Qualifications
MSc Arboriculture and Urban Forestry
University of Central Lancashire
BA (Hons) Landscape Planning and Management
University of Manchester
Professional Memberships
Arboricultural Association
Professional Member
Institute of Chartered Foresters
Professional Associate
Recent Projects
Robert Godwin has worked as an arboricultural consultant for over 10 years, covering a broad range of arboricultural activities. As a professional arboricultural surveyor and consultant his workload has included the management of trees on construction sites, statutory control advice including; assessment of trees involved in tree related subsidence damage; and surveys to identify tree hazards and manage risk from tree failure posed to people and property. Below is a selection of recent projects.
Trees and Construction Projects
Open Air Theatre: Regent’s Park, London
This project involved a survey covering all trees in and around the Open Air Theatre at Regent’s Park, followed by an impact assessment to consider the effect of constructing a contemporary facility adjacent to a wooded parkland area. Site investigations were undertaken to establish the presence of roots in order to aid discussions held with the local authority and park managers regarding the placing of foundations.
Coniston Waste Water Treatment Works: Lake District
This project involved an assessment of trees which formed part of an implication study to assess how a proposed facility extension would impact on existing trees within this sensitive area.
Social housing development: Avon Close, Salford
Following concerns from local residents about a proposed development, the local authority placed a TPO on several willow trees, which created site constraints for developers who had laid foundations close by the existing trees. Driveways were to pass beneath the willow trees and specialist advice on building driveways close to trees was required. Ground investigations using an airspade were undertaken and special engineering solutions were adopted to ensure that the trees survived the construction process.
Former Inglenook public house: Liverpool
This site required an arboricultural survey, report and impact assessment in support of a new care home for the elderly on the site of a former Liverpool pub. Recommendations were made and specifications prepared for tree works necessary to accommodate the proposed building.
Mixed use development: Media City, Salford Quays
This scheme involved producing a tree constraints plan and impact assessment detailing the implication of a mixed use development as part of a brownfield redevelopment within Salford Quays.
University of Salford: Salford Crescent Campus
This project involved mapping and assessing the condition of all trees in around the main university campus and identifying any implications a proposed developemnt would have. Proposals put forward involved the construction of student accommodation on the site of an existing car park, constraints were identified to ensure tree protection and preservation throughout the site.
Former coaching house: Congleton, Staffordshire
A detailed tree report was required within the mature gardens of a listed building to accommodate a new housing development within the grounds of a 19th century coaching house. Details of ground protection were required to protect trees during the demolition and construction phase. Tree works were also specified to bring the mature grounds and a small orchard back under management.
Metrolink Extension: East Didsbury to Chorlton, Manchester
This project involved a two phase tree survey in relation to trees along several miles of disused rail trackbed, for a proposed major new public transport network. The initial survey aimed to establish species, quantity and overall tree condition before draining the line. Then a constraints survey followed to establish protection measures for the best quality trees.
Tree Management & Safety Projects
British Waterways, East & West Midlands
Tree safety survey covering many miles of British Waterways canal side towpaths and adjoining land, in the East and West Midlands regions. Hazardous trees were logged using a GPS data capture system whilst making tree work recommendations to manage risk.
Walvenden Park, Alkincots Park & Barrowford Park: Pendle Borough Council
This project involved a tree safety assessment on of over 1500 trees within three public parks. Recommendations were made that allowed the local authority park department to prioritise tree works and manage risk for park users.
Housing Association: Yorkshire
Ongoing tree management programme for large charitable housing association in Yorkshire. Included safety surveys of tenanted properties, specifying works and arranging tree work contractors to undertake the recommended tree works.
University of Manchester: Victoria Park & Fallowfield Campus, Manchester
Project involved mapping, location tagging and assessing the condition of over 3000 trees within the grounds of all the halls of residence. Recommended works were detailed as part of a five-year management plan.
Devon Highways: Devon County Council
Project involved the methodical assessment of trees within falling distance of the main highways in East Devon; trees were logged using a GPS data capture system. Recommendations were specified that identifed trees with hazardous defects. A a five-year management plan was created.
Trees and Buildings Projects
Tree subsidence damage assessment: Various, Nationwide
I have undertaken hundreds of tree-related subsidence assessments; recommending tree mitigation works and specifying and organising tree works. Many cases involved liaison with local authorities regarding TPOs, trees in Conservation Areas and trees within highways.
Hollingworth v Hibbert: The Central London Civil Justice Centre
This claim involved a court appearance representing the successful Claimant in a subsidence litigation case. A tree root case where a neighbour’s tree was causing subsidence damage to the Claimant’s property. The judge found that the Defendant’s tree was responsible for the subsidence damage and ordered that the offending tree should be removed without further delay.