Landscape and Ecology

7.1 Ease of Access in the Public Space

Carefully designed schemes should ensure that ease of access
is “designed in” at all levels as the scheme is conceived. Previous
chapters have already addressed the need for pedestrian and cyclist
priority (Chapter 5.4 and 5.5) and safety and security (Chapter 4.12).

In the design of hard landscape areas their use by people with
challenged mobility will be a fundamental design consideration.
Aspects such as the type of surfacing, position of street furniture
and changes in level will be particularly important if the areas are
to be available to all people.

Developments will need to consider issues of accessibility as follows:

potential hazards such as street furniture and trees should be
placed to leave a straight unobstructed pedestrian route;
pathways should be of sufficient width to ensure ease of access;
steep gradients and gratings likely to trap wheels should be
avoided;
any gradients steeper than 1 in 20 should have suitable handrails
and kerbs at the side. Maximum gradients should be 1 in 12;
railings, where provided, should have low rail for detection by blind
people using canes. Handrails should extend beyond changes of
level;
paths and roadways should be even, non-slip and as level as
possible; and
edges should be clearly defined. Tactile paving of the right material
and colour should be used at crossovers.

There are many good publications regarding accessibility issues to
ensure that the criteria for their installation are assured. Good
landscape design will ensure that there is a seamless integration of
these elements, thus avoiding “afterthought” installations.

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figure 7.2

7.2 Play Space

Play areas for all age groups should be considered within the general
amenity areas: suitable equipment for toddlers and under fives as
incidental features within community areas; formal provision in
designated larger play and kickabout areas; and meeting areas for
young teenagers.

The design of play space is a constantly changing topic for discussion.
There are no set rules to guarantee success but the various design
elements, if properly considered, can greatly enhance the acceptability
and therefore sustainability of play areas. Play facilities should be:

varied and challenging for a wide range of ages and abilities and
should include educational play equipment;
in accordance with appropriate BSI and European requirements;
safe for the age and ability range of children using it. Safety
surfaces must be provided. Coloured rubber, wet pour surfaces
can be used to increase the visual stimulus of the play area;
vandal and graffiti resistant play equipment should not become
bland and monolithic in the name of vandal resistance;
located away from windows of habitable rooms of residential
development but within sight;
lit to enhance informal supervision and ensure safe evening access
for older children;
landscaped to provide shelter, seating, litter bins and nature
conservation interest for both adults and children. Planting must be
designed to be capable of withstanding the “stress” of children’s
play activities. Planting should be selected to stimulate sight and
smell, while providing shade and shelter;
sensitively located to take into account the need for sunshine,
level access, noise reduction, security and safety from vehicles;
more than one entrance to provide emergency access in case of
bullying and injury. Locate exits to prevent children directly running
into roads;
dog–free by the use of “dog grids” and/or self-closing gates.
Fencing must be designed to exclude smaller dogs;
include appropriate mechanisms for the long term management
and maintenance of the facilities; and
care must be taken that new planting does not become a screen for
undesirable behaviour.

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figure 7.3
7.3 Private Amenity Space

All houses should have an enclosed private garden. Ground floor flats
should have an enclosed private garden, where layout and design
allows. Where private gardens are not appropriate, designers should
include a buffer zone defined either by planting or change in surface
materials to provide protection to ground floor windows. Balconies to
upper floor flats provide an acceptable amenity space (Chapter 6.7).

7.3.1 Front Gardens

The set back distance of dwellings is a key factor in defining the
character of the street. This gives a street definition, and a sense of
enclosure. Where front gardens are provided, as buffers between the
public streets and dwellings they should be designed to the following
standards:

normally, maximum setback of 5m from the highway boundary; and
gardens to use combination of paving and planting, avoiding small
areas of grass.

Boundary treatment to gardens will be important in determining the
quality and character of the area. The choice of boundaries should be
determined by location and need to provide an appropriate balance
between privacy and security.

