We create spaces that connect people to nature
We are a landscape planning and design consultancy
Our team is proudly diverse
We combine energy, imagination and experience
We respect our landscape in our spacemaking

EDLA IS A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE CONSULTANCY

We specialise in strategic Landscape Planning and Landscape Design and work with clients predominately in London and the South East.

 

Our vision is borne out respect for the landscape, sustainability and aesthetic sensitivity.

 

We strive, we excite, we push boundaries, we imagine big because we want to create spaces that people will love and will serve the environment.
NewsAugust 1st 2025Hiring: Senior/Associate Landscape PlannerJob Title: Senior or Associate Landscape Planner Location: Remote or Canterbury (flexible) Job Type: Full-time or part-time Salary: Competitive, based on experience Design with […]Read more NewsAugust 1st 2025Hiring: Graduate Landscape ArchitectJob Title: Graduate Landscape Architect Location: Canterbury (studio-based) Job Type: Full-time Salary: Competitive Design with purpose. Shape landscapes that connect people to nature. At […]Read more TeamChris RobertshawAssociate Landscape ArchitectNewsApril 24th 2025From Rules to Resilience: The Case for Landscape-Led, Community-Centric Design CodesAttending the recent NLA Design Code event prompted me to reflect deeply on the evolving role of design codes in shaping our built environment. […]Read more NewsDecember 19th 2024Exciting News: Donald Awarded Fellowship Membership of the Landscape InstituteWe are delighted to share that our Director, Donald Roberts, has been awarded Fellowship Membership of the Landscape Institute, a prestigious recognition of his […]Read more ProjectSedgemere Road, Abbey WoodNewsNovember 27th 2024Designing with Nature: Integrating Biodiversity and Resilience into Contemporary Development  As a team we attend numerous conferences on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) which often include species protection, and it is clear that collaboration between […]Read more NewsNovember 20th 2024Elmore Estate: A nature fuelled escape – reflections on rewildingA thought piece by our colleague Katherine Astbury (Stewart) on rewilding and embracing a different aesthetic within our countryside… Feral – Adjective – In […]Read more ProjectThe Seahive- Betteshanger Country Park, KentProject Orchard Farm, Kent – WLA Award and LI Award...NewsNovember 5th 2024Architects Climate Action Network Seminar: Elevating Biodiversity Net Gain PracticesDirector Eleanor recently participated in the Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN) Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in Practice seminar, an engaging online event where experts […]Read more NewsNovember 5th 2024Empowering Future Architects: EDLA’s Workshop at UCAOur directors Eleanor and Donald recently enjoyed leading a landscape workshop at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) for second-year BA Architecture students. […]Read more NewsNovember 4th 2024Winter Photography: Essential for Landscape AssessmentsAs autumn’s vibrant colours fade to winter greys, now is the ideal time to consider winter photography for your projects. These images are invaluable […]Read more NewsNovember 1st 2024Our winter reading list favourites…In a quiet moment with a hot chocolate, here are some winter reading suggestions from our team… Evolutionary Playwork by Bob Hughes – Delving into […]Read more NewsOctober 28th 2024Blog: Exploring Zakrzówek: A Unique Blend of Nature and Design  By Kate Astbury, Junior Landscape Architect  “Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Zakrzówek swimming pools, a former limestone quarry near Kraków, Poland that […]Read more NewsOctober 28th 2024The Power of Play: Essential Reads to Inspire Inclusive, Engaging LandscapesIn October, our team focused on the importance of play. To refresh our ideas, our team attended a CPD with Richard Cocker where we […]Read more NewsOctober 23rd 2024Designing Playful Spaces: Where Kids Thrive and Communities ConnectWe design inclusive play areas that cater to children of varying abilities, creating opportunities for social integration and empathy building. Additionally, the