Latest Projects / Landscape impact study

A Balanced Economy, Hampshire

16 Mar, 2026
A Balanced Economy Hampshire

Current national planning guidance emphasises the need for positive biological net gain (BNG) on all new development.

On an edge of settlement valley site already identified for employment use the vehicular access crosses a designated priority chalk stream corridor. Therefore DA, as well as providing a suitable LVIA report, worked closely with Middlemarch Ecology on the detailed landscape design and management of the protected habitat. The full commercial application has been submitted on behalf of September Properties (Alton) Ltd with UMC architects and Arrow Planning.

DA is working with ecologists extensively across the southern UK providing landscape mitigation and management to address the BNG requirement on new applications.

Employment Enterprise, Hampshire

16 Mar, 2026
Employment Enterprise, Hampshire

On former MOD heathland vacant research buildings are being repurposed with new industrial units and a modified access set behind a managed 50m deep TPO woodland buffer. The 3.7ha site has been identified for employment use subject to managing the landscape impact within the edge of settlement context. DA provided the supporting LVIA report with an emphasis on long term landscape management. The outline application on behalf of Fishron Securities Ltd was approved subject to legal agreement with Harding Rose architects and Woolf Bond Planning.

Suburban Pattern, Surrey

16 Mar, 2026
Suburban Pattern

Our latest project with Lytle Associates Architects is a Guildford school upgrade that includes enabling development on surplus land. The courtyard housing scheme echoes the local street pattern and links green space around the retained mature tree canopy while providing the requisite BNG uplift. We continue to work with Lytle Associates architects across the south-east.

Wetland Weave, Berkshire

16 Mar, 2026
Wetland Weave, Berkshire

Draffin Associates is assisting the Pro-Vision Group on a number of planning projects on sensitive sites across the southern UK. Within the Enborne valley we provided landscape support for a courtyard scheme adopting a reconfigured wetland SINC that balances development with long term habitat enhancement.
The scheme is now at appeal.

Special Setting, Berkshire

12 Feb, 2025
Special Setting Berkshire

In the grounds of a former private zoo located within a designated planning special landscape character area a new dwelling has been approved.

The DA supporting landscape strategy and management plan has been developed within the estate setting of a grade 2 listed building.  The new 1.5ha gardens are set around mature parkland including estate pond and enhanced walled garden enclosure.

Working with STL Architects for Amberleigh Homes the scheme includes a new driveway access within the Green Belt setting.

 

Special Setting Berkshire

Above Ancient Woodland, Surrey

12 Feb, 2025
Above Ancient Woodland, Surrey

On an elevated north facing site above designated Ancient Woodland DA supported a  private client application for a new stepped detached dwelling. The successful design addressed the significant level changes and tree protection issues to create suitable amenity space and manageable external spaces while safeguarding the sensitive woodland edge. Our tree report and positive site negotiations with Forestry England were important influences on the design approach.

We continue to work with Lytle Associates Architects across the south-east.

Hambrook Extension, Sussex

07 Jan, 2023
Hambrook Extension

Working with HGP architects for Foreman Homes, DA provided the landscape strategy for a 30 unit residential development on a 1.23ha site in a village setting severed by the A27 trunk road improvements. The landscape submission included an enhanced landscape framework.

The new greenspace is linked by public footpaths to boundary marginal habitat and woodland improvements. Integrating linked SUDS drainage on this low-lying site was an important design feature retaining the mixed-age tree canopy and mature hedgerow enclosure.

Mixed use development in Basingstoke

07 Jan, 2023

wo years after Basingstoke Town FC moved to a new ground operated by the Hampshire FA the application for mixed use development at their former 2.7ha Camrose site has been approved on appeal. The successful scheme includes mixed tenure apartments with street and podium level landscape all adjacent a new neighbourhood park. The roadside frontage includes a stepped vertical landscape treatment to fit the prominent sloping site and opposite a new link road there is a proposed care home sited near local community facilities.

DA provided the landscape strategy with supporting design and management plan. Fibonacci Architects co-ordinated the submission on behalf of Basron Developments. 

Enhanced Streetscene, Reigate

03 Nov, 2021

This 2 unit development for a private client has a restricted driveway access amongst a mature street tree screen.

