Moving into a new build home in Leyland or the surrounding South Ribble area is an exciting milestone, representing a fresh start in a modern, energy-efficient property. However, once the boxes are unpacked and the furniture is in place, many homeowners look out of their doors and realise their garden is a far cry from the lush sanctuary they first imagined. Often, it is a patchy square of turf laid over compacted clay, perhaps punctuated by a solitary, struggling sapling provided by the developer.
At Tree Care Extraordinaire, we encounter these frustrations every week. From hidden legal covenants that prevent you from removing a tree to the mysterious “yellowing” of newly planted hedges, navigating a new build landscape requires more than just a shovel, it requires specialist arboricultural knowledge. This comprehensive guide is designed to help Lancashire homeowners turn their new garden space into a thriving, private, and safe outdoor sanctuary.
The Hidden Reality of New Builds
Before you can successfully landscape a new build garden, you have to understand that the “blank canvas” provided by developers is often an environment under extreme stress. Most new estates across South Ribble are built on land that has been relentlessly subjected to the weight of heavy plant machinery, telehandlers, and excavators for months, or even years, before the first brick is laid. This constant pressure leads to total soil compaction, a process where the vital air pockets within the earth are crushed out, leaving behind a dense, anaerobic sub-base that is as impenetrable as concrete.
What sits beneath your fresh turf is frequently “site spoil” which is a mixture of nutrient-depleted subsoil and buried construction debris like brick fragments and cement dust. In a high-rainfall area like Leyland, this compacted layer creates a “clay bowl” effect, where water cannot drain away, effectively drowning the roots of any newly planted trees. Without professional intervention to break through this “pan” and restore biological life, your garden is starting from a point of structural and nutritional deficit that can stunt or kill your landscaping within its first few seasons.
What are the common problems with new build gardens?
The most significant hurdle is undoubtedly soil compaction. When heavy machinery rolls over the earth, it crushes the microscopic air pockets out of the soil, leaving it as dense and impenetrable as the concrete foundations of your house. This is particularly problematic in Leyland, where the natural soil is already high in clay. It is also incredibly common for our team to find buried construction debris just inches below the surface. This worsens the “clay bowl” effect: when it rains in Lancashire, the water has nowhere to go. It sits in the top layer of soil, leading to root rot and preventing your garden from ever truly establishing.
How long does it take for a new build garden to settle?
Generally, a new build garden takes between one and two years to settle fully. During this period, the disturbed earth naturally shifts as air pockets collapse and water moves through the substrate. You might notice small sinkholes appearing in your lawn or your patio slabs becoming slightly uneven. While it is tempting to invest thousands in major landscaping on the day you move in, we often recommend a “wait and see” approach for heavy structural work like walls or large ponds. However, soil remediation and tree health checks should happen as early as possible to give your plants the best starting chance.
Navigating Trees and Your New Home
The relationship between a modern new build house and the trees within its boundary is rarely as straightforward as owning the land they stand upon. In most developments across Leyland and South Ribble, the landscaping is the result of a strict “Approved Landscaping Scheme” negotiated between the developer and the local planning authority long before you viewed the show home. These schemes are often legally binding, meaning the trees were placed in specific spots to satisfy biodiversity quotas or to soften the visual impact of the new estate.
Consequently, many homeowners are surprised to find that they are governed by “restrictive covenants” or planning conditions that mandate those trees must remain in place and be maintained for a set period. In some cases, specific trees on new estates are even protected by a formal Tree Preservation Order (TPO), making it a criminal offence to prune or remove them without prior consent. Attempting to alter these trees without checking the original site plans or confirming their legal status can lead to significant fines or enforcement notices from South Ribble Borough Council. Understanding these hidden “rules of the garden” is essential before you make any structural changes, as it ensures your vision for the property remains fully compliant with local regulations.
Can you remove a new build tree?