7.3.2 Refuse and Recycling Storage

The need to segregate domestic waste will increase in the future. This
will require increased storage facilities to enable residents to maximise
recycling. Refuse and recycling areas e.g. 3 bins, must be easily
accessible for collection and to the occupants, be clearly
identified e.g. by partial enclosure or change of paving surface and
well ventilated. As a general rule:

individual wheelie bins should not be located more than 16 metres
from the nearest access point for the collection vehicle and paladin
refuse containers not more than 10 metres away from the vehicle
access point and preferably on a level surface; and
refuse and recycling stores should not be located where smells
would be problematic e.g. under windows of habitable rooms.

Sensitive siting and design should ensure storage areas are
inconspicuous from public view and located to avoid risk of fire damage
to property or obstruction of escape routes, taking into account
flammability of material. Enclosures for wheelie bins should be located
where they can be screened from the street and neighbours either by
structures, buildings or landscaping.

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figure 7.33
7.3.3 Rear Gardens

The layout of private rear garden space should take into account the
following principles:

plot size should ensure provision of usable garden shapes which
are also dependent on the height and aspect of the garden (Figure
7.3.3C). The more northerly aspect, the longer the garden should
be to ensure adequate sunlight.
It is recognized that the size of the garden will depend on location,
house type etc. As a general rule, however, the required minimum
size for a rear private garden is 100m2 for most types of dwellings
although 50m2 gardens will be considered for one and two bedroom
houses in urban areas. Rear garden lengths should generally be
10 metres for family housing. Where possible gardens should be
large enough to accommodate mature trees and planting;
aspect and sunshine are important for the enjoyment of the
garden. Sitting out areas should be located so that they receive
sunshine during at least part of the day;
the need for visual privacy in the area adjoining the dwelling.
All houses should have a private sitting out area not overlooked by
others. Privacy areas should be provided within rear gardens of at
least 3 metres in depth. Privacy screens of at least 3m long and
1800mm high must be provided along dividing rear garden fences
adjoining the dwelling;
the need for security. The type of boundary wall and fencing will
depend upon circumstances. Boundaries between rear gardens
and public areas must be a minimum of 1.8m high and take account
of Secured by Design requirements;
the need for planting to increase the year-round usability of
gardens and terraces by providing shading in the summer and
windbreaks in the winter, when the right plant species are chosen.
Ensure that planting areas do not shade solar collecting areas as
plants mature. Where possible gardens should be designed to
integrate into a wildlife corridor system; and
the need for adequate drainage, depth of soil and landscaping.

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figure 7.3.4
7.3.4 Communal Gardens

All flats should have access to a usable area for sitting out or other
activities with a reasonable amount of grassed or landscaped space.
As an alternative to individual gardens, new flats for one or two people
may include a communal garden based on the provision of a minimum
area of 25m2 per flat. As a general rule, communal gardens below the
size of 75m2 will not be acceptable. Unusable space between car
parks, roads and buildings will not be considered as part of the
communal garden provision.

Communal gardens will generally only be acceptable where:

the garden is screened and secure from parking areas, public
roads and footpaths;
appropriate buffers are provided between the communal
garden and windows to ground floor flats through provision of
private gardens of a minimum depth of 3 metres.
adequate landscaping is included within the garden and
arrangements have been made for on-going maintenance; and
access is provided to the communal garden for all units that
do not have an individual garden to the appropriate standard.

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figure 7.4

7.4 Hard Landscape

The careful design, layout and quality of the hard landscape are
imperative to the successful implementation of a new development. To
aid understanding of this complex subject, three main sections should
be considered;

urban context;
edge of town context; and
rural context.

7.4.1 Urban Context

In this context the hard landscape will reflect the architectural character
of the buildings and their juxtaposition.

chose material of a quality that reflects the age and quality of
the site i.e. natural stone, reconstituted stone, timber, and metal;
ensure the colour texture and scale of the materials reflect these
qualities in the built environment;
ensure that the patterns of floorscape used enrich the urban
form and enhance the architectural character;
refrain from over complex or fussy detailing unless in an artistic
or “historic matching” context;
help integrate new and existing development through unifying
floorscape; and
where appropriate, hard paving should be permeable to aid in the
attenuation of natural water run off.

