These are some examples of plans submitted for planning approval. They are all based upon the garden concept plans I have worked on with the client to deliver the garden they want to work with their new or improved house.
What is a Landscape Plan?
It is common for planning permission to have a landscaping condition attached - requiring the submission of a plan that outlines areas of hard landscaping, possibly key materials and showing the position and details of trees and shrubs.
This is often accompanied by another condition that if any of the plants listed die within a certain period, they will be replaced.
Timing
The Landscape Plan often needs to be approved before the building work for the house can start. Focussing on the garden with the pressure of a build start date to meet can be difficult for most, especially at a time when they are also working on details on the building with architects.
Starting the garden concepts for your outside spaces before you finalise architects drawings for the planning application allows you to work through how the house, drive and garden can all work together to deliver your overall vision of your new home.
With an overall concept for your garden in place, production of the Landscape Plan can be worked into the pre-build stage more seamlessly.
How do the Concept and Landscape Plans differ?
Planners are generally looking for specific information on some key matters. What is relevant can vary by planning authority and project. There is often more focus on boundary treatments and what can be seen from the road or public footpaths and how the house will blend into its neighbourhood or wider environment.
Your concept plan will generally be more detailed and cover different points that are not areas for concern or interest for planning.
Some details in the concept plan may change as the house is built, so keeping the two distinct at the outset means it is less likely that a supplementary plan will have to be submitted for approval.
Planning Permission
Some schemes need planning permission in their own right, for example for structures in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas or relating to listed buildings.