ARB METHOD STATEMENT Drope Roadl

STONE EXTRACTION DROPE ROAD SAINT GEORGES VALE OF

ARBORICULTURAL METHOD STATEMENT

23 Sept 2016

ARBORICULTURALIST David Rice Forestry Cefnllwydcoed Salem Road. Llandeilo Carmarthenshire SA19 7LR Tel 01558 824019 [email protected]

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Corscadden Associates 77 Fairleigh Road, Pontcanna, . CF11 9JW Tel 02920 373053

Prepared by CA and DR September 2016 1a ARB METHOD STATEMENT Drope Roadl

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A survey of the existing trees on and adjacent land at two fields at Drope Road, Saint Georges CF5 6EG in the has been carried out by David Rice Forestry a suitably qualified and competent Arboriculturist in accordance with British Standard 5837: 2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations.

The purpose of the survey and of this report is to identify the impact of the proposed development of the site on trees, both within and immediately adjacent the site, in accordance with the provisions of BS5837: 2012.

The fields are on the eastern edge of the village of Drope north of Drope Road adjacent to the A4232 just above the roundabout.

The upper triangular field has a large stone mound covered in 500mm of topsoil. The stone was tipped 35 years ago from the construction works of the A4232. The site slopes from approx 37.00m in the south to 25.50m in the north. The southern narrow triangle point is a track and hardstanding.

The southern Field 2 has no stone deposits and has been retained as an agricultural field.

The proposed works will involve - removal of vegetation from the mound except in the dell area, - stripping the topsoil off the stone mound - temporary storage of topsoil in Field 2 - the extraction of the stone - returning triangular field as near to its original profile as possible - re-spreading topsoil across profiled area - allow natural colonisation and manage to bring it back to an agricultural field - remediate damaged section of Field 2 by vehicle movements during topsoil storage and allow natural colonisations as per triangular field. - Reinstate damaged hedge section to Field 2 - Allow fenced area by G2 Dell and gap in northern boundary to regenerate by natural scrub to woodland over time. - Provide bird boxes as recommended by ecologist to mature trees (excluding Ash) in H2 and G2 area.

It is estimated that the works will take approximately 30 months to complete and the work will be in two phases.

Mitigation for the impact of the development can be provided in the form of the following:  The existing hardstanding area is to be restricted for used as the construction access and site compound area so access to the triangular field area is for stone extraction only.  Field 2 is to be used for temporary topsoil storage only. The storage area is to be minimised and accessed through an existing gap in Hedgerow1 with damage to the existing hedge to be minimised.  The erection of protective fencing in advance of the commencement of the development to safeguard the root systems of retained trees and protection of existing soil by defining working area.  The agreement, in advance of the commencement of the development, together with the implementation during the construction phase, of a methodology for the protection of retained trees and field soil areas unaffected by the development  Both the triangular field and field 2 will be returned to agricultural use and the triangle field will be returned as close as possible to its original profile before the stone mound was formed.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

The Tree Survey was undertaken 22 September 2016 by David Rice Forestry and a landscape assessment by Corscadden Associates made at the same time.

DOCUMENTS The following documents should be referred to with reference to this statement. Tree Survey Drope Road Cardiff 22 09 2016 Drope Road Existing Features Photosheets Sept 2016 CA 2016-92 Drope Road Existing Features Aerial

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CA 2016-93 Drope Road Existing Features Aerial Overall CA 2016-94 Drope Road Tree Survey and Tree Protection Plan CA 2016-95 Drope Road Proposals

The documents used in preparing the Tree Survey were 885 Drope Road VOG Final Ecological Report V1 : David Clements Ecology Topographic survey and proposed level details

3.0 EXISTING SITE

Field 2 has only a fenced section for topsoil storage restricted to a limited upper section of Field 2 in a north east section below H1 accessed by widening an existing gap in the hedge. The protective fencing is well away from all boundaries except H1 and also away from the badger activity area..

The triangular field is the field most impacted by the proposed works and the protective fencing will follow the stone mound footprint except where the G2 Dell is to be retained and by the access from the hardstanding area for extraction work and to the Field 2 for topsoil storage.

There is ash dieback has been noted on site. It is highly probable that all ash will succumb to the fatal ash die back disease. It should become apparent which specimens have been infected by Autumn 2017. In the meantime no reliance should be put on the continued existence of ash in any tree retention plans,

Hedgerow H1 on the south western boundary is mainly continuous hawthorn and the loss of ash will not create gaps for planting. It is not proposed to remove the infected ash. They are generally small and pose no danger to field users as they die. Also it will allow any possible resistant trees to survive.

The infected ash will be removed from the G4 group on the north west section of the mound as part of the mound vegetation clearance.

The G3 2no infected ash on the west boundary are indicated for removal.

The infected ash in the G2 Dell area in the south west corner could be felled to open up space for new tree planting. The trees in the northern section of G2 are to be removed to facilitate stone extraction.

The only other clearance is the G5 Hawthorn scrub in isolated locations across the stone mound.

The infected ash elsewhere on site is to be left and is likely to succumb to the ash die back. No action is required by the landowner unless dead trees pose a risk to field users should they fall or drop large branches.