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figure 7.4.2

7.4.2 Edge of Town Context

Hard landscape, if carefully utilised, can add amenity and “sense of
place” to new development and help integrate the built elements in a
positive manner.

reflect the architectural vocabulary of the new development;
help integrate new development to existing built form;
create durable and low maintenance solutions;
express the uniqueness of the scheme without becoming a
foreign element; and
reinforce quality and integration (Figure 7.4.2B) by creating
comprehensive walkways and roadways through sensitive
material selection and orientation.

7.4.3 Rural Context

The rural context raises many issues in good hard landscape design.
Here the scale and orientation of the hard landscape is very important
and often acts as a suitable backdrop to delicate architectural balances
that exist in the rural and village context.
use of materials that reflect existing or proposed built form in scale,
colour and texture;

create hard wearing, low maintenance solutions;
ensure that kerb details are sensitive to their context; and
respect existing contours and carefully align pathways to enhance
the rural setting.

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figure 7.5
7.5 Boundaries

Boundaries within the development area add an important element of
spatial definition and integration. They act as strong links between
buildings and landscape; help define space; provide an interface
between the public and private domain; influence microclimate and
provide security. They can be characterised in six simplified ways:

See through boundaries: aid permeability and safety i.e. railings,
trellis, decorative screens. When designed to reflect the evolving
character of the scheme such boundaries can add greatly to the
quality of the environment (Figure 7.5A);
Solid boundaries: can be extensions to buildings and contribute to
the streetscape i.e. brick walls, timber fences, hedges and stone
walls. By carefully choosing materials and colours, and in the case
of hedges, the planting selection, solid boundaries can aid the
comprehension of the space within a development and make a
positive contribution to the street scene (Figure 7.5B);
Combinations: to provide semi-permeable screening and facilitate
daylight and restricted views. Boundaries can be enriched by
designing in a combination of solid and see through elements.
Particularly effective when a human scale design is required i.e.
garden areas or entrances and thresholds (Figure 7.5C);
Natural Boundaries: Carefully designed earth mounding, when
accompanied with planting or acoustic screens, and well designed
planting schemes can provide an environmentally friendly means of
screening and sound attenuation;
Hedges: A dense yet ecologically diverse boundary can be
achieved by the use of a screen created by native plants.
Increased biodiversity is achieved by planting a combination of
species within a Hawthorn mix. Such screening requires space and
care should be taken to allow sufficient space away from the built
form to accommodate their habit at maturity; and
Water: Safely contoured watercourses i.e. brooks, or moats can
aid delineation between private and public space or create barriers
to control circulation.

The boundary is the interface between the public space and the private
space. It has an important contribution. figure 7.5

Design Criteria includes:

walls to be of scale, colour and siting that reflects and enriches the
built form. Some locations may require copings to resist use as a
seating/congregation area, deter or provide strength;
balance of trellis and wall to give visual interest and aid
permeability;
retain and extend existing stone walls;
railings to be used to extend built form and increase safety and
security – not provide “cages”;
maintain and extend hedgerows to aid landscape integration. It
must be noted that mature hedges are likely to be out of scale in a
residential setting and must be conserved or extended in an area
where they can flourish; and
careful integration of transition zone between public and private
space to achieve landscaping for security and visual amenity.

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figure 7.6

7.6 Lighting

How a new development is lit is crucial to its success. Until recently
lighting has been in the domain of engineering safety criteria, but
tomorrow’s lighting solutions should and can make a positive
contribution to the environment of new schemes.

