landvision blog by Landvision

National Planning policy Framework and Planning reform needs to create opportunity for designing pleasant places to live and work in.

2011-10-21T11:13:00.009+01:00

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.

Attenuation of Water, ecological design and sustainable development by Landvision uk

2011-09-16T12:50:00.007+01:00

Water is perhaps the most vital resource for man and the rest of the natural world. This philosophy is the basis of much of our design work; from landscape design for domestic housing schemes, to health and welfare facilities and residential area upgrades, parks and open space provision, interpretation centres, retail stores and many other sites. We strive to understand the character of place and have written a blog on landscape character; we express this in all our designs.

For more than 15 years, Landvision has been a leader in the ecological design movement; we have pioneered sustainable development initiatives, green technologies and monitored them to ensure constant improvement. Each design element works hard to bring multiple benefits. This ecological design innovation adds great value whilst saving our clients time and money. So, our diverse professional mix of team members can help you with your latest project.

Specialties; Landscape Ecology, landscape Architecture, Arboriculture, Planning, Ecosystem Science, Sustainable Site Design, Low Impact Development, Innovative Rain Water Harvesting & Management, Ecological Design Services, Green Roofs, Woodland management, Sustainable development.

To find out more, contact us; www.landvision.co.uk or

email; charmaine @landvision.co.uk

Wildlife law changes advice from Landvision Statutory Instrument 2010/490 - the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2010 in April 2011

2011-09-03T20:53:00.003+01:00

The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994,were replaced by Statutory Instrument 2010/490 - the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2010 in April 2011...so what do we advise you about this?

The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994, replaced by Statutory Instrument 2010/490 - the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2010 in April 2011, have been recently drawn up to protect our wildlife. They now add to the EU Habitats Directive in England and Wales and incorporate all the changes since the old 1994 Regulations, including;

Major changes to European Protected Species (EPS) licences and licensing
Many changes to marine conservation laws.
So, seek advice from Landvision, reputable and scientifically qualified ecological consultants and do have all recommended surveys completed before you start work on site.

So, what exactly is the bill proposing?

Changes to laws on poaching and game and on deer management and shooting. Also, changes on non-native species and snaring with amendments to the law on protected species and SSSIs, (Sites of Special Scientific Interest.)” Different parties will vary on how they react to the degrees of protection for wildlife and the way these affect the countryside and the people in it.

So, will localism help?

At present, planners make informed decisions on a case by case basis; if this process is “streamlined” there is a danger that the baby will be thrown out with the proverbial bath water.

Professor Colin Reid, of the School of Law at the University of Dundee, said about the 2011 amendments ; “this is an important Bill for many people involved in land management and conservation. Proposals for a Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill include far-reaching changes for deer management and shooting, snaring, game and poaching laws, licensing for protected species and sites of special scientific interest.”

The environment, which has been a cornerstone of planning law for more than 60 years, will really only truly be able to continue to be protected if development is concentrated in brown field sites and is spread fairly so each town shares development and it is not just in a few major towns and cities. Only in this way, will large, soul less developments not be required and new development will still be contained at a human scale. So, let's bring back the heart to communities, by leaving the heart in planning and by understanding why the environment needs protection.

You can read the latest wildlife bills on line;

In the meantime; ask for advice from a reputable and scientifically qualified ecological consultant and have all recommended surveys completed before you start work on site.
Tel Charmaine or Ian at Landvision on (01892) 782200 or visit www.landvision.co.uk
http://www.landvision.co.uk/ecology.html

How to look after Common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Bee orchid Ophrys apifera and Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis Pyramidalis. Here's how!

2011-07-20T12:15:00.007+01:00

How to look after Common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii ), Bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) and Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis Pyramidalis); Here's how to manage your meadow or woodlands so that orchids thrive and spread, safeguarding them for future generations to enjoy! Here's also how to create a wildflower meadow and how to create more suitable conditions for Bee orchids, Pyramidal orchids and Common spotted orchids now, creating the conditions they require..

When and where are these orchids found?

Now is a great time to view orchids like Common spotted (Dactylorhiza fuchsii ), Bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) and Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis Pyramidalis) look for them in your local grasslands, woods and meadows. They all flower in June and July; so they are out at the moment in south east England. We are lucky to have numerous sites in East Sussex and Kent where orchids thrive and are protected by careful management and plans drawn up by ecology and landscape planning experts at Landvision. These three orchids require management to maintain their populations; they are splendid examples of our native wildflowers and orchids attract visitors and walkers to the county to see them growing in the wild, in woods, grasslands and meadows.

What conditions do these three orchids require?

