I Page I of 10 2A Kirkham Street Plumstead Greenwich

2a Kirkham Street Plumstead Greenwich London , SE18 2JU

October 2016 | KM

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2a Kirkham Street Plumstead Greenwich London SE18 2JU 545080 177640 RBG

28th November 2016 26/11/2016 (KM) Mr. K Mustafa MRICS ACI Arb Langleys Chartered Surveyors Mr. N Abd El Karim Hassan MSc Langleys Chartered Surveyors

2a.KS/1016 Demolition of existing B2 Warehouse Structures onsite and the construction of 6x 2 bedroom townhouses with private outdoor amenity space, car and bicycle parking provision and refuse collection and storage arrangements. Full (Detailed) Planning Application Electronically Submitted via Planning Portal - 16/01873/FUL Messrs. Goldman and Finkelstein; Goldenspark Limited

1.1 This document forms a Tree Management Report prepared in support of proposals for the application site:

2a Kirkham Street, Plumstead, Greenwich, London, SE18 2JU

1.2 I am instructed by the land owner, who is also the applicant, to advise on the best management strategy for trees that surround or are in the immediate vicinity of the abovementioned proposed scheme.

1.3 I have been provided with a plan of the trees and I have seen the heights and distances of the trees from the development.

1.4 I have noted that there are some trees in the land owner’s control and others outside of the land owner’s control.

2.1 The current proposals can be described as follows:

Demolition of existing B2 Warehouse Structures onsite and the construction of 6x 2 bedroom townhouses with private outdoor amenity space, car and bicycle parking provision and refuse collection and storage arrangements.

2.2 The dwellings will be constructed to the north-western part of the land leaving rear gardens to the south-east and parking in driveways in front of the houses.

2.3 At present, the land is approximately 80% site coverage. There are some trees located to the southwestern boundary close to and within the pathway leading to Timber croft Lane.

2.4 In general, the location of the trees does not impact on the built development.

2.5 The design of the buildings will require foundations and masonry walls that can impact on the roots of mature trees within c10m of the development below ground level.

3.1 My instructions are to assess the site and surrounding trees and then advise on mitigation measures and design considerations that would facilitate the construction without any adverse impact on the existing mature trees.

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4.1 I have been provided with a tree plan that shows 6 trees/mature shrubs near the development.

4.2 Four are onsite. The table below details these trees and their orientation within the development area.

Within Distance Root Owner’s from build Crown Root Spread Ref Species Control (m) (m) Depth (m) (m)

T1 Blackthorn Yes 5 2 1 2-3

T2 London Plain Yes 5 2 1-2 2-3

T3 London Plain Yes 3 2 1-2 2-3

T4 London Plain No 7 3 0.5 2-3

T5 Eucalyptus No 10 2 3 2

T6 Unknown Shrub Yes 13 N/A N/A N/A

1 4 2 5

3 6

I have considered the condition, age, quality and viability of the trees together with the impact on the surrounding location due to the need to remove and replant.

5.1 Trees and shrubs to be replaced

Description

5.1.1 T1 is a young Blackthorn tree (prunius spinose) that resembles a shrub. It is a common tree that can be found throughout Europe and the UK. This is not a protected species.

5.1.2 T2, T3, T4 are all London Plain siblings. These were most likely naturally grown and are widely found in the London Area. Again, this is not a protected species.

5.1.3 The trees are located in the line of the enclosed footpath that joins the site with Timbercroft Lane. This suggests they were not planted.

5.1.4 These trees provide no significant enjoyment to the immediate location and whilst there might be some benefit to wildlife, this will be limited due to their age and condition.

5.1.5 The relocation and siting of new or better alternative trees and shrubs within proposed gardens should provide adequate mitigation for the loss of these trees.

5.1.6 The photograph provided in Figure 4 shows Tree 3 in the background. This appears to be sibling and of particularly poor quality. There is no central trunk and a crown cannot be identified.

5.1.7 To conclude, these trees provide some positive amenity to the surrounding houses and to local wildlife however this can be mitigated and improved subject to replanting of better quality trees and shrubs.

Actions Proposed

5.1.8 T2 and T3 to be felled, however a landscaping proposal that includes the provision of new trees to the gardens of the dwellings will provide better quality trees and shrubs in better positions to benefit the development and surrounding properties.

5.1.9 The Blackthorn is a small tree that will be relocated in one of the gardens as the Blackthorn bush is one of the shrubs proposed to be used in the landscaping strategy provided in the Design and Access Statement.

5.1.10 The unknown bush T6 may be retained as part of the landscaping of the new development as this provides a buffer between the rear boundaryline of gardens and land beyond.

5.2 Trees and shrubs that are considered to be safe

5.2.1 Trees within a safe area include TR4 London Plain & TR5 Eucalyptus. These are close to the boundary and are within 5 meters of the foundations of the proposed buildings.

5.2.2 The London Plane tree is of a considerable height. This is near the boundary but 7 meters from the buildings proposed. Their tree roots are shallow and can travel up to 5 meters when unmanaged. Whilst the tree is an acceptable distance from the development the roots can be cut back without significant effect on the stability of the tree if required.

5.2.3 The Eucalyptus is some 10 meters from the development and will have no significant impact on the new buildings as the roots do not travel significantly past the crown size but tunnel to considerable depths.

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6.1 Mitigation of the felling of the trees and bushes within the control of the site will include the complete replanting of new trees within the boundaries of each property increasing the present tree count from 2 to 5 (one per dwelling) with additional landscaping and boundary treatments as specified within the Design and Access Statement submitted.

6.2 The proposed works within the gardens and boundaries of the development site will provide the following positive mitigation to the surrounding areas:

 Better quality trees;

 Improved amenity to be enjoyed by the proposed development and the surrounding houses when viewed from rear windows;

 Boundary treatments to provide screening between adjoining properties;

 Species of planting including trees shrubs and other improvements that will enhance the ecological impact improving the use of the planting by wildlife, including birds, bats, bees, ladybirds and other insects.

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