The following general principles should be taken into consideration in
designing lighting within a new development:

all public areas should be well lit;
street lighting should be planned as an integral part of the
development;
lighting should be carefully located to avoid unnecessary clutter of
pavements and possible problems of light pollution to adjacent
properties;
safety; amenity and theatrical lighting should be of natural
white light with street-lighting being of down or reflected
lighting;
light fixtures and fittings should be strong and durable and
easily maintainable;
use of lighting to enhance key buildings and structures should
be encouraged;
selected trees should be lit in park and other public areas;
all pathways, roads and parking areas should be lit for safety;
the scale and form of the lighting should adhere to the
architectural vocabulary of the development; and
avoid light pollution by refraining from unnecessary uplighting.

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figure 7.6.1

7.6.1 Street Lighting

It is important to create a hierarchy of lighting on the street that reflects
the status of the route and the character of the surrounding
architecture. The Highway Authority will accept for adoption street
lighting units mounted on buildings subject to appropriate easements.

Once the scale has been chosen the type of light selected is critical to
the success of the scheme. Sodium light tends to “wash out” colour of
buildings, vegetation and flesh tones, while the newer “natural” lighting
filaments highlight colour and add vibrancy to the street scene.

The next important element of the street lighting is the direction to
which it is focused. It is good practice to reflect light onto the area to
be illuminated, which increases efficiency and reduces the problem of
light pollution.

7.6.2 Ancillary Lighting

In tandem with the elements of street lighting the amenity and safety of
new schemes can be enhanced with the careful placement of lighting
elements that add accents to the built form and highlight important
features. These include:

Up-lighting;
Spot lighting;
Wall fixed lighting; and
Flood lighting.

Carefully planned and chosen lighting elements can add an extra
dimension to the amenity of a housing scheme. Wrongly sited and
designed lighting can produce a negative unfriendly environment.

Lack of well designed lighting in the public space results in residents
fitting inappropriate floodlights causing pollution and annoyance.

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figure 7.7
7.7 Street Furniture

The selection, siting and quality of street furniture should be planned
as an integral part of the development in keeping with the architecture
style. The successful selection and siting of street furniture within a
new development is dependent on six major elements:

Scale: Outdoor elements should be of sufficient size and “visual
weight” to sit comfortably in external settings;
Style: The style of the furniture should reflect the character of the
scheme without reverting to pastiche;
Colour: The visual unity and comprehension of the scheme can be
greatly increased by ensuring that elements match or complement
the built form in colour;
Robustness: The quality and construction of the materials can
greatly increase their longevity and add integrity to the environment
in which they are placed. In addition to strength of construction and
fixing, they should be easily cleaned, scratch resistant, fire resistant
and vandal proof;
Siting: Careful siting of the elements ensures that they are used to
their full potential and that nuisance is reduced. Particular attention
must be given to the siting and design of furniture relative to
accessibility. The location of signs should take into consideration
the need to complement the general site environment and
landscaping. Where possible signs etc should be combined to
minimise visual clutter in the streetscape; and
Fit for Purpose: The design of the furniture should reflect the
purpose for which it is proposed. All new products should satisfy
British and European safety standard criteria.

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figure 7.8

7.8 Public Space Art Works

New developments can be greatly enriched by the inclusion of public
artwork. Public art should be introduced into key public spaces to
contribute to the overall quality of the environment and assist in
establishing a sense of place and identity. The strategy for public art
should examine the cultural and physical setting and reflect themes,
historical context and traditions of the locality.

Developers are encouraged to sign up to the Arts Council voluntary
“Percent for Art” scheme whereby a percentage of the total capital
budget is allocated to the provision of arts and crafts.

To ensure the successful integration of public art within new schemes,
five major criteria should be considered:

careful siting to maximise visual impact;
appropriate style and scale to enhance the environment;
robust and maintenance free;
well fixed and vandal resistant; and
safe for possible children’s play potential.

Art by its very nature is provocative, “beauty is in the eye of the
beholder”, but whatever the artwork its proper installation and quality of
construction can ensure that the piece is enjoyed for years to come.

