News
Visual Representation of development proposals
Visual Representation is a presentation technique that is increasingly requested by planning. In September 2019 the Landscape Institute published Technical Guidance Note (06/19) for the ‘Visual Representation of Development Proposals’. After six months of applying...
Covid19 in 2020: Development Projects and ecology/landscape services
As most of our clients know, The Landmark Practice is still fully operational during the Covid19 pandemic and undertaking ecology phase ones, reptile surveys, bat surveys, landscape assessments, capturing views and carrying out feasibility studies, all in accordance...
What is a Bat Low Impact Class Licence?
Bat Low Impact Class Licence is a type of bat licence which is granted by Natural England (or Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage), that permits activities which would ordinarily be unlawful. Legislation makes it an offence to destroy, damage or...
Project Update – Hounslow Heath Junior School
The new Nature Conservation Area (outdoor teaching space) at Hounslow Heath Junior School is beginning to take shape. The Landmark Practice was commissioned by PWA Designs Limited in 2019 to re-design the space after the previous conservation area was re-purposed as...
Visualisation – A Picture is Worth 1000 Words
Planning applications are often informed by technical reports, but an essential element of the planning submission is the visual presentation of the scheme. The saying goes ‘It’s all in the presentation’ and in our experience, the most successful schemes are those...
Ecology Planning Conditions
For development sites that have wildlife interest, Local Planning Authorities often apply a range of pre-commencement or pre-operation ecology planning conditions. Whilst pre-commencement planning conditions should not come as a surprise to applicants (see our related...
Are you ready for the survey season?
As we move into late winter, it’s that time of year when our ecologists start gearing up for the next survey season. It is also the last opportunity for our landscape architects to capture winter views of potential development before fresh leaf cover obscures views...
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity Net Gain is “an approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than before.”(1). When applying biodiversity net gain principles, developers are encouraged to bring forward schemes that provide an overall increase in natural...
Homeowners Guide to Bat Surveys
Bat surveys to validate planning applications We often take calls at The Landmark Practice from homeowners who have been told by their local planning authority that a bat survey must be submitted as part of a planning application, such as for a small-scale development...
Belated Introductions – Steph Attwood and Ed Lim
It was a very busy summer for The Landmark Practice ecology team last year. We had the opportunity to work on a fantastic range of projects including residential development, solar PV, household recycling centres, manufacturing plant and golf courses. Our field...
Ecology Planning Conditions: Check Your Pre-commencement Conditions
The Landmark Practice is often asked to advise on actions required to discharge pre-commencement planning conditions. As, by their very nature, such conditions delay commencement of works on-site, it is often a matter of some urgency to undertake the tasks and prepare...
Time to Capture Winter Views for LVIA
Winter’s on the way and it’s the perfect time for our Landscape Architects to be getting out on site to undertake Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA). With trees losing their leaves, visibility is at its peak which allows us to best assess the visual...
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A monthly update from the cutting edge of ecological practice delivered by our team of highly skilled and innovative environmental planners, landscape architects, and ecologists.