Construction and Post-construction Phase. A specialist Landscape Sub-Contractor should be employed for the implementation of landscape construction works and subsequent maintenance operations during a 12- month establishment period. A Registered Landscape Architect should be employed to supervise the specialist Landscape Sub-contractor for the implementation of landscape works, both hard and soft, involved. Measures undertaken by both the Contractor(s) and the specialist Landscape Sub- Contractor during the construction phase and first year post-construction will be audited by the Registered Landscape Architect of the ET, to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures. Site inspections should be undertaken at least once every two weeks throughout the landscaping plants establishment period when planting works are being undertaken. A tree survey should be prepared, for DLO submission, and for the purpose of existing trees protection. Removal of existing trees should be minimized. The Contractor should consider employing a certified arborist when sizable and valuable existing tree(s) protection of transplant is required. Post-construction phase auditing will be restricted to the 12- month establishment works of the landscaping proposals and thus only the items in the list below related to this period are relevant to the post-construction audit; the remainder are for the construction phase site inspections. The broad scope of the audit/inspections is detailed below but should also be undertaken with reference to the more specific checklist provided in Table 9.1. • the extent of the agreed works areas should be regularly checked during the construction phase. Any trespass by the Contractor(s) outside the limit of the works, including any damage to existing trees will be noted; • the progress of the engineering works should be regularly reviewed on site to identify the earliest practical opportunities for the landscape works to be undertaken; • existing trees and vegetation within the study area which are not directly affected by the works are retained and protected to the extent safely practical; • the methods of protecting existing vegetation proposed by the Contractor(s) are acceptable and enforced; • preparation, lifting transport and re-planting operations for any transplanted trees; • landscaping works are carried out in accordance with the specifications; • the planting of new trees, shrubs, groundcover, climbers, ferns, grasses and other plants, together with the replanting of any ...
