R O B E R T S B R I D G E

C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E

Robertsbridge Community College

Soft Landscaping Plan for New Sports

and Gymnastics Centre

Knelle Road Site Robertsbridge

Soft Landscaping Plan for the new Sports Centre

Landscaping Rationale

As part of the new Sports Centre the emphasis has been to use a range of soft

landscaping to soften the buildings, and provide useable space, and colour year

round, and to provide shade during the summer months as the trees mature. These

are a range of young specimens included within this specification, to add to existing

trees of varying ages and sizes.

The trees should provide the shade required for students as they mature, and

provide screening for the buildings both new and existing, and become an attractive

feature along the boundary into the High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty

The contrasting greens and yellows will complement the light grey and red brick

buildings breaking up the visible elevation.

The Scheme has been designed, with input from Emanuel Flecken – ESCC grounds

manager and will be maintained by the grounds contract maintenance team

Landscaping around new playground / site boundary to area of outstanding

natural beauty

Planting Schedule

Tree Species Height Girth Number Image

1 Quercus

robur

Pedunculate

Oak

175-

200cm

8 –

10cm

2 Betula

pendula Silver Birch

175 – 200cm

8 – 10cm

3 Coryllus

avellana Common Hazel

4 Carpinus betulus Common hornbeam

160cm stem

120cm wide frame

5 Acer

campestre Field Maple

175-200cm

8cm girth

6 Fagus

sylvatica Common Beech

175-200cm

6cm girth

7 Ilex

aquifolium Common Holly

60-80cm

8 Sambucus nigra Elder Black lace

150 – 175cm

9 Crataegus

monogyna Hawthorn

120 – 160cm

Planting Schedule

Trees 5m centres – every 30m repeated 4 times

Item 1 2 7 3 4 8 5 6 9

Tree –

5m

centres

X X X X X X

Shrubs 10m centres every 30m repeated 4 times

Item 1 2 7 3 4 8 5 6 9

Shrub

10m

centres

X X X

120m of planting to shield from the playground towards the sports hall. This means that from the High Weald

AONB, Bugsell Farm and Ockham Manor House the playground and sports hall area will be hidden

GRASS

Seeding of all areas with a Perennial Rye Grass Mix for any areas damaged by

construction works, an to new banking to be created

• Grows a fine bladed, dark green lawn • Produces a high-quality lawn with excellent resistance to weeds and insects • Contains a blend of premium perennial ryegrass varieties selected for fast

germination and availability • Grows well in all areas • Germinates in 5-7 days

SPECIFICATION

MATERIALS SEED QUALITY AND CERTIFICATION: EEC Certified Blue Label Quality of a named species and cultivated within suppliers recommended time limit and protected from damage and contamination. WORKMANSHIP PREPARATION OF TOPSOIL FOR SEEDING SURFACE PREPARATION: prepare surface of soil by cultivating, removing all weeds and weed roots, raking and harrowing until ground is broken down to an approved fine tilth 25 mm deep and uniformly firmed to finish at the correct levels.

REMOVAL OF STONES: remove from the surface all stones exceeding 25 mm in any dimension for fine lawns and exceeding 40 mm in any dimension for other areas. MARRYING-IN: cultivate width not less than 1000 mm into existing adjoining grass areas and marry-in new work to existing. SOIL ADDITIVES PRE-SEEDING FERTILISER: incorporate evenly into top soil at the rate particularly specified. SEEDING SOWING: sow seed during suitable calm weather at the rates particularly specified. Carry out operation in two equal sowings in transverse directions RAKING OR HARROWING AND ROLLING: complete the sowing by lightly raking or harrowing in the seed; roll and cross-roll with a lightweight roller. MATERIALS PLANTS GENERALLY QUALITY: plants are to comply to BS 3936 where applicable. Plants outside the scope of BS 3936 are to be:

a. Sturdy, healthy, of good shape and without elongated shoots b. Free from pests, disease and damage c. With balanced roof and branch systems and abundant fibrous roots d. True to name e. Of vigorous growth during season prior to lifting.

PROTECTION OF PLANTS UNTIL FINAL PLANTING: safeguard plants by complying with the Code of Practice for Plant Handling during lifting, packaging, transportation to site and while on site until final planting.

