Our News
02.11.26Landscape Perspectives | Amsterdam & The Hague | World Cities DayAs we mark World Cities Day (31st October), we’re bringing together the final reflections from EDLA’s 2026 study trip to Amsterdam and The Hague. […]
28.10.26Canterbury FestivalThank you to Clague for the kind invitation to Friday’s spectacular event at Canterbury Cathedral as part of the Canterbury Festival. We had a […]
26.10.26An EDLA Study Series | Part 5: Coastal EdgeHow can coastal landscapes provide vital infrastructure while remaining accessible, ecologically rich and responsive to natural processes? In the fifth instalment of our Netherlands […]
23.10.26An EDLA Study Series | Part 4: Microclimate & PlayAs our climate changes, the way we design play spaces needs to consider more than equipment, safety and accessibility. Shade, planting and thermal comfort […]
22.10.26An EDLA Study Series | Part 3: Naturalistic PlantingNaturalistic planting is about more than creating an informal aesthetic. Its long-term success depends on understanding site ecology, involving communities and establishing appropriate management. […]
21.10.26An EDLA Study Series | Part 2: Activating SuDSHow can sustainable drainage infrastructure become a more engaging and accessible part of our public spaces? In the second instalment of our Netherlands study […]
20.10.26An EDLA Study Series | Part 1: Shared EdgesEarlier this year, the EDLA team travelled to Amsterdam and The Hague for a few days of exploring, learning and experiencing a different approach […]
15.10.26Heronby ConsultationDonald Roberts FLI and Katherine Astbury (Stewart) from the EDLA team are attending today’s public consultation for Heronby, a proposed new community of approximately […]
13.10.26Grey to GreenA team day in Sheffield: Exploring green and blue infrastructure In August, the EDLA team visited Sheffield to explore how landscape design is helping […]
09.10.26Team Visit : Garland ParkThis week, members of the EDLA Landscape team visited Garland Park, a residential development by Esquire Developments on the former Benenden Hospital site, to […]
05.10.26Queen’s Park Family Hub : Planning Permission GrantedA new family hub shaped around landscape, mature trees and spaces for the community to come together. We are delighted that planning permission has […]
01.10.26We’ve movedWe’ve moved! And we’re very pleased to call the historic King’s Mile our new home. Our new studio is at 33B King Street, Canterbury, […]
29.09.26Synergy Autumn DrinksThe best industry conversations rarely happen across a meeting table. Last week, Eleanor Trenfield spent an evening in London with Synergy Construction & Property […]
25.09.26World Cleanup DayWorld Cleanup Day feels like a good time to talk about one of the less glamorous parts of landscape architecture. Bins. Stay with us. […]
24.09.26Fundraising in support of Demelza Charity and EllenorLast week, Michael Grimshaw and Eleanor Trenfield joined Esquire Developments at Roxy Ball Room for a brilliant afternoon of fundraising in support of Demelza […]
05.08.26Snows Ride, Windlesham : Planning Appeal SuccessPlanning Appeal Success for Retirement Living Scheme and SANG at Snows Ride, Windlesham. We’re pleased to have supported our Client Retirement Villages Group Ltd […]
29.07.26Gad’s Hill School : Planning Permission GrantedWe’re pleased to see planning permission granted for proposals at Gad’s Hill School in Kent. Set within the grounds of Gad’s Hill Place, the […]
23.07.26Weldon Heart, EbbsfleetIt was fantastic to recently revisit Weldon Heart, Ebbsfleet, and see the landscape thriving following completion, particularly given the recent spell of hot weather… […]
21.07.26The Architectural JournalEDLA are delighted to see the recent Bishop’s Place planning success featured in The Architectural Journal. It has been a privilege to contribute to […]
14.07.26ARCO (Associated Retirement Community Operators) ConferenceEleanor Trenfield recently attended the ARCO (Associated Retirement Community Operators) Conference to hear how the sector is responding to changing expectations, policy and demographics. […]
13.07.26LDE UTCDonald Roberts FLI and Michael Grimshaw recently spent the morning with the Level 3 Landscape Technician Apprenticeship learners at LDE UTC, as part of […]
29.06.26SuDS Awards 2026Two days in Newcastle for the SuDS Awards 2026 offered a valuable opportunity to engage with the people and projects shaping the future of […]
26.06.26Site visits aren’t always as glamorous as they might appearThe photos usually capture the best bits such as the views, the landscape, and the potential of a site. The reality is often a […]
19.06.261.5 Million New Homes by 20291.5 million new homes by 2029: that’s the government’s target, and it matters. So does what happens between one front door and the next, […]
16.06.26BRICK AWARD 26There is something special about bringing together talented people from across the world to celebrate exceptional work. Last week, I had the pleasure of […]
03.06.26Bishop’s Place : Granted Planning PermissionA significant milestone for Bishop’s Place in Bromley, with the scheme receiving a resolution to grant planning permission at committee on Monday night. One […]
01.08.25Hiring: 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 […]
24.04.25From 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. […]
19.12.24Exciting 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 […]
27.11.24Designing 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 […]
20.11.24Elmore 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 […]
05.11.24Architects 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 […]
05.11.24Empowering 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. […]
04.11.24Winter 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 […]
01.11.24Our 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 […]
28.10.24Blog: 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 […]
28.10.24The 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 […]
23.10.24Designing 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 […]
21.10.24Driving 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 […]
10.10.24Science-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 […]
30.09.24Shaping 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 […]
26.09.24Tree 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. […]
17.09.242nd 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 […]
28.08.24Exploring 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 […]
28.08.24Recommendations 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 […]
09.07.24BNG 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, […]
09.07.24Gender 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. […]
15.06.24Brick 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 […]
22.05.24Hiring: 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. […]
08.05.24Kent 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 […]
18.04.24Landscape 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 […]
16.04.24Join 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 […]
03.04.24Biodiversity 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 […]
03.04.24Navigating 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 […]
22.03.24Inspiring 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 […]
15.03.24Insights 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 […]
14.03.24The 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 […]
12.03.24Sharing 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 […]
29.02.24EDLA 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 […]
04.12.23Inspiring 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 […]04.12.23An 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 […]
04.12.23Do 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 […]
30.11.23Thought 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 […]
13.11.23Honouring 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 […]
10.11.23LI 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 […]
23.10.23EDLA’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 […]
05.10.23Why 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 […]
04.10.23Revisiting 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 […]
26.09.23Orchard 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 […]
26.09.23The 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 […]
26.09.23Kent 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 […]
29.08.23EDLA 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 […]
29.08.23EDLA 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 […]
14.07.23Two 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 […]
12.07.23Kent 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 […]
12.07.23EDLA 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 […]
23.05.23Eleanor 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) […]
22.05.23Inspiring 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 […]
11.05.23Kent 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 […]
11.05.23We 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 […]
25.04.23The 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 […]
24.04.23Stephen 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 […]
16.04.23A 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. […]
08.03.23Eleanor’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 […]
08.03.23In 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 […]
27.02.23A 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 […]
30.01.23Interview 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 […]
09.01.23Public 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 […]
11.12.22Gender 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 […]
28.09.22Meet 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 […]
04.08.22Imagination, 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, […]
21.06.22English 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 […]
25.05.22Building 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 […]
12.04.22ETLA 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 […]
16.03.22International 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: […]
04.03.22It’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 […]
10.01.22What 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 […]
10.01.22How 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 […]
06.01.22A 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 […]
06.01.22The 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 […]
01.10.21Traditional 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 […]
20.09.21Is 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. […]
14.09.21What 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? […]
14.09.21Play 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 […]
06.09.21Tree 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 […]
