 Japanese cherry

Early mature

260 @base

6 4 1.5 4 1.5 3.5 3.5 Fair Fair Located in mown grass. Multi-stemmed from 0.5m. Light stem base bark damage, probably caused by mower. Crown density slightly low.

No action 10-20 C1 2.6 21

29 Lawson cypress (golden form)

Early mature

350 @base

Multi-stem

6 0 2 2 2 2 Good Good Located in mown grass. No significant visible defects.

No action 20-40 C1 3.5 38

30 Japanese cherry

Early mature

300 @base

5 6.5 3 5 3.5 2.5 1 Fair Poor Located in mown grass. Multi-stemmed from 0.5m. Moderate stem base bark damage, probably caused by mower. Cankering at the stem base. Ripped wounds and associated decay on stem.


31 Japanese cherry

Early mature

280 @base

1 3 1.5 2 2.5 1 0.5 Poor Poor Located in mown grass. Multi-stemmed from 1.2m. Dieback and removal of branches. Cankering on branches. Tree of very poor form.


32 Leyland cypress (golden form)

Early mature

470 @base

2 9.5 3 3 1 3.5 1 Good Fair Tree growing in short line of trees on compacted soil bank. Twin-stemmed at 1.2m with weak fork with included bark.

No action 20-40 C2 4.7 69

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


12


Ref. no.

Species Age class

Stem diam.

@ 1.5m (mm)

Stem no.

Height (m)

Crown clear-ance

height (m)

N

E S W


Struct-ural

condn.

Comments


contri-bution (yrs)

Qual. and

value grade

RPA radius

(m)

RPA area (m

2)


Early mature

310 1 10 3 2 1 3 1 Good Good Tree growing in short line of trees on compacted soil bank. No significant visible defects.

No action 20-40 C2 3.7 43


Early mature

370 @base

2 10 3 2 0.5 3 1 Fair Poor Tree growing in short line of trees on compacted soil bank. Strip of dead bark on north-west stem from base to 3.0m. Strip occupies approximately 1/4 circumference.



Early mature

350 1 10.5 3 2.5 1 3.5 1 Good Fair Tree growing in short line of trees on compacted soil bank. No significant visible defects.

No action 20-40 C2 4.2 55


Early mature

320 1 10.5 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 Good Fair Tree growing in short line of trees on compacted soil bank. Located close to adjacent building. No significant visible defects.

No action 20-40 C2 3.8 46

37 Grey alder Early mature

340 1 11.5 1.8 4.5 3.5 3 4 Poor Fair Located in mown grass strip adjacent to leisure centre. Triangular patch of dead and dying bark at the stem base. Tar-like canker wounds at stem base, possibly indicating Phytothphora infection.


<10 R 4.1 52

38 Field maple Early mature

380 1 7.5 2.5 4 4.5 2 4.5 Good Fair Located in mown grass. Severe surface root bark damage, probably caused by mower. Multi-stemmed from forks at 1.5-2.0m. Recently crown-lifted. Sharp branch stubs at eye-level.

Remove branch stubs 10-20 C1 4.6 65

39 Scots pine Early mature

500 1 10 2.5 4.5 5.5 6 5.5 Good Good Located in mown grass in roundabout. Three-stemmed from fork at 2.5m. Previously crown-lifted. No significant visible defects.

No action >40 B1 6.0 113

40 Blue atlas cedar

Middle age

340 1 10 1.8 5 5 4 3 Good Good Located in mown grass in roundabout. No significant visible defects. Light obstruction of adjacent drive.

Crown-lift to 5.5m above the road to a distance of 1.0m behind the kerb-line

>40 B1 4.1 52

41 Japanese cherry

Middle age

240 @base

3 7.5 1.5 3 4 3 3 Good Good Located in mown grass in roundabout. Multi-stemmed from fork at 0.5m. Commemorative tree. No significant visible defects.

No action 20-40 C1 2.4 18

42 Common catalpa (golden-leaved)

Mature 560 1 11 2 7 4.5 4.5 6 Fair Poor Located in mown grass. Typical spreading branched form. Surface root bark damage, probably caused by mower. Previously crown-lifted. Patches of dead bark, often associated with previous pruning, which has occluded poorly. Minor girdling root.

No action 10-20 C1 6.7 142

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


13


Ref. no.

Species Age class

Stem diam.

@ 1.5m (mm)

Stem no.

Height (m)

Crown clear-ance

height (m)

N

E S W


Struct-ural

condn.

Comments


contri-bution (yrs)

Qual. and

value grade

RPA radius

(m)

RPA area (m

2)

43 Corkscrew willow

Mature 320 1 9.5 1.5 4.5 3 3 3.5 Fair Poor Located in mown grass. Moderate surface root bark damage, probably caused by mower. Strip of dead bark (approx. 1/6 circumference) on the south-west stem from base to 1.4m.

