Newsletter - February 2009
Despite the economic downturn, some new projects are still coming in, such as commercial
and industrial developments, though housing schemes are generally scarce.
During 2007-8 we undertook a number of landscape assessments in Wiltshire, Hampshire and
Berkshire for large country houses. Wood Cottage, Streatley is a dramatic site high
above the River Thames, once used as a recording studio that needed an in-depth
analysis to ensure that a proposed house would fit in with its surroundings.
The site of a 40 acre medieval fish pond now to be restored as several smaller fish
ponds was an unusual challenge undertaken in 2008. The ponds are to be used as commercial
fisheries, but the land around them is to be enhanced by wildlife planting and the
historic dams conserved with grasses, wildflowers and shrub planting.
A music centre for young children
We undertook several educational schemes in 2008, new landscape developments for St Denys School
and Freemantle School in Southampton proved to be rewarding and new playgrounds
for Surestart Rowner Gosport, due to be implemented next month by sculptor-woodworker
Andy Frost whose imaginative designs fascinate children and adults alike.
We were asked to carry out a landscape assessment and mitigation proposals for a flour mill
in Wiltshire that required an additional mill in a compact site within the North
Wessex Downs AONB.
Recording the landscape near the Mill Wiltshire Downs, Summer 2008
The planning application was successful and the company has been
able to proceed with expansion within landscaped surroundings that will minimise
the impact.
View of the Mill with high Downs beyond
A new country house to replace an old farmhouse high up in the Hampshire
Downs above Whitchurch in Hampshire, provided an outstanding opportunity to carry
out a landscape character and visual assessment over 400 acres, working as part of a team with Robert Adam Architects, Southern Planning Practice, Carter Ecological and Hampshire and I-o-Wight Wildlife Trust to achieve an environmental development plan that benefits wildlife across the farm.