Rockingham Wing Extension - Boundary Treatment Proposal

We know that before any work can be undertaken on site we need to remove the Leylandii Hedge between the hospital and Windermere Road.

After the trees are removed, we will install (if required) a new 2m high fence to help protect privacy until longer term landscaping can be planted. Once the extension is built, we will replant along the boundary with screening trees to give a more attractive outlook for our neighbours and our patients.

In response to concerns that bats may use the Leylandii Hedge for roosting, the hospital commissioned a bat survey of Cherryfield Ecology in March 2025. The Preliminary Roosting Assessment (which followed national guidelines) concluded that “No bats or evidence of bats were found on site. One tree (T1) was found to have low potential for roosting bats due to a cavity within the bark. The others were found to be negligible for bats due to a lack of potential roosting features.” The tree that was found to have low potential for roosting bats is located approximately three quarters along the Coniston Road boundary from Windermere Road – should the hospital choose to remove these trees in the future special attention will need to be paid to this tree.

• Initial removal of invasive Leylandii
• Installation of new 2m boundary fence
• Replanting of screening trees on finalisation of construction to
  give a new more attractive outlook for all
• Temporary frosting of upper floor windows in new extension
  until screening trees are mature.

After the initial removal of the overgrown Leylandii to the rear boundary of Windermere Road, fence replacement will be required. A full replacement of the fenceline from 74-58 Windermere road will be offered by the Hospital Trust to help to improve the boundary condition and offer a 2m tall visual barrier to the rear of the gardens. Once the Rockingham Wing extension is constructed a new treeline will then be planted behind the boundary fence consisting of trees up to 3m tall at first installation. These trees will within 5 years be approximately 5m in height and capable of shielding the residential and hospital buildings from each others view.

Besides the landscaping the extension itself has also been designed to respect the neighbouring gardens. Areas where the edge of the building come close to the boundary purposely feature no windows to prevent direct overview. The other windows at first floor are angled inward to break direct line of sight, furthermore the internal rooms are arranged with beds perpendicular to windows to discourage direct views across the fenceline. All of these mitigating measures should assist in making a comfortable visual relationship both during construction, immediately after and in years to come.