The Common spotted orchid is an orchid of damp grassland and open woodlands. It is found on woodland edges, along the edges of woodland paths and in glades, where higher light levels and a certain amount of moisture create the conditions that it needs. It has a beautiful pale pink tall flower spike and flowers in June and July. The grassland it is located in will need management and the woodlands need specific management too, to create optimal conditions for these orchids to thrive and spread.

The Bee orchid, which resembles a bee landing on a pink flower is very striking. It can be found on calcareous soils of south facing slopes. This is an orchid of post industrial landscapes, old quarries, gravel and sand pits as well as chalk pits being amongst its favoured habitats. Bee orchids are also located on sand dunes, golf course roughs and on limestone, in old quarries and other disturbed low fertility soils. The bee orchid is associated with an open sward, with no vigorous grasses. It is an example of mimicry as it mimics an insect feeding on a flower. So, this is an orchid the flowers of which mimic its insect pollinators. British bee orchids are self-pollinated.

The Pyramidal orchid has a striking, deep purple triangular shaped spike flower; found on dry open grassland, generally on south facing sunny slopes , on calcareous soils of low fertility. The pyramidal orchid requires an open sward, closely grazed; so grazing of grasses by rabbits and other mammals help this orchid to thrive.

Light disturbance and a certain amount of light trampling is associated with many of our wild grassland orchids. Hence their location on golf roughs (light trampling) and sand dunes, where recreational activities lead to some disturbance, can be a pre requisite of these species for their dispersal and growth and establishment. Orchid seed is very light and is tiny, so the creation of bare patches of low fertility ground by trampling near the present orchids aids the establishment of new seeds. Conversely, if the turf is dominated by vigorous grasses or too long, and there is no disturbance by trampling, the orchids cannot spread their seed so easily.

Light levels and moisture levels need to be right for each species too. The orchids of open, dry, sunny slopes, such as Pyramidal orchid and Bee orchid would not be found in damp or shady woods. Conversely, Common spotted orchids favour moist grassland and could not withstand the dryness of a south facing, thin calcareous soils on rocky slopes, such as on old quarries and golf course roughs which the Bee and Pyramidal orchids require.

The main requirement for all orchid species however, is very low soil fertility. The right amount of moisture and presence of the orchid's associated fungus in organic matter in the soil is also essential. These factors, together with low fertility and fungal associations of orchid species, are all essential if you are aiming to create species diverse grassland which contains species like orchids in the long term. Help and advice are available from Charmaine and Ian at Landvision.

To determine what soil fertility you have, we will need to take a soil sample and find out what nutrient levels are present in your soil. If the soil fertility is already low, this is good news. However, we will still need to manage appropriately by removing grass cuttings to keep the soil fertility low, so that rank grasses do not smother the finer herbs and species like orchid, which require an open sward; that is, a sward that has bare patches and is not densely covered with vigorous grass and species that would out compete the orchids. If you persist and get the management right; the rewards are great.

If you need help and advice or have any queries for us, you can ring Landvision. We can help advise you now on how to create a wildflower meadow and how to create more suitable conditions for Bee orchids, Pyramidal orchids and Common spotted orchids, amongst other native wildflowers. Tel Charmaine and Ian at Landvision on; 01892 782200 or email us at; charmaine@landvision.co.uk or ian@landvision.co.uk

Old veteran oak trees and unusual deadwood insects.

2011-05-06T13:03:00.001+01:00

Veteran oak trees and unusual deadwood insects.

At Chatsworth, the old park has been made an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) on account of its very old trees or veteran trees' richness of insect and lichen (and fungi) life. So, why are these old trees, especially old oak and lime, so important?

The SSSI status is based on the richness of the insect life found on the old oak trees. Using an index of ecological continuity, the site is in the top 50 for the UK. In addition, lowland and southern sites like Chatsworth are even more important, as they are far richer in insect life, being located in generally warmer areas.

Many highly localised species benefit from the continuity that historic woodlands offer. South west facing trees for example, are the most attractive to insects as they are warm and more hospitable. Part of the forest at Chatsworth is called Greater Sherwood with sites loosely connected to the real Sherwood Forest itself. There are some spectacular looking insects, which Roger Key (of Natural England) has identified. These include;

Net-winged beetle – a scarlet and black beetle which is one of the Sherwood specialities.

Tanbark beetle - a large scarlet and metallic blue longhorn beetle, in thick oak bark.

Longhorn beetle – highly ornate, patterned, large longhorn beetle.

Cobweb beetle - this has very fuzzy larva which are covered in little tufty bristles, to keep spiders at bay.

The important ecological niches for all these deadwood beetles are almost all associated with old oak trees (and one is associated with old lime trees.) For instance, fungal heart decay in very old oak trees provides a variety of wood mould of various consistencies. This provides an ecological niche which is highly specialised and which allows a number of unusual insect species to thrive. The thick, loose bark of old oaks is another very important habitat for insect species.

