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Landscape Architecture Services
Landscape architecture combines environment and design, art and science. It is about everything outside the front door, both urban and rural, at the interface between people and natural systems. The interaction between human activities and the natural world presents never-ending challenges to conserve, create and maintain the environment in which we live. We can provide the skills to survey and assess the character of both landscapes and seascapes. We design creative solutions to conserve, and enhance the rural and urban landscape. Our designs meet the needs of users of new development whilst respecting existing environmental resources, and contextual factors such as the historic sense of place. Of particular value to our clients is our multi-disciplinary approach in terms of our knowledge and understanding of wider environmental issues, and specifically with regard to UK biodiversity and ecology.
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is a separate but closely linked process that operates within the overall framework of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). It specifically aims to ensure that all possible effects of change and development both on the landscape itself and on views and visual amenity are taken into account in decision-making.
LVIAs are often required as part of the statutory planning process to clearly set out and explain the effects of a development upon the existing landscape or townscape character and the appearance of such changes in terms of effects on visual amenity. In many cases this process can greatly assist in achieving environmentally sensitive development. LVIAs are prepared as part of EIAs or as standalone reports.
We use a range of assessment methodologies, for varied development types and scales, and in a variety of context and locations. The methodology selected will depend on the type and complexity of the development and on the basis of consultation with the planning authority.
The process comprises desk studies and site surveys to establish baseline conditions with the impacts of development proposals assessed against established criteria. The impact assessment is an iterative process as proposals are modified and adapted to accommodate design and mitigation recommendations.
Landscape design is carried out at a broad range of scales and stages from concept design to implementation. We have been fortunate enough to work on a wide variety of projects in and around the UK, for which we have received awards recognising our design approach.
Our design approach for every project is always based upon a sound understanding of the site and surrounding area context as well as a detailed knowledge of the landscape, biodiversity and environment of the site. We often draw together elements relating to habitat and sustainable components as well as recreational landscapes, as part of Green Infrastructure design and provision
We pride ourselves on providing creative, high quality landscape design solutions which meet our clients’ requirements, as well as respecting and responding to the existing rural and urban surrounding environment and the expectations of wider stakeholders and community.
New build and regeneration schemes need first to be carefully planned but then require attention to detail, knowledge of practical and technical site issues, skills in contract management and long term maintenance to realise the proposals effectively on the ground.
We are able to provide our clients with a professional service that extends through all these stages. We have experience of carrying out contract support and implementation for a variety of scales and types of landscape project.