The Three Central Themes

1. Use Natural Characteristics

2.6 At every stage of the procedure the landscape designer shall consider and evaluate the use of natural characteristics.

2.7 In this context natural characteristics are the natural processes, the materials, and the features that occur in the environment. The policy requires that these natural characteristics are firstly understood, then used and copied where appropriate.

2.8 The following examples illustrate the natural processes, materials and features that could be applied within the policy. These ideas are not exhaustive and only the beginning. Further applications are limited only by the understanding and imagination of the landscape designer.

• Processes: Capitalising on the presence of a seed source adjacent or within the site; allowing the hydraulic energy of a river to guide the shaping of a river diversion; allowing wood to rot in a woodland; using seeds or small plants; recognising disturbance as a potential opportunity to enhance biodiversity.
• Materials: Using local rock and soils, natural mulches, native plants, local provenance seed.
• Features: creating varied soil and ground conditions to suit the landscape objective; applying natural plant groupings and spacing; copying rock characteristics; choosing textures, colours and shades appropriate to the context and objectives.

2. Explore Alternatives

2.9 Exploration of alternatives is an integral part of the policy. Alternative solutions, materials and methods shall be generated at all stages of the process from planning to detailed design to management.

2.10 Exploration is necessary for the following reasons:

• The standard approach may no longer be appropriate due to changed circumstances.
• It may not be recognised that there is a better way until alternatives have been investigated. Established procedures may persist because they are useful and adequate.
• The habit of looking for different solutions is developed instead of simply following the most obvious or established route. Alternative solutions may not be useful immediately but may be adapted for use in the future.

2.11 Frequently a landscape objective can be achieved in a number of ways. This approach requires a range of potential solutions to be identified as a matter of course, and assessed in terms of cost, effectiveness and environmental consequences.

2.12 Repetitive formula driven designs or standard "off the peg" solutions may be convenient to specify but may not always provide the best overall results when applied to specific situations.

2.13 The process of exploratory thinking is in itself positive and constructive. It will not be necessary to present in detail all the options generated by this process. Nevertheless the procedural inspection will require evidence that reasonable endeavours have been made to think of alternative solutions.

3. Wise Use of Resources

2.14 At every stage of the procedure consideration shall be given to resource management and in particular the long term environmental and economic consequences of all proposed actions. Sustainable development demands the wise use of resources.

2.15 The landscape designer shall identify the resources which are likely to arise during any landscape works and explicitly attempt to utilise those within the design. Such resources may include non-contaminated sub-soil, dead wood, stone and topsoil.

2.16 Waste management legislation can result in surplus materials from construction projects being classified as waste, potentially requiring disposal at a licensed waste disposal facility. The principal purpose of waste management legislation is to make us reconsider how we use surplus resources. Unnecessary loss of resources, in terms of materials which have to be disposed of to licensed facilities, shall be seen as a failure to use those materials wisely.

2.17 By using resources wisely, questioning existing uses and understanding the long term environmental consequences of all actions, the management of the landscape will rely less heavily on chemical fertilisers and herbicides, peat based ameliorates and other un-sustainable resources and procedures.

The Five Stages

2.18 The following stages shall be completed for every trunk road project involving the landscape.

1. Understand the Context and Set Objectives

2.19 A thorough understanding of the project, the site and its environment shall be obtained. The level of detail gathered shall reflect the scale and or the importance of the project. It is important that the investigations not only assess the current physical structure of the site and surrounding landscape but also its rationale; an appreciation of how and why it has formed, how and why it works and how and why it is likely to develop.

2.20 During and following this learning process the broad design objectives of the project shall be developed and confirmed by the landscape designer.

2. Prepare Conceptual Solutions

2.21 Once general objectives have been decided conceptual solutions shall be developed. These conceptual solutions shall be equally applied to small scale projects as well as larger scale projects. The importance of this stage is that it enables the landscape designer to clarify a structure and the principles of the project before focusing on the detail.

2.22 A range of conceptual solutions shall be explored which address the application of natural characteristics and a wise use of resources.

3. Specify Detail

2.23 Once the best conceptual solution to a particular objective has been selected a further exploration of the detailed techniques and methods to achieve the desired results shall be considered and the most appropriate solution shall be specified. Natural characteristics and a wise use of resources shall again be considered at this stage with particular reference made to the site and the character of its surrounding landscape.

4. Monitor Implementation

2.24 Any activities have the potential to uncover unexpected problems or opportunities. This policy recognises this potential and promotes a positive approach to turn problems and constraints into opportunities.

2.25 Landscape designers must visit the site and monitor implementation on a regular basis. Where appropriate and possible, consideration must be given to modifying the design or design objectives to overcome problems or to grasp unforeseen opportunities. (In a Design and Construct form of contract, proposed modifications shall be compatible with the conceptual design. In any form of contract situation the procedure for implementation must be in compliance with the Contract).

2.26 Again alternative approaches shall be considered along with the utilisation of natural characteristics and a wise use of resources.

5. Manage the Developing Landscape

2.27 The landscape designer shall review the landscape as it develops. Landscape objectives can take many years to fulfil, during which time circumstances can change and opportunities present themselves. These changes may require re-assessment of the original design strategy or modification of the management regime. Landscape designers shall regularly question whether routine maintenance activities are making a positive and worthwhile contribution to achieving these objectives.

Policy Application - Detail

2.28 Each key step of the process involves detailed considerations which shall be addressed. These are specified in the following pages, which provide an indication of the type of information which will be required to enable the landscape designer to derive solutions that accord with the policy.

2.29 The importance of the individuals involved developing their own imaginative solutions can not be over emphasised.

TASK

The Procedural Inspection

2.30 A procedural inspection to test the application of the procedure will be carried out by the client or client representatives. The level of detail to be provided by the landscape designer or managing agent to assist this inspection will be appropriate to the scale of the project, but may include the following:

• Survey notes, sketches, photos and records.
• The natural processes, materials and features considered and applied.
• Definition and reasons for the design objectives selected and an indication of future establishment and management commitments.
• An outline of the alternatives considered with reasons for their rejection.
• An outline of the opportunities taken and the benefits achieved or anticipated.
• Comment on the sustainability of the design and its contribution to biodiversity.