DAMAGED PLANTS: cut away any slightly damaged roots, branches and shoots before planting. Plants damaged other than to a minor extent to be removed from site and replacements provided. PLANTS – SHRUBS SHRUBS: to BS 3936, part 1 or part 2 TREES: to BS 5236 for Advanced Nursery Stock. SOIL ADDITIVES: Shrub planting compost 50 mm deep over surface and work into the soil. MULCH MATERIAL: pulverised bark of an approved grade 100 mm deep and ensure that the whole surface is covered, after planting. MULCH MATERIALS: free from extraneous matter and substances injurious to plants. SLOW RELEASE FERTILISER: growmore 7:7:7 application rate 70g m2 TREEPIT MATERIALS TREEPIT BACKFILL: three parts selected moist loamy top soil and one part peat, leafmould or farmyard manure. pH value to match surrounding soil. TREE STAKES: straight sawn or riven

RABBIT GUARDS: to prevent the bark damaged by wildlife.

TIMBER STAKES: of timber not less than 90 mm dia at the butt, 1500 mm long and pointed one end. Two stakes used with cross bar either side of the tree. TREE TIES: approved proprietary ties of rubber or plastics with spacers. TIE FIXING NAILS: galvanized and not less than 25 mm long with 10 mm diameter heads.

PREPARATION OF TOP SOIL FOR PLANTING CULTIVATION: cultivate top soil using a disc plough, rotary cultivator or by hand working, breaking down soil to bring to a fine tilth ready for planting. Remove all weeds, weed roots and stones and the like over 50 mm diameter and deleterious matter brought to the surface by cultivation. Marry-in deposited top soil with adjoining areas. CONDITIONING: improve top soil during cultivation by the even application and thorough incorporation of materials where particularly specified. PLANTING GENERALLY PLANT DAMAGE: plant as soon as possible following delivery to site and avoid damaging plants during planting operations. GRASS PROTECTION: use planting boards, canvas, Hessian or equivalent materials when placing excavated spoil on adjacent grassed areas. PLANT CONTAINER REMOVAL: remove all containers except peat pots before planting. HOLE SIZES: excavate holes either to dimensions specified or of sufficient size to allow roots to be fully spread. ROOTS: ensure plant roots are moist prior to planting. Free roots from surface of root balls, tease out basal roots and cut away or spread out coiled roots. Cut away damaged roots. Spread roots of bare rooted plants in the holes and pack around all plants with finely broken soil, gently shake plants and ensure that all crevices around the roots are filled. POSITIONING PLANTS IN HOLES: position plants in holes with the best side to the front and at the correct level. BACKFILLING PLANT HOLES: backfill plant holes to half depth, firm by treading, complete backfilling and again firm. WATERING: water in plants; ensure saturation, unless otherwise instructed.

COMPLETION OF PLANTING: prick over the surface of beds and individual plant stations at completion of planting and leave even and tidy. SETTING OUT FOR PLANTING BEDS: set out beds as shown on drawings. PLANTS: set out plants by:

a. Filling in with evenly spaced plants informally arranged. PLANTING SHRUBS EXCAVATION OF PLANTING HOLES: excavate planting holes 150 mm wider than the root spread. PLANTING NURSERY STOCK TREES TREE PITS: excavate tree pits for nursery stock trees at least 150 mm wider than the root spread and 75 mm deeper than the root depth subject to following minimum dimensions:

a. selected standard nursery stock and heavy standard advanced nursery stock: 1200 x 1200 mm and 750 mm deep

Fork over bottom of pits to a minimum depth of 225 mm leaving centre slightly raised. Roughen pit sides. BASE SUBSOIL: enrich base subsoil where particularly specified by incorporating additional material particularly specified. BACKFILL TOP SOIL: enrich backfill top soil where particularly specified by incorporating peat at the rate particularly specified. PLANTING: plant trees in pits, spread roots evenly and cover with fine soil in layers. Gently shake the tree during root covering ensuring soil sifts into root system and firm soil as covering proceeds. STAKES: stake trees scheduled with stakes driven firmly into bottom of pit before planting with:

a. single stake at prevailing windward of tree and double stakes at right angles to direction of prevailing wind

b. tops of stakes sawn off at 50 mm below first branch, unless otherwise directed

TIES: position ties to suit individual trees and to prevent chafing and nail each tie to the stake with two nails.

IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME

MONTH IMPLEMENTATION BY

SEPTEMBER Building Works Completed

Groundworks

Preparation of beds

Rotovating bank areas

Seeding of grass bank areas

Contractor

OCTOBER Shrub Planting

Watering of Grassed areas daily

Watering programme daily of shrub area

Contractor

Site

Manager

NOVEMBER Tree Planting

Watering of Grassed areas daily

Watering programme daily of shrub area

Trees watered daily

Contractor

Site

Manager

DECEMBER Tree Planting

Watering if required

Grounds

Team

Maintenance Programme

The above will be maintained under the normal grounds maintenance programme for

the site using the three grounds staff employed permanently on site. The

specification for these areas is below, as an extract from the current grounds

maintenance schedules for the William Parker Sports College site.

