LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
We support architects, planners, developers, and project teams with landscape-led planning services, statutory submission support, and early strategic advice to inform sound decision-making and secure successful planning outcomes. Our approach integrates landscape appraisal, analysis, and feasibility, ensuring your project responds positively to its context, mitigates planning risk, and aligns with UK planning policy and guidance.​
A LANDSCAPE-LED APPROACH
Across all stages of the project lifecycle, our work is grounded in three key processes:
Landscape Appraisal
Understanding landscape character, sensitivities and context.
Landscape Analysis
Identifying opportunities, constraints and functional relationships.
Landscape Feasibility
Testing the viability of development proposals and guiding strategic design decisions.
Together these processes ensure that development proposals are well informed, environmentally responsive and capable of securing planning approval.
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We support architects, planners, developers, and project teams with landscape-led planning services, statutory submission support, and early strategic advice to inform sound decision-making and secure successful planning outcomes. Our approach integrates landscape appraisal, analysis, and feasibility, ensuring your project responds positively to its context, mitigates planning risk, and aligns with UK planning policy and guidance.
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STRATEGIC LANDSCAPE APPRAISAL
Purpose:
Establish a robust understanding of the site and its surrounding landscape to inform early-stage planning and design decisions.
Landscape appraisal forms an important early stage in the planning and design process. It provides an initial understanding of the landscape context, identifying key characteristics, sensitivities and opportunities that may influence the development potential of a site.
The examples presented here illustrate a high-level appraisal undertaken for a residential development proposal. The work involved reviewing the landscape setting, surrounding land uses, visual relationships and existing environmental features to identify potential constraints and opportunities.
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Process:
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Desk Study
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Review local planning policy, landscape character assessments, aerial imagery, topography, heritage, and ecological data.
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Identify statutory designations, conservation areas, and sensitive landscapes.
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Field Survey
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On-site assessment of vegetation, landform, water features, public views, heritage assets, and ecological features.
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Photographic documentation and GPS mapping of key features.
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Landscape Character & Sensitivity Assessment
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Identify defining elements, visual and ecological sensitivities, and areas of high planning risk.
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Evaluate landscape quality and potential impacts of proposed development.
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The example below demonstrates the structured approach used to assess landscape character, site context and potential landscape responses at an early stage of the planning process.
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LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS & OPPORTUNITY MAPPING
Purpose:
Understand how the landscape functions and how it interacts with development proposals. This informs design strategies, mitigation measures, and strategic decision-making.
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A landscape assessment provides a more detailed evaluation of the landscape characteristics and sensitivities of a site and its wider context. It supports the planning process by identifying how development proposals may interact with existing landscape features, visual receptors and environmental conditions.
The material presented here illustrates elements of a landscape assessment undertaken to support a proposed development scheme. The work included analysing landscape character, key views, vegetation structure and the relationship between the site and its surrounding landscape.
To respect client confidentiality, the exact location of the project is not disclosed. However, the examples demonstrate the analytical methods used to inform landscape design strategies and guide sensitive integration of development within the landscape.
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Process:
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Data Mapping
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Topography, hydrology, soils, vegetation, biodiversity, sun/shade, wind, and circulation patterns.
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Identify existing ecological corridors, heritage features, and public access routes.
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Opportunity & Constraint Analysis
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Highlight development opportunities such as views, access routes, and natural screening.
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Identify constraints including flood risk areas, protected habitats, and visual sensitivities.
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Synthesis & Concept Diagrams
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Produce clear overlays and diagrams showing areas for development, mitigation zones, and strategic design opportunities.
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Support planning applications with robust evidence.
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Outputs & Services:
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Opportunity & Constraint Plans
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Concept Diagrams & Masterplanning Inputs
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Landscape Design Strategies
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Planning Application Support (RIBA Stage 1–2 integration)
Benefit for Clients:
Ensures development proposals respond intelligently to their context while remaining compliant with planning policy.​
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The examples demonstrate the analytical methods used to inform landscape design strategies and guide sensitive integration of development within the landscape.