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figure 7.9

7.9 Water Bodies

Existing or introduced water bodies can add to the “sense of place” and
enrich the biodiversity of proposed schemes. Previously water bodies
were seen as a ‘problem’ best “engineered” out of schemes by
culverting or filling in but today water bodies are seen as natural
resource best conserved with sensitive utilisation. There are five major
water body types that can be incorporated in a new development -
riverside development; existing watercourses; marshland and marginal
land; swales, ditches, dykes; ponds and canals/lakes. Royal Society for
the Protection of Accidents (ROSPA) views regarding water bodies
should be taken into account to ensure that safety margins are met.
An ecologist should be consulted to help maximise biodiversity when
natural water features are being considered.

7.9.1 Riverside

In the recent past most development tended to turn its back on a river
frontage but today the marketability of river frontage has created a
demand for development close to the water’s edge. Such development
should follow certain criteria:

retain existing riverbank either as a natural profile or hard edge;
provide safe attractive public access adjacent to the riverside;
where appropriate or practicable provide access to the water’s edge
via steps or a safe slope;
ensure that the water margin has a shallow gradient to improve
safety where there is public access;
use retaining or revetment materials which are in keeping with the
landscape character zones and reflect the architectural style of the
development and the surroundings;
provide access for flora and fauna, e.g. swan ramps, otter passes
etc;
maintain or enhance natural marginal planting; and
safeguard any areas of nature conservation interest.

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figure 7.9.2

7.9.2 Existing Watercourses

In some locations existing watercourses may be found on the
development site. To ensure that the existing resources are utilised to
the maximum advantage the following steps should be taken:

ensure that any new development is built above areas of floodland
and washland where development is restricted;
conserve the watercourse and its immediate ecosystem;
create walkways, jetties, etc where these are appropriate to the
ecology of the watercourse and are sympathetic to its scale;
ensure that any drainage into the watercourse is in accordance with
water quality standards set by the Environment Agency;
ensure the sympathetic integration of new or realigned
watercourses with the existing;
the banks of the watercourse are planted with appropriate native
species where survey work or consultation indicates this is
appropriate in the ecological interests of the watercourse;
ensure appropriate access for river maintenance;
where appropriate, utilise the opportunity to create and manage
areas where endangered species can be encouraged especially in
water courses and wetlands; and
follow the English Nature ‘Species Recovery Programme’ for habitat
management and the creation of sites for specific endangered
species.

In all cases the river authorities provide useful guidelines for the
design, conservation and maintenance of watercourses. Guidance for
the design for endangered species and habitats is available from
Peterborough City Council or the Wildlife Trust.

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figure 7.9.3

7.9.3 Marshland and Marginal Land

Marshland and marginal land are the least understood areas when
development encroaches. To many people they look untidy and of low
amenity but in reality these areas often contain a rich mix of ecological
niches which provide a diverse range of natural habitats for flora and
fauna.

To ensure the conservation of these areas, the following steps should
be considered:

careful and sympathetic fencing off of the area during any
construction;
sensitive integration into the new landscape framework;
maintenance of the delicate drainage balances which often occur;
and
ensure that pathways and boardwalks which provide access to the
marshland areas, where it is appropriate to the wildlife interests, are
carefully sited and aligned.

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figure 7.9.4

7.9.4 Swales, Ditches and Dykes

The character of the development site can be greatly affected by the
visual and ecological qualities of its swales, ditches and dykes. Like
the marshland, these often-historic watercourses can be poorly treated
by new development but with careful integration can become a
valuable natural asset to the amenity and sustainability of the new
development:

ditches and swales can be integrated into the rainwater drainage
system to conserve biodiversity;
dykes can help integrate new schemes into the surrounding Fens
areas while retaining the strong character of the fenlands; and
new open swale and balancing ponds can be introduced into
schemes to enhance amenity and provide practical drainage
solutions.

7.9.5 Ponds, Canals and Lakes

Over 70% of Peterborough’s ponds have been lost since 1890 with
many of the remainder now isolated in arable land. Most of these were
created to water farm stock, as fishponds or as borrow pits. New
ponds associated with mineral workings or formed as part of new
development can, to some extent compensate for this loss.

