PROJECT EXAMPLE: Horsetail removal from old army barracks planned for development by Bloor Homes
On this contract we were called in to remove Horsetail infesting an old army barracks site due to be developed by Bloor Homes.
As the site was planned for housing all of the Horsetail needed to eb removed, so excavation was the best option because with any rhizomatous plant (like Japanese knotweed) any fragments of root left behind would generate new plants. Invasive plants left behind risks issues further down the line either during the build or sales phases. Our Environment Controls team were contracted to excavate the infested ground removing all contaminated soils and plant material.
THE SITE
The site consisted of the old army barracks and surrounding grounds including old training facilities, accommodation and grassland areas that were used for sports and other outdoor activities.
There were various roads within the site that linked the base to the surrounding roads, large areas of woodland and amenity grass areas and planting beds. The boundaries of the base were mainly woodland with the canal to the south, roads to the west and north boundary and woodland to the east. So quite a challenging site overall, but the objective was to clear it of Horsetail to make ready for construction.
CONTRACT DELIVERY
Excavation was carried out to remove the Horsetail and contaminated soils. Due to the volume, the waste was stockpiled in a safe zone before being loaded onto trucks and transported to landfill. The land was left clean and clear for its planned development to commence, and Bloor Homes could be assured all risk of further invasive plant contamination had been removed from their project.
THE OUTCOME
Horsetail can plague newly completed development sites if major infestations are not controlled or removed prior to development.
Regrowth in completed soft landscape areas can add major maintenance costs and regrowth through macadam can incur extensive repair costs. It is vital that major infestations are removed as part of site preparation works. With the Horsetail removed from site development could commence.
If you’d like us to survey your planned development site to identify horsetail or any other invasive plant get in touch.