
Land Clearance is an essential process for developing land, whether that be for commercial, residential, or farm use. Proper land clearance allows you to begin your project from a safe, level, and clear ground that is stable underfoot, obstacle free, and improves the usability of the land.
This guide will walk property owners and developers through the process of land clearance, helping you understand the importance of choosing the right processes and the right company. Land clearance can be an expensive task to undertake, and being armed with the knowledge you need from the beginning is crucial to executing this stage of your project correctly and getting you off to a great start.
What Is Land Clearance?
Land clearance refers to the process of entering a site and removing trees, shrubs, stumps, rocks, vegetation, and any other obstructions on the site. Some companies (like us) also include the option of grading the site (Which involves smoothing out the top layer of soil on a site, either to make it flat or to create a slope in whichever direction is required, for drainage purposes) to allow a total preparation and readiness to begin work, while other companies prefer to let the groundworks team (the people who dig the foundations of the property and sink drainage etc) to do this task. Once this is done construction can begin.
Depending on the desired outcome, different techniques can be employed here. Some people use land clearance simply because a site is overgrown and they want to start again, some use it to clear land ready for a building project, and others use it to clear views, walking areas, increase garden space, or a host of other reasons. Because of the variety of intended outcomes, the techniques used are often very different.
Why Is Land Clearance Necessary?
It may seem obvious, but to begin construction work on a site that hasn’t been correctly cleared can be extremely hazardous. Trip and fall hazards and the obstruction of sight lines, are the two biggest hazards in this instance.
Overgrown land can be an absolute haven for pests. Anything from rats and mice, to cockroaches and fleas can flourish in an untended area, especially one in which there is any kind of food source. We once cleared an area that had previously been a rubbish tip and the rats had had a field day.
Overgrown land can also be a significant fire risk, especially in summer as the vegetation dies back and dries out.
Cleared land can be more attractive to prospective buyers.
Cleared land is easy to navigate and easier to utilise.
Different Types Of Land Clearing Methods
The Manual Method.
A team of workers go in with power tools. They use chainsaws to remove trees and large shrubs, hedge cutters to trim back overhanging vegetation, stump grinders or diggers to remove stumps, and brush cutters and strimmers to clear the ground itself. Usually once this is done a digger will go over the area and scrape the surface to remove bramble stubs and cut vegetation, leaving a clear top area of soil.
This is the best option for smaller areas, areas where machinery might be hard to access, or when trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
The Mechanical Clearing Method.
Heavy machinery such as large excavators, bulldozers, dumpers, and forestry mulchers enter the site and push through the vegetation. Tree are often pushed over and then hoisted by excavators with grab attachments and passed through a large scale chipper. Smaller vegetation is mulched and often removed from the site by the dumper.
This method is the best option for larger areas and those with thick vegetation, but it can be costly and environmentally disruptive. Many techniques can be utilised that allow the offsetting of the environmental damage this method can cause.
Controlled Burning.
A controlled burn can be a cost effective and fast way of clearing an area of short brush quickly, this is especially efficient on agricultural land that has become overgrown. This requires strict adherence to, and understanding of, fire safety regulations and should only be undertaken by professionals. This method often relies on a particular set of environmental circumstances and should not be undertaken if there is not a certainty of being able to control the burn.
Chemical Land Clearing.
Personally, this is our least favourite option, but you can use a mass spraying of herbicides to clear unwanted vegetation. Naturally this should only be undertaken by professionals and strict care must be taken to not cause soil contamination.
Mulching And Grinding
This method involves using specialised machinery, either attachments on an excavator or dedicated machinery, to grind down and mulch the vegetation. Oftentimes the trees will be cut down and then mulched, while shrubs and lower vegetation can be mulched in situ.
This method can be time consuming but is very environmentally considerate as the mulch feeds the soil it falls on. It’s a method that is often considered unsuitable for construction sites as it can mask dips and ruts in the grounds leading to an increase in trip ans fall hazards.
Naturally you can also mix and match these methods to create the desired outcome.
The Land Clearing Process
Step 1 :
Assess the land and acquire permissions.
Conduct a site survey and evaluate the soil conditions, terrain and obstacles, decide on the best method of clearance.
Check for the presence of Tree Protection Orders or Conservation area status, if these are present, acquire the necessary permissions (We offer as a service tpo applications) and ensure adherence to the guidelines.
Check Local regulations and obtain necessary permits and permissions for land clearance.
Step 2
Create a clearing plan.
Decide the areas to be cleared and the areas to be preserved. Discuss which areas best lend themselves to conservation
Step 3
Either engage professional land clearance services, or rent or buy the necessary equipment to undertake the works yourself.
Clearly mark the working areas, especially if larger teams are used. Ensure everybody involved understands the goals, restrictions, and guidelines of the undertaking.
Step 4
Clear and area of vegetation, trees shrubs, brambles, and whatever else is present, to allow an area to store the cut vegetation going forwards. If you are able to work in a way that allows the waste to be removed (chipped, mulched, or loaded onto vehicles) from the start, do that now.
Remove tree stumps as you go, these are a hazard. They trip you when they are smaller and bar your movement when they are larger. Removing them as you move is the most efficient way forward.
Step 5
Level and prepare the ground. Grade using a large bucket and front scoop on an excavator. Compact the soil if required. Add top soil if required.
Ensure proper drainage.
Step 6
Dispose of all waste. We take all of our organic waste to be used in bio mass power plants and this can be arranged for you too.
Dispose of any unusable waste correctly. If you are uncertain how, contact your local council or a waste management company.
What Factors Effect Land Clearance Costs?
There are multiple factors to consider when costing land clearance works, but usually the two biggest factors are the size of the site and the density of the vegetation. A larger site will often require more workers to cover, larger machinery, and have a longer time factor.
Smaller sites the have dense vegetation can also be costly as they provide a difficult working environment and a slower time span as vegetation must be removed to make way for the next segment to clear, and so on.
Types of vegetation can also have a large effect. Grass is very different to brambles and trees are very different to shrubs.
Accessibility is another important factor. Some large areas have limited accessibility so that larger machinery is not possible, undertaking a large clearance by hand can be slow and therefore costly. Some terrain is also not suitable for large machinery, and this again can slow work considerably.
Environmental considerations. Some areas have protection in place or require a specific set of provisions to be enacted for the work to take place. This can force the work to be done in ways that are inefficient and costly.
Disposal methods can also alter costs, as can the amount of waste to be disposed of. For example a large amount of wood, whilst heavy and slow to move, can also mean massively increased transportation costs and access issues.
Sustainable Clearing Practises.
There is a difficult balance to walk, between understanding that sometimes there is a strong necessity for land clearance, and environmentally conscientious steps to ensure it is as considered as possible. The fact is, land clearance can never be considered “environmentally friendly”, but it can be taken in a way that is considerate, even handed, and thoughtful.
Recycling the waste is a good starting point, using woodchip or green vegetation for biomass plants is a way of giving it back to the environment and its processes.
Using silt fences and cover crops to evoke erosion control.
Relocating or protecting wildlife to minimise environmental disruption. A well considered ecological survey is crucial here.
Maintaining soil health by avoiding chemical contamination and encouraging the return of nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil using mulch and other organic matter.
Conclusion
Land Clearance is a crucial step in many development projects, but undertaking the work with a solid understanding of the processes involved, cost factors, and environmental considerations can stand you in good stead going forwards and give you a strong decision making base. If at any time you require advice or understanding, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
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