Residential

Landscape Perspective Ltd were instructed in early 2019 to produce the relevant landscape information required to accompany a detailed planning application for the redevelopment of a former dairy farm approximately 4.5 hectares in size, on the outskirts of Brighton into a residential development of 72 two storey dwellings.

The landscape package included an overall landscape masterplan for the application site, tree planting proposals drawings, boundary treatment drawings and this landscape and ecological management and maintenance plan.

The focus of the design has been to acknowledge, respect and reinforce the local landscape of the surrounding National Park and its chalky Downland context, with an overall design narrative of a farmstead style development where housing units are positioned within a series of Home-zone style ‘yards’, surfaced in agricultural surface materials to evoke the character of a traditional farmstead.

A large part of the site to be dedicated to a landscaped communal amenity space we named ‘The Common’, sown and managed as a species rich grassland incorporating a natural playground. Wildlife habitat features are to be included throughout the scheme and include soil and chalk bunds and bare ground scrapes for invertebrates, Brown /biodiverse roofs to car ports, and Wildlife Interpretation boards will be installed at key points to inform the residents and their visitors as to the rationale for the scheme.

Landscape Perspective were instructed in December 2019 to provide landscape consultancy advice to a private client/developer, refurbishing a large Grade II listed 16th century property set within just under 5ha of grounds, to be put back on the market in the summer of 2020.

The design philosophy has been to respond to the historic context, to integrate the house into the garden and the garden into its surroundings, with plants and materials appropriate to its character and location.

Part of the project included converting a large existing Koi carp pond into a natural swimming pool, creating a croquet lawn with borders on the rear terrace, designing a parterre garden to the frontage which complements the historic building and provides seating areas outside the swimming pool complex, a formal dining terrace to the rear covered by a large oak pergola, and to bring the remaining grounds under better management, removing over-mature trees and shrubs, but retaining key features.

Having introduced the landscape contractor, Evolution Landscaping into the project right at the start, the project has been a successful collaborative effort, and we are extremely pleased with its progress and hope to work together on other projects.

The project was awarded Gold at the Whathouse? 2020 awards in the ‘best sustainable development’ category, where the judges concluded that the development was exemplary, and that ‘the layout of the scheme, using shared surfaces for cars and pedestrians and a carefully designed landscape, creates a heart to this small new community and will help neighbours to get to know each other, even in these socially distant times.

14 PassivHaus Homes were constructed at this former nursery in Kent developed by Gold Property Developments. Working with InsideOut architects, to obtain planning consent for this challenging site, the strategy for this scheme evolved into one where all properties opened up onto a communal central woodland, with swales running through it, crossed by timber bridges to provide access from the private gardens of the houses that faced onto it.

Constraints on this project included an easement to a large gas main running along the southern boundary, and height restrictions to trees planted close to the properties to avoid casting shade which would affect the Passivhaus calculations.

Native woodland planting is being carried out throughout the development, including a communal woodland in the centre, with an understorey of woodland ground covers and bulbs being planted to enrich the woodland and enhance the biodiversity. All hedges throughout the development to define garden boundaries will be planted in Beech, and a small glade has been shown in the communal woodland creating a small orchard of apples, pears and plums for the benefit of all residents.

To reinforce the concept that this proposed development is set within woodland, the paving and access road materials have been carefully selected so as to not be visually prominent, whilst at the same time fit for purpose, using Cellpave filled with either gravel or grass, depending on location.

Landscape Perspective produced a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) to establish a long-term management protocol for the whole site, secured by legal agreement.

Further information on this sustainable landscape.

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Design team

Architect: InsideOut Architects
Graphics/CGI’s: Fumo
Drainage and civil engineers: Considine
Main contractors: Southmill Ltd

Landscape Perspective were appointed by Searchfield Homes in June 2015, to provide landscape consultancy services to assist with discharging landscape planning conditions, and to produce the hard and soft landscape package for a 14,000 sq ft, 5 bedroom country house set in 20 acres of land in the Green Belt designed by Ascot Design Ltd.

Since 2014 Landscape Perspective have been frequently instructed by Millwood Designer Homes to assist them with obtaining planning consent and then producing landscape packages, including play area designs where required, and have worked on 10 of their developments to date across the south east, ranging in size from 3-40 units.

Millwood are renowned for their attention to detail and for producing designer new homes that sit very comfortably in their surroundings, complementing and enhancing the area, and are fully aware of the added value a professionally designed, prepared, installed and maintained landscape can make to their development, acknowledged most recently in the property industry when they won two 2018 Evening standard New Homes Awards.

A selection of photographs and design drawings from completed developments are set out below.

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Landscape Perspective were instructed by Consero London to provide landscape consultancy services for this outstanding residence backing onto Wentworth golf course. Designed by Ascot Design, the property features leisure and entertaining facilities which include a basement swimming pool which can be converted into a dance floor, wine bar, cinema, and games room.

The client required privacy and seclusion, so 3m high laurel hedges were planted around the boundaries where required, and existing trees were supplemented by over 50 extra heavy standard trees of a variety of species to give seasonal interest. Within the rear garden an avenue of box headed trees was included, underplanted by summer flowering bulbs, dividing the lawn into two large areas, large enough to erect marquees for entertaining when required. Existing trees were retained wherever possible, underplanted with shrubs, ground covers and spring and autumn flowering bulbs.

A unique sunken garden was created in the light well outside the swimming pool, formed of a 2.6m high angled curved wall which included a vertical green wall planted with 9000 plants, which also continues around the side of the house, forming a striking and lush backdrop at the end of the indoor pool in keeping with the design of the pool complex.

In the centre of the curved wall, is a full height water wall which cascades down into a pool, stocked with fish and capped with a stone coping which doubles up as an informal seat. Central to the space is a gas fire and BBQ, and marking each end of the curve are planters containing fan palms.

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Design team

Architect: Ascot Design
Interior design: Hill House Interiors Ltd
Lighting: John Cullen Lighting
Landscape contractor: Creepers Landscapes
Paving contractor: New Image Stone
Paving supplier: Silverland Stone

Specialist sub-contractors: (designer-installers)

Green walls: Biotecture
Water feature to front garden: Stirling Stone
Water feature to light well: Fountainhead Ltd
BBQ: Cedar nurseries
Outdoor fire: Urban Fires

Project value

Approx £300,000