3.1 TREE PROTECTION ORDERS

A check for TPO on trees near or close to the site is being made the results are not yet available.

3.2 TREE REMOVALS

There are two categories of tree removal Trees removed as recommended in the tree survey Category UU G3 2No Ash trees with ash dieback. G4 Ash trees with ash dieback Some ash trees in G2 to be removed in stone mound area and in Dell area

Trees removed to facilitate the stone extraction G5 Scrub trees mainly hawthorn G4 Tree group G2 Part of G2 on stone mound. Dell area to be retained.

The tree removals have to birdnesting. The felling and clearing of the trees will be undertaken between 1 September and 1 March inclusively. The roots will either be stump ground out if they are adjacent to retained trees or stumps pulled out if they are not close to retained trees. All arisings to be removed from site..

Prepared by CA and DR September 2016 3a ARB METHOD STATEMENT Drope Roadl

3.3 TREEWORKS No treeworks are recommended.

3.4 ROOT PROTECTION AREAS OF RETAINED TREES The RPA’s of trees to be retained will be within the protective fence line kept in place for the length of the extraction and reprofiling period.

4.0 SITE ACTIONS

This (AMS) Arboricultural Method Statement is set out for the implementation of any aspect of the development that has the potential to result in the loss or damage to a tree. This AMS sets out the work which will be carried out at Triangular Field and Field 2.

SITE MONITORING The arboriculturalist will undertake the following site monitoring.  Briefing meeting with Principal Contractor – confirm works and fence location  Inspect protective fenceline.

BEFORE WORKS COMMENCE ON SITE Site meeting with Principal Contractor to confirm  Tree and scrub removals  Protective fence line to be confirmed on site.  Protective fencelines to be erected before any works occur. Fencelines to be checked by Arboriculturalist and confirm that they are correctly located. The fence can only be altered/or removed only with Local Planning Authority agreement until extraction and reprofiling is complete.

DURING EXTRACTION No visits should be required if the protective fence is correctly located and maintained in place.

4.1 PROTECTIVE FENCE LINE

The installation of the protective fencing shall be located as shown on Drawing No 2016/94 Tree Survey and Protection Plan before the commencement of any works on site, for protection against damage to trees to be in accordance with BS 5837: 2012 – Trees in relation to Construction. The extent of the extraction exclusion zone and line of the protective fence will be marked out on site to ensure all site operatives are aware of the areas which are to be protected and excavation avoided and compaction minimised in these areas.

A tree protection barrier shall be erected prior to any site activity starting and the extraction exclusion maintained until the end of the construction period when the soft landscape works are undertaken. The tree protection shall be in accordance with BS 5837 2012 – a temporary fence of Heras weldmesh fencing with anchored feet and a scaffold poles driven into the ground to provide a static barrier. Refer to the diagram extracts from BS 5837: 2012.

Additional precautions to avoid damage to trees will apply to the working site outside the extraction exclusion zone as defined in BS 5837 : 2012. Signage will be attached to the fencing ‘Construction Exclusion Zone Keep Out’ Particular care will be taken to avoid any damage to tree branches during the operation of construction machinery and the transportation of tall loads.

Other than works detailed within this method statement or approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) no works (including any vehicular movements, storage or dumping materials, stripping soil) will take place within the exclusion zones defined by the protective fencing.

Works within the Exclusion Zone are restricted as follows:  No vehicle movements.  No fires to be lit.  No storage of extraction materials or spoil  No soil levels to be altered.  No site huts to be placed within the zone.  No site notices/ lighting/ signage etc to be attached to trees to be retained  No mixing of cement or discharge of contaminants i.e. fuel within the zone

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 The ground should be protected from pedestrian movement if required by using boards or geotextile membranes.

4.2 SERVICE INSTALLATION No services occur within the stone mound area of the Triangular Field or Field 2 where works occur. Serrvices are restricted to the hardstanding area where the site compound will be required.

EXTRACTION ACTIVITY The storage and preparation of materials, vehicles and fuel is prohibited within the extraction exclusion zone and trafficking will be kept to an absolute minimum necessary for the development. All tree protection to remain in place until the extraction and reprofiling is complete.

4.3 NATURAL COLONISATION AND NEW HEDGE PLANTING.

New hedge planting is to be undertaken to reinstate the damaged hedge section in H1 hedgerow with hawthorn.

60 No Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn) at 0.30m centres in a double staggered row within a stockproof fence block 1.00m width.

To avoid the introduction of further plant diseases and the introduction of inappropriate species of non local provenance natural colonisation is the main approach to be made.

The areas to be returned to field area to be allowed to naturally recolonise over a five year period during which the reprofiled field and topsoil storage area which are to be naturally recolonise as agricultural field areas are to be managed to control noxious weeds and any scrub development removed.

The Dell area and the gapped northern boundary are to be fenced off and allowed to naturally colonise retaining scrub development and controlling noxious weeds with a kick start of some new feathered tree planting using stock of local provenance.

After 5 years or earlier if establish is more rapid the proposed result is agricultural field with a herb rich grassland and establishing woodland blocks.

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