Landscape design

Landscape can mean virtually any outdoor space: from the smallest front garden to very large areas of land.

Landscape is often described as having "character". This refers to the combination of geology (the underlying rocks and soils), the land form (hills, plains and valleys), vegetation (trees and shrubs, plants and grasses) and human influences (farms, roads, buildings etc) which make an area distinctive.

Our team 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.

Landscape Team main services:

• responding to landscape enquiries from the 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 team can provide advice on a wide range of spaces both large and small, urban and real. 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