No action 10-20 C1 3.8 46

G44 Leyland cypress

Middle age

150-200 @base

1 8-10 2.2 2-2.5 Good Fair Belt of trees planted to screen tennis court. Located in 3.0m bed. Roots appear to be cracking the tarmac hardstanding to the south.

Consider trimming to a height of 6m if retained.

20-40 C2 Crown spread

Crown spread

G45 Leyland cypress

Middle age

200-250 @base

1 10-11 0 2.5-3.5

Good Fair Belt of trees planted to screen tennis court. Located adjacent to stream.

Consider trimming to a height of 6m if retained.

20-40 C2 Crown spread

Crown spread

46 Ash Middle age

250 1 9 1.8 3.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 Good Good Tree growing at the top of stream bank. Located very close to adjacent building. Twin-stemmed from 1.8m, with weak fork with included bark.

No action 20-40 C1 3.0 28

G47 Oval-leaved privet

Early mature

N/A Multi-stem

4 0 1-4 Good Good Shrubs growing at the top of stream bank.


Crown spread

G48 Grey willow, ash

Early mature

250 @base

Multi-stem

7 1 2-4 Good Fair Line of 4 no. shrubs. No significant visible defects.

No action 10-20 C2 2.5 20

49 Ash Middle age

210 1 8 2 3 2.5 2 2.5 Good Fair Tree growing within patch of scrub. Twin-stemmed from 1.5m, with weak fork with included bark.

No action >40 C1 2.5 20

50 Ash Middle age

460 @base

3 10 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.5 4.5 Poor Very poor Located close (<1.0m) from concrete garage building. Dead bark strips (1/3-1/2 circumference) on all 3 stems.

Fell tree 0 R 4.6 66

51 Ash Middle age

370 1 11 2 4.5 4 1.5 4 Good Fair Located close (approx. 1.0m) from concrete garage building. Minor bark wounds on stem. Pruning branch stub at 1.5m north.

Remove branch stub at 1.5m north >40 B1 4.4 62

52 Ash Early mature

580 @base

2 12 1.5 6 6 5 6 Good Fair Located close to the site boundary. Twin stemmed with a weak fork with included bark at the base. Light stem ivy cover.

No action 20-40 C1 5.8 106

53 Cherry plum Early mature

350 @base*

5 8 2.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 Fair Fair Tree growing in an area of unmown grass. Multi-stemmed from the base. Dieback of minor secondary stems. Large pile of bricks piled to the stem base.

No action 10-20 C1 3.5 38

54 Domestic apple

Mature 380 @base

1 6 2 3.5 3.5 6 3.5 Fair Fair Tree growing in an area of unmown grass. Multi-stemmed from a fork at 1.2m. Large pile of bricks piled to the stem base.

No action 10-20 C1 3.8 45

55 Ash Early mature

230, 340, 510, 200,

400

5 12 8 2 6.5 5 8.5 Fair Fair Cluster of stems growing in an area of dense bramble scrub, which prevents access for inspection. Stem ivy cover prevents inspection.

Clear bramble and ivy to allow inspection.

20-40 C1 9.5 284

G56 Crack willow Early mature

700 @base*

7 4 0 1-6 Good Poor Cluster of stems forming an area of scrub. Many stems recently topped at 1-2m.

Coppice all shoots 10-20 C2 7.0 154

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


14


Ref. no.

Species Age class

Stem diam.

@ 1.5m (mm)

Stem no.

Height (m)

Crown clear-ance

height (m)

N

E S W


Struct-ural

condn.

Comments


contri-bution (yrs)

Qual. and

value grade

RPA radius

(m)

RPA area (m

2)

57 Crack willow Early mature

590 @base

2 12 1.8 4 3 7 7 Good Fair Tree growing within area of scrub. Twin-stemmed at the base with a weak fork with included bark. Western stem has a weeping cut through the bark over 2/3 of circumference. This species is vulnerable to stem and branch failure when mature.

No action. Consider whether coppicing is appropriate if site developed near tree.

10-20 C2 5.9 109

58 Crack willow Early mature

600 @base*

6+ 10 1.5 5 7 7 3 Good Fair Tree growing within area of scrub close to a stream. Twin-stemmed from 1.5m. This species is vulnerable to stem and branch failure when mature.

Consider pollarding at 1.5m 10-20 C2 7.2 163

G59 Grey willow, hawthorn

Early mature

N/A Multi-stem

<7 0+ 1-4 Good Fair Patch of scrub with bramble No action 10-20 C2 Crown spread

Crown spread

60 Common alder

Middle age

150* 1 7 1.5 2.5 2 2.5 2 Good Good Growing in an area of bramble scrub, which prevents access for inspection.

