Tree work07884 274693Training01772 369694
Before any building begins, the land has to be cleared. That’s where Great Oaks comes in, providing professional, accredited site clearance services across Lancashire and the North West.
Whether you’re preparing a construction site, managing access for a utilities upgrade, or tackling invasive species in sensitive areas, site clearance is the first step in making progress happen. And it has to be done properly: safely, efficiently, and in line with environmental regulations.
Based in Preston, we work with contractors, developers, local authorities, and infrastructure providers to get sites cleared and ready – with care, precision, and no loose ends.
A site clearance contractor removes obstructions, trees, vegetation, debris, structures to leave land safe, usable, and legally compliant. It sounds straightforward. But good clearance work depends on the right planning, the right kit, and the right people on the job.
At Great Oaks, our team is trained to do exactly that. We don’t just ‘cut it back’ – we survey, plan, clear, and document every job we take on. This includes invasive species, protected tree legislation, and detailed waste handling, especially important for larger, regulated, or multi-phase sites.
07884 274693 ✉️ office@greatoakstreeservices.co.uk
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Site Visit & Survey | We assess trees, vegetation, slopes, access, utilities, and ecological risks – including TPOs or conservation zones. |
| 2. RAMS & Permits | We prepare documentation, including Risk Assessments, Method Statements and, where needed, ecological checks or permissions. |
| 3. Clearance Begins | Using MEWPs, tracked chippers, brushcutters and stump grinders, we clear land to your specification while minimising disruption and ensuring safety. |
| 4. Waste Removal & Reporting | Arisings are recycled or removed by licensed carriers. You receive full documentation, waste notes, and handover photos for your records. |
| 5. Ongoing Maintenance | If required, our grounds maintenance team can keep sites clean, safe, and well-managed year-round. |
Great Oaks regularly supports infrastructure and utility partners who operate in live, regulated environments. Our clearance services are designed to maintain access, reduce vegetation risk, and comply with operational safety standards, whether it’s clearing pathways for engineers or removing overhanging branches from power lines.
In our Garstang embankment project, our team was called in to clear dense vegetation along a canal-side embankment. The goal? Allow structural and ecological surveys to take place safely. The challenge? The entire site was overrun with Himalayan Balsam – a fast-spreading invasive species.
We used a mix of hand removal, mapped footpath creation, and biosecurity control under DEFRA guidance to avoid disturbing the seed pods. Our operatives completed full biosecurity scrubs using purpose-built kits and prevented further spread, while enabling safe access for engineers and surveyors.
That’s the kind of care and specialist expertise infrastructure projects demand. And it’s what we bring to every clearance job we take on.
Our training centre in Preston offers a full spectrum of forestry courses designed to meet industry demands across Lancashire and the North West. From basic chainsaw maintenance to advanced aerial rescue techniques, each course is structured to provide both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. The integration of our exclusive online e-learning portal ensures that candidates receive comprehensive support throughout their learning journey.
Forestry training at Great Oaks goes beyond simple certification. Our experienced instructors, including Director Jason who holds Qualified Teacher Status, and Senior Technical Instructor Tom with over 17 years of field experience, bring real-world insights that you won’t find in textbook-only approaches. This practical experience is crucial when working in the demanding environments that modern foresters face in Preston, Lancashire and throughout the North West region.
We’re more than just a contractor. We’re a fully accredited, experienced, and training-led team who work across Preston, Lancashire, and the wider North West. You can trust that our team is not only highly experienced but qualified and skilled.
✅ Constructionline Gold – audited for health & safety, environmental practice, and quality assurance
✅ Once For All (SSIP) – confirms full health & safety management
✅ ROSPA Member – strong safety culture on every job
✅ Training centre on site – all our staff are trained, certified, and often training others
We invest in the right equipment, the right people, and the right digital tools – like Xylem, the job-management system we built ourselves, so our clients get accurate reporting, consistent quality, and reliable results every time.
From a one-off garden clearance to a multi-acre infrastructure corridor, we tailor every service to the land, the risk, and the client’s goals. Whether you’re clearing:
A plot for housing in South Ribble
Overgrown woodland near a substation
Land along a pipeline or railway
Green space around a commercial park
A neglected estate garden in need of reclaiming
We’ll get it done professionally, and we’ll do it right.
If you’re unsure which course you need, get in touch with our training team for friendly, expert advice.
07884 274693 ✉️ office@greatoakstreeservices.co.uk
Before any machinery starts, a site clearance project must align with planning requirements, safety legislation, and environmental law. For infrastructure and utility clients especially, the risks of non-compliance are too big to ignore, from fines to delays or public scrutiny.
At Great Oaks, we don’t just turn up and cut back vegetation. We help clients understand and manage pre-clearance responsibilities, so they’re confident they’re doing things properly.
| Task | Why It Matters | Who’s Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| Planning Approval Conditions | Some developments require vegetation clearance before other works, but within specific timeframes or with seasonal constraints | Client / Developer (we can support) |
| Ecological Survey | Bats, nesting birds, amphibians or badgers may require survey and mitigation – especially March-August | Developer or environmental consultant |
| TPO and Conservation Checks | Trees may be protected by law, and clearance without permission risks prosecution | Local authority (we can liaise) |
| Waste Carrier Registration | All vegetation and spoil must be handled under UK waste law | Contractor (we are fully licensed) |
| Risk Assessment & Method Statement (RAMS) | CDM regulations require this on most construction-related sites | Contractor (we provide this as standard) |
We support these steps with documentation, digital tracking, and professional oversight, so nothing is missed and no time is wasted. Our team are familiar with the kind of scrutiny infrastructure contractors face, and we work to make your project compliant and clear from day one.
We’re often asked if we can “just get it done.” And yes, we can work quickly, sometimes within 48 hours.
But clearance isn’t a tick-box job. It’s about:
Understanding what’s being removed
Making sure it’s legal
Leaving the site better than we found it
From sloped ground near substations, to vegetation control along private roads or haulage routes, we’re used to dealing with technical sites and project-critical locations.
Whether you’re a local contractor with a small site, or working as part of a tiered infrastructure supply chain, our job is to help you avoid risk, deliver safely, and keep things moving. You may also be interested in our tree surgeon services.
📞 Ready to plan your clearance the right way? Call us on 07884 274693 or contact us to speak to a qualified member of our team.
Careers
Climbing, grounds maintenance and utility work.Climbing, grounds and utility work.
Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor.
Last minuteAvailability
Starts Monday 19 October 2026
3 days plus 1 for assessment
£9671 place
Entry requirements: Ground Based Chainsaw Operator and Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue
Book this date, Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and HarnessOr call the training office on 01772 369694
