Decision

To engage Chapell Contracting services to carry out remedial tree works along the southern boundary of the site, adjacent to the medical centre.

Reasons for the decision

1. Bartlett Close is a development of eighteen shared ownership and social rent homes on a former care home site in Ludgershall. The groundworks are being carried out by Rigg construction whilst the modular homes are being delivered to site by Rollalong.

2. The existing care home was demolished several years ago and the site cleared. The original arboriculture survey carried out for the site indicated that the trees on the site were overall in good health. The majority of mature trees are located on the southern boundary, next to the adjacent health centre. The original survey recommended that ivy should be cut from the trees and one small tree should be removed. These
remedial works were carried out by Chappell contracting when the groundworkers began on site.

Tree Survey Schedule - Bartlett House.pdf
Tree Survey and Constraints Plan.pdf

3. We were contacted by the director of the adjacent healthcare surgery regarding the trees on the Bartlett road site. They were concerned that dead limbs might fall from our trees overhanging their boundary. They were also concerned that overhanging pine tree limbs could damage their roof, were dropping pine needles into their guttering and were generally overshadowing their site.

4. A joint visit with Chapell Contracting and the Director of the surgery was carried out on 20 August 2026. The visit confirmed that the trees were in a healthy condition and did not present an immediate danger to the surgery site. However, it was evident that the trees along our boundary could be trimmed back in a neighbourly way to avoid excessive shade, needle drop and potential damage to the surgery buildings in high wind. The contractor was also able to see the site constraints and access issues.

5. The cost of these works was priced at [redacted] plus VAT. Because of the constrained nature of the site, a MEWP will be needed to access the acacia tree limbs. To keep costs low, the chopped waste material will be left on site and spread in the gap between our new boundary fence and the existing chain link fence. This should reduce the growth of weeds etc.

6. The groundworkers said that the homeowner at the southern end of the site had reported that the installation of the new modular homes had reduced the amount of light falling in their garden. As a good will gesture we have priced to cut back bushes on the surgery side of their boundary whilst our tree works are taking place. The surgery is happy for these bushes to be cut and to allow access for the tree works to take place.

7. There are currently contingency sums in the Financial Viability Assessment to cover these additional works.

See the attached documents for considerations in line with Wiltshire Council's Constitution.

Alternative options considered

We could choose not to carry out the remedial tree works. However, this is not neighbourly and does not augment the reputation of the council, given the disruption that the construction work may cause the neighbours from time to time, and may lead to reputational damage. Also, failing to cut back the tree limbs may result in damage to the surgery buildings. Access will also be reduced when our homes are
constructed and therefore better to undertake these works during the construction
process.
3. We could choose an alternative contractor, though Chappell contracting has carried
out works at the site previously, comes highly recommended and are knowledgeable
and reliable in this field.