Primarily offered to schools or institutes where we get children, students and staff involved as early as possible in the design process of new projects. This can be as simple as running a classroom based competition to design a garden through to liaising with Parent Teacher Associations and Staff where we advise on how best to apportion the project budget to differing elements within the design. We can also provide planting lists based on specific needs or themes e.g. for a sensory garden or scented garden. These are particularly suitable for schools as basic environmental learning aids and also to help integrate disabled children into an ordinary but safe learning environment.
Statutory Applications
We draw up plans and proposals for new projects and submit them to local Planning Authorities and Building Inspectors to obtain the necessary approvals and licenses to proceed with a project. We also seek felling licenses and planning approvals for the removal of old tired trees and the planting of new stock.
Contract Preparation and Tendering
Taking the paperwork away from the client we use standard industry model contracts to draw up specifications for works (using British Standards where appropriate) and a bill of quantities to see where the budget is spread. We then send these out as tenders to bid to as many contactors as the client sees fit (usually three or four) and then advise the client on who best to award the contract to based on the returns.
Works monitoring
Site works inspections are key to a good timely project – we aim to keep the client informed of job progress and provide feedback to the contractor. We also undertake our own tree and planting stock inspections at the nursery prior to dispatch for a project (using a unique tagging system), and inspect and grade substrates and materials bought in for a project (e.g. top soils, composts, tree bark, brick types, timber grades etc) thereby maintaining quality. We provide a snagging list at near-completion of the project and iron these out before arranging signing-off of the contract.
Site Reports and Playground Inspections
A site report can be useful at several stages in a new or proposed project – to see what is already there – if anything is worth saving, what should be scrapped and the condition and safety of existing mature trees. On-going site reports are useful where a client cannot get out to the site as regularly as they would like; the report will also included recommendations for action. We also provide existing site reports – for example playground inspections – which are useful in general grounds management and also demonstrate a ‘duty of care’ in public areas where there are insurance and health and safety implications.
Maintenance
We look after many of our gardens after construction and planting with regular maintenance programmes tailored to the client's budget and own input.
