Landscaping plans are a birds-eye view that provide you with a detailed, to scale representation of your intended development. Each plan tailored to your individual requirements, depending on the size, intention and location of the project or development.
ProHort Limited will provide you with a clear representation of your existing site features and spatial qualities. Therefore, enabling you to precisely illustrate your design, including any sight lines, movement and circulation, in addition to tangible hard and soft landscaping features.
Why would you need one?
When completed the 2D plan can be used as an accurate reference for construction, building works or as a supporting document for planning applications.
As well as for property development, landscape plans are also used to assist in residential landscape development. If you are considering revamping your garden, a 2 or 3D plan will assist with planting schemes, tree surveys, landscape strategies, visualisations and impact assessments. In fact, these plans will provide a precise construct of your dream garden that any landscape gardener will be able to bring to life.
How do landscaping plans work?
Our dedicated team deliver pragmatic solutions that will add value to the potential development site. With 25 years plus of experience we can identify and recommend suitable solutions in order to ensure a smooth progression through the planning and development process.
For more information, speak to one of our specialist consultants today on 01782 479479.
Alternatively, you can see more horticultural services provided by Pro Hort Limited here.
Pro Hort Limited work throughout the United Kingdom, therefore whereever you are in the country we can help you!
The Hidden Value of a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment
The Hidden Value of a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment
A Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is a tool that you may not have considered while working towards your current planning application. Below are three key benefits of a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment:
Environmental
LVIA’s are synonymous with wind turbine and solar panel developments – they have often been used to display the placement of these developments, as a superior way of presenting the visual impact to the public. n addition an LVIA will show other environmental factors. Statistically, road developments are ‘the single most destructive element’ as they can potentially cause animals to lose access to water or nesting areas. If you were developing through a wooded or natural area, an LVIA would visually outline the possible impacts on wildlife, which may not appear on a standard traditional plan.
Social
When individuals are opposed to environmental upgrade developments, 50% object solely because of their attitudes towards the ‘perceived unity of the environment or the personal attitude towards the effects of wind turbines on landscape aesthetics.’ An LVIA uses landscape visualisation to show the exact changes that will affect the landscape near to a development. By having a visual representation, it is both easier for individuals to discuss their objections to a development, and, following on from that, for a compromise to be reached.
Economic
An LVIA has the advantage of giving you the chance to explore multiple options or consider multiple options for a development. Would, for example, your development look different with six homes instead of four? How would the spacing be affected? A detailed LVIA lets you explore these multiple options in a visually engaging way.
LVIAs are essential to any development application, If you require any further information phone ProHort Limited on 01782 4769 479.
Soil Contamination – What causes it and how to deal with it.
Soil contamination occurs when the level of pollutants, including chemicals, man-made waste, radioactive materials and salts, is higher than the normally expected level. This then results in the deterioration of the natural properties of the soil, as well as the environment, comfort and health of individuals being adversely affected.
Soil contamination can be caused by a wide range of different factors and events which can all have differing effects on the soil itself. The most common events that result in soil contamination include the introduction of industrial waste into the soil, leaking underground storage tanks or contaminated water seeping into the soil and an excessive use of pesticides or herbicides on the land. Further activities that can contribute to soil contamination include mining, the introduction of asbestos as the result of construction works and the storage of fuel or lead. The presence of Japanese knotweed in an area of soil can also result in that soil being considered as contaminated.
Is Your Soil Contaminated?
If your soil becomes contaminated this can have various residual effects depending upon the environment that the soil is situated in.
In agricultural and rural environments, the fertility of the soil can be reduced resulting in the inability to grow crops and other plants. This reduction in crop yield can then have a further impact on the level of soil erosion and can alter the flora and fauna that can be found in that area. This, ultimately, can result in a change to the entire ecosystem and reduce levels of biodiversity.
Industrial environments will, again, see a decrease in the amount of vegetation found within the area and the release of gases and radioactive rays that could be detrimental to health. Public health may also be at risk in urban areas, as a result of clogged drains, the release of gases and pollution of water sources resulting from soil contamination.