mental health […]Read more ProjectStonehaven Park, Eastern Quarry, EbbsfleetNewsOctober 21st 2024Driving Climate Resilience in PlacemakingAt EDLA, we are always mindful of the importance of climate resilience in our projects, ensuring that our designs not only meet today’s needs […]Read more NewsOctober 10th 2024Science-Backed Insights: Green Spaces for Mental Well-beingThe spaces we design have a profound impact on the mental well-being of communities. Research consistently highlights the benefits of access to green and […]Read more NewsSeptember 30th 2024Shaping the Future of Biodiversity Net GainDirector Eleanor Trenfield joined an expert panel at the Implementing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in Construction roundtable sponsored by Biofarm. This insightful gathering brought […]Read more NewsSeptember 26th 2024Tree Selection in Building Resilient and Sustainable LandscapesLast week, EDLA team took advantage of a sunny day and visited Barcham Trees PLC as part of our ongoing commitment to professional development. […]Read more NewsSeptember 17th 20242nd Kent Focused BNG RoundtableIn the face of the intersecting crises of housing, biodiversity, and climate change challenges, natural environment professionals are driven to maximise the impact of […]Read more NewsAugust 28th 2024Exploring Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) in LondonAs landscape professionals, we see tremendous potential in working with local authorities to enhance urban climate resilience through the implementation and retrofitting of SuDS […]Read more NewsAugust 28th 2024Recommendations to Improve the Use of Biodiversity Net Gain in PracticeOn 8th July 2024, EDLA sponsored and hosted a roundtable discussion in Canterbury, facilitated by Design South East. This event brought together natural environment […]Read more ProjectGarland Park (Former Benenden Hospital Site)ProjectOld Forge, Catlin Street, SouthwarkNewsJuly 9th 2024BNG Metric Roundtable DiscussionEDLA sponsored and hosted a roundtable discussion on the BNG Metric facilitated by Design South East. The roundtable was initiated by Director Eleanor Trenfield, […]Read more NewsJuly 9th 2024Gender Inclusivity in Parks and Public SpacesGender plays an important role in how people access and enjoy the public realm, and inclusivity is a crucial consideration in our landscape designs. […]Read more NewsJune 15th 2024Brick Award 2024, ViennaIn June, Director Eleanor Trenfield co-hosted the prestigious Brick Award by Wienerberger along with Kristofer Robert Adelaide. There were numerous innovative projects that it […]Read more NewsMay 22nd 2024Hiring: Senior or Associate Ecologist – BNG SpecialistOur team is growing, join us! We are a boutique landscape studio, committed to the highest quality of landscape planning, design and the environment. […]Read more NewsMay 8th 2024Kent Design Conference: Reflections on BNGDirector Eleanor Trenfield presented at the Kent Design Conference on April 30th, a gathering of built environment professionals passionate about shaping the future of Kent and […]Read more NewsApril 18th 2024Landscape Lens Is Out, Are You In?Calling all eco-enthusiasts! Have you checked out our latest BNG-focused newsletter? Step into the latest edition of the Landscape Lens for expert insights, practical […]Read more Project Millwall Football Club Training Ground, West Kingsdown,...NewsApril 16th 2024Join Us: Summer Work ExperienceCalling out all Landscape Architecture students! Every summer we take applications for a paid internship position at EDLA for Landscape Architecture students for a […]Read more NewsApril 3rd 2024Biodiversity Net Gain: 10 Top Tips for Harnessing Landscape Architecture in Development ProjectsGood landscape design is not just about creating visually appealing spaces for developments—it’s a collaborative process aimed at fostering resilience and promoting harmony between […]Read more NewsApril 3rd 2024Navigating the Complexity of Biodiversity Net Gain: A Landscape Architect’s PerspectiveBy Eleanor Trenfield Founder and Director, EDLA Landscape Architects Achieving 10% Biodiversity Net Gain within development became mandatory on the 12th of February, however […]Read more NewsMarch 22nd 2024Inspiring the Next Generation: UCA ArchitectureEvery year our directors Eleanor and Donald are invited to the University of Creative Arts to support Architecture 3rd year students at SuperStudios.  