Charles Road, Kingskerswell, Devon
Charles Road, Kingskerswell, Devon
In the ancient village of Kingskerswell, Cavanna Homes (Devon) constructed a new residential development known as Charles Road.
Built on farmland, probably old cider orchards in the past, the rich red soil is striking, and can support healthy tree growth in a rural setting. The development was just to the east of the old turnpike road between Newton Abbott and Torquay, a truly desirable position in a village mentioned in the Domesday Book, and having probable prehistoric beginnings.
When designing the high quality landscape to suit the architecturally attractive development the landscape architects, FPCR, realised that too often trees in hard paving struggle to establish; the ground becomes compacted and anaerobic due to construction machinery, and the need to have a well consolidated sub-base to hard surfacing. They specified a soil cell system loaded with good soil to assist the trees in their battle to thrive in urban settings: this long-sighted view guarantees the health of the tree – and should allow the tree to grow to species potential longevity.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
In the ancient village of Kingskerswell, Cavanna Homes (Devon) constructed a new residential development known as Charles Road.
Built on farmland, probably old cider orchards in the past, the rich red soil is striking, and can support healthy tree growth in a rural setting. The development was just to the east of the old turnpike road between Newton Abbott and Torquay, a truly desirable position in a village mentioned in the Domesday Book, and having probable prehistoric beginnings.
When designing the high quality landscape to suit the architecturally attractive development the landscape architects, FPCR, realised that too often trees in hard paving struggle to establish; the ground becomes compacted and anaerobic due to construction machinery, and the need to have a well consolidated sub-base to hard surfacing. They specified a soil cell system loaded with good soil to assist the trees in their battle to thrive in urban settings: this long-sighted view guarantees the health of the tree – and should allow the tree to grow to species potential longevity.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Unfortunately, as can so easily happen, the below ground provision for the trees was not picked up at groundworks stage, and by the time the landscaping team came to site, the hard surfacing was all in place. This is not uncommon, and GreenBlue Urban suggest that below ground solutions should be always in the groundworks package, as this is when any conflicts can easily be overcome.
The planning and arboricultural team at Teignbridge District Council considered that the health of the trees was vital to the success of the scheme, and worked with Cavanna Homes and GreenBlue Urban to retrofit the necessary products in such a way to minimise disruption to the residents of the completed homes.
The challenges of installing the necessary products, the GreenBlue Urban ArborSystem with StrataCells, ArborVent aeration and RootRain irrigation, the Arborguy underground guying and the Root Directors solutions were very clear. Having to work around existing utilities and the surrounding hard surfacing was problematic; requiring steel shuttering to meet Health and Safety requirements. Installing the Stratacells to the base of the treepit, over a drainage layer, and then threading the aeration pipework through the cells was simple enough, and the contactors were pleasantly surprised how quickly the treepit build was completed.
Unfortunately, as can so easily happen, the below ground provision for the trees was not picked up at groundworks stage, and by the time the landscaping team came to site, the hard surfacing was all in place. This is not uncommon, and GreenBlue Urban suggest that below ground solutions should be always in the groundworks package, as this is when any conflicts can easily be overcome.
The planning and arboricultural team at Teignbridge District Council considered that the health of the trees was vital to the success of the scheme, and worked with Cavanna Homes and GreenBlue Urban to retrofit the necessary products in such a way to minimise disruption to the residents of the completed homes.
The challenges of installing the necessary products, the GreenBlue Urban ArborSystem with StrataCells, ArborVent aeration and RootRain irrigation, the Arborguy underground guying and the Root Directors solutions were very clear. Having to work around existing utilities and the surrounding hard surfacing was problematic; requiring steel shuttering to meet Health and Safety requirements. Installing the Stratacells to the base of the treepit, over a drainage layer, and then threading the aeration pipework through the cells was simple enough, and the contactors were pleasantly surprised how quickly the treepit build was completed.
The soil was then poured into the cells, a wacker plate was used to vibrate the soil preventing any voids, and the Root Director correctly positioned. Once the twion wall geo textile had been laid over the top of the cells, the shuttering could be safely removed. The sub-base was then placed over the completed ArborSystem and the hard surfacing completed.
The remarkable health of the trees today is a testament to the commitment of quality by Cavanna Homes. The development will continue to mature with great tree canopy, giving residents a healthy pleasant place to live, and helping the whole area adapt to our changing climate, as well as bringing bio-diversity into an urban street. GreenBlue Urban; creating healthy places in harmony with nature.
The soil was then poured into the cells, a wacker plate was used to vibrate the soil preventing any voids, and the Root Director correctly positioned. Once the twion wall geo textile had been laid over the top of the cells, the shuttering could be safely removed. The sub-base was then placed over the completed ArborSystem and the hard surfacing completed.
The remarkable health of the trees today is a testament to the commitment of quality by Cavanna Homes. The development will continue to mature with great tree canopy, giving residents a healthy pleasant place to live, and helping the whole area adapt to our changing climate, as well as bringing bio-diversity into an urban street. GreenBlue Urban; creating healthy places in harmony with nature.
