canopy provide integrated services in environmental planning.That means dovetailing Survey,Planningand Designfor all development-related tree, landscape and ecological issues.We can provide these services at any stage of the planning process – feasibility studies; pre-application discussion and preliminary design; details in support of the planning application and appeal or inquiry statements and representation.We work best when we are involved at the outset of a project.When should I call canopy?
We maintain excellent relationships with planning officers, ecologists and tree and landscape officers at Borough, District and County level across the south east.Our main area of operation is East and West Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and Greater London. We have, however, worked as far afield as Somerset and Devon and we are happy to consider projects anywhere in the UK, provided they remain cost effective for our client and we are able to maintain our high standard of work.
We are equally happy working alongside other professionals or taking the lead on projects – either way ideally as part of a project team formed at the outset.Contactus by phone or email and we’ll be happy to send you an up to date list of recent clients.
That really depends on the size and complexity of the project.One thing is certain though – the sooner we are involved in a project, the more value we can add to the design and the less it will cost in the long run.A British Standard 5837 tree survey and assessment for a small development might cost less than £1000.On a large, sensitive site, a cross-cutting landscape and biodiversity appraisal, including an arboricultural impact assessment, species-specific survey work, landscape impact assessment, landscape design and ecological mitigation proposals could be in the region of £20,000.The good news is we will always give you a detailed fixed-sum fee proposal, based on an initial site appraisal, with no hidden extra costs.It will clearly set out what we are going to do and why we need to do it, as well as itemise services for you to ‘cherry-pick’, if appropriate.See Why do I have to do this?or Contact us by phone or email and we will be happy to discuss your project in more detail.
As soon as possible!Planning policy, such as Planning Policy Statement 9 – Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (PPS9), means the presence or absence of protected species on a development site must be established before a planning application is decided.Similarly, British Standard 5837, Trees in Relation to Construction recommends that tree surveys are carried out at the very start of the planning process – to identify any constraints from the outset.
It’s all common sense, really!Whether you are dealing with an acquired site, a possible development site or an option on a site, give us a call and we will carry out – at cost – an initial site appraisal that will identify the likely arboricultural, ecological and landscape constraints.Then we’ll give you a fixed-sum, no obligation fee proposal for the survey, planning and design work you’re likely to need.As a rule, we don’t retro-fit survey details to fixed layouts, so call us late in the process and we might not be able to help!Think about Why Do I Have to Do This Now?or Contactus by phone or email to arrange an initial site appraisal.
We put together a team from our qualified and experienced professionals to best suit the needs of each project and client.One of our landscape architects, for example, has won awards for historic landscape restoration, while a number of our ecologists specialise in particular species, such as bats or reptiles.
Using this approach, whatever the scope of the project, we can secure the best possible outcome and ensure we always act in the best interest of our client.
There is no doubt we work best, and save clients the most money, when we’re part of a project team from the outset.It is clear to us that when our client adopts a project team approach, planning applications run more smoothly, are of a higher quality, are submitted earlier and, most importantly, are approved earlier.Conversely, when we are engaged to ‘retrofit’ landscape or ecology details to a predetermined layout, there are often costly time delays and amendments.
We are very happy to lead and project manage those planning applications that are landscape or biodiversity led.We are equally happy working alongside developers, architects, planning consultants, engineers and highways consultants.See Who we are and read What other clients say.
There is increasing emphasis placed on the importance of good environmental design in the planning system. Good design requires a clear progression through site survey and planning, leading to a well thought out and justifiable layout.Planning Policy Statements such as PPS1 (General Principles), PPS3 (Housing) and PPS9 (Biodiversity) all require that development proposals are based on comprehensive assessments of a site’s landscape and ecological value.
Design guides, such as By Design and the Urban Design Compendiums 1 and 2 - often referred to in Local Plans and Local Development Frameworks - strongly recommend that a site’s layout should be informed by its landscape and ecological structure – the ‘green’ constraints and opportunities.Most Local Planning Authorities (LPA) now have a landscape and ecology section in their Sustainability Checklists and there is a move towards a mandatory Code for Sustainable Homes.More LPAs now have in-house landscape and ecology staff than ever before and fewer LPAs are prepared to make landscape and ecology issues the subject of planning conditions.In short, ignore environmental planning issues at your peril!
