Landscape led
Our planning application is supported by a detailed Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, which provides an objective assessment of the likely impact of the development on the local landscape.
Our approach has been driven by the need to minimise visual impact while also creating a high-quality and interesting place to work. Reprofiling the site and incorporating the Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) and strategic landscaping along sensitive boundaries is part of our strategy.
We have carefully considered how the detailed design of individual buildings, mitigation, and compensation measures can achieve this. This includes planting native species for screening, incorporating reinforced soil retaining structures with vegetation, and integrating the proposed and existing drainage with an emphasis on sustainability.
The landscape and visual impact assessment has informed this approach. Identifying appropriate mitigation and compensation measures to reduce adverse impacts of the development, and helping place the landscape and provision of open space and green infrastructure at the heart of the development process.
Our plans
Assessments show that the site’s elevated position within the landscape would allow wider views from the west and north-west across the Nene Valley, while its proximity to Titchmarsh and the immediate network of footpaths and bridleways would allow shorter range views.
Our plans are designed to preserve a robust green corridor and landscaped edge along the northern and eastern boundaries, with buildings set back and their appearance filtered as this planting establishes.
The remaining boundaries and internal landscape areas have also been carefully designed to provide an attractive setting for the development alongside areas of new ecological habitats, circular trails and walks. This includes a central ‘bat corridor’ which provides a foraging and commuting framework within the site and beyond as part of a wider cohesive ecological strategy.
The preservation of the Scheduled Monument provides an opportunity to maximise the inclusion of species rich wildflower meadows with informal mown paths that encourages users to meander through.
Our lighting strategy is focused on avoiding light spill by using installations that direct light downwards and into the site. Lights would be visible without contributing to light pollution.
The new access roundabout from the A605 is important and creates an opportunity to deliver a high-quality gateway to the scheme. The potential to integrate public art, planting and feature signage can help create an iconic gateway within the public realm.
Plan showing viewpoint locations – click to enlarge Plan showing viewpoint locations
Indicative image of proposed DSV unit and landscaping at year 10 from viewpoint 5 – click to enlarge Indicative image of proposed DSV unit and landscaping at year 10 from viewpoint 5