Landscape schemes

In preparing and submitting applications for planning permission our firm is invariably involved in the preparation and submission of detailed landscaping schemes. We have considerable experience in this field and we are happy to prepare and submit detailed landscaping schemes in accordance with client’s requirements. We believe that in many cases landscaping schemes can indeed provide the acceptable solution to any areas of criticism that may be levelled by third party objectors to a proposed scheme.

It should be noted that landscaping schemes often serve many purposes. The most obvious function served by landscaping schemes is to ensure that the setting of the proposed development is pleasing to the eye. A further objective of a landscaping scheme is to provide a suitable screen for any part of the proposed development which may attract objections from neighbouring landowners. Yet a further objective of a landscaping scheme involves the creation of a suitable habitat for local wildlife which may be helpful in promoting the scheme in sensitive locations.

It should be noted that landscaping schemes can either be simple straightforward schemes or complex schemes covering a large number of hectares. We have been involved in all types of schemes and can advise on the most appropriate schemes when called upon to do so. In some cases the immediate impact of a proposed development may necessitate the implementation of a mature landscaping scheme which would involve the planting of mature trees and associated vegetation. Such proposals can be very contentious and problematic. Nevertheless one must consider such proposals particularly in cases of very contentious and sensitive development schemes.

In many cases Local Planning Authorities require landscaping schemes to be submitted with the original planning application and most certainly require the landscaping schemes to be specified in some detail in the Design and Access Statement to accompany the planning application. Our firm is able to present all of the required information in support of such proposals where necessary. In some cases local planning authorities impose additional requirements in planning conditions for the submission of subsequent detailed landscaping schemes. We are able to prepare and deal with such requirements as may be specified by the Local Planning Authority.

In a number of cases there are special reasons for introducing specific types of soft landscaping schemes. In some cases they are put forward as part of a flood alleviation scheme. For example in some cases it is necessary to retain large areas of extensive soft landscaping to provide a permeable top surface area to facilitate in the dispersal of any excess flood water. Such schemes can indeed form part of the proposals in a flood risk assessment report.