Rubbish Removal

3 Daily litter pick of all hard and soft areas by litter picker, using both hand

collection and electronic hand held and push round litter collection devices

1. Ornamental Banks

1.1 The contractor shall mow with a cylinder of flymo type rotary mower as

specified for ornamental lawns

1.2 The contractor shall mow regularly the whole area of the lawn using cylinder

mowers letting cuttings fly, to maintain the length of the vegetation between

the limits of 20mm and 40mm for the period April to October and between

30mm to 50mm for the rest of the year. It is anticipated in peak periods a

weekly cut will be necessary.

1.3 Where there are margins against edges, around trees, manholes, posts or

other similar obstructions on the lawns which cannot be cut by the mower,

they shall be trimmed by other means to the same standard and at the same

time as the main area, without damaging these features.

1.4 During the period October to December when leaves are falling, and build up

of leaves on grass areas that will permanently damage the sward shall be

collected and removed off site.

2. Shrub Borders – Bare Soil Finish

2.1 Shrub borders provide valuable features to enhance the visual amenity of the

establishment. To fulfil this role, borders should present the best features of the

individual plants which can be achieved in the particular situation. On some

borders a bark / woodchip mulch has been applied to reduce the possibility of

weed invasion, and for the improvement of the appearance of the border.

Elements which detract from the best presentation of the feature, such as weeks,

untidy, dead or damaged stems need to be controlled. The works must seek to

achieve these aims for each site. The routine treatments for each plot may have

to vary for each plot to reflect the best practical and horticultural needs of the

situation.

2.2 Cultivation and weed control shall be as specified for bare soil rose borders, as

set out in 2.2-2.7 above for bare soil border.

2.3 Shrubs shall be pruned in accordance with the needs of each variety and

individual shrub to promote flowering, colour and acceptable shape. This includes

pruning to avoid overcrowding, to removed dead or diseased wood, and to

prevent encroachment over footpaths or windows. Special attention should be

paid to preventing of obstruction of paths before the start of the Winter term in

September. Pruning shall, normally be undertaken using secateurs and cuts shall

be clean and tidy. Climbing shrubs shall be tied in and supported when the need

arises.

3 Trees

In general the maintenance of mature trees will not form part of this contract, but

should the contractor notice and obvious signs of defect and damage these

should be reported to the Head Grounds person.

4. Young Trees

4.1 The care of young trees aims to ensure good survival, long term good

health and good crown shape and structure

4.2 Regularly inspect young trees so as to ensure that all trees are securely

and firmly planted. Re-firm as necessary, repair, renew or remove stakes,

ties and guards

4.3 Apply Glyphosate or similar approved herbicide in March / April and again

in August / September to an area 600mm diameter around each tree.

Under no circumstances will strimming be allowed around small trees.

4.4 Remove epicormic growth and suckers and diseased and damaged

branches back to a good bud or branch between October and March,

ensuring all cuts are clean with no ragged edges.

5. Grass Seeding

5.1 To overseed, mow grass closely, then loosen top 1/4 inch of soil in bare and thin areas. To seed a new lawn and repair bare spots, loosen top 2 to 3 inches of soil to provide a lodging place for the seeds.

5.2 Plant Seed: Distribute the seed evenly. For best results, always use a spreader and follow the spreader setting recommendations on the bag of grass seed.

5.3 Fertilizer and Water Thoroughly: Apply Fertilizer to increase seeding success and then water thoroughly. WATERING IS CRUCIAL TO SEEDING SUCCESS. Keep the top 1/2 inch of soil damp by watering twice daily until all seedlings are up. Continue to water once or twice a day until the lawn is established (6 to 8 weeks

5.4 Feed New Grass Plants: In 4-6 weeks, make an application of Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Fertilizer. This helps the plants knit together to form a thick, green carpet of grass. Do not apply a weed control product until after at least three mowings. Mow new seedlings as soon as they reach normal mowing height.

5.5 Spring and Autumn are the best times to plant grass seed because it germinates best when temperatures are 60°F - 80°F.

5.6 Best for Sunny areas, Requires 6-10 hours of sunlight per day

David Evans

Project Manager

Robertsbridge Sports Hall

01424 448222

david.evans@williamparker.e-sussex.sch.uk