We offer our expertise at all stages of the landscape planning and environmental assessment process, including strategic landscape assessment or capacity studies to determine the scale of development opportunities; tree surveys to BS 5827:2012; detailed landscape character and visual impact assessment for specific sites; assisting in the promotion of sites through the local plan process; and the preparation of development concepts and outline proposals. We make recommendations that will guide the location, mass and form of new developments through a synthesis of landscape character and visual impact assessments - defining a development strategy that ensures that the various characteristics of the site are respected and treated in the appropriate manner. We have also given evidence as expert witness on numerous occasions. This requires in-depth preparation of proofs of evidence, combined with good leadership from Counsel, and support from all members of the appeal team. Whilst the outcome can never be predicted, thorough preparation to present the team s case in the most favourable light is essential, and requires careful planning. REDDITCH ROAD ECKLAND LODGE CRIBBS CAUSEWAY YEW TREE HILL LUBENHAM TENBURY WELLS
Located on the western edge of Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire, this site is currently greenfield and lies on sloping ground either side of an existing water course and woodland corridor. A previous planning application for housing had been refused, and was being taken to Inquiry. Illman Young were engaged to revisit the previous visual assessment for the scheme and then to attend the Inquiry as an Expert Witness. A comprehensive masterplan was also required for the site, as part of the Inquiry process, to establish an appropriate layout and setting for the housing proposals: To reduce / mitigate any effects on the general setting and the visual impact on the adjacent properties, new dwellings were sited away from sensitive viewpoints. In addition, extensive tree planting was planned within sightlines and to integrate the built form into the surrounding landscape. The existing steep topography presented a challenge and care had to be taken to ensure a realistic site layout was developed: properties, access roads and screen planting were arranged to work with the topography. Homezone-type spaces were used to reduce the extent of adopted highway and to maximise the opportunity for green streets and community cohesion. SuDS were also incorporated into the design, using rain gardens, swales, retention ponds and planted wetlands. - Client: Marsden Developments Ltd - Architects: Malvern Architects Glazzard Archtiects - Scope: LVIA Work stages C-D - Location: Worcestershire TENBURY WELLS
A major development including over 1000 houses, school, and mixed use development adjacent to the M5 motorway on the outskirts of Bristol. Illman Young were involved with this project from its initial concept and promotion of the site for removal from the Green Belt, as part of the South Gloucestershire Core Strategy review. Following successful reallocation of the site for development, we worked as part of a multi disciplinary team to develop a site wide masterplan and open space strategy. Undertook Landscape Visual Impact Assessment and tree and hedgerow surveys to input into the masterplan and outline application. Guided by the visual assessment, concepts for the layout and mass of built form on site were developed, also responding to the natural topography and desire to integrate the development within the wider landscape. Illman Young led on the integration of a sustainable drainage system within the development, from the initial concept developed alongside the masterplan, to providing typical sections to ensure adequate spatial allowances and integration within the design. The project is currently being considered for outline planning consent. - Location : South Gloucestershire - Scope : Work stages B-C LVIA Tree and hedgerow surveys - Client : Deeley Freed Skanska - Architect : JTP CRIBBS CAUSEWAY
Eckland Lodge Business Park had been partially re-developed as a series of small business units through the conversion of old farm buildings at Eckland Lodge Farm. The success of this venture over a number of years encouraged the owners to consider a more comprehensive approach, involving plans for the redevelopment of the rest of the farm complex. Plan included demolition of all remaining large barns and replacement with new buildings. Illman Young were engaged to undertake a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment to help determine a suitable form and massing for the development. The form of development suggested was an agricultural layout, to echo that of the old farm units to the same or similar footprint. The site was however located on top of a broad, shallow, exposed ridge, where visibility was recently emphasised by road improvement / re-routing works to nearby A6 trunk road. The development was therefore assimilated within the greater landscape setting by use of strategic planting in locally typical style, principally new woodland groups and hedgerows. Within the site, the simple agricultural theme was also utilised at detailed level to provide a setting for staff and visitors, including ponds for stormwater attenuation, parkland planting, seating areas and walled courtyards. - Client: Mr Daniel Howes - Architect: MWS Design - Planning Consultant: Barry Waine - Scope: Work stages C-D ECKLAND LODGE
A proposed country house and refurbishment of existing stable buildings on the outskirts of Lubenham, a small village near Market Harborough: Illman Young were commissioned to undertake a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA), as the primary tool for establishing where and how the development could be located within the site, both visually and in terms of landscape character; It also established appropriate mitigation measures through its influence on the development layout and through a landscape strategy for the site. As part of the baseline report, the preparation of a Landscape and Development Strategy for the site was also carried out. This determined the parameters and informed the subsequent design brief that was given to the Architect on which to structure the design. - Client: Ron Pearson - Architect: JED Design - Planning Consultant: BM Planning - Location: Lubenham, Market Harborough HOUSE AT LUBENHAM
38-40 Redditch Road, Birmingham, comprised two bungalows in extensive gardens which our client wished to redevelop. An initial application for 15 houses was refused, as was a subsequent application for 9 houses. Illman Young were engaged at the initial design stage, to survey trees on site, then had no further involvement until the appeal where we were called as an Expert Witness for our Client. The reasons for refusal were twofold: over-development and potential adverse impact on the character of the road; Redditch Road is considered to be part of one of Birmingham s Mature Suburbs - an issue specifically considered in an adopted SPD. Our case at Inquiry was in support of the smaller development, and was based around detailed townscape analysis and analysis of various views along the road, demonstrating that the development would not have an adverse impact, that it would contribute to the road s ongoing leafiness in the longer term, and that it would not be contrary to the SPD. The Appeal was successful. - Client: Urban Cube - Architect: Daniel Hurd Associates - Planning Consultant: CSJ Brooke Smith - Scope: Tree Survey Expert Witness at Inquiry REDDITCH ROAD
Yew Tree Hill is a site for two comprehensive residential developments on the south side of Droitwich: Illman Young were initially commissioned by Wychavon District Council to undertake an objective review of the landscape information provided in support of an application for the larger of the two schemes comprising of 500 homes and associated mixed use development; Following on from the refusal of both developments by Wychavon District Council, Illman young were again engaged to act as expert witness on matters relating to landscape at the subsequent public inquiry; Despite a number of concerns raised about the town s ability to absorb the cumulative quantum of development proposed, the Inspector recommended that both appeals be allowed and outline planning permission granted. - Client: Wychavon District Council - Location: Droitwich YEW TREE HILL