State of the Paths

By Nige on February 1, 2022 at 9:47 am
Type: News Category: Handover
Tags: Bloor Homes | Vale of White Horse District Council

In respect to the state of the paths, we have been in contact with VWHDC and they have provided the following information to help us challenge Bloor about the state of the paths:

• This info is provided by a Senior Landscape Officer at VWHDC, so is on good authority.
• The original application Landscape Master Plan (should be accessible on the group’s shared drive: [Old Link]. This clearly shows on page 15 a picture of a path which is far more granular than ours. It’s more like the Cala Homes path (which we think is what we should be aiming for).

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• The type of path expected is a self-binding path. Links to a local source and their specification is https://grundonquarries.com/…/coxwell-self-binding…/
• This type of path is used within the councils parks and below is an extract of the expected specification for that type of path.
• Coxwell Gravel Construction. The path is to be constructed such that the finished level is flush with the existing ground level to achieve the required cross fall of 1 in 60 on the path where possible and an even base.
• The excavated material is to be spread on site.
• Any soft areas are to be dug out and filled with granular fill as specified. Any over excavation must be backfilled with granular material and not compacted subsoil. The formation shall be free from loose soil, spoil, rubbish and standing water and shall be compacted prior to construction.
• Geotextile shall be Terram 1000 or similar approved and shall be laid flat over subbase overlapping 100mm with adjoining layers.
• Timber edging shall be pressure treated softwood 150 x 25 mm. Fixed with galvanized nails into softwood pointed stakes 50 x 50 x 300 mm long, driven into the ground at 1m c/s.
• The subbase shall be Coxwell Type 2, and shall be laid to suppliers instructions in a layer 100mm deep and well compacted with a vibrating roller.
• Coxwell self binding path gravel shall be laid to suppliers instructions in a 50mm layer, compacted while moist as supplied by Grundon Wicklesham Quarry, Faringdon 01367 244078.

We am going to send this on to Bloor’s Adoption Manager and will highlight this as a fundamental issue that will prevent the residents from supporting VWHDC in providing a Certificate of Practical Completion on the Public Open Space.

As always, happy to hear from anyone who has any relevant info that might help in our challenge to Bloor Homes on this point.