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Darnton, Tameside Hospital Ashton under Lyne TREE SURVEY REPORT Dated: May 2013 REVISION A 12-07-2013 Report to be read in conjunction with TPM Tree Survey Drawing 1730.01 TPM Tree Constraints 1730.02

Contents

1 Introduction 1.1 Background 1.2 Site Description 1.3 Tree Preservation Orders 1.4 Proposed Development 2 Methodology 3 References 4 Analysis 4.1 Tree Survey analysis 4.2 Arboricultural implications 4.3 Recommendations 5 Survey Schedule 6 Photographs Appendix

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background The trees were assessed by a qualified arboricultural consultant Georgina Tearne. The trees were surveyed in accordance with BS 5837:2012 Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction - Recommendations, to provide a detailed understanding of the condition of the existing trees on site. The report has been commissioned to accompany a proposed planning application and to advise on the tree constraints and opportunities to help guide the design development for a proposed care facility.

1.2 Site Description The site is located off Darnton Road in Ashton Under Lyne. It is a large Victorian building part of Tameside Hospital complex. The building sits in the main body of the site with car parking located around the frontage, and to the left and right hand side of the building. The site fronts onto Darnton Road and is accessed by a road which wraps around the outside of the site boundary all the way round the back of the site. The trees are all located along the main road frontage (with the exception of one small tree). They are sat 1200 above the level of the pavement on top of a stone retaining wall, between the wall and the car park behind. The trees comprise of a single line of 8 trees within the grass strip between the wall and the car park and several trees within a triangular shrub bed in the south eastern corner of the site. There are mature trees around the wider area which are on the opposite side of the access road which wraps around the back of the site, these trees are outside of the site boundary and do not fall within the influence of the site. 1.3 Tree Preservation Orders The majority of the trees along the site frontage are protected by a Tree Preservation Order, Ashton Under Lyne 1991. These trees have been identified in section 5.0 Survey Schedule and a copy of the order and location map has been included in the Appendix. 1.4 Proposed Development The proposed planning application looks to demolish the existing building and to build a care facility within the main body of the site. The car parking facilities would be located within the eastern half of the site (towards the back) and associated garden areas to the west.

2.0 Methodology

Site visit

A site visit was carried out in May 2013, the day was clear and sunny. The trees assessed by a qualified arboriculturalist in accordance with BS 5837: 2012

Survey

A topographical survey was available at the time of the survey and this was used as the base for the tree survey drawing which accurately locates the trees in relation to existing features on site.

Survey Details

The following information was gathered for each tree;

Species, age class, estimated height, stem diameter at 1.5m above ground and individual crown spread. Vigour was assessed using leaf density and recent shoot extension.

Tree Condition

An assessment was made of the trees’ condition visually from ground level. No climbed inspection or detailed investigation of decay was made, however this was not considered necessary as enough information was gained about the trees from a ground level inspection. If any faults or potential failings were identified on the trees these have been picked up in the tree survey notes. It should be noted that trees can change significantly over a relatively short period of time, and therefore trees should be monitored on a regular basis for sign of deterioration.

Recommendations for Tree Works

Any tree works that are proposed in the tree survey notes are to either reduce hazards or promote good future growth of the tree, and do not relate to specific works to accommodate the proposed development. All works should be carried out to BS 2998: 1989 British Standard Recommendations for Tree Work and should have written approval by Cheshire East prior to the works being carried out because all trees are protected within the conservation area.

Tree Retention Codes

The trees desirability for retention was assessed in accordance with BS 5837: 2012, and was assessed taking into account the trees age, vigour, amenity value (as a function of size, prominence, and attractiveness), life expectancy, replaceability and appropriateness in relation to the development proposals.

Tree Protection

A tree constraints plan will be produced to inform the design development. This will take into account the trees root protection area RPA, canopy spread, site levels and condition and would look to ensure that the development has the least impact on the important trees (and protected trees) identified in this report. The drawing will also look to suggest appropriate mitigation if required.

A tree Retention, Removals and Protection with an arboricultural method statement should be produced once a layout has been fixed to ensure that the trees that are to be retained are properly protected in accordance with BS5837:2012.

3.0 References

BS 3998 2010: British Standard Recommendations for Tree Work BS 5837 2012: Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction - Recommendations Arboricultural Association Guidance Notes No 7 – Tree Surveys: A Guide to Good Practice ETR 2000: Tree Preservation Orders: A Guide to the Law and Good Practice Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service Practice Note APN 1 Driveways Close to Trees’ For assessment criteria please refer to the tables after section 4.0 (in front of the survey schedule)

4.0 Analysis

4.1 Tree Survey Analysis

Below is a summary of the tree survey schedule, for more detailed information on individual trees please refer to the schedule in section 5.0 and the tree survey drawing 1730.01 for tree locations;

The trees which are protected by tree preservation orders have been marked up on the tree survey drawing and include TPM trees which have been labelled T2, T3, T6, T9, T10, G11, T12 and T18. These trees include a mixture of Oak, Elms, Sycamore, Ash and Horse Chestnut. The majority of these trees have been assessed as grade B trees.

Collectivily the trees form a prominent feature along the main road frontage and contribute to the character of the road and local area.

