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PAN 44: Fitting New Housing Development into the Landscape

DESIGN E - LANDSCAPE STUDIES : THE IMPRINT OF MAN

i Existing landscape patterns should be understood, to assist in developing the form of new planting formations. For example the agricultural shelterbelts already existing may be extended to improve the micro-climate for residential development, whilst simultaneously extending a landscape framework which will knit the new development into the countryside.

ii The influence of man in the landscape can be seen in planting such as field patterns and shelterbelts and hard elements such as buildings and roads. Artefacts of historic interest or importance will give important clues to the cultural heritage of an area.

iii For man-made elements such as buildings, observations on the location, siting, density, form, layout and overall character need to be recorded. More detailed observations provide clues and may include age, exterior finishes, materials and condition. Details such as coping stones and steps should be noted and specific elements for retention or refurbishment identified.

iii There are also opportunities presented by man-made features in the surrounding landscape, some of which may, in their current state, detract from the landscape. For example, disused quarries can offer exciting views and dramatic backdrops to development. Equally, road embankments are often negative intrusions into the landscape but can be tackled by planting and earthworks to help define urban edges.

iv There are other features which can be added to the landscape to help create context for development including stone walls and fences which can be used to unify smaller areas at ground level. With appropriate materials, it is possible to link buildings visually to provide enclosure and unity.

v The development which is being considered in this document is essentially residential, but will include space for the possible future development of a focal neighbourhood facility. There will be scope for a further imprint on the landscape should it be the will of the community.

Respecting existing landscape patterns

DESIGN F - LANDSCAPE STUDIES: NEW PLANTING

Where appropriate, new tree planting can be used to create a matrix or framework into which development sites can be located. Time is an important factor with such a technique, as a minimum of 10-15 years is necessary before planting will achieve any degree of sufficient maturity. The Forestry Commission has published important information in the Forest Design Guidance to assist in the design process. Coniferous woodland is not always appropriate and opportunities should be sought for planting mixed species, shelterbelts and semi-natural woodlands.

DESIGN G - LANDSCAPE STUDIES : CLIMATE

i The function of planting has implications for energy conservation and types of shelter planting could include:

• shelterbelts located on the edge of sites;
• dispersed tree planting within a site; and
• features where man-made and/or natural elements can deflect air flow.

ii The planting framework of the masterplan should be conceived as a complete pattern for the whole site and possibly even beyond. In the light of the time taken to become effective, it is usually beneficial to plant a vegetation framework prior to construction of buildings, in order to establish a visual and functional setting to urban form.

iii The element of time should be clearly conveyed with regard to planting. The impact of trees and any planting matrix at years one, ten and thirty is dramatically different and therefore to convey the landscape in its mature form only is very misleading.

iv Landform is important when considering the alignment of buildings in relation to direction of slope. For example, built form blends with the landscape if aligned parallel to the contours. Road and path alignments should also be related to landform. Elevated positions on ridges and skylines should generally be avoided due to the increased visual intrusion which could result.

v Positioning of buildings should seek to exploit the favourable characteristics of climate such as solar gain, whilst protecting against unfavourable ones such as cold, wind and driving rain. Consideration should also be given to improving the micro-climate through the design of form and layout. For example, the following factors can contribute to micro-climatic influence:

• the arrangement of buildings, roads and open spaces on a site;
• the design of buildings; form, height, orientation; and
• the extent and location of tree cover, shelter planting and ground profiling.

DESIGN H - LAYOUT STUDIES : ACCESS AND PARKING (1)

i The design parameters for access and parking are fundamental and the requirements of the relevant authorities are well documented. However, design guides should be used to evaluate a design rather than to drive it. In other words, it is important to begin with objectives related to design principles and applied to the site in question rather than by starting with the objective of slavishly following guidelines. In most instances, roads standards can be accommodated in any case, but the resultant layout will contain more inherent design consistency where principles of good design are the determining factors. Relaxation of standards is permissible in appropriate circumstances as the imposition of roads guidelines to the letter, without due regard to design principles, can have considerable adverse impact on the scale of development.

ii The variety of street environment that can be created should be investigated. Consideration should be given to achieving a domestic scale of roads, the use of traffic calming measures and where appropriate achieving a diversity of space and surface by designing accessed courtyards and shared vehicular and pedestrian spaces.

iii Appropriate detailing, employing materials related to the location and scale of the footpath or driveway are essential to achieving a comfortable fit of the development onto the site.

Access and Parking - Design Guidance
This can be used to determine a concept for the layout

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