Contact us by phone or email for a copy of our free environmental planning resource CD which is full of useful references and contacts.
Ours would be a very expensive service if we did!However, we can add serious, demonstrable value to a planning application and give it the best possible chance of success.The earlier we are involved in projects, the easier it is to integrate the constraints and opportunities of a site successfully into its design.In this way, we can provide strong justification for development – demonstrated by a clear progression through Survey, Planning and Design – and satisfy Local Planning Authorities that development proposals comply with the latest planning policy, guidance and best practice.More cost effective for our clients.
Can you help us with the Code for Sustainable Homes?
Yes, we can help you score points in the Ecology section (Section 9) of a BREEAM Code for Sustainable Homes (CFSH) assessment.All our ecologists are ‘suitably qualified’ to carry out BREEAM assessments and we have our own in-house CFSH report template that has proved successful since the CFSH replaced the EcoHomes scheme early in 2007.
canopy produce reports, drawings, specifications and method statements.All drawings are produced in AutoCAD and are full colour.Reports are presented in plain English and are easy to read and navigate.Where necessary, they are fully cross-referenced to others’ work.Lots of words are, unfortunately, often necessary in support of development proposals and planning applications, but we aim to communicate the necessary information on a plan or drawing whenever possible.Planning should, after all, be about plans.And a picture speaks a thousand words…
See some Projectsfor examples of our reports and drawings.
Now we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty!In short, we have an excellent track record of producing the right details at the right time to support successful planning applications and we make the whole process as pain-free as possible for our clients.We achieve this in a number of ways.
1.We maintain excellent relationships with Local Planning Authorities (LPA).Many of our staff have worked for Planning Authorities in the past, so we speak their language.
2.We remain commercially minded.
3.We deal with all tree, landscape and wildlife issues under one roof, giving clients and the LPA just one point of contact and delivering solutions that dovetail seamlessly across the board.
4.Our presentation is immaculate.
5.We always strive for the best possible design solution – reassuring LPAs that we are a proactive and innovative practice, not retrofitters.
6.We have a very broad skills base.
In the unlikely event you are still not sure, Contact us with your concerns and we’ll convince you!
Can I develop a site with protected species on it?
With good site planning from the very start of the project, probably yes.The most commonly encountered protected species include badgers, bats, reptiles – such as slow-worm and lizard – and dormice.All species of bird are also protected.Different species are protected in different ways.Badger, for example, are protected by a specific Act – the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 – most other species by the Wildlife and Countryside Act and other UK and European legislation.Similarly, different species have different times of year when surveys to establish presence or absence can be carried out.If there are protected species on your site, you need to know as early as possible so you can start planning for them.Protection, mitigation and enhancement schemes will need to be agreed with both the Local Planning Authority and any licencing body (usually Natural England or DEFRA) and physical translocation of certain species can have a lead-in time of over 18 months. You’d better Contactus now…!
Why can’t all this be the subject of a planning condition later?
Planning Policy Statement 9 – Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (PPS9) specifically says that if there is a reasonable likelihoodof protected species being present on a site, then measures for their protection and mitigation for any adverse effects must be submitted with the planning application and should not be made the subject of a planning condition.British Standard 5837 – Trees in Relation to Construction (BS5837) recommends a similar approach – that tree constraints and opportunities of a site are identified at the outset of the planning process and inform the layout design.Most LPAs will spot a retro-fitted tree survey from a mile away and are unlikely to be impressed!Generally, the principles of good design require that the existing landscape, including the trees and ecology, is what fundamentally informs the design of development.Read about Why do I have to do this now?!orContact us by phone or email for a copy of our free environmental planning resource CD which is full of useful references and contacts.
We employ strict in-house quality assurance procedures to ensure all our work is fit for purpose and we are currently working towards ISO14001 accreditation.We also believe that good communication is key to achieving the highest standards of work and the best possible outcome for a project.We maintain open channels of communication to canopy Directors and encourage clients to talk to us if they are concerned at any time about the direction of a project or the scope of canopy involvement.
