Tree Condition Survey for Proposed Taplow Footbridge at Ray Mill Island and Taplow Riverside, Mill Lane Taplow, Buckinghamshire

Transcription

1 Tree Condition Survey for Proposed Taplow Footbridge at Ray Mill Island and Taplow Riverside, Mill Lane Taplow, Buckinghamshire Tree Condition Survey for Proposed Taplow Footbridge at Ray Mill Island and Taplow Riverside, Mill Lane Taplow, Buckinghamshire Prepared for: Berkeley Homes (Oxford and Chiltern) Ltd Prepared by Peter Wilkins BA (Hons) MArborA Ruskins Group Consultancy Our Ref Rev 1 Revised November 2014

2 Tree Condition Survey for Proposed Taplow Footbridge at Ray Mill Island and Taplow Riverside, Mill Lane, Taplow, Buckinghamshire 1.0 Introduction We have been instructed by Berkeley Homes (Oxford and Chiltern) Ltd to assess the condition of trees located within and close to the boundary of the site. The site was 1 st visited in February 2014 and has been visited on a number of subsequent occasions with the last visit being undertaken in November 2014 during these visits a survey of the condition of the tree resource was made in accordance with BS This is an updated extract of the larger survey surveying the trees located in close proximity to the proposed Taplow Footbridge. This survey has been updated to reflect the tree works necessary to construct the Taplow Footbridge. 2.0 Survey Methodology We have surveyed all the individual trees and groups of trees located within and close to the boundary of the site. The objective of the survey is to collect tree data relevant to the proposed redevelopment of the site and to categorise individual trees or tree groups in accordance with BS 5837 (2012) Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction Recommendations based on their condition, quality and future potential. The purpose of the categories within BS , is not to determine whether retention of trees is desirable, The purpose of the tree categorization method, which should be applied by an arboriculturist, is to identify the quality and value (in a non-fiscal sense) of the existing tree stock, allowing informed decisions to be made concerning which trees should be removed or retained in the event of development occurring. (BS Section 4.5.2). This survey should therefore be regarded as an initial appraisal and observations, assessments or recommendations relating to tree protection zones, remedial tree works, protective fencing, foundation design, material specification are beyond the scope of this report. The location of the trees is shown on the attached drawing. It should be noted that all trees within the s of adjoining residential properties have been viewed only from within the site. A detailed inspection of individual trees with respect to decay, defects and hazard is not included. However, trees found to be in a structurally dangerous condition are identified.

3 3.0 New Pedestrian Bridge The proposed Pedestrian Bridge crossing The River Thames is located to the northern end of the Taplow Riverside Conservation Area, it lands on the western side of the river on Ray Mill Island which is within The Maidenhead Riverside Conservation Area. The pedestrian bridge requires a boardwalk footpath linking with the footpath that runs along the eastern side of Jubilee Riverside North. To allow for the proposed footbridge and to ease access to the construction area on Mill Island, 4 Sycamores T389, T390, T395, T396 are to be removed. These trees are semi-early mature trees of relatively poor form and their removal will not impact on the overall amenity value of the tree resource in this area, which is dominate by mature pollarded poplars. The western side of the bridge is located on a narrow piece of land to the southern side of the existing footpath. This triangular piece of land is border by The River Thames to the east and south and a concrete inlet to the west. There is a poor quality multi-stemmed Ash T472 and two Swamp Cypresses T473 and T474 growing to the north of the proposed bridge location with a Sycamore T475 and Ash T476 to the west of the existing pedestrian ramp. T476 is in poor condition and we recommend the condition and future management of this tree is assessed by the tree owners prior to works commencing. To allow for the construction of the pedestrian footbridge the multi-stemmed Sycamore T477 and semi-mature Sycamore T478, along with the semi-mature Conifers and selfseeded Sycamores TG53 all growing on the triangular piece of land are to be removed. We are confident that the proposed piled foundations for bridge, whilst within the theoretical Root Protection of these trees, will not impact on structurally important roots, and the foundations and bridge structure can be constructed without detriment to the health, stability or longevity of these trees. All bridgeworks will be subject to a site specific construction methodology and a detailed Arboricultural Method Statement will be prepared to address the tree protection measures associated with the construction of the bridge. These documents will be approved by the Tree Officers for both South Bucks District Council and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead prior to commencement of works. Peter Wilkins BA (Hons) MArborA Ruskins Group Consultancy 11 th November 2014

4 Tree Species Hgt Stem DBH (mm) of Stems N E S W ER YC Vig Form Age Class Description / Observation Proposed Works BS Cat T385 Poplar A A V Pollarded previously at 15m Multi stemmed tree at 5m Twin stemmed tree at 4.5m Major stem and basal decay, stem visibly hollow Veteran tree located on edge of River Thames, the tree has average form and appears to be in average health however the tree presents significant risk of collapse given the advanced stem decay Undertake detailed health and safety inspection with the use of mechanical apparatus, with a view to long term retention in reduced state A3 T386 Poplar A A M Moderate amenity / landscape value Moderate dead and diseased wood Pollarded previously at 16m Stem cavity at 3m cannot inspect decay average form and moderate potential B2 T387 Sycamore A A/P M Low amenity / landscape value Suppressed by adjacent tree Smaller suppressed side stem indifferent form but moderate potential B3 T388 Poplar A A OM Pollarded previously at 15m Multi stemmed tree at 4.5m Heavily ivy clad crown and stem tree has average form and moderate to long-term potential T389 Sycamore L A/P EM Low amenity / landscape value Suppressed by adjacent tree Heavily ivy clad crown and stem indifferent form but moderate potential Remove to ease access for construction of footbridge T390 Sycamore A A/P EM As per T389 Remove to ease access for construction of footbridge

