**Document:** Arboricultural Method Statement AMS-151123
**Application:** 23/10122/AIR — Information in relation to condition 3 for 21/01297/B - Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) report for Bishopcourt Mansion House.
**Decision:** Permitted
**Decision Date:** 2023-12-05
**Parish:** Michael
**Document Type:** report / tree_report
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/27322-kirk-michael-bishopscourt-mansion-dwelling/documents/1583160
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# Arboricultural Method Statement AMS-151123
|Manx Roots Limited, 78 Greenlands Ave, Ramsey, Isle of Man, IM8 2PH T: 07624 259720 | E: ben@trees.im | W: https://trees.im
November 2023
Arboricultural Method Statement
for
Bishopscourt Mansion House
(Approved development 21/01297/B)
|Site Address:|Bishopscourt Mansion House, Bishopscourt, Kirk Michael|Bishopscourt Mansion House, Bishopscourt, Kirk Michael|Bishopscourt Mansion House, Bishopscourt, Kirk Michael|Bishopscourt Mansion House, Bishopscourt, Kirk Michael|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Client Name:|Bell Burton Associates|Bell Burton Associates|Bell Burton Associates|Bell Burton Associates|
|Document Ref:|AMS-151123|AMS-151123|Consultant:|Andrew Igoea
BSc (Hons), MArborA|
|Report Date:|15/11/23|15/11/23|Document Checked by:
|Ben Brooker
L4DipArb, TechArborA|
|Signed on behalf of Manx Roots Ltd.
| |Ben Brooker, Managing Director|Ben Brooker, Managing Director|Ben Brooker, Managing Director|
|
|---|
## Summary
Level changes approved as part of planning application 21/01297/B carry an associated risk of damage to a nearby veteran yew tree. This document represents an Arboricultural Method Statement, providing information on the measures to be taken to minimise damage to the retained tree whilst implementing the approved works.
Level changes within a certain proximity of the yew tree will be carried out using hand tools only and will be supervised by Manx Roots.
Although it is unlikely that roots over 5mm diameter will be encountered, any that are, will be cleanly cut using sharp and clean tools under the supervision of Manx Roots.
Aeration of the compacted soil underneath the gravel path will take place within one year to improve rooting conditions on the South side of the tree. An organic fertiliser will be applied on the North side of the tree, within the lawned area. The health of the tree will be monitored, and mitigation undertaken if required.
## Contents
- 1. Background & Introduction 3
- 2. Protection Measures to be Implemented 3
- 3. Root Pruning Methodology 5
- 4. Aftercare 5
### 1. Background & Introduction
- 1.1. To mitigate damp ingress, and damp related damage to the chapel interior, planning application 21/01297/B included proposals to lower the external ground levels around the chapel at Bishopscourt. These proposals have an associated risk of damage to a nearby veteran yew tree.
- 1.2. Accordingly, when the application was approved in September 2023, a condition was applied requesting the submission and approval of an Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) prior to commencement.
- 1.3. A test pit within the gravel path located between the yew tree and the chapel, dug prior to producing this AMS document, showed that three distinct horizons exist:
- 1.3.1. Surface to 100mm: gravel
- 1.3.2. 100 to 250mm: compacted subbase
- 1.3.3. 250 to 400mm: compacted sandy loam
- 1.4. Within the gravel path test pit, no roots over 5mm thickness were encountered to a depth of 400mm, and fine roots were very scarce.
- 1.5. A test pit within the lawn area beyond the gravel path showed there is a significant network of large diameter roots directly below the turf (~50mm depth)
- 1.6. Figure 1 below is an (annotated) extract from the approved drawing, 6296_PL350-B, which shows the extent of the proposed level changes around the chapel (and the yew tree). Within the gravel path, levels will be reduced by up to 220mm. This drawing shows grade changes beyond the edge of the gravel track, within the lawned area; however, grade changes within the lawned area will not be undertaken; all grade changes occurring between the yew tree and the chapel will be restricted to the footprint of the existing gravel track.
### 2. Protection Measures to be Implemented
- 2.1. Figure 1 below is an (annotated) extract from the approved drawing, 6296_PL350-B. The area outlined and hatched orange shows the area where grade changes will be achieved only by handdig methods. Within this area there will be no mechanical excavators used to achieve the approved grade changes.
- 2.2. Also, within the area outlined and hatched orange, hand-dug grade changes will be supervised by Manx Roots.
November 2023 Bishopscourt, AMS-151123 Page 4 of 5
Figure 1. An annotated extract from the approved drawing, 6296_PL350-B, showing the area of approved grade changes that will be hand-dug and supervised by Manx Roots (outlined and hatched orange).
November 2023 Jasmine, ASMS-091123 Page 5 of 5
### 3. Root Pruning Methodology
- 3.1. Although a trial pit has indicated that roots over 5mm diameter are unlikely to encountered during the grade changes, the need to deal with such roots cannot be ruled out completely. If roots over 5mm are uncovered the following pruning method will be implemented.
- 3.2. Hand tools will be used to dig around the root, tracing it back to the edge of the area where grade changes are taking place. Secateurs or a pruning saw will be used to cut the roots cleanly, avoiding tearing or unnecessary damage.
- 3.3. The tools used to cut roots will be clean and sharp.
- 4. Aftercare
4.1. Within 1 year of the grade changes being completed, the following aftercare will take place:
- 4.1.1. The trial pit undertaken within the gravel area (see paragraphs 1.3 and 1.4 above) showed that the soil below the gravel path is heavily compacted, presenting unfavourable conditions for tree roots due to a lack of air in the soil structure. To mitigate these unfavourable conditions it is proposed to install vertical aeration tubes to deliver oxygen to the sandy loam beneath the compacted subbase. An earth auger will be used to install 60mm diameter perforated pipes to a depth of 500-750mm. A grille will be installed at the top of the pipe below the finished gravel level and covered with a permeable membrane to prevent gravel/fines entering the pipe. These pipes will be installed on a 1-2m grid throughout the area outlined and hatched orange in figure 1.
- 4.1.2. An organic compost tea or organic liquid fertiliser will be applied to the root zone of the tree within the lawned area to the North and North-East of the tree.
- 4.1.3. The tree will be inspected by Manx Roots to monitor its health.
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*Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).*
*Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/27322-kirk-michael-bishopscourt-mansion-dwelling/documents/1583160*