Country houses standing in substantial grounds, exclusive small scale developments, London Thames-side development, our portfolio demonstrates the ability of JFA Environmental Planning to bring nature to the heart of design in prestige projects in which architectural design and the landscape setting are paramount. Increasingly, green development is essential to the wealthy owner, as part of the overall design ethos. Sustainability, and ecological enhancements are demonstrated in development proposals by landscape master plans, biodiversity management strategies and ecological assessments.
Case studies:
Wick Lane, London
Project: Residential brownfield development Client: Taylor Wimpey East London Deliverables:
Landscape Construction details
Hard and Soft Landscape Detailing
Play area detailing
Landscape Management Plan
The site was a contaminated brownfield site, restricted by both adjacent existing development and an extensive Thames Water sewage infrastructure.
A Greenway, which includes a cycle/pedestrian link to The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, runs parallel to the northern boundary of the site. It is also a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.
JFA were asked to produce detailed hard and soft landscape plans along with construction details and a Management and Maintenance plan, at both ground floor and first floor podium levels.
Athlone House, Hampstead Heath, London
Project: Residential development
Client: Confidential/RSA Deliverables:
Landscape & Visual Assessment
Expert Witness at Public Inquiry
JFA Environmental Planning were commissioned to review a previously submitted Landscape and Visual Impact Appraisal which accompanied a planning application for the high profile Athlone House development close to Hampstead Heath. The development lay within Camden Council’s Highgate Conservation Area and within Metropolitan Open Land. The main issue to be addressed were the effect of the proposed building on the character of the surrounding area. JFA Environmental Planning also acted as expert witness at the planning inquiry.
Broughs, Bracknell
Project: Residential
Client: Bracknell Forest Homes
Deliverables:
Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey
Bat Roost Assessment Emergence Surveys
Key Issues Bracknell Forest Homes commissioned JFA to conduct an extended Phase 1 Survey during which the only ecological constraint identified was the potential for roosting bats in the building. Internal and Emergence bat surveys were therefore conducted by suitably qualified JFA ecologists. No roosting bats were found within the property enabling the plans to go ahead without constraint. JFA were also able to propose enhancement measures for increasing the biodiversity of the site post-development, in line with NPPF.
Riverlight, London
Project: Residential and Commercial
Client: St. James Group Ltd
Deliverables:
Environmental Impact Assessment
Protected species surveys – bats and birds
Aquatic surveys
Consultation with the Environment Agency
Key Issues JFA Environmental Planning was commissioned to provide the Ecology Chapter for the Environmental Impact Assessment for this complex mixed-use development. The development was residential-led but also included a hotel, retail, restaurant, crèche and leisure facilities with associated parking and amenity space.
JFA Environmental Planning conducted a suite of high quality ecological surveys in order to provide a well-informed and accurate assessment of the potential impacts of the development and thus deliver a robust Ecology Chapter. Expertise utilised ranged from initial baseline surveys, through to protected species surveys and specialist aquatic surveys.
Benhall Mill Road, Tunbridge Wells
Project: Residential Client: Charles Church Deliverables:
Ecological Assessment
National Vegetation Classification
Protected Species Surveys; reptiles, bats & dormice
Strategic Advice for the Local Plan
Mitigation Compensatory Strategy
Key Issues Ecology surveys were carried out over a number of years. JFA undertook a meta-analysis of ecology surveys spanning 11 years and were able to demonstrate that lack of land management had resulted in scrub encroachment and grassland reduction; thereby reducing the meadow quality. JFA provided strategic advice to allow the site to be included in the local plan. Partial residential development on the site funds restoration grazing on the remainder of the site.
Brasted, Sevenoaks
Project: Residential
Client: Ward Homes (Barratt Homes South East) Deliverables:
Protected Species Survey – bats and reptiles
EPSML and Mitigation for bats
Reptile Mitigation Strategy and Translocation
Ecological Clerk of Works
Key Issues JFA Environmental Planning completed a Phase 1 Habitat and protected species surveys on the site.
Following reptile presence/absence surveys and a population assessment a mitigation strategy was issued by JFA. Mitigation for reptiles include a translocation exercise for slow worms, grass snakes and common lizards. A European Protected Species Mitigation Licence was required due to the presence of a brown long eared maternity roost in one of the buildings to be demolished. Works were timed to avoid sensitive periods for the bats roosting on this site. Mitigation involved hand removal of tiles supervised by a licenced bat ecologist and provision of alternative roosting spaces in garages including a maternity roosting space in a triple garage onsite. Bat boxes were installed throughout the site.
Barnhorn Green, Bexhill
Project: Mixed use residential urban extension to Bexhill Client: Barratt David Wilson Homes (BDW) Deliverables:
Landscape Design Strategy
Detailed hard and soft landscape design and implementation
Play area design
Tree and ecology surveys
Key Issues: JFA prepared a landscape design strategy that utilised and supplemented the existing established field boundary hedgerows. This strong green infrastructure will integrate this outstanding development into the wider landscape. Proposals will create a visually diverse and habitat rich landscape with a mature linear woodland setting for the new development.
Landscape design and management proposals will protect the existing wildlife and habitat network on-site and will provide additional opportunities for an enhanced range of habitats including a range of ponds with reed beds and wildflower seeding. There will be increased potential for wildlife and improved biodiversity. The team at JFA worked closely with the client and the LPA to produce a resilient and sustainable landscape that will meet the housing and amenity needs of the present and long into the future.
The site will provide formal play areas and additional opportunities for informal play with a network of open spaces with bunding. Linked paths along hedge boundaries and through woodlands will facilitate movement through the site and provide a range of fitness trails.
South Eden Park, Beckenham
Hard Landscape Detail for Discharge of Conditions
Project: Residential development Client: Northern Land Developments Ltd. Deliverables:
Open Space Audit (2016)
Landscape Appraisal (LVIA)
Expert witness at Appeal Inquiry
Detailed Design for Reserved Matters/Discharge of Conditions
The development is comprised of five blocks of luxury apartments and a terrace of townhouses. A basement car park is proposed with a ramp access as well as a green roof and podium planting. Furthermore there is communal gardens with a central fountain and seating areas, decorative paving and ornamental hedge and shrub planting.
The development is situated adjacent to the historic Park Langley Conservation Area and was previously shown in the (now out of date) Bromley UDP as Urban Open Space.