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Wreford Company News
LANDFILL TAX EXEMPTION – TIME IS RUNNING OUT
Item dated 13/11/08
Landfill Tax Exemption, currently available from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), is being scrapped. Landfill Tax is payable on all materials disposed of at landfill, including Japanese knotweed. At the moment, waste disposers can obtain exemption from payment of Landfill Tax. However, whilst HMRC have set the final valid date for using such certificates at 31st March 2012, new applications for exemption will not be considered if they are received any later than 30th November 2008. Since all new applications will need to be reviewed and, if necessary, queried prior to this date it is imperative applications are sent off as soon as possible – ideally before the end of this week. All exemption certificates granted will cease to be valid on or after 1st April 2012 and thereafter any disposal of material to landfill will be liable to Landfill Tax at the full rate. It has been clear for some time that so-called ‘dig and dump’ knotweed removal strategies need to be greatly reduced in their usage, and the Environment Agency’s 2006 Knotweed Code of Practice stated that such strategies should be regarded as a last resort only. On-site solutions are less expensive and more sustainable than ‘dig and dump’ strategies. Wreford adhere to the best practice detailed in the EA’s CoP and will always look for on-site treatment options if they are available. For more information please visit our treatment services on our knotweed website.
HEDGE REPLACEMENT CONTRACT COMES TO AN END
Item dated 07/11/08
Wreford today completed the tree and hedge reinstatement contract that formed part of the gas pipe installation works carried out by Land & Marine NACAP. At over 60 locations along the pipeline, running from Lockerly to Marchwood, Wreford’s landscaping team planted over 13,000 tree and hedging whips. Species chosen were compatible with the existing hedgerows and included Hazel, Hawthorne, Ash, Oak, Holly, Blackthorn and Willow. Sarah Mander, Wreford’s Landscaping Manager, said: “This project presented a unique set of problems. The team all worked together and rose to the challenge, producing great results.”
BARE ROOT AND ROOTBALL STOCK NOW AVAILABLE
Item dated 04/11/08
The first bare root and rootball stock of hedging plants of the season arrived at the Ower garden centre today. These are plants that have been grown naturally in a field, rather than in containers. Because of the time and effort involved in maintaining and re-potting containerised plants, bare root and rootball stock can offer much greater value for money. They also tend to have better root structures, since their roots have not suffered any restrictions to their growth patterns. Bare root plants are usually deciduous or semi-evergreen (such as Hornbeam, Privet and Beech), whereas rootball stock is often evergreen and sold with soil enveloping the root structure and wrapped in biodegradable sacking for containment. Because these plants can only be dug up and planted during the winter when the plant is dormant, Wreford only supply them from November to March/April (dependant upon the weather). Discounts on bare root and rootball stock are available for landscapers and designers. For more information, including planting advice, visit our Hedging and Topiary website.
WREFORD LAUNCHES NEW TREE PLANTING SERVICE
Item dated 29/10/08
This month has seen the creation of a new department at Wreford. The Tree Planting team offers a national service to supply and plant semi-mature trees, utilising an experienced and knowledgeable workforce, specialist machinery and a range of specialised anchorage systems to stabilise the trees until they are properly established. A huge range of trees are available, from upwards of 20cm trunk girth. A maintenance and after care service is also available if required. The valuable benefits brought about by trees in our environment are now recognised by planning authorities, councils and architects. If you have a landscaping plan that includes the supply and installation of semi-mature trees, irrespective of numbers, contact 023 8081 6628 in the first instance to discuss your requirements. A comprehensive and easy to use Wreford Tree Planting website will soon be online, containing species available, prices and general information.
ROOT BARRIER SERVICE EXPANDS BEYOND KNOTWEED
Item dated 16/10/08
As a natural extension of the use of root barriers in the treatment of Japanese knotweed, Wreford now provides a complete root barrier supply and/or supply & installation service throughout the UK. With a range of barriers on offer, from interwoven non-porous membranes to copper-lined porous ones – as well as tough panel interlinked root deflectors – Wreford can advise and supply the best product tailored to the client’s requirements. Invasive roots, from trees or rhizomatous plants such as Japanese knotweed, cause damage to services, surfaces and structures. Root barriers prevent such damage, as well as preventing problems such as ground shrinkage and subsidence caused by mature tree roots. For more information, please visit Wreford’s root barrier web page by clicking here.
KNOTWEED (AND WREFORD) ON THE BBC
Item dated 13/10/08
BBC Breakfast News has drawn attention to the fact that this week is officially designated ‘Non-Native Species Week’ by announcing today it will be highlighting one specific troublesome species on their programme each morning. Inevitably they began with Japanese knotweed. In particular, the news team outlined the current proposal to release a biological control agent to attack the plant. Response to this item from other areas of the media has been swift, with many local and national newspapers publishing articles on knotweed and the biological control proposal. Local radio, too, has leapt on the story and Wreford’s Knotweed Operations Manager, Brian Taylor, was interviewed today on BBC Radio Northampton’s afternoon show, presented by Richard Savage and Annabel Amos, about knotweed issues and the control proposal. If you want a brief overview of the biological control project, please click here. For more information on the project visit the website of the Japanese Knotweed Alliance via our knotweed Links page.
NEW PAVING LEGISLATION TO REDUCE FLOODING
Item dated 02/10/08
The government, as part of its Future Water Strategy, has introduced legislation designed to reduce the impact of surface water run-off. Much of the flooding throughout the UK last summer was caused by surface water overwhelming the drainage system, principally caused by an increasing number of front gardens being fully or partially paved over. As of yesterday, under the Town and Country Planning Order 2008, householders now need to apply for planning permission if they are proposing to lay more than 5m² of traditional, impermeable paving surfaces to driveways and front gardens. Planning permission is not required, however, if a driveway uses permeable or porous surfacing, as these will allow surface water to drain away. Wreford are already working alongside designers and architects to install permeable block paviour systems to create attractive and environmentally sound driveways that are not delayed by waiting for planning permission.
WREFORD JOIN NAAC
Item dated 01/10/08
Wreford have become a member of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors. Formed in 1893, the NAAC represents contractors offering a professional, land-based service to farmers, government, local authorities, sports and recreational facilities. Contractors include those operating in the amenity and agricultural sectors. All NAAC approved members must have appropriate insurances in place and must operate within NAAC professional guidelines. Wreford recognise that, with invasive weeds in general - and Japanese knotweed in particular - becoming more prominent in the media, there are more and more companies setting themselves up in the marketplace as ‘experts’. As such, it is becoming increasingly difficult for clients to distinguish between those contractors who are reputable and those who are not. As such, Wreford supports such bodies as BASIS and the NAAC, and such schemes as BACCS and Amenity Assured. Joining the NAAC is Wreford’s first step towards joining these schemes and reassuring its clients as to its professionalism and quality of service.
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Head Office: Romsey Road, Ower, Southampton, Hampshire, SO51 6AF | Phone: 02380 813776 | Fax: 02380 813737