LANDSCAPE TREATMENT Appendix D Philosophy The Design Approach Well designed and executed external The following simple appraisal and design works and planting are essential to approach is suggested:- enhance the overall appearance of development. Apart from their visual • Identify the landscape characteristics contribution, they help influence the of the area within which the site lies. behaviour of pedestrians and drivers as This should include the position and well as providing security, privacy and grouping of mature trees and other shelter. Used carefully they can vegetation that is typical of the area emphasise the different functions of and which is growing successfully; spaces and routes throughout the identify the form of enclosure typical of development and be used in association the locality e.g. walls, fences, or the with other traffic calming methods to types of hedges. reduce traffic speed. • Identify the vegetation structure of the The overall appearance of the site, what vegetation is growing development and its standard of successfully, the position of maintenance are amongst the most vegetational features and their important determinants of residents’ condition, the condition and age of satisfaction. Residential roads and trees on site and assess the ultimate footpaths, and the open spaces that potential mature size and spread of adjoin them, are significant parts of the immature trees. external environment, which are seen when travelling through a development • Identify important site characteristics and from the homes within it. and features e.g. landform, soil type and drainage including wet areas. Successful and well maintained landscape works enhance the character of an estate • Identify important views into and out of and encourage communal pride. Advice the site. on landscape design should be an essential part of local guidance for • Decide what features are to be developers. Adequate allowance should retained and how this is to be be made for landscape work in the overall achieved. cost of the development. It is strongly recommended that developers engage the • Consider the way people will move services of a qualified landscape architect. through the estate, what level of open space is required, how they will use open space and what level of activities are appropriate e.g. ball games, dog walking. • Decide what new planting and features This careful analysis of the site and its are going to be incorporated in the setting should identify features which scheme. Try to incorporate species should be retained, re-established and and features characteristic of the area. created within the new development. • Consider how both existing and new Consideration must also be given to how features will be maintained and by these features will be managed or whom. maintained. Do they need to be adopted by the local authority or can they be • Be prepared to review, amend and adequately maintained by individual refine the design. householders? The Landscape Setting The Planting Structure The landscape element of the design The framework planting within a should pay due regard to the setting of the development should reflect the setting of site as well as its own specific the site. The retention of existing characteristics. It is important to observe established trees and planting features the character of the local environment, to will give new development a sense of consider its scale and spatial maturity and place. relationships, to identify the features which create its landscape character and Main tree species introduced into the site analyse their visual importance. should include those which are indigenous to the area and are found in the locality. The features and characteristics which Selection of plant species should take into give the area its local distinctiveness account the ground and soil conditions, should be incorporated into the design of the vulnerability of the location, and the new development to carry through the likely level of future maintenance. established ‘sense of place’. Choice of shrubs should concentrate on The Character of the Site species which are vigorous, hardy and readily available. Shrubs should be mass Having recognised the distinctive planted at close centres and the eventual characteristics of the locality, the height of the planting should be individual features and characteristics of considered in relation to its location. the site need to be identified. Site analysis should identify changes in level, natural Planting can also be used effectively to drainage pattern, the main aspect of the frame views into the site. Views of the site site, the planting structure, form of from the surrounding area may require enclosure, important views in and out of appropriate screen planting to reinforce the site, the age and condition of site boundaries and enable the development features and their visual importance. to be more readily absorbed into its setting. New hedges, mass shrub planting, At all times the ultimate maintenance of reinforced with small or medium sized planted features needs to be taken into trees, can be used to create a sense of account as this will influence the choice of enclosure and interest in the spaces species and the form of planting. around groups of houses. The planting can be combined with fencing, railings, Practical Guides walls and other means of enclosure to create defensible space around The practical guidelines in the following properties. sections will assist the maintenance and establishment of the different forms of The spatial effects achieved through planting with minimum maintenance planting can combine effectively with liabilities. appropriately designed road layouts to reduce the speed of traffic. Planting can Retaining Existing Planting also be used to separate pedestrians from traffic. The protection of trees and hedges during The planting on open space areas within a site construction is essential; developers residential area should contribute are advised to refer to BS 5837 – 1991. significantly to the framework planting of the site. Public open space is best Mature Trees allocated to the parts of the site where existing large mature trees are to be It is important that a tree condition survey retained. These areas also offer the is carried out to ascertain the condition opportunity to plant native species that and life expectancy of significant trees on need space to establish and which will site. There is little point in designing a grow into large mature specimens or layout to retain a mature tree if that tree is groups. affected by Honey Fungus and has unstable roots. Where existing hedgerows are to be retained this is best achieved by Species, either planted or retained, which incorporating them within or bounding will mature into large trees should be a areas of public open space. The hedge suitable distance away from properties. can then be maintained as part of the They are best located within areas of open space. This should secure its public open space, around the site continued existence and allow a boundary or within large gardens. consistent approach to maintenance to be achieved. Mature trees that are identified for retention may contain areas of decay The development of plants during their resulting from damage that has occurred establishment period may necessitate the some time ago. Some trees may require erection of protective fencing. Particularly minor tree surgery. Areas of decay or within areas which are well used by the damage, which have been identified as public or which are vulnerable to corner requiring action should have this work crossing or shortcuts. carried out by a qualified tree surgeon. Trees should not be subject to alterations Where old wounds are present in mature in existing ground levels over the area of trees, the trees natural defence their root systems or adjoining the base of mechanisms may have dealt with the their trunk. damage by compartmentalising the decay. Ideally there should be no excavation Where trees are considered for retention beneath the canopy of trees to be careful assessment of wood density is retained. All attempts should be made to advised. The Arboricultural Association locate service runs outside this area in will advise on consultants who have the order that important anchorage and feeder necessary expertise to carry out such an roots of retained trees remain intact. assessment. Staffordshire County Council Severage of these roots can result in the Tree Officer or the Arboricultural Officer of loss of a tree which is a focal feature of a the local planning authority should be able development. to advise. If excavation is unavoidable under the In order to give existing trees the greatest canopy of the tree, all excavation should chance of survival, it is essential that the be carried out by hand and no roots over following conditions be observed: 25mm in diameter should be severed. The excavations should be made under the All trees identified for retention should be roots and the top 225mm carefully protected during the development works backfilled with good quality topsoil. by appropriate protective fencing which Sufficient space should be allowed to should be positioned to enclose the area retain the existing root systems without affected by the full extent of the spread of undue cutting. Where services are to be the trees. laid beneath root systems, the Developer should provide ducts. Plastic marker tape or mesh are totally inappropriate and unacceptable means of New roads will need to be sensitively protecting vegetation during the designed when in close proximity to construction period. existing trees. Where particularly important specimens are to be retained The protective fencing should consist of adjacent to a new highway, the alignment post and chestnut paling fencing or post of the road may need to be modified to and wire mesh with a top-rail. It should be minimise the impact on the trees and maintained during the whole of the special measures for the accommodation development works and be of sufficient of roots may be necessary.