Care Home project in Surrey
About This Project
Client:
Site:
Residential address, Surrey
Introduction:
This site presented an interesting challenge. As a woodland area, yet also a designated development site as allocated by the LPA, the key question was how to incorporate any development into such a heavily tree-covered area without suffering major tree losses. Tree Frontiers became involved during the design phase, utilising third-party tree data to advise the design team on the best approach.
Background:
The project was led by SageHaus, whose expertise lies in designing integrated retirement communities. In collaboration with Hapa Architects they had drawn up plans for 49 purpose-built extra care dwellings, focussed around a central community hub and landscaped gardens. Tree Frontiers were approached via a mutual colleague who recommended us for our pragmatic and professional approach, and we were appointed to provide arboricultural advice to the design team.
The Opportunity:
Having made a visit to the site in order to validate the existing tree data, we were able to draw up a report outlining necessary tree losses, impacts to root protection areas, facilitation pruning works and specific measures to ensure protection of all retained trees. This was submitted alongside the plans to the LPA, who raised a number of objections to the scheme. Primarily they were concerned about the number of trees proposed for removal, including a number of category B trees, as well as the resulting effect on the remaining trees following their removal.
Answering their points in detail, Tree Frontiers were able to address each of the concerns raised and present counter-arguments in order to justify the proposed tree removals and arranged a site meeting with the LPA tree officer to discuss how to overcome the tree related challenges of the scheme. The scheme would result in 39% of all arboricultural features being retained, including all high-quality specimens, and all retained trees would be protected. In addition, a detailed landscape strategy was prepared, which included replacement planting associated with the frontage of properties, but also planting to the rear, adjacent existing woodland, as well as strengthening green corridors that would be retained as a result of the design proposal. Replacement tree species and locations have been strategically identified to help compensate tree loss, complement the site topography, filter views and create a more sustainable and diverse tree stock.
The Results:
Plans were submitted to the LPA earlier this year and were granted permission unanimously at Planning Committee in September 2025. Tree Frontiers are liaising with the Client to to determine how continued involvement during the construction phase can be implemented.
If you have a challenging site in terms of trees or tree-related constraints please contact us for advice and guidance at info@treefrontiers.com
Find out more: Trees, Structures & Development