Such water bodies can greatly increase the quality of new development
sites either by careful conservation or by enhancement or imaginative
installation:

where water bodies exist on the site, carefully protect and integrate
into the scheme; and
ensure new waterbodies are of sufficient size and profile to be safe
and ecologically balanced.

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figure 7.9.6

7.9.6 Natural Drainage Systems

The environment of a new scheme can be greatly improved if the manmade
drainage systems can be redesigned to include the principles of
natural filtration and controlled water out-flows.

The Environment Agency is promoting a range of measures for dealing
with surface water-run-off. Further details can be obtained from
Customer Services, East Anglian Area Office (Appendix E).

One example is feeding run-off water into a new reed bed system to
reduce the risk of poor quality water entering watercourses. Such a
system can also greatly increase the biodiversity of the area and act as
an attractive addition to the environmental back-drop.

Benefits of such systems include:

alleviating flood risk;
biodiversity;
improving water quality; and
promoting ground water recharge.

For examples of good practice on watercourses refer to
Environment Agency “Enhancing the Environment: 25 case
studies from Thames Region” (details Appendix D)

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7.10 Plant Material, Selection and Siting

The selection and siting of plant material is one of the major design
issues. When considering new schemes, get it right and the
environment is improved and maintenance and negligence minimised.
Get it wrong and you are faced with a catalogue of visual and
maintenance disasters.

Plant material should be selected for their fit into the wider character
zone context. Care should be taken that a robust species is used that
can withstand the often hostile ‘building site soil’ conditions, winter
frosts and the summer droughts that are becoming common place in
this part of England. Raised areas and particularly south facing slopes
can be particularly problematic.
figure 7.10

The selection of plant materials must take into account the situation in
which they will be placed. In particular trees planted on development
sites will require properly cultivated tree pits to enable healthy growth,
and should be maintained throughout the early years of their life so that
their establishment is assured. To avoid damage to service equipment
and footways, only trees with minimal lateral root growth are
acceptable unless adequate containing measures are provided.

Local soils are predominantly alkaline and unsuitable for acid loving
plants. Vigorous thorny materials should not be planted next to
pathways. To avoid overhanging problems trees should generally be
planted no closer than 2m of boundaries.

Trees planted in areas close to buildings need careful consideration.
The National House Building Council (NHBC), has set out guidelines
on calculating foundation depths at specific distances in relation to
individual tree species. (NHBC Practice Note 3 (1985) : Precautions to
take when building near trees, (A quick way to find the right depth of
foundations on clay soils). The foundation depths should be calculated
after any landscape schemes have been considered, this should be
done for both new and existing tree planting, ensuring soil type is taken
into account.

Local native species can enrich the biodiversity of the new site and aid
its integration into the surrounding environment and should be planted
in preference to naturalised trees and shrubs.

Each Character Area has a particular range of native species that
contribute to its uniqueness. Such species should be used when
considering natural integration (Table 7.1).

Both trees and shrubs should be selected to encourage local wildlife.
The plant selection should be indigenous to each planting location.
Ecological corridors should link areas of existing and new plantings
where possible, creating the conditions for increased biodiversity. The
opportunity for nursery planting of native seed/stock alongside ancient
over-mature trees (oaks) should be considered.

The plants set out in the following tables have been found to be
robust in the climate conditions of Peterborough and resistant to
stress from typical site construction conditions.

figure 7.1

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7.10.1 Strategic Planting

A strategic planting scheme should form the basis for any new
development, which takes into account the existing vegetation context
and helps gap-up or replant existing shelterbelts and hedgerows, to
form a strong planting network. Recent strategic planting in
Peterborough has been of non-native species, which has resulted in a
dilution of biodiversity. New planting should address this problem by
incorporating native species. Riverside planting should also be
reinforced to maintain and create eco corridors.
figure 7.10.1

Whilst Cambridgeshire is the least wooded county in England and has
suffered considerable loss due to modern farming techniques and new
development, Peterborough is relatively well wooded. The existing
woods to the west of the city are remnants of Rockingham Forest.
New schemes should wherever possible embrace a landscape
strategy, which encourages the establishment of a network of tree belt
and hedgerow corridors through planting or natural regeneration to link
together existing woodlands.

