Ashbourne

Sylvan provided assistance to Hive Hotels for a prestigious new project to sensitively insert a number of high quality tree houses into an area of ancient woodland which was severely degraded in nature. The project had run into resistance from the Woodland Trust, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (acting as the Council’s biodiversity consultee) and the Council’s Trees and Landscape Officer. To further inform the design process Sylvan carried out a detailed woodland assessment including ground flora mapping. This ensured that the tree houses were sited in areas of least sensitivity, avoiding veteran trees and areas of elevated ground flora interest. The proposal was accompanied by a highly sensitive construction methodology provided by Blue Forest, alongside a substantial ecological and arboricultural benefits package, to which Sylvan contributed extensively. This included the restoration of the woodland, the planting of adjacent new native woodland, new parkland planting, and the enhancement of links across the countryside to adjacent ancient woodland. A local Planning permission was subsequently granted for this outstanding scheme.