Running services within RPAs of Trees

[StudioS]

Hello

 

We have gained planning permission for a replacement dwelling with an attached garage. Part of the garage sits within the RPAs of a Lime Tree (T3 - please refer to the attachment) and a series of Beech trees (G7).

 

Please note, trees T1, T2 and T3 are subject to TPOs.

 

Whilst the encroachment has been deemed acceptable by the Council’s Arboriculturist, we are seeking advice on where to navigate the surface water off the main house and garage. Obviously we would want the development to cause as little harm as possible to the Lime Trees, however, it seems as though we have no choice but to place the soakaway(s) within the RPAs of the Lime Trees. 

 

The question is then, is it generally acceptable to build soakaways within the RPAs of the Lime Trees?

 

And if the answer is yes, does anyone have any suggestions as to where to place the soakaways for the front of the development?

 

Many thanks

Soakaway.pdf

[tree77]

Not a bs5837 expert but I have been involved in a few.

Am assuming that as part of your planning application you've had a BS5837 'report'?, the arboriculturlist who prepared it would of stated this within the arboricultural method statement.

 

personally I don't think installing a soak by the lime trees is a good idear due to size of excavation need, potential root damaged caused, and the fact if your soak install does lead to premature loss of the limes you may face prosecution due to the TPO.

 

Its hard to say where the best place is as the plan is not to scale, the RPA's don't seem correct either.

There's various options you can use to install services within a RPA, e.g. trenchless methods using thrust or mole bore technique or handing using a air spade.

 

Hope this helps, and im sure I will be corrected by more knowledgeable people on here.

 

[Khriss]

Sounds fraught - blocked soakaway - flooded root plates , whats happening with site drainage ?? K

[slack ma girdle]

All of this info will be in your BS5837 tree report, that should have been submitted with the planning application.
Willful damage of a TPO tree £20,000 fine.

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

You should refer this to your own arboricultural advisor.  They will have the correct training and Professional Indemnity insurance in place to give you suitable guidance.  

[eggsarascal]

You say it's a replacement property, where are the drains for the existing property? Do the drains from the original property drain to soakaways?

 

 

[Gary Prentice]

4 hours ago, eggsarascal said:

You say it's a replacement property, where are the drains for the existing property? Do the drains from the original property drain to soakaways?

 

 

The most useful response yet

[daltontrees]

On 03/01/2018 at 15:46, StudioS said:

The question is then, is it generally acceptable to build soakaways within the RPAs of the Lime Trees?

Erm, no. RPA is the 2 dimensional representation of a 3 dimensional volume of soil. Encroachment in an RPA of any sort should be justified, but loss of volume is a direct removal of a tree's roots and capacity to survive. Glad to see for the sake of the trees that the impact has been reduced since

but building soakaways would merit separate consideration including concessions already made by the Council.

 

Too many unknowns in your case, can't be bothered specuating again.