Planning for Living Places; Prince's Foundation ask for rethink on Planning Laws and say that The National Planning Policy Framework needs more work to address this.
We agree.
Let's make places nice to live in, say the Prince's Trust.
We couldn't agree more. So, what do people want? What is sustainability really about? What do we all need?
One answer is;
"More Parks, more and larger community spaces linked to tree lined streets. These are all part of the big picture. Let's shape places that reflect local landscape character and build places that are not only good to work in, but also to live in, for future generations to enjoy; " Charmaine Noel (Landvision white paper; Planning Places for Real People.)
Sustainability is about creating places that are pleasant to be in and to walk through and above all, to live in. These places will have more community spirit if they have mature and new trees, mature native hedges and bird song, well planted and maintained gardens full of wildlife, bees and butterflies, shops and work places intermingled. In short, if they are nice places to be in.
Landscape design can help to create relaxing places which are quieter than pre existing streets and car parks. Streets and residential areas that are planned at a human scale. More character added. People want to live in these small close knit pleasant communities. So let's go back to basics and build what people want and need.
Replacing brown field sites with skilfully designed beautiful places; careful design that takes account of people's needs.
Prince Charles set up the Prince's Trust to promote more traditional and environmentally sustainable building techniques. This includes comment on planning laws and the qualities that people look for in new homes. So, some tweeking is required then?
Yes, if the plans to transform society into a “big society” are to be given a boost. If we want more people to cycle and walk, to live their lives sustainably and locally, we need to plan and design at the human scale. So, what do we mean by at the human scale?
The old fashioned streets of villages such as the High Street Chilham in Kent are a good example of the human, small scale we need to look at emulating. Why is this a good scale to work at? Because the scale is small, the feeling is intimate and cosy and people want to live in a place like this - with well maintained gardens in front garden space - not seas of cars. In new designs, cars located elsewhere, ideally in parking areas separated by planting buffers. Places which encourage us to get out of our cars and walk again.
Character kept and added through design. Beauty breathed into design. Colour, interest and seasonal changes in plants and leaf forms visible for children to see everyday. Wildlife present in city centres as well as in the suburbs. Sustainability is building the big picture - not just building materials but planning for whole living places.
Cyclists and pedestrians put first in village centres; speed limits in villages reduced to re create sense of place and respect for people who choose to walk. Lets start again, from where we want to be and design from this starting point.
The Prince's Trust recommend “community capital”; that communities are designed for a sustainable lifestyle. If this involves reducing car parking spaces in cities where there is public transport and improving public transport- then let's do this.
If places are to be truly sustainable then history and cultural associations with place are important.They are starting points for sensitive design. Parks, community spaces, tree lined streets are all part of the big picture.
Let's strive to shape places that best reflect local landscape character and build places that are not only good to work in, but also to live in, for future generations to enjoy.
For bespoke landscape design and ecology advice for your project you can visit our website; www.landvision.co.uk or contact charmaine@landvision.co.uk for help and advice.
