Landscape Planning

At EDLA, we are committed to preserving the natural beauty and character of our landscapes while facilitating thoughtful and sustainable development to add value and enhance character. Our Landscape Planning services ranging from initial landscape advice to Landscape Appraisals to Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA), play a crucial role in achieving this balance.

We provide logical, clear, and succinct advice based on our thorough and credible analysis. We have extensive and respected planning knowledge and have built strong relationships with local councils and planning representatives.

We are proud of our success and the numbers speak for themselves, with 90% of our schemes submitted receiving approval.

This is not a coincidence, but down to our thorough and in-depth knowledge of the planning system and our careful and considered process, which is both creatively driven and strategically conceived.

Our thoughtful approach is respected and highly valued by our clients. We can help you too.  Please get in touch.

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Our work is undertaken by chartered landscape professionals, who have extensive experience in complex sites and large-scale development.  Our methodology and approach align with the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA) Third Edition.

Baseline Study
We start with a detailed analysis of the existing landscape and visual environment. This includes site visits, photography, and mapping to document the current conditions.

Mitigation Strategies
Based on our findings, we develop strategies to avoid, reduce, or offset adverse impacts. This can include design modifications, landscaping, and other measures to integrate the development harmoniously into the surrounding environment.   This is an iterative process undertaken as part of a wider design team.

Impact Assessment
We assess the potential impacts of the proposed development on the landscape character and visual amenity. This involves evaluating what changes occur as a result of development on the landscape character, and how changes affect people’s views.

The assessment is typically undertaken at Year 1 (on completion) and Year 15 (to account for the likely growth and establishment of proposed mitigation planting).  For projects subject to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The LVIA sits as a chapter within an Environmental Statement, and also assesses effects during the Construction phase and Cumulative development (other development locally that has been approved and would result, in combination, in a change to the baseline position).

Reporting
We provide clear, comprehensive reports that detail our findings and recommendations. These reports are essential for planning applications, helping decision-makers understand the potential visual and landscape impacts to be weighed up in the overall planning balance.

• Initial Advice Note with Opportunities and Constraints Plan
• Landscape Visual Appraisals (LVA)
• Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)
• Landscape Character Assessment (LCA)
• Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment (TVIA) 
• Green Belt Review
• Landscape Expert Witness

Click here for more info on types of Landscape Assessments we provide.