Community woodlands should be encouraged wherever possible.
Structural planting will be encouraged prior to construction in order to
aid visual integration and sense of place. There are seven major
design objectives that should be adhered to in the creation of a
planting strategy:

maintaining and reinforcing a green chain. It is important that
the connection with existing ‘off site’ green areas is maintained or
initiated;
creating an individual character for the site. A major objective is
to reinforce the ‘sense of place’ for the site while maintaining its
successful integration with the surrounding fabric;
providing a sequence of green space. Wherever possible the
amenity space throughout the site should be linked with green
routes or ‘spines’ created by avenue or specific tree planting;
creating a hierarchy of planting, which expresses the importance
of the road and open space network;
retaining existing trees where possible, particularly healthy,
visually significant trees. Careful tree surgery will enhance the
longevity of their conservation value;
providing locally indigenous species from local stock for
structure planting. New sites should be carefully planned to
accommodate the usually larger native tree and shrub species,
which will aid environmental integration, screening, amenity
improvement and habitat enrichment throughout the site; and
conforming to the principles of ‘Secured by Design’.

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figure 7.11

7.11 Management and Maintenance Plans

All schemes should have an accompanying management plan, which
sets out the design philosophy and shows how carefully timed and
executed maintenance will ensure the integrity of the scheme if
maintained. Maintenance is essential to the continued success of a
development. No matter how low “ the low - maintenance” criteria has
been followed in the execution of the scheme it is only the quality of the
back up regime that accompanies it, that guarantees the success of
the scheme. A well thought out scheme that minimises maintenance
should include the following elements:

appropriate and well sited trees;
hardy manageable shrub beds;
minimal use of formal grass areas;
maximum natural planting and meadow grass areas;
good quality robust street furniture, lighting and play equipment;
good quality, well laid hard floorscape with small sustainable range
of shrub species;
adequate mowing access/maintenance access;
good access to water courses;
services best located under surfaces which can easily be
reinstated; avoid shrub beds;
where possible, common trench, or at least easily accessible
service corridor i.e. under soft surface to minimise hardscape
disruption; and
good litter bin and domestic waste facilities.

Various maintenance teams can be set up to maintain the scheme
such as local authority maintenance contractors or private companies
paid by service charge or a combination of the two. Local school,
voluntary group participation or local community participation can also
make a valuable contribution.

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figure 7.12

7.12 Good Practice Approach

All new designs should embrace the ideal of sustainability by reducing
unnecessary natural resource depreciation and minimising traffic and
carriage. Where possible natural resources should be conserved or
harnessed.

Key considerations in designing a sustainable landscape scheme
include:

retaining and properly storing top-soil on site for reuse in new
scheme. Soil heaps should be no more than 2.5 metres in height;
retaining any hard elements found on site to integrate into new hard
landscape i.e. cobbles, railway sleepers, artefacts, hardcore,
boulders;
maintaining existing contours, where possible, to integrate with the
design i.e. do not spend energy and money moving earth when
selected levels is more acceptable;
using farmed or salvaged wood i.e. railway sleepers. Tropical
hardwoods are acceptable providing they are from renewable
sources and carry the Forest Stewardship Council Certification;
using recycled plastics i.e. tree ties or plastic fencing;
using non toxic paints and woodstains;
not using wood preservatives containing Lindane penachlovophenol
or Tributyltim Oxide;
keeping plant beds to a size which is easily manageable;
introducing natural meadow grass areas to reduce need for
intensive maintenance;
conserving existing water courses and, if possible, integrating into a
grey water filtration system;
avoiding the use of pesticides or herbicides in the maintenance of
the shrub areas; and
using recycled organic material available from the Peterborough
Materials Recycling Facility.