Landscape Strategy
A Landscape Strategy sets out the vision and approach for the design, planting, and management of all external spaces within a development. It is a key document for residential schemes, commercial developments, and mixed-use projects where the quality of the external environment is a material planning consideration. Local planning authorities use the landscape strategy to assess whether the scheme delivers appropriate green infrastructure, biodiversity enhancement, visual amenity, and a high-quality setting for the development.
Typical Cost
£300 – £5,000+
Turnaround
1 – 6 weeks
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What is a Landscape Strategy?
A Landscape Strategy is a design document that establishes the overarching principles for the landscape treatment of a development site. It describes the design concept, the character of different landscape areas within the scheme, the approach to planting, hard landscaping, boundary treatments, and the integration of features such as sustainable drainage, play spaces, and ecological habitats. The strategy sits between the outline masterplan and the detailed landscape plans, providing enough design information to demonstrate the landscape quality at planning stage while leaving the detailed specifications for conditions discharge.
When is a Landscape Strategy required?
A Landscape Strategy is typically required for major residential developments, large commercial or mixed-use schemes, developments in sensitive landscape settings, and any application where the local plan requires landscaping to be addressed at the planning stage. Many authorities distinguish between a Landscape Strategy required at outline or full planning stage and detailed landscape plans required by condition. For developments in or affecting AONBs, Green Belt, or conservation areas, the landscape strategy assumes particular importance. Sites where significant tree removal is proposed will also need a landscape strategy demonstrating adequate replacement planting and long-term management.
What does a Landscape Strategy include?
A Landscape Strategy typically includes an analysis of the site context including the surrounding landscape character, existing vegetation, topography, and microclimate, a statement of landscape design objectives, a concept design illustrating the overall landscape framework, character area descriptions for different parts of the development such as streetscapes, communal gardens, courtyards, and boundary zones, an outline planting strategy describing the species palette, planting philosophy, and the balance between native and ornamental species, hard landscape proposals covering surface materials, furniture, lighting, and boundary treatments, integration with sustainable urban drainage (SuDS) including rain gardens, swales, and permeable paving, provision for biodiversity including habitat creation and net gain calculations, and an outline management and maintenance strategy describing how the landscape will be maintained in the long term.
How much does a Landscape Strategy cost?
A Landscape Strategy for a small residential scheme of 10 to 30 dwellings typically costs between £2,000 and £5,000. Medium-scale developments of 30 to 150 dwellings generally range from £5,000 to £12,000. Large strategic sites with extensive public realm, parkland, and green infrastructure usually cost £12,000 to £30,000 or more, often forming part of a broader landscape and masterplanning commission. Costs increase where detailed visualisations, photomontages, or extensive biodiversity net gain calculations are required.
Who can prepare a Landscape Strategy?
Landscape strategies should be prepared by a chartered landscape architect who is a member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI). Landscape architects bring specialist expertise in planting design, ecology integration, sustainable drainage, and the relationship between built form and external space. For large or sensitive schemes, look for practices with experience in residential masterplanning and a portfolio of comparable projects. The landscape architect should work closely with the project architect, ecologist, and drainage engineer to ensure the landscape strategy integrates with the wider design.
How long does a Landscape Strategy take?
A Landscape Strategy for a straightforward development can usually be prepared within 3 to 5 weeks, provided the site survey information and architectural drawings are available. Larger schemes requiring detailed site analysis, community engagement, and coordination with ecological and drainage strategies typically take 6 to 10 weeks. Where the strategy forms part of a planning submission for a strategic site, it may be developed over several months in parallel with the masterplan and other specialist assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Landscape Strategy and detailed landscape plans?
A Landscape Strategy sets out the overarching design principles, character, and planting approach for the whole site at a relatively high level. Detailed landscape plans provide the specific planting schedules, species lists, planting densities, hard landscape specifications, and construction details needed for implementation. The strategy is submitted at planning application stage, while detailed plans are typically provided later to discharge landscape conditions.
Does a Landscape Strategy need to address biodiversity net gain?
Yes. Since the Environment Act 2021 introduced mandatory biodiversity net gain for most developments in England, the Landscape Strategy should demonstrate how the landscape proposals contribute to achieving at least 10 percent net gain. This means the strategy should incorporate habitat creation, species-rich planting, and ecological features alongside more traditional ornamental landscaping. The strategy should be coordinated with the project ecologist and the biodiversity metric calculations.
What is a landscape management plan?
A landscape management plan sets out how the landscape will be maintained and managed in the long term, typically for a period of 15 to 25 years. It covers maintenance operations such as mowing, pruning, watering of new planting, replacement of failed plants, management of ecological habitats, and maintenance of hard landscape features and play equipment. Many planning authorities require the management plan as a condition and may specify that it must be backed by a funded management company.
Do I need a Landscape Strategy for a householder application?
Most householder applications do not require a formal Landscape Strategy. However, if the proposal involves significant loss of garden space, removal of important trees, or development in a sensitive setting such as a conservation area or AONB, the planning authority may request landscape information showing how the external areas will be treated. A simple landscape plan showing proposed planting and hard surfaces is usually sufficient for householder schemes.
How does SuDS integrate with the Landscape Strategy?
Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and landscape design are closely intertwined. Features such as rain gardens, swales, detention basins, and permeable paving serve both drainage and landscape functions. The Landscape Strategy should show how SuDS features are incorporated into the landscape design as attractive and functional elements rather than purely engineering infrastructure. Well-designed SuDS can enhance biodiversity, provide visual interest, and create amenity value alongside their drainage function.
What planting species should be included?
The species palette depends on the site conditions, character of the area, and design objectives. The Landscape Strategy should explain the rationale for species selection, considering factors such as soil type, aspect, microclimate, resilience to climate change, contribution to biodiversity, seasonal interest, and management requirements. A mix of native and appropriate non-native species is usually acceptable, with emphasis on native species for ecological areas and hedgerow planting.
Can the Landscape Strategy influence housing density?
Yes. The landscape strategy can affect achievable housing density by determining the space needed for tree planting, gardens, play areas, ecological buffers, and public open space. On constrained sites, the landscape requirements may limit the number of dwellings that can be accommodated. Conversely, a well-designed landscape strategy can justify higher density by demonstrating that residents will have access to high-quality outdoor spaces.
What is a character area in landscape design?
A character area is a distinct zone within the development that has its own landscape identity and design treatment. For example, a residential development might include a formal entrance avenue, informal communal gardens, a naturalistic boundary buffer, and a children's play area, each with a different character expressed through planting style, materials, and spatial design. Defining character areas helps create variety and legibility within the landscape and ensures each space has a clear purpose.
How does the Landscape Strategy relate to tree protection?
Where existing trees are being retained, the Landscape Strategy should demonstrate how they are integrated into the overall landscape design and how replacement planting compensates for any trees being removed. The strategy should be consistent with the arboricultural impact assessment and tree protection plan, showing that proposed planting and hard landscaping respects root protection areas and that the long-term landscape design accommodates the growth of retained trees.
What is a landscape masterplan?
A landscape masterplan is a scaled drawing that illustrates the overall landscape framework for a development, showing the spatial arrangement of hard and soft landscape areas, circulation routes, key planting areas, open spaces, play provision, and boundary treatments. It is the primary visual document within the Landscape Strategy and provides planning officers with a clear understanding of how the external spaces will look and function. For large sites, it may be supplemented by more detailed character area plans.