5 Tree Species Hgt Stem DBH (mm) of Stems N E S W ER YC Vig Form Age Class Description / Observation Proposed Works BS Cat T391 Poplar A A OM Pollarded previously at 26m Twin stemmed tree at 6m 2 x Stem cavities below crown break Dead ivy covering stem tree has average form and moderate to long term potential T392 Poplar A A OM Pollarded previously at 20m Heavily ivy clad crown and stem tree has average form and moderate to long term potential T393 Poplar A A OM Pollarded previously at 20m Twin stemmed tree at 5m Large 'dogs leg' bough toward lawn tree has average form and moderate to long term potential T394 Poplar A A OM Pollarded previously at 24m tree has average form and moderate to long term potential T395 Sycamore A A M Moderate amenity / landscape value Twin stemmed tree at 6m average form and moderate potential Remove to allow for construction of footbridge C3 T396 Sycamore A A M Moderate amenity / landscape value Moderate dead and diseased wood Twin stemmed tree at 3.5m and 2.5 with inclusions Heavily ivy clad crown and stem average form and moderate to long term potential Remove to allow for construction of footbridge C3

6 Tree Species Hgt Stem DBH (mm) of Stems N E S W ER YC Vig Form Age Class Description / Observation Proposed Works BS Cat T472 Ash M/s A A/P M A multi-stemmed tree growing on the eastern bank of Ray Mill Island. This tree is located to the eastern side of the existing pedestrian footpath ramp. T473 Swamp Cypress * A A M A mature tree growing on the eastern bank of Ray Mill Island. This tree is located to the eastern side of the existing pedestrian footpath ramp. B2 T474 Swamp Cypress * A A M A mature tree growing on the eastern bank of Ray Mill Island. This tree is located to the eastern side of the existing pedestrian footpath ramp. B2 T475 Sycamore M/s A A/P M A mature tree growing on Ray Mill Island. This tree is located on the western side of the existing pedestrian footpath ramp. It has poor form and with regard to the form of this tree and the condition of the nearby Ash T476 the long term future of this tree is considered to be compromised. This tree is located to the western side of the western landing point of the proposed pedestrian bridge from Taplow Mill Island. T476 Ash P P M A mature declining tree growing on Ray Mill Island. This tree is located on the western side of the existing pedestrian footpath ramp. This tree has been reduced it has significant cavities in the old reduction points, has a very sparse canopy and poor form. At the time of my inspection in early August there were early signs of a fungal fruiting body which is considered to compromise the safe remaining life-expectancy of this tree. With regard it its location close to the footpath we recommend that the owners of this tree undertake an inspection to assess the condition and risks associated with this tree. Owners of tree should undertake inspection to assess its condition. U T477 Sycamore , 350, , A A M A mature multi-stemmed 3 rd party owned tree growing on Ray Mill Island. This tree is growing on a narrow piece of unmanaged ground between the River Thames and a concrete inlet, to the southern side of the existing pedestrian footpath ramp. There is some dieback and small diameter deadwood in the canopy of this tree. The tree is growing up against an low wall, with railings. The open branch structure of this tree and limited suitable features indicates that this tree has a low bat roost potential. Remove to allow for proposed pedestrian bridge T478 Sycamore A A SM A semi-mature 3 rd party owned tree growing on Ray Mill Island. This tree is growing on a narrow piece of unmanaged ground between the River Thames and a concrete inlet, to the southern side of the existing pedestrian footpath ramp. The young age of this tree, lack of suitable features and its open form indicate that this tree has a low bat roost potential. Remove to allow for proposed pedestrian bridge

7 Tree Species Hgt Stem DBH (mm) of Stems N E S W ER YC Vig Form Age Class Description / Observation Proposed Works BS Cat TG53 Mixed Group A A SM A mixed group of semi-mature Lawson cypress, Thujas and Sycamores These trees are growing on a narrow piece of unmanaged ground between the River Thames and a concrete inlet, to the southern side of the existing pedestrian footpath ramp. The young age of this trees and lack of suitable features indicate that these trees have a low bat roost potential Selective removals to allow for proposed pedestrian bridge There is statutory protection including Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas covering some of the trees on this site, and for some areas of the site in the absence of planning consent unless exemptions apply a felling licence from the Forestry Commission may be required to fell trees. Anyone undertaking tree works are this site must ensure that unless exemptions apply, the necessary planning consent or consent for tree works is in place before tree works are undertaken. All persons involved in instructing or undertaking tree works must understand that it is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to disturb roosting bats, nesting birds or other species. We recommend that the project ecologist is consulted prior to tree works commencing. All works must be agreed with the tree owners All works to be undertaken by suitably experienced and insured contractors undertaking works to comply with safe working practices and BS3998 (2010).

8 Appendix 1 Tree Removals Plan For a digital copy of the above plans please peterw@ruskins.co.uk

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