DA provide detailed landscape and tree reports to support the successful application to Reigate & Banstead BC. These included detailed tree root protection for the new services connections within the tree management works.

 

 

reigate streetscene

 

Valued Landscape, Poynings

03 Oct, 2020
Valued Landscape Poynings

National Park Authorities correctly require the design of new development to fully consider the existing valued context.

The proposed development scale, architectural siting, form and finishes should fully respect and enhance the immediate landscape setting. Settlement edge locations below panoramic public viewpoints face greater scrutiny because of their prominence.

Full consideration of the dark skies planning policy and other special constraints were key to the replacement dwelling design at Poynings within the SDNP. DA provided the critical landscape assessment report supporting Koru Architects and Prospective Planning.

DA is working on many sensitive planning sites across southern UK where a special case must be made for successful outcomes.

 

Valued Landscape Poynings CAD

Village Enhancement, Brenchley

03 Oct, 2020
Village Enhancement, Brenchley

DA undertook the supporting tree and landscape report for a replacement dwelling on the Kent/ Sussex borders.

Our findings and the sloping wooded valley site allowed BWP Architects to create a split-level plan with home offices that exploits the afternoon sunlight while retaining and managing the longer-term trees and boundary enclosure.

We have worked with BWP on a number of projects including recently a subterranean garage scheme built at Selborne within the SDNP/ Village Conservation Area.

Sensitive Settlement Edge – Sonning Common

17 Jun, 2019

Sensitive Settlement Edge – Sonning Common

Our latest scheme for T A Fisher has been the detailed application for 25 units at Kennylands Road.

The proposal on a west facing, edge of settlement site includes both affordable and market housing with LAP play facilities. Boundary treatment was carefully considered reinforcing existing shelterbelts, respecting neighbouring privacy while enhancing distant views in the AONB context.

DA also provided a long term landscape management plan to support the detailed application. Pro-Vision Planning co-ordinated the submission to SODC.

 

Urban Renewal – Wimbledon

29 Oct, 2018

DA provided supporting tree and landscape advice to CF Architects for this building conversion at Fennies, Wimbledon.

This mixed-use development includes a new day nursery with apartments above along with streetscape improvements. DA has completed a number of projects across the south-east for this client.

Positive Regeneration – West Berkshire

31 Aug, 2017

On behalf of Central Corporation Securities, DA has supported the application for 130 dwellings on land severed by a transport corridor at Theale. The positive reuse of fragmented agricultural land for limited development has been encouraged by the NPPF. The landscape strategy includes a significant ecological wetland zone linking with the nearby Pang Valley together with other connections to local green space and village amenities. DA was recently part of the same successful design team working with BM Architects to win approval for a 325 unit lakeside development for this client.

DA is also working on other masterplanning projects in southern UK.

Rural settlement extension

02 Dec, 2015

Chiltern Rise, South Oxfordshire

The provision of appropriate considered design is essential for successful work in planning conservation areas within the AONB. At a sensitive edge of settlement site in South Oxfordshire DA co-ordinated the preliminary tree, landscape and phase 1 ecological reports for Lytle Associates architects to inform the illustrated 25 unit residential development. Mature boundary tree retention together with suitable highways access were key issues that informed the planning application.

Chiltern Rise sketch

Edge Of Settlement

09 Feb, 2015

Edge of settlement locations require careful consideration and balance of natural and built form. Building massing, siting, access and the enhancement of landscape enclosure are reoccurring themes. Frequently DA support an indicative landscape strategy with protected species, tree and visual surveys. Management schemes are then adopted to protect key features and guide development.

DA is working on a number of outline applications in the south of England including the E Sussex example where Green Belt abuts existing settlement.

E-Sussex-crop

Manor Farm

18 Jun, 2011

manor-farm-cover-tinyDA has recently completed a landscape impact study for petroleum exploration sites near The Hogs Back, Surrey.

Working for The Environment Project Consulting Group (EPCG) and their client Magellan Petroleum (Australia) this study was carried out to assist Surrey County Council Planning in site evaluation.

DA has worked with EPCG on a number of minerals related projects including landfill, recycling, waste paper and wetland developments.

 

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