Educational Project in Bournemouth
About This Project
Project Team:
Site:
Bournemouth & Poole College (B&PC), Bournemouth
Project Brief:
To provide updated arboricultural surveys, advice and arboricultural reports to accompany a full planning submission.
Project Description:
Kier Construction were appointed as Main Contractor on the the Bournemouth and Poole College (B&PC) project. The college is a large (12,000 students) general further education college that provides a wide range of courses across a variety of curriculum areas.
The proposal formed part of a wider estates strategy to consolidate the College on to two main sites:
- Lansdowne Road site in Bournemouth (the application site);
- North Road site in Poole
As such the proposal included the demolition of existing buildings, construction of new buildings and associated landscaping. A simultaneous Listed Building Consent was sought for works across the wider site, as part of the same overall project strategy.
The design proposals were developed during the latter half of 2022 in close consultation with the Department of Education, B&P College, BCP Council Planning Department, Meyrick Estates and Gleeds (Technical Advisors (TA) with Scott Brownrigg acting as architectural TA).
Although an existing feasibility study had been undertaken by another arboricultural consultancy company, we were approached to provide a validation tree survey due to concerns from the Design Team as to the accuracy and quality of the existing data. In addition, there had been inconsistent advice from the previous consultant in relation to the opportunities and constraints of the existing trees, as well as confirmation that they would not be able to assist with reports to accompany the planning submission.
We were appointed due to our track record on educational projects, as well as our ability to meet an exceptionally tight project timeline. We mobilised promptly following instruction and undertook a re-survey of the site, to identify any discrepancies or inaccuracies in the existing tree data. It was apparent that a number of offsite trees, that were within influencing distance of the redline boundary had not originally been recorded. These trees would pose a significant constraint to the design layout due to their size and likely rooting environment.
The design layout for the site had more-or-less been fixed prior to our appointment and it was evident that politically, financially and logistically it would not be possible to make substantial changes to the wider site design. In order to establish a suitable solution for all parties, we liaised with all Design Team members and Local Planning Authority to determine the most appropriate course of action in relation to the offsite trees. On this occasion it was determined by all parties that removal and replacement planting would be the best solution. We have explored trial investigations, as well as specific foundation design to try and retain the trees, but the overall cumulative pressures (i.e. impact, nuisance and future pressure for removal), meant that the trees could not be retained. We worked with the Landscape Architect to develop a replacement tree planting strategy that would compensate for tree loss and reduce the likelihood for future pressure for removal.
Following our advice and provision of Arboricultural Impact Assessment (and associated plans), the Tree Officer withdrew their holding objection and planning consent was granted. We continued to provide further assessment with the provision of an Arboricultural Method Statement to assist with discharging planning conditions.
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