This is one of our most frequently asked questions, and the answer is rarely a simple “yes.” As part of the planning permission, the council often mandates that a specific number of trees must be maintained for a set period. If you remove a tree within this timeframe without permission, you could be in breach of planning conditions. We always recommend reviewing your property’s transfer document before reaching for the chainsaw.
I wasn’t told about a planned tree: What are the rules?
It is a common shock for buyers to discover a tree being planted in their garden months after they have moved in. If a tree was marked on the original planning map, it is legally required to be there. Once the sale of the house is complete, the homeowner bears the full cost of maintenance. While a well-placed tree can increase property value, a poorly placed one can be a future liability. A professional survey can help determine if a tree can be safely transplanted rather than simply neglected.
What is the minimum distance between a building and a tree?
We look to NHBC guidelines for a safe baseline. The safe distance depends entirely on the tree species and the soil type. In the clay-heavy soil of Leyland, high-water-demand trees like Willows or Oaks should generally be situated at least 15 to 20 metres away from a building. Smaller species with less aggressive root systems, such as Rowans or Amelanchier, can safely live much closer.
Planting and Foundations: Fact vs Fiction
Anxiety regarding structural foundations is arguably the number one reason homeowners in Lancashire are hesitant to plant trees, yet in the context of modern construction, these fears are frequently misplaced. Contemporary new-build foundations in Leyland are typically designed to rigorous standards, making them significantly more resilient to root activity than older properties.
The misconception that roots “attack” concrete is a misconception; roots simply follow the path of least resistance in search of moisture. The primary risk actually arises from the “wrong tree in the wrong place.” By partnering with a professional arborist to implement regular crown reductions, you can effectively manage a tree’s water uptake and ensure your foundations remain stable while enjoying the aesthetic benefits of a mature canopy.
Can you plant trees in a new build garden?
Absolutely, and we encourage it. However, the “dig a hole and hope” method will not work. To give a tree its best starting chance, you must break through the compaction layer to allow for drainage. We recommend a planting pit significantly larger than the root ball, incorporated with high-quality organic matter to create a nutrient-rich “oasis.”
Solving the Privacy Problem
The “Goldfish Bowl” effect has become a staple of new build living, where the density of estates means multiple neighbouring windows overlook your private space. While standard timber fencing is legally capped at two metres, it rarely provides adequate screening against first-floor vantage points.
To solve this, we specialise in “elevated screening” using pleached trees which are essentially hedges on stilts. By planting these specially trained specimens, you can create a lush, evergreen “living wall” that starts where your fence ends, blocking the line of sight from neighbouring bedrooms while keeping the ground-level space open. This approach doesn’t just provide privacy; it softens the harsh lines of new brickwork and increases the financial value of your property by creating a truly secluded, mature landscape in the heart of a busy development.
Instant Screening: What to plant?
Choosing the right species for the Leyland climate is essential. We recommend Amelanchier lamarckii for its stunning white flowers and safe root system, or Hornbeam for a classic, formal look. If you want year-round colour, Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a fantastic choice that provides thick evergreen coverage.
The “High Hedge” Law: Keeping the Peace
If you plant a line of evergreens, be mindful of the High Hedges Act. If a hedge exceeds 2 metres and significantly blocks a neighbour’s light, the council can order it to be cut back. Engaging in professional formative pruning from an early stage ensures your privacy screen remains both legal and healthy.
Expert New Build Tree Care
Based in Leyland whilst serving the entirety of Preston and across Lancashire, Tree Care Extraordinaire provides a specialist service for new build homeowners that combines soil remediation with expert arboricultural planting. We have helped numerous residents across the region, from the sprawling developments of Buckshaw Village to the outskirts of Chorley to turn their compacted plots into thriving, private sanctuaries.
We work by assessing your soil health for compaction, checking the legal status of your developer-planted trees, and providing strategic planting solutions like pleached screening to reclaim your privacy. If you would like to see examples of how we have transformed new build spaces, you can explore our latest projects here.