LANDSCAPE FEASIBILITY & RISK ASSESSMENT
​Purpose:
Evaluate the practicality, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory viability of proposed developments.
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Landscape feasibility studies are often undertaken at the earliest stage of a project to determine whether a site has the capacity to accommodate development in a way that responds appropriately to its landscape setting.
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The examples presented illustrate elements of a landscape feasibility review prepared to inform early development discussions. The work involved identifying key environmental constraints, landscape opportunities and potential strategies that could support a viable and context-sensitive design approach.
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Although the specific project location is confidential, these examples demonstrate how landscape feasibility analysis can help guide site planning, highlight environmental considerations and support informed decision-making during the early stages of project development.
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Process
Preliminary Concept Testing
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Develop schematic design options aligned with landscape constraints and opportunities.
Technical & Regulatory Review
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Assess planning policy compliance, environmental impact, biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements, and drainage solutions.
Economic & Practical Assessment
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Estimate implementation costs and identify construction constraints.
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Evaluate long-term management needs and stewardship approaches.
Feasibility Report & Recommendations
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Provide clear guidance on decisions or design adjustments to reduce planning risk.
Benefit for Clients:
Provides confidence in decision-making, demonstrating that proposals are deliverable, sustainable, and sensitive to landscape context.
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Outputs & Services:
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Feasibility Reports
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Concept Design Options
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BNG Assessment & Integration Support
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SuDS Integration Support
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Risk Mitigation Strategies
Benefit for Clients:
Provides confidence in decision-making, demonstrating that proposals are deliverable, sustainable, and sensitive to landscape context.​
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FROM LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT TO LANDSCAPE FRAMEWORK & MASTERPLANNING
​Early landscape appraisal, assessment and feasibility work plays a critical role in shaping a coherent landscape framework for development proposals. Rather than responding to a design retrospectively, this process places the landscape structure at the forefront of spatial planning, ensuring that environmental conditions and landscape character inform the overall masterplanning approach.
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The project illustrated here demonstrates how the findings from an initial landscape appraisal and detailed site assessment were translated into a strategic landscape framework to guide the spatial organisation of development. While the location of the project remains confidential, the work reflects a structured methodology frequently used to support early planning discussions.
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The process began with the identification of key landscape characteristics and sensitivities within and around the site. This included analysis of existing vegetation structure, field patterns, topography, visual relationships and the wider landscape setting. The appraisal also considered potential receptors, important views and the role the site plays within the surrounding landscape mosaic.
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Building on this analysis, a landscape feasibility review was undertaken to determine how development might be accommodated while respecting the landscape context. This stage explored opportunities to retain and strengthen existing landscape features, protect visually sensitive areas and establish clear landscape structure across the site.
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The resulting landscape framework diagram illustrates how these considerations informed the emerging spatial strategy. Key elements of the framework typically include:
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retention and enhancement of existing vegetation and landscape features
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creation of new structural planting to define development parcels
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integration of open space networks and green infrastructure
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protection of important views and landscape edges
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provision of ecological corridors and habitat connectivity
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integration of sustainable drainage and landscape-led water management​
By establishing these principles early in the design process, the landscape framework helps ensure that development proposals respond positively to their surroundings while creating a coherent and legible spatial structure.
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In many cases, this framework then forms the basis for the preparation of a landscape-led masterplan, where built form, movement networks and public spaces are organised around the landscape structure rather than imposed upon it. This approach supports the creation of places that are both environmentally responsive and visually integrated with the wider landscape.
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The example shown here illustrates how landscape analysis can inform strategic design decisions, providing a foundation for development that respects landscape character while delivering functional, attractive and resilient environments.
