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CONSERVATION & DESIGN

You should find the answers to many of your questions on this page. We also point you in the right direction if you want more information or need to make contact.

Landscape and Design

What is 'Landscape'?

'Landscape' can mean virtually any out-door space - from the smallest front garden to very large areas of land. Landscape is often described as having 'Character'. This refers to the combination geology (the underlying rocks and soils) the landform (hills, plains and valleys), vegetation (Trees and Shrubs, Plants and grasses) and human influences (Farms, Roads, Buildings etc), which make an area distinctive.

South Cambridgeshire has a surprisingly diverse Landscape Character, from rolling chalk hills to the wide fens with their dykes and windmills. Our landscape team will always try to make sure that existing areas of landscape are conserved and enhanced, and that new development will contribute by including a high quality of landscape design. We aim to provide the best possible environments for people to both live and work in, and enjoy.

Our main services

• Responding to landscape enquiries from the general public, Parish Councils and other professionals.
• Advising our Development Control colleagues on planning applications affecting the landscape.
• Monitoring completed landscape schemes to ensure compliance with landscape planning conditions.
• Landscape input to housing growth areas, ensuring that a good quality landscape becomes an integral part of all developments.
• Producing planning policy and guidance on landscape matters.
• Supporting the conservation and enhancement of landscape in South Cambridgeshire and the Eastern Region.
• Celebrating and promoting South Cambridgeshire's diverse landscape character.

The Landscape Team can provide advice on a wide range of spaces both large and small, urban and rural.

This can include:

• The location and setting of new development or redevelopment.
• The spaces outside buildings, including housing and schools.
• Public Open Space and sports facilities.
• Highways and other transport corridors.
• Landscape history and conservation.
• Landscape character and environmental assessment.
• Landscape management.
• Planning advice.

Links:

• District Design Guide (SPD)
• Cambridge Southern Fringe

Important Organisations and Sources of Information

• Cambridge Sports Lakes Trust (This link will open in a new window) - The Trust are driving the project for proposed rowing lakes at Milton. They are also responsible for the management of Milton Country Park.
• Cambridge Past Present and Future (This link will open in a new window) - A local charity working to keep Cambridge and its surroundings special by influencing planning developments, delivering environmental education and managing the green spaces and historic buildings in its care.
• Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust (This link will open in a new window) - The Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity that works for a better future for all aspects of wildlife in our area
• Environment Agency (This link will open in a new window) - The Environment Agency aims are to protect and improve the environment, and to promote sustainable development, playing a central role in delivering the environmental priorities of central government and the Welsh Government.
• The Landscape Institute (This link will open in a new window) - A professional organisation and educational charity working to protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the public benefit.
• Magog Trust (This link will open in a new window)
• RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes (This link will open in a new window)
• Natural England (This link will open in a new window) - The Natural England website has a full description of the Landscape Character Areas and suggestions for management to enhance the landscape.
• Cambridgeshire County Council (This link will open in a new window)- have produced a book Cambridgeshire Landscape Guidelines - A Manual for Management and Change in the Rural Landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Landscape Team carry out design work?

Does the Landscape Team deal with tree issues?

Who is responsible for parks, playgrounds, sports facilities and open spaces?

Who is responsible for wildlife, biodiversity or ecology issues?

Who is responsible for sustainability or issues relating to climate change?

Contacts

David Hamilton (Landscape Design Officer)
E mail: david.hamilton@scambs.gov.uk (This link will open in a new window)
Telephone: 01954 713415

Catriona Campbell (Landscape Officer)
E mail: catriona.campbell@scambs.gov.uk (This link will open in a new window)
Telephone: 01954 713311

Conservation & Design Team
South Cambridgeshire District Council
South Cambridgeshire Hall
Cambourne Business Park
Cambourne
Cambridgeshire
CB23 6EA