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Devine Homes makes a 'tree-mendous' move in Surrey

6th May 2010 Print
Blue Cedar - Crane

You don’t often hear of house builders taking the time to retain established trees as part of their plans for a new development, however, Reigate based Devine Homes Plc has done just that at their newest development The Bridleway in Epsom Downs, Surrey.

Here, the Company has recently retained and re-housed an impressive Blue Cedar tree with the help of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, specialist contractors Civic Trees and Bourne Landscape Consultants.

The Blue Cedar (Cedar Atlantica Glauca) tree is almost 30 feet tall, weighs around 17.25 tonnes and has been standing in all its glory on the site for almost 20 years. With this in mind, Devine Homes thought it a shame to change such an amazing part of the local landscape and therefore called upon the services of Jim Harrison, Tree Officer for Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and John Garrick of Bourne Landscape Consultants, for their advice.

John Garrick from Bourne Landscape Consultants comments: “After careful consideration it was decided the tree would need to be moved further away from the proposed new homes at the development in order to ensure its continued survival”.

As you can imagine with a tree of this size, it took a team of people to work together in order to devise a schedule to move the tree. Jim Harrison, Tree Planning Officer at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council was instrumental in the project and provided help and advice every step of the way.

Specialist contractors, Civic Trees, were appointed to carry out the work using the “Newman Frame” developed by them for precisely this type of job.

After considerable preparation and with all the necessary equipment in place the tree was moved. The move was a great success and the tree has settled in well. There is an extensive schedule for maintenance in place and monitoring of the tree’s progress will continue for some time.

Located off Ruden Way, The Bridleway is in a beautiful location and ideal for sports lovers, with both Epsom Golf Club and the fabled Epsom Racecourse close by.

The first phase comprises a pair of 2 bedroom maisonettes, 8 x 3 bedroom semi detached properties, a pair of link detached houses and 1 x 4 bed detached home.

Devine Homes has also just secured the second phase which will provide a further 12 new homes. This will comprise a pair of 2 bedroom maisonettes, 8 x 3 bedroom semi detached homes, 1 x 4 bedroom detached property and lastly 1 x 5 bedroom detached home. The homes will have a selection of parking spaces and garages.

The first phase of the development is already underway with an autumn launch expected. For further information visit: devinehomes.co.uk

More Photos - Click to Enlarge

Blue Cedar - Crane The Blue Cedar