1 ___________ SHARE THE VISION Landscape influences the quality of our vision. They will be of particular relevance working, travelling, domestic and to those who have the greatest influence on recreation lives. It reflects the richness of the landscape – farmers, developers, and our ecological and historic heritage. If engineers, and public bodies. we recognise this, we can develop and share a vision for tomorrow’s landscape. A SAD DECLINE The vision which this manual invites During the post-war period, there have been you to share is of a countryside which is dramatic changes in the Cambridgeshire diverse, reflecting local character and a landscape. Particularly in the 1980s, sense of place, consciously thought about observers alerted us to the environmental and managed, and which acknowledges decline of the countryside: critics felt that our affinity with nature and our need for much of what was valued had been lost and recreation and visual enjoyment. much of what was new was bland, These landscape guidelines insensitive and lacking character; the recognise the potential for everyone Cambridgeshire countryside of old had gone. involved with the rural landscape and its settlements to play a part in achieving that Looking east across the fens from Ely Cathedral’s western tower. This is true, in the sense that there is no going backwards, no way of fully woodlands; development economics may discourage restoring many of the lost habitats, and no high design standards or innovations with landscape prospect of doing away with intrusive new creation; engineering standards and financial structures. Along with the loss of habitats constraints reduce the scope for achieving we have seen the erosion of a sense of environmentally sensitive road schemes; local place and local character, those difficult- authorities have reduced budgets, and so on. A to-define features of the countryside clearer vision should help to overcome these which create a special local identity and constraining factors. may inspire creative thought or give pleasure to the resident and visitor alike. TIME FOR CREATIVE RENEWAL Some action has been taken to tackle these problems; central and local government, landowners and voluntary bodies have played a part. The planting programme in Cambridgeshire is one example. But the opportunities which present themselves now are of a much greater magnitude. They arise from: - the likelihood of major changes in farming, with the possibility that some land will no longer be needed for food production; - continuing economic and Decades of decline, at the approach to St. Neots from the population growth in the County; east. - growing environmental awareness The landscape guidelines for Cambridgeshire amongst the population at large; describe a series of ways in which new, richer and people are looking for better and more diverse landscapes can be developed. Just as more rewarding environments, both small detrimental changes cumulatively damage a urban and rural, and for reassurance landscape, so can small creative actions improve it, that we can live alongside nature. and develop a new character. The guidelines These guidelines are therefore illustrate how farmers, developers (and their forward-looking and endeavour to architects), engineers, local authorities, conservation offer creative inspiration. It is only volunteers, landscape professionals and the general through a vision of new standards public can contribute towards this objective. that problems of implementation can be overcome. There will indeed be problems: some will argue that agricultural economics are still ill disposed to the planting of trees and 2 ___________ ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE OBJECTIVES FOR LANDSCAPE (occasionally) in terms of designing large RENEWAL structures to ‘blend in’ with their The creative challenge of developing surroundings. Cambridgeshire’s countryside for the The reason for this is that most of the future has the following objectives: countryside has, in a sense, been thought of 1. Increase people’s awareness of as ‘looking after itself’. Woodlands, landscape quality. hedgerows, stone walls, villages, ancient 2. Mobilise care and action landmarks and other features have contrived, amongst the main bodies who play in their apparent (but not real) timelessness the most active role in generating to give us landscapes of considerable quality tomorrow’s landscapes. and character without the need for 3. Improve overall visual quality professional landscape and other design and strengthen the contrasts between inputs. Today, with evidence that the landscapes in different parts of the process of change often degrades rather than County (emphasising a sense of improves the landscape, the time has come place). for a fresh look at how we can reverse this 4. Integrate wildlife conservation trend. into landscape action at all scales Hence, these landscape guidelines are from planning at a county level, design-based; they also incorporate the through site planning, design and potential for integrating wildlife management, to the detailing of conservation measures into the process of “hard” and “soft” features at the change. They endeavour to give practical smallest scale. solutions of relevance to individual projects, 5. Protect and enhance historic and emphasise the need to conceive of these features. in the context of the wider landscape. They 6. Conserve existing features and offer models which can be applied in many create landmarks and ‘personality’ in situations throughout the County and adapted the landscape. to reflect local landscape characteristics. COUNTRYSIDE CHANGE BY A CHALLENGE: SETTING NEW DESIGN STANDARDS Whilst high landscape quality is related to Individual sections of this manual are aimed habitat quality, it is strongly influenced at developers, highway engineers, drainage by visual characteristics. In this sense, engineers and farmers. Responsibility is also our perception of high quality countryside placed on planners to encourage higher landscapes is little different in principle to standards, using persuasion, planning our perception of high quality buildings conditions or enforcement as necessary. The or townscape. same principles apply to the general public, We readily accept that high quality conservation volunteers and other people architecture, urban compositions or parks who play a part in making the landscape. are the product of a conscious, creative design process. Traditionally, however, design has rarely been associated with the rural landscape, except in relation to better examples of afforestation and Each section illustrates how the - road engineers to enhance the primary activities of these agencies stretch of countryside through which impact upon the wider environment and the highway passes; are responsible for shaping the - drainage engineers to find ways of countryside. It is a short step, therefore, matching landscape needs with for these groups to think more positively hydrological effic iency; about their roles in restoring and creating - local authorities to balance new landscapes in the decades ahead. It economy in land management with is necessary to think long term, to the public expectations for a better next generation and beyond. environment; If Cambridgeshire’s countryside is to - planners to ensure that all schemes be regenerated as proposed, it is essential which require it receive proper for: landscape design, provision and - developers to build care of the maintenance; local landscape and sympathy for - local councils, schools and its qualities into their projects; individuals to be ‘landscape - farmers to remember that conscious’, and to take part in landscape management is part of practical action, wherever possible. their role as custodians of the countryside; Near Oakington: the need for a planned approach to landscape design. FIVE ACTION POINTS built forms, local architectural styles and In order to achieve the vision set out in materials, rights of way and planning these guidelines, the following steps will designations. usually be necessary when considering 4. Ensure that the standards and individual projects: design ideas set out in these guidelines, 1. Seek professional landscape including the positive management of design or management advice at the trees throughout their lifespan, are earliest possible stage in a project costed and integrated into a project at and before other design decisions are an early stage. Improved landscape taken, thus ensuring an integrated standards should not be an unexpected design approach. or unwelcome financial burden but an 2. Understand an area’s history inherent part of any project which has through the study of documents, old an impact on its surroundings. maps archaeological sites and 5. Regard the costs associated with ancient features; former patterns and the standards set out in these guidelines features revealed by aerial as an essential part of and an photography can give ‘clues’ for the investment in a project, which can add design of new features. long-term value to a farm or other 3. Carry out an appraisal of the property, improve an owner’s quality of local landscape to include a survey life, and benefit the county’s tourist and analysis of elements such as industry; investing in a better landscape landform, ridgelines, views, existing can bring economic gains. vegetation, wildlife habitats, soils, historical or archaeological features, 3 ___________ FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES PLANNING AND Landscape criteria for new developments DEVELOPMENT