ProHort were commissioned to prepare a Landscape Strategy in London for the proposed redevelopment of a pre-existing equestrian. The primary purpose of the strategy was to provide the developers and local council with a document that responded to existing local borough environmental policy, sustainability and transport initiatives and the concept plan. The strategy incorporated the principles set out in these and incorporated certain ideas and initiatives into the landscape strategy proposals. The strategy was designed to be flexible in order to adapt to change and to respond to a place that is by its nature ever changing. And provides a long-term vision for the enhancement of the site.
The principal concern of the local council was the potential impact on the ecological value of the site. Having been vacant for a number of years the area had become overgrown resulting in the development of numerous valuable wildlife habitats identified as scarce in the local borough. The strategy was informed by visiting the site and utilising existing ecological and arboricultural surveys to help formulate a holistic methodology designed to not only retain the most valuable ecological features identified but to proactively manage these and further improve them.
In addition, the strategy outlined methods to create further wildlife habitats through the planting of carefully selected plants such as the inclusion of species most beneficial to invertebrates within the proposed hay meadows of the site. This, together with careful management of the meadows and other areas were designed to provide a valuable food source for locally at-risk species such as bats. Furthermore, the strategy considered the character of the site and local perception of it. The inclusion of a designed tree shelter belt was put forward to help retain its existing character as a wooded space.
If you need a Landscape Strategy for your development, get in touch now or check out the Landscape Strategy page for more information.
We are now BALI accredited!
We are pleased to announce that we are now BALI accredited!
What is BALI?
The British Association of Landscape Industries is established to promote, support and inspire all professional landscapers, garden designers and landscape suppliers to be leaders of an environmentally, ethically and commercially sustainable landscape industry.
BALI is the leading Trade Association for the nation’s landscape professionals and delivers exceptional business, technical and promotional support to their
They have over 900 professional landscapers, landscape contractors, grounds maintenance contractors, interior landscapers, gardeners and garden designers listed as active members who have been fully vetted and approved members.
Their members have specialist skills in tree work, disabled gardens, garden design, gardening, fencing, hard landscaping, soft landscaping, turf and lawn care, artificial turf, trees and shrubs, hydroseeding, interiorscapes, drainage, groundworks, roof gardens and sports grounds and maintenance to name a few.
(Taken from the BALI website)
What this means to you
By Prohort having this Accreditation, it gives our customers peace of mind that they are using a reliable company to complete their technical horticultural documents. To become a member, you have to sign up to their Code of Conduct, which is a pledge to carry out our business to the very highest industry standard. We invest money in training our staff and adhere to all health and safety regulations. By choosing us to complete your work, you can be assured of professional excellence, value for money and outstanding customer service. Please follow this link to see our profile on the BALI website: https://www.bali.org.uk/members/directory/blue-iris-landscapes-ltd-126856/
If you would like to have your grounds designed by a BALI Accredited company, please get in touch with us.
Creating a Landscaping Scheme in Derbyshire
A landscaping company contacted us to put together a comprehensive landscaping scheme in Derbyshire, for the grounds of a property that they had been instructed to landscape.
The company were looking for an overview of what would be required for the landscaping of the works. This included the existing features that would need to be considered when landscaping, a 3D landscape plan, planting plan and material and construction plan to give recommendations for the construction of the various elements. There were also a number of trees on the site which required a tree survey. This was to address whether they would remain on site or be removed.
Landscaping Scheme Process
When the landscaping company initially contacted ProHort, a site visit was organised with our Specialist Consultant. At this site visit an in-depth discussion was held between our Consultant, their Director and the landscaping company’s client to ensure we fully understood all the requirements.
Their client had done a lot of research before coming to them, so they had plenty of ideas and detail to influence the design of the landscaping scheme. As such we were provided with a topographical survey of the site, assisting in the 3D landscape plan and ensuring accuracy in all of our plans. Topographical surveys can also be a useful addition to a planning application. As they outline the levels of the site and identify any issues that may come up when landscaping or constructing on the site.
Following the site survey our specialist consultant worked closely with our client manager to begin the process of creating the 3D Landscape Design – we offer the option of either a Landscape plan and a 3D landscape design. All the specifications, measurements and ideas gathered from the initial site visit were input into the landscape design and corresponding plans to ensure that the requirements of the project were met.
Once this was completed, the landscaping company and their client were invited into our offices for a meeting. During this meeting, the initial design was discussed in depth with our client manager and specialist consultant with a preview of the 3D Landscape Design given. This allowed the client to take a virtual walk around the design and make any amendments before the 3D Landscape Design is finalised.
Landscaping Scheme in Derbyshire
Now that the design was confirmed, the full Landscaping Scheme was compiled. Included in the scheme were:
A site brief including photographs and descriptions of any existing features on site;
Once the landscaping scheme in Derbyshire was completed, an electronic PDF file and a hard copy was sent over to our client, the landscaping company. They were then able to pass this information onto their client and use the documentation to assist them in completing the landscaping.
It was a delight to work on this landscaping plan and bring all the ideas of their client together to provide the visual representation and detailed plan for the local landscaping company.
If you require are looking to have a landscaping scheme in Derbyshire, then ProHort Ltd is the company for you! Our professional and experienced team will be happy to assist.
Subsidence Reports: Avoid That Sinking Feeling
What Causes Subsidence?
Subsidence happens when the ground under your house collapses or sinks lower. When this occurs it puts a significant amount of strain on your home if one side sinks and cracks can begin to appear. There are several reasons why this might happen to your house, this includes geological, man-made and seasonal variations. For example, periods of drought can cause the soil to dry out, especially if the soil is made of clay, making the ground unstable. Other reasons for subsidence include trees and shrubs close to your foundations or drains that are leaking water causing the soil to become soft and begin to compact under the weight of your home.
What are the signs of subsidence?
Cracks can appear in your home for several reasons such as natural shrinkage and swelling due to temperature and humidity changes. Cracks that indicate subsidence are usually more than 3mm thick and wider at the top than the bottom. They are often found close to doors and windows, and you may notice other signs such as wallpaper crinkling at wall joins, doors sticking and cracks to your extension.
Can I prevent subsidence?
Minimising the risk of subsidence is, indeed, possible, particularly if your house is at risk. For example, plant trees or shrubs a safe distance from your home to avoid the soil around it becoming too dry. It is also advisable to undertake regular maintenance on external guttering, pipes and plumbing and install a water butt in your garden to catch rainwater.
What are subsidence reports?
Subsidence reports will give you a risk rating, which is an overall opinion of your property’s level of subsidence risk, from low to very high. They then go into further detail, giving an in-depth explanation as to why your property has been given its risk rating. We will also make suggestions for actions that could be taken to reduce the risk.
We also provide detailed subsidence information, which is essentially an in-depth explanation of subsidence and its main causes, alongside other lesser-known factors. This can help to home buyers to make more informed decisions about the property they are considering buying.
Finally, subsidence reports details information about remedial works that would be legally acceptable to have carried out.
Find out more about how we can help you with Subsidence reports by visiting our web page.
If you suspect your property may be experiencing subsidence, then get in touch. We can advise you on the best courses of action going forward and whether home insurance providers should be contacted. We also work with insurance companies, solicitors, surveyors, and local adjusters to ensure the right result is achieved for you.
A landscaping company contacted us to put together a comprehensive landscaping scheme in Derbyshire, for the grounds of a property that they had been instructed to landscape.