We […]Read more NewsMarch 15th 2024Insights from ‘Mastering Planting Plans’In March, our team members, engaged in a thought-provoking discussion during the ‘Mastering the Art of Planting Plans’ training by Softscape Matters. The sessions […]Read more NewsMarch 14th 2024The Seahive Project Gains ApprovalWe are thrilled to announce that the plans for an inland surf lagoon in Deal, Kent have received planning approval. It was a pleasure […]Read more NewsMarch 12th 2024Sharing our Views on Biodiversity Net GainDirector Eleanor Trenfield presented at a Biodiversity Net Gain Seminar hosted by Fieldfisher Law alongside experts Christopher Stanwell, Ben Kite, and Lisa Bulmer from legal, ecology, and […]Read more NewsFebruary 29th 2024EDLA Moves: Supporting Dandelion TimeIn February, the EDLA team embarked on a meaningful run/walk/cycle challenge, collectively covering a significant distance of 636 miles. This effort led to a […]Read more NewsDecember 4th 2023Inspiring the next generation of Landscape ArchitectEleanor and Kate spent the morning recently at Herne Bay High School Careers Fair. We are committed to inspiring new Landscape Architects into our […]Read more NewsDecember 4th 2023An in-depth profile of Director, Donald RobertsOur people are everything. And that is why in this new monthly series, we will be asking each team member to explain what motivates […]Read more NewsDecember 4th 2023Do you need Winter Photography?Winter photography is critical for illustrating the ‘worst case’ visibility of schemes, and adds to the robustness of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment […]Read more NewsNovember 30th 2023Thought Piece: Designing Healthy StreetsDirector Donald Roberts reflects on why Landscape Architects are pivotal in designing healthy streets   Streets play an active role in promoting health and […]Read more NewsNovember 13th 2023Honouring our role as StorytellersAs part of our commitment to our story telling role, we spent the day recently undertaking presentation training with Caroline Cole, Founder and Director […]Read more NewsNovember 10th 2023LI Awards: a great eventWe had a great time recently celebrating the fantastic landscape projects at the Landscape Institute Awards 2023. We particularly enjoyed spending the afternoon catching […]Read more ProjectNewtown Works, Ashford, KentProjectThe Garden Tales of CanterburyNewsOctober 23rd 2023EDLA’s October Practice UpdateIn this month’s update we: introduce our 2 team members who have started with us over the last 6 months, Sharanya Balan and Kate […]Read more ProjectKnoll House, BrightonNewsOctober 5th 2023Why we use Train HuggerWe are working towards B Corporation (BCorp) status, which balances profit against social sustainability and environmental performance. This aligns with our mission of putting […]Read more ProjectSchool Lane, Newington, KentNewsOctober 4th 2023Revisiting the Ebbsfleet Design Competition 2019Walking through Ebbsfleet on our recent study tour and picking up the community engagement flyers at the train station reminded us of the landscape […]Read more TeamKate AstburyJunior Landscape ArchitectNewsSeptember 26th 2023Orchard Farm Shortlisted for Landscape Institute AwardWe’re thrilled to announce that both our team and collective – urban strategies have achieved yet another notable milestone with Orchard Farm – being […]Read more NewsSeptember 26th 2023The team tours EbbsfleetLast week EDLA visited Ebbsfleet (one of our training days).  Over the past few years we have been working on a community centre, sports […]Read more NewsSeptember 26th 2023Kent Design Urban Design School MasterclassThree of our landscape architects Michael, Sharanya and Kate attended the Kent Design Urban Design School masterclass this week organised by Design South East, collaborating with […]Read more ProjectThe Gables, Lenham HeathNewsAugust 29th 2023EDLA offer Landscape CPDs to architects, planners, ecologists on LVIAOver the past few months, EDLA have been getting numerous requests to give CPDs to practices, specifically relating to LVIA.  