Once soil on your land has been identified as contaminated this can also have detrimental implications for any construction or development plans for that land, as the legal responsibility for that contaminated land lies with the property owner. As a property owner, you will be expected to treat the contamination either before you obtain planning permission for the development, or as part of the development itself. This can result in significant additional costs and delays to development.
If you are planning to develop on your land and suspect that the soils on that land might be contaminated, you should always ensure that the soil is tested and analysed before development begins. This will allow for the correct method of treatment or removal to be actioned and will give you the peace of mind that the costs involved are an absolute necessity to ensure that the development work runs as smoothly as possible.
It is also recommended that a survey for Japanese knotweed is completed by a certified Japanese knotweed surveyor to identify any potential invasive weeds on the site and to ensure an appropriate removal plan is put in to place before development starts.
Contact Us
ProHort can provide you with soil testing and analysis to identify any contaminated soil, whether that be industrial or agricultural. Why not give us a call on 01782 479479 for more information?
Tree selection – why is it so important?
Trees are a natural asset and their benefit to the visual environment can be easily understated. We may think of a typical English countryside view with rolling fields, hedges and specimen Oak trees dotted around. Find out why tree selection is so important below:
But do we ever think of the other benefits trees present to the local fauna and flora?
Trees absorb all sorts of toxins from the air, which is why when you walk around a wood the air always smells and feels that little bit fresher and cleaner. An acre of mature woodland can provide enough oxygen for 18 people and that makes trees pretty important! They also provide significant sources of food and shelter for small woodland animals, birds and insects, all of which are imperative to our ecosystem.
When we pick a tree for a site or our garden, we will want a specimen tree or at least one that will be a real feature as it grows. We should, however, consider a number of things. These include; the size, the spread and height, when and if the tree has visible flowers, the scent, the colour of the leaves in each of the seasons and whether the tree will improve the surrounding environment, perhaps by creating a food source for birds or other small animals.
There are also other types of interest that a tree can bring to its surroundings – bark can be of great interest. Corylus avellana ‘contorta’ has twisted stems and looks great but especially so in the winter when it has no leaves. Whereas, Acer davidii, also known as the “Snake bark Acer”, looks amazing with green and white serpentine stripes on its bark.
Other trees, such as the Tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera, is a larger tree which has tulip like flowers when it matures at around the age of 40 years. As can be seen from this tree, sometimes planting a tree is a long-term investment and perhaps even for the benefit of the next generation. This is especially true if you are planting trees that don’t become mature for in excess of 50 years such as the Oak, Beech and Sequoiadendron giganteum that can live for more than 3,000 years!
More commonly found trees suited for planting in a normal sized back garden can include the Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Ballerina’. This is a pretty specimen tree and well worth the space, with lovely blossom in the spring and bright red foliage as it emerges. It also has small dark purple or black fruits in the autumn, which are edible. Another bonus that this tree brings is the fabulous bright red and yellow colours that the leaves turn in the autumn. A truly great tree for a small garden.
An evergreen tree that is another great choice is the Magnolia grandiflora, a lovely tree which has fabulous white or cream flowers. This tree looks great
and gives additional privacy all year round which is especially important when your garden is overlooked by neighbours!
One final tree we couldn’t not mention is the Davidia involucrata, commonly known as the Handkerchief tree. This is a beautiful tree. Discovered in 1869 and introduced to England in 1904, it has large white bracts that are followed by large oval fruits. If you have the space, a sheltered position and fertile soil this tree will prove to a real spectacle within your garden!
If you need any advice on the choice of trees for your site or garden, and especially so if you want the perfect specimen tree, please do contact us and we will be happy to advise.
ProHort also provide other tree related services, including tree surveys and tree preservation order applications and appeals. Why not get in touch to find out more about how we can help you?
nts, depending on the size, intention and location of the project or development. 
ee key benefits of a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment:
Soil contamination occurs when the level of pollutants, including chemicals, man-made waste, radioactive materials and salts, is higher than the normally expected level. This then results in the deterioration of the natural properties of the soil, as well as the environment, comfort and health of individuals being adversely affected.