Clear bramble to allow inspection. 20-40 C1 1.8 10

61 Silver birch Early mature

300 1 12 1 5 5 3 3 Good Good Located in an area of bramble scrub. Slight stem lean north. No significant visible defects.

No action 20-40 B1 3.6 41

62 Common alder

Early mature

250* 1 9 2 3 3 3 3 Good Good Growing in an area of bramble scrub, which prevents access for inspection.

Clear bramble to allow inspection. 20-40 C1 3.0 28

63 Grey willow Middle age

Mixed Multi-stem

3.5 0 2 2 2 2 Good Good Patch of scrub. No action 20-40 C2 Crown spread

Crown spread

G64 Crack willow, ash, hawthorn

Young/ middle

age

50-150 Multi-stem

2-4 0+ 1-3 Good Good/fair Patch of dense scrub running parallel to stream.


Crown spread


4x30, 5x20

9 10 2 6 3 5 5 Good Poor Cluster of stems growing at the top of stream bank. Located very close (approx. 1.0m) to adjacent building. This location is unsuitable to allow continued development of the trees. Multi-stemmed from the base with weak forks with included bark.


<10 R 9.0 255

G66 Ash, goat willow

Young N/A Multi-stem

4 2 1-3 Good Good Naturally regenerated trees growing in narrow (approx. 1.5m) gap between buildings. This location is unsuitable to allow continued development of the trees.

Fell trees NB: These trees lie beyond the school boundary

<10 R Crown spread

Crown spread

* - Attribute visually estimated due to limited access

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


15

APPENDIX B - TREE QUALITY AND VALUE ASSESSMENT CATEGORIES

Table B1. From BS5837:2005, Table 1 – ‘Cascade chart for tree quality assessment’.

TREES FOR REMOVAL

Category and definition

Criteria Plan colour

Category R Those in such a condition that any existing value would be lost within 10 years and which should, in the current context, be removed for reasons of sound arboricultural management.

• Trees that have a serious, irreversible, structural defect, such that their early loss is expected due to collapse, including those that will become unviable after removal of other R category tree (ie: where, for whatever reason, the loss of companion shelter cannot be mitigated by pruning)

• Trees that are dead or are showing signs of significant, immediate, and irreversible overall decline

• Trees infected with pathogens of significance to the health and/or safety of other trees (eg: Dutch elm disease) or very low quality trees suppressing adjacent trees if better quality

• NB: Habitat reinstatement may be appropriate (eg: R category tree used as a bat roost: installation of bat box in nearby tree).

Dark red

TREES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR RETENTION

Criteria - Subcategories Category and definition 1. Mainly arboricultural values 2. Mainly landscape values 3. Mainly cultural values,

including conservation

Plan colour

Category A Those of high quality and value: in such a condition as to be able to make a substantial contribution (a minimum of 40 years is suggested).

Trees that are particularly good examples of their species, especially if rare or unusual, or essential components of groups, or of formal or semi-formal arboricultural features (eg: the dominant and/or principal trees within an avenue).

Trees, groups or woodlands which provide a definite screening or softening effect to the locality in relation to views into or out of the site, or those of particular visual importance (eg: avenues or other arboricultural features assessed as groups).

Trees, groups or woodlands of significant conservation, historical, commemorative or other value (eg: veteran trees or wood-pasture).

Light green

Category B Those of moderate quality and value: in such a condition as to make a significant contribution (a minimum of 20 years is suggested).

Trees that might be included in the high category, but are downgraded because of impaired condition (eg: presence of remedial defects including unsympathetic past management and minor storm damage).

Trees present in numbers, usually as groups or woodlands, such that they form distinct landscape features, thereby attracting a higher collective rating than they might as individuals but which are not, individually, essential components of formal or semi-formal arboricultural features (eg: trees of moderate quality within an avenue that include better, A category specimens), or trees situated mainly internally to the site, therefore individually having little visual impact on the wider locality.

Trees with clearly identifiable conservation or other cultural benefits.

Mid blue

Trees not qualifying in higher categories.

Trees present in groups or woodlands, but without this conferring on them significantly greater landscape value, and/or trees offering low or only temporary screening benefit.

Trees with very limited conservation or other cultural benefits.

Category C Those of low quality and value: currently in adequate condition to remain until new planting could be established (a minimum of 10 years is suggested), or young trees with a stem diameter below 150mm.

NB: Whilst C category trees will usually not be retained where they impose a significant constraint on development, young trees with a stem diameter of less than 150mm should be considered for relocation.

Grey

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


16

APPENDIX C - SPECIES LIST AND POTENTIAL TREE HEIGHT

Table C1. Potential ultimate height for tree and tall shrub species and cultivars on the survey site, based on More and White (2003) and revised for local conditions.