The larger mature trees have been categorised as grade B and include T3 Elm, T6 Turkey Oak, T7 Lime, T9 Sycamore, T10 Ash and T12 Horse Chestnut there is some deadwood and stubs within the canopies but they are in general of good shape and form and should look to try and be retained within the development propsoals.

There are a few larger trees which have been categorised as grade C which include T2 Oak, G11 and T18 Elm. These have a shorter life expectancy than the grade B trees and of poorer form, a few of these trees are protected by TPO’s and although of poorer quality collectivity they contribute to the character of the road.

The smaller trees which have been categorised as grade C trees are either young or smaller growing speciemens which comprise of T1, T4, T17 and T20 Maple, T5 Apple, T8 Elm and G19 Laburnum and T21 Rowan. These trees have a lower amenity value and could be easily replaced.

T22 Maple is a lown tree located at the on its own at the back of the carpark in the north western half of the site. It has been categorised as a grade C tree and could be easily replaced.

4.2 Arboricultural Implications

These notes should be read in conjunction with drawing 1730.02 Tree Constraints Plan;

The proposed development looks to demolish the existing building and replace with a new ‘T’ shaped 3 storey care home facility which fronts onto Darnton Road. The building will be brought closer to the road than the existing building and a new site access/ exit will be created which leads out onto the main road at the southern end of the site. There will be car parking facilities to the east of the building and a large sensory garden to the west with some local landscaping around the building.

T1-T8 along the road frontage could be retained as they sit far enough away from the new building elevation and the RPA (for the most part) falls outside of the building footprint. Special excavation techniques would have to be implemented in this area when digging up the existing hard standing over the RPA to make sure that the trees are not damaged.

T9-T17 and T20, T21 would have to be removed to facilitate the new development. They sit in the area which has been designated for the new site access and because of the level differences between the site and the main road any new access would require excavations and re-grading which would have a detrimental affect on any trees within this area.

Although T15 falls outside of the new road its RPA would be significantly compromised because of the excavation and re-grading works so for health and safety reasons would be best to be removed and replaced.

4.3 Recommendations

These recommendations look to mitigate for the loss of any trees on site and ensure that the development continues to contribute to the amenity of the street scene and local area, and ensure that the trees to be retained are protect to prevent damage during demolition and construction;

Remove T5 Apple as it has a heavy lean and replace with a healthly more long lived speciemen.

All the trees to be retained are to be protected with a tree protection fence inline with BS5837:2012 current recommendations. A tree protection drawing with arboricultural method statement must be produced as part of the detailed planning application

Any excavation of existing hard standing over the RPA of the trees is to be carried out under supervision and must comply with recommendation within the arboricultural method statement to ensure that they are not disturbed or damaged.

New replacement trees must be planted along the site boundary to Darnton Road to mitigate for the trees removed and to maintain tree cover at the front of the site.

The development provides opportunities for soft landscaping along the north, west and east boundaries of the site and new trees should be planted in these areas to promote further tree cover, improve species and structural diversity and to provide valuable habitats for the local wildlife.

The trees should be maintained to promote longevity and the new trees should be given the best possible chance of establishment. A landscape management plan should be produced as part of the detailed planning application.

TREE QUALITY ASSESSMENT – Assessment criteria in accordance with BS 5837:2012

Tree Number refers to tree No on survey drawing Retention Value

T Trees Recommendation of tree retention with regard to both amenity and health. A general overview of the tree’s retention value G Groups of trees

H Hedges

A Category Trees of high quality with an estimated remaining life expectancy of at least 40 years; trees that are particularly good examples of their species, of particular visual importance and or of significant conservation or other value.

Species Common name

Age V Veteran

OM Over mature

M Mature 60 years plus B Category

Trees of moderate quality with an estimated remaining life expectancy of at least 20 years; trees might have been category A but down graded because of impaired condition, trees within a group as such attracting a higher collective rating and or trees with material conservation or other value

MA Middle age 20-60 years

Y Young 0-20 years

Height Height of tree given in metres

C Category Trees of low quality with an estimated remaining life expectancy of at least 10 years or young trees with a stem dia <150mm; unremarkable trees of limited merit or impaired condition, trees offering low or only temporary landscape benefits or poorer trees within a group, trees of no material conservation.

Girth Diameter (mm) of trunk @ 1.5m above ground

MS refers to multi stemmed tree

Amenity Value General appearance of tree

H High

M Moderate U Category Trees in such a condition they cannot realistically be retained as living trees in the context of the current land use for longer than 10 years; trees which have a serous defect and expected to collapse, trees that are dead or showing signs of overall decline, trees infected with pathogens of significant health or safety concern to other trees nearby.

L Low

Health Condition General health of tree

VG Very good

G Good

F Fair

P Poor

D Dead/ Dangerous

6.0 Photographs

T1 Norway Maple, T2 Oak, T3 Elm taken from Darnton Road

T4 Norway Maple taken from Darnton Road

T5 apple and T6 Turkey Oak taken from Darnton Road

T7 Lime and T8 Elm taken from Darnton Road

T18 Elm at front on the left with G19 Laburnum.

T20 Norway Maple and T21 Rowan.

T9 Sycamore T12 Horse Chestnut

Back of the group of trees in the south east coner

Back of the group of trees in the south east coner

APPENDIX