So we have created […]Read more NewsAugust 29th 2023EDLA offers work experience placement to Katie, a BA student at Sheffield UniversityWe have had student Katie English join us for work experience over a few weeks in the summer, she is currently studying at Sheffield […]Read more NewsJuly 14th 2023Two minutes with…Sharanya BalanOur Senior Landscape Architect, Sharanya lives in London and is based at our London office but regularly comes to our main office (Wednesdays is […]Read more NewsJuly 12th 2023Kent Design PresentationEleanor and Donald presented two projects at the Revitalising Rural Places Seminar held by Kent Design, showcasing high quality projects within Kent and beyond […]Read more NewsJuly 12th 2023EDLA does Paris…Paris is renowned for its beauty, particularly in the Spring. However, it also exudes so much charm during the summer, despite the scorching heat […]Read more NewsMay 23rd 2023Eleanor Trenfield talks to The Property Development BookClub PodcastEleanor Trenfield spoke to Faith Locken and Kristofer Adelaide on landscape, architecture, inclusive design for girls in parks (highly topical and close to our hearts) […]Read more NewsMay 22nd 2023Inspiring the next generationOur commitment to promoting our profession and inspiring young people to pursue it remains unwavering. Eleanor Trenfield recently delivered a career talk to Herne […]Read more NewsMay 11th 2023Kent Design Network MembershipWe are excited to have joined Kent Design– a network of cross-sector learning for built environment professionals in Kent and Medway. The group will […]Read more NewsMay 11th 2023We won a World Landscape Design award!We are thrilled to announce that Orchard Farm Kent has won a World Landscape Architecture Awards. This prestigious international award attracted over 250 submissions […]Read more NewsApril 25th 2023The future looks bright!EDLA has turned 6! Happy Birthday to us. We are proud of what we have achieved in this time, and how the business has […]Read more NewsApril 24th 2023Stephen Lawrence Day: A Reminder of the Urgent Need for Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership.This April 22nd 2023, we honor the life of Stephen Lawrence, an aspiring architect who fell victim to a racially motivated attack in South-east […]Read more NewsApril 16th 2023A hop, skip and a jump for the Earthquake AppealEvery February EDLA inspires its team to get moving. For every mile walked (or cycled, hopped, skipped, or jumped), EDLA donates £1 to charity. […]Read more NewsMarch 8th 2023Eleanor’s response to IWD 2023As a female founder and director of a landscape practice, I am definitely in the minority. As a practice we want our team to […]Read more NewsMarch 8th 2023In response to the skills shortage report, we ask, does LI need a rebrand?The recent report on the skills shortage in the landscape sector by the Landscape Institute was not particularly surprising to any of us who […]Read more NewsFebruary 27th 2023A new London space joins our HQ in KentDue to our continued growth and planned 2023 expansion, we’ve opened a new base in London. The new space located in vibrant Stratford marks […]Read more NewsJanuary 30th 2023Interview with Michael Grimshaw, Senior Landscape ArchitectWe interview Michael Grimshaw, who we recently promoted to Senior Landscape Architect at EDLA. Michael, who began his relationship with EDLA through some university […]Read more NewsJanuary 9th 2023Public realm is designed by men, for men. What does this mean for women today? Listen to the podcast now.Eleanor and our Consultant Jade Goto were delighted to take part in a recent episode of Talking Landscape, a podcast from the Landscape Institute […]Read more NewsDecember 11th 2022Gender Inclusive Design- Discussion for the Journal of the Landscape InstituteIn a recent edition of the Journal for the Landscape Institute, the EDLA team was asked to discuss how gender influences design. The full […]Read more ProjectCheriton Parc, FolkestoneTeamEleanor TrenfieldDirectorNewsSeptember 28th 2022Meet our Senior Landscape Architect“I want to work towards a design process where the landscape is integrated as a first principle and planting is an integral part of […]Read more ProjectAylesford Lakes, Aylesford, KentProjectArundel Gate, Ford Road, ArundelNewsAugust 4th 2022Imagination, adventure and risk should be at the heart of all playschemes.A world of pure imagination. As school children enjoy their summer holidays, EDLA Landscape Architects Georgia Timpson and Eleanor Trenfield discuss why imagination, adventure, […]Read more ProjectBerkeley Modular Factory, HooNewsJune 21st 2022English Viticulture- our new landscape.