Species Common name Potential height (m)

Aesculus hippocastanum horse chestnut 25*

Carpinus betuloides ‘Fastigiata’ fastigiate hornbeam 18*

Acer campestre field maple 14

Acer platanoides Norway maple 22*

Acer pseudoplatanus sycamore 25*

Acer saccharinum silver maple 20*

Alnus glutinosa common alder 18*

Alnus incana grey alder 18*

Betula pendula silver birch 18*

Catalpa bignoides ‘Aurea’ Indian bean tree (golden-leaved form)

12*

Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’ 25*

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Lutea’ (or similar cultivar)

Lawson cypress (golden-leaved form)

15

X Cupressocyparis leylandii Leyland cypress 25*

X Cupressocyparis leylandii ‘Castlewellan’ (or similar cultivar)

Leyland cypress (golden-leaved form)

25*

Crataegus monogyna hawthorn 12*

Fraxinus excelsior ash 25*

Ligustrum ovalifolium oval-leaved privet 8**

Malus domestica orchard apple 10

Pinus nigra black pine 28*

Pinus sylvestris Scots pine 22*

Platanus x hispanica London plane 25*

Populus x canadensis black Italian poplar 28*

Populus nigra black poplar 25

Prunus cerasifera myrobalan plum 8

Prunus cerasifera ‘Pissardii’ (or ‘Nigra’)

purple myrobalan plum 10

Prunus serrulata Japanese cherry 12

Prunus spinosa blackthorn 7

Quercus robur pedunculate oak 22*

Salix cinerea grey willow 7

Salix fragilis crack willow 22*

Salix ‘Tortuosa’ corkscrew willow 10

Sambucus nigra elder 6**

Sorbus aucuparia rowan 14*

Ulmus minor subsp. minor smooth-leaved elm 10*

* - Typical mature height for similar sheltered sites in the Bexhill area is less than the maximum height given by Johnson and More. ** - Typical mature height for shrubs not included in More and White.

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


17

APPENDIX D - TREE CONSTRAINTS PLAN

(White Young Green drawing no. A049964-4104-578-01)

WHITE YOUNG GREEN


18

APPENDIX E - REPORT CONDITIONS

WYG ENVIRONMENT PLANNING TRANSPORT LTD

Bexhill High School – Down Road site – Tree Survey Report

This report is produced solely for the benefit of Marston’s plc and no liability is accepted for any reliance placed on it by any other party unless specifically agreed in writing otherwise. This report is prepared for the proposed uses stated in the report and should not be used in a different context without reference to WYG. In time improved practices, fresh information or amended legislation may necessitate a re-assessment. Opinions and information provided in this report are on the basis of WYG using due skill and care in the preparation of the report. This report refers, within the limitations stated, to the environment of the site in the context of the surrounding area at the time of the inspections. Environmental conditions can vary and no warranty is given as to the possibility of changes in the environment of the site and surrounding area at differing times. This report is limited to those aspects reported on, within the scope and limits agreed with the client under our appointment. It is necessarily restricted and no liability is accepted for any other aspect. It is based on the information sources indicated in the report. Some of the opinions are based on unconfirmed data and information and are presented as the best obtained within the scope for this report. Reliance has been placed on the documents and information supplied to WYG by others but no independent verification of these has been made and no warranty is given on them. No liability is accepted or warranty given in relation to the performance, reliability, standing etc of any products, services, organisations or companies referred to in this report. Whilst skill and care have been used, no investigative method can eliminate the possibility of obtaining partially imprecise, incomplete or not fully representative information. Any monitoring or survey work undertaken as part of the commission will have been subject to limitations, including for example timescale, seasonal and weather related conditions. Although care is taken to select monitoring and survey periods that are typical of the environmental conditions being measured, within the overall reporting programme constraints, measured conditions may not be fully representative of the actual conditions. Any predictive or modelling work, undertaken as part of the commission will be subject to limitations including the representativeness of data used by the model and the assumptions inherent within the approach used. Actual environmental conditions are typically more complex and variable than the investigative, predictive and modelling approaches indicate in practice, and the output of such approaches cannot be relied upon as a comprehensive or accurate indicator of future conditions. The potential influence of our assessment and report on other aspects of any development or future planning requires evaluation by other involved parties. The performance of environmental protection measures and of buildings and other structures in relation to acoustics, vibration, noise mitigation and other environmental issues is influenced to a large extent by the degree to which the relevant environmental considerations are incorporated into the final design and specifications and the quality of workmanship and compliance with the specifications on site during construction. WYGE accept no liability for issues with performance arising from such factors February 2009

Documents

Bexhill High School Down Road Site - East Sussex · Bexhill High School – Down Road Site September 2008 1 0.0 SUMMARY White Young Green was commissioned to carry out a tree survey