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Site Clearance and Planning Conditions

dnb

Entry posted by dnb

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One of the more onerous (read expensive) planning conditions related to the driveway design and protection of tree roots. We were required to install a "no dig" foundation layer using Core geocells (or similar) after the planners were happy with the site fencing, but before the old bungalow was demolished. Typically the planners said "no" the first time we applied for discharge for no readily apparent reason. I re-applied having done more work for an unrelated condition and they said "yes".

 

Braced fencing and signage seemed really important to the planners. So I have lots, all bought for bargain price second hand.

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We didn't spend much time on site in 2018 or the early part of 2019 because of a perfect storm of family things and working away from home. The winter of 2018 was not kind to the bungalow. there was a lot of rain and several periods of extremely high wind. This redistributed the roofing felt over the lawn and caused the very rotten parts of the structure to collapse.  20190728_143702.thumb.jpg.a62ba81a749797d27850a929a0e44145.jpg

 

Everybody needs a site office! A bargain £250 caravan will do nicely for a while.

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Getting a good start on the driveway. Wooden sleeper edging in place and the first couple of geocell panels pinned down.

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The first (of many) loads of stone. And my old, but perfectly formed digger. (called Digby)

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A little while later we have most of a driveway. The other entrance is waiting for the land drains to be completed and for the small swamp to become less swampy. This is however enough access for the next stage of proceedings.

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Bozza

Was wondering how you got on with the / geocell system.  I have do my driveway in it for exact same reason as yours - tree root protection.  Installation instructions seem pretty straightforward but was it in reality?

 

ta

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dnb
On 07/12/2019 at 23:00, Bozza said:

Was wondering how you got on with the / geocell system.  I have do my driveway in it for exact same reason as yours - tree root protection.  Installation instructions seem pretty straightforward but was it in reality?

 

ta

The geocells were fairly easy to use. You'll need at least two people to peg them out effectively otherwise they try and fold themselves up again, and bolting them together with the supplied nylon bolts is one of the most tedious jobs in the world! It's worth spending effort on the grading and levelling because you can "lose" a lot of stone in hollows that the panels will just span. Cutting the panels into shape is again easy enough. I used a pair of tin snips. As ever it's worth planning the cuts carefully because the panels will change shape once cut - you soon get the hang of this. And one final thing - don't ever accidentally pick an edge up with the digger! You'll never get it back down without removing all the stone from the area. (That was a fun half a day of manual shovelling!)

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Mulberry View

Hi

 

We are now having to install a driveway of geocell for tree protection measures ahead of actually building. We are worried about bringing a digger up it once its laid, would you say its an issue, does it tear it up? 

 

Thanks

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markc
16 minutes ago, Mulberry View said:

Hi

 

We are now having to install a driveway of geocell for tree protection measures ahead of actually building. We are worried about bringing a digger up it once its laid, would you say its an issue, does it tear it up? 

 

Thanks

The ground pressure of an excavator is very low. A layer of sand/soil/hardcore  over the top will prevent the tracks catching hold … just tell the driver about it so he knows to be careful when turning.

axle weights of delivery vehicles are more likely to cause damage

Edited by markc
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Dave Jones

I wouldnt have bothered putting down a finished drive before the build starts as it will get destroyed during the build, muck aways, telehandler, digger etc.

 

 

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