‘It is said that in wine there is truth’, (In vino veritas), and it seems fitting that during English Wine Week, taking place until […]Read more ProjectFoxbridge, KirdfordNewsMay 25th 2022Building with Nature Assessor AccreditationTwo members of the EDLA team have recently completed the training to become approved assessors within the Building with Nature (BwN) awards system. BwN […]Read more NewsApril 12th 2022ETLA evolves to EDLAFollowing five successful years, we are delighted to say ETLA is evolving to EDLA. Donald Roberts joined the business as director in 2020, and […]Read more ProjectThe Old Flour Mill, AshfordTeamDonald RobertsDirectorTeamRichard HammondAssociate Landscape ArchitectProjectLove Lane, FavershamProjectHumber’s Mill, MargateProjectThe Wheat Quarter, Welwyn Garden CityTeamJo Gibbs Practice ManagerNewsMarch 16th 2022International Women’s Month inspired Q&AThree women, all Owner/ Directors of Landscape Architectural practices, answer six questions about what it’s like to be a woman in this industry. Interviewees: […]Read more NewsMarch 4th 2022It’s time to see things differentlyAmerican Activist and entrepreneur Eli Pariser said, “To be a good citizen, it’s important to be able to put yourself in other people’s shoes […]Read more ProjectClifton Slipways, Gravesend, KentTeamMichael GrimshawSenior Landscape ArchitectProjectView Road, Cliffe Woods Village, KentProjectProject Boudica: DHL Strategic Site, TowcesterProjectBallards Lane, FinchleyProjectOxted Quarry, SurreyNewsJanuary 10th 2022What is the difference between Appraisal (LVA) and Assessments (LVIA)?This can be confusing. Landscape professionals, planning consultants, planning officers, and clients often have different views about what is expected within an LVIA and […]Read more NewsJanuary 10th 2022How can SUDs be better integrated into the fabric of residential development?Eleanor Trenfield, EDLA Director, discusses how SuDs can be core, multi-use features of schemes rather than simply functional necessities. The core principle of Sustainable […]Read more NewsJanuary 6th 2022A year of growth and gratitudeLooking back whilst on the cusp of moving forward into a new year is always interesting. In the momentum of busy working days which […]Read more NewsJanuary 6th 2022The public realm should be the forefront of tackling the climate emergencyEDLA Director, Donald Roberts talks about how once public realm is understood as a conduit for humankind’s interaction with nature, it can be put […]Read more ProjectEbbsfleet Neighbourhood Green Community Hub, KentNewsOctober 1st 2021Traditional Orchards: The new, old biodiversity havenGeorgia Timpson, our Graduate Landscape Architect has a background in Environmental Science and shares her knowledge on traditional orchards and how they these havens […]Read more NewsSeptember 20th 2021Is green the new black?People who live in areas with more green space near them live longer and healthier lives. On the surface, this is not that surprising. […]Read more ProjectRingers Road, Bromley, LondonProjectLand at Hawkhurst Golf Club, Tunbridge Wells, KentProjectBirchington on Sea, Thanet, KentNewsSeptember 14th 2021What the world needs nowWhy are young people not entering our profession? Or a more interesting question to ask is how many Landscape Architects does our economy need? […]Read more NewsSeptember 14th 2021Play friendly design and sustainabilityAs most children return to school this week, and weary parents who have spent weeks juggling work deadlines, video meetings and parenting rejoice, we […]Read more ProjectCommissioners Road, Strood, KentProjectLen House, Maidstone, KentNewsSeptember 6th 2021Tree Species for a Changing ClimateOur industry is facing substantial changes in the face of climate change, one being tree species that were once suited to our climate will […]Read more TeamJade GotoLandscape Consultant TeamStanOffice Cheerleader