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INTEGRATED LANDSCAPE SERVICES ACROSS RIBA WORK STAGES
Purpose:
Our services align with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work, the UK’s widely recognised framework for organising the stages of design, planning, construction and project delivery. By integrating landscape thinking early and maintaining continuity through the design and delivery process, we help project teams ensure that development proposals are context-sensitive, policy compliant and deliverable. Landscape considerations influence planning outcomes, environmental performance and long-term stewardship. Our role is to provide strategic landscape input at the stages where it has the greatest impact on decision-making and planning success.
RIBA Stage 0–1
Strategic Definition & Preparation of the Brief
At the earliest stages of a project we provide strategic landscape advice to inform site selection, feasibility and project briefing. This stage is critical for identifying potential planning constraints and opportunities before design work progresses.
Key activities
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Strategic landscape appraisal and site context review
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Landscape constraints and opportunity identification
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Preliminary landscape feasibility assessment
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Initial planning risk evaluation
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Early advice on biodiversity net gain and environmental considerations
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Input into project briefs and development parameters
Typical outputs
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Landscape Appraisal Reports
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Site Opportunity & Constraint Plans
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Early Landscape Strategy Advice
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Preliminary Planning and Environmental Risk Guidance
Early landscape input at this stage helps project teams avoid costly redesign, reduce planning risk and shape proposals that respond positively to their setting.
RIBA Stage 2
Concept Design
During the concept stage we support architects and planners in developing landscape-led design strategies that respond to the site’s physical, ecological and visual context. This stage translates the findings from appraisal into clear spatial strategies and design concepts.
Key activities
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Detailed landscape analysis and opportunity mapping
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Landscape strategy development
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Masterplanning and spatial framework input
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Integration of ecology, drainage and landscape structure
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Early biodiversity net gain strategy development
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Input into concept layouts and development options
Typical outputs
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Opportunity and Constraint Diagrams
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Landscape Design Strategies
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Concept Landscape Frameworks
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Strategic Landscape Masterplan Inputs
This work ensures development proposals respond intelligently to landscape character, ecological networks and heritage considerations.
RIBA Stage 3
Spatial Co-ordination & Planning Submission
At this stage our work supports planning applications and statutory submissions, ensuring landscape proposals are clearly documented and aligned with planning policy.
We work closely with the wider consultant team to produce robust, policy-led landscape documentation.
Key activities
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Preparation of landscape plans and design strategies
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Landscape Visual Appraisals where required
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Biodiversity Net Gain documentation and integration
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Planning report support and design narrative input
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Coordination with ecology, drainage and heritage specialists
Typical outputs
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Landscape Strategy Plans
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Planning Application Landscape Drawings
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Biodiversity Net Gain documentation
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Supporting landscape narratives for planning submissions
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Input to Design and Access Statements
Our aim at this stage is to support successful planning outcomes by demonstrating that proposals respond positively to their landscape context.
RIBA Stage 4
Technical Design
Once planning consent is secured, we develop detailed landscape designs and technical documentation to support implementation.
Key activities
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Detailed landscape plans and planting design
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Specifications and technical documentation
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Integration of SuDS landscape elements
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Landscape management and maintenance strategies
Typical outputs
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Technical Landscape Drawings
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Planting Plans and Specifications
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Landscape Management Plans
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Implementation Guidance
This ensures that approved landscape strategies are translated accurately into deliverable construction information.
RIBA Stage 5-6
Construction & Handover
During the construction phase we provide support to ensure the landscape design is implemented effectively on site.
Key activities
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Site inspections and implementation guidance
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Coordination with contractors and project teams
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Advice on establishment and aftercare requirements
Typical outputs
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Site Advice and Implementation Guidance
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Establishment and Maintenance Recommendations
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RIBA Stage 7
In use & long term stewardship
Successful landscapes require long-term care and management. We support project teams and landowners with management strategies that protect ecological value, visual quality and long-term performance.
Typical outputs
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Landscape and Habitat Management Plans
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Long-term stewardship guidance
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Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring frameworks
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EXAMPLES