So, not only are old oak trees beautiful but their role as insect host to unusual insect species is also vital. This is why we need to try to keep all our old oak trees safe and to preserve them for future generations to enjoy. Planting new tree species of oak and also hawthorn as a nectar source for saproxylic invertebrates (insects), adjacent to and near to existing veteran oak tree woods is important. This will give continuity to veteran oak tree habitats, for future generations to enjoy.

How to select inspiring Specimen trees for maximum autumn colour and winter interest aswell as wildlife and amenity value, especially for urban areas.

2010-12-14T08:38:00.005Z

How to select exciting trees for great interest in urban settings; want to know which are the best Specimen trees for all year round colour? Here's how.

Firstly, look at the site. Is it sunny? Is it sheltered? If it is in a wind corridor, a street where the wind blows through, in winter this will be very cold and exposed. Conversely, a sunny sheltered courtyard may allow you to plant a more tender tree, such as an Olive tree or Magnolia grandiflora.

What are the site restrictions and what characteristics do you want from the tree?

Trees with interesting bark can contribute so much in winter. For instance, Betula utilis jacquemontii, with its snowy white bark. Prunus serrula- with its shiny mahogany bark- these two trees are exceptional in urban parks.

Good autumn colour is important for a street tree. What better than the leaves of clear, bright yellow falling from an Acer campestre for children to scrunch through in autumn? If there is room for the tree's roots and for its crown, this is a lovely tree and superb for wildlife too. If space is more limited, try fastgiate (upright) hornbeam, its leaves turn a yellow/brown in autumn, or fastigiate beech, for cheerful bright orange autumn leaves.

If you prefer red autumn colour, choose trees with bright scarlet leaves; these are numerous and the scope is wide, if space allows. Choose from Quercus rubra if there is plenty of room or even a Liquidambar styraciflua. If space is restricted there are some pyramidal forms of Liquidambar. Both these specimen trees have fabulous autumn colour- scarlet leaves and stunning interest from October onwards. They make superb urban trees and can transform an urban street in autumn. It is best if there are soft landscaped beds for the trees' roots to develop.

Above all, try not to restrict yourself to planting tiny trees with small crowns (such as Malus or Sorbus) unless space is really tight. These trees are more suited to a small garden and generally have a more limited impact on street amenity than larger trees.

Do not plant trees closer than 3 metres from your house and always bear in mind services runs, so that tree roots do not restrict affect services.

On sites where there is a medium amount of space, you can think about using more native trees to attract wildlife, Prunus avium (Wild gean) makes a lovely large tree, with clouds of snowy, white blossom and fabulous red and orange autumn leaves. The white beam, is a smaller tree but just as attractive to wildlife and produces silvery leaves and in winter bright red berries for birds and wildlife. Plant Sorbus aria or use another native, hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) where space allows width to attract the birds and provide food for them in winter.

For urban gardens, Prunus or ornamental cherry, have white and pink blossom, in single and double flowered forms, from weeping to fastigiate. If space allows you can choose a round crown for maximum shade and interest. Useful trees are Prunus Ama-no-gawa (a very narrow,fastigiate cherry tree) for very limited space in even the smallest garden.

Finally, look at using the maximum size and best shape of of tree for each site, as this will contribute the most to your neighborhood. In maturity these trees will provide more foliage, blossom and increased wildlife interest if they are native, supporting birds and mammals all year round. If you are generous about tree size and spread, the ultimate rewards will be to your whole community; the street's “end users”, not only you but the inhabitants of the urban space around each tree, the visitors who will enjoy the spectacle of a Specimen tree bringing lots of autumn colour and winter interest, all year round.

This is the right time of year to obtain and plant bare root trees; from Nov- March. See our other tree blog for how to plant your new tree and all the details.

For more ideas, see our portfolio of trees and designs at www.landvision.co.uk. You can ring us to arrange a visit to our landscapes or email;charmaine@landvision.co.uk Happy tree planting in the New Year!

Photo The Dow Gardens Archive, Dow Gardens, Bugwood.org

What is Green Infrastructure? (GI) How GI understanding can help you and your local community to combat climate change.

2010-11-03T13:52:00.011Z

What exactly is Green Infrastructure (GI)? How will it help climate change and biodiversity protection? Can the idea of the Big Society take this forward?

Green infrastructure (GI) works at all spatial scales from micro to macro. Big Society ideas and the idea of local community involvement in GI means that new GI can be planned, delivered and managed at the local level.
Despite the change of government, the increasing awareness and understanding of GI has not been lost. Defra’s “An invitation to shape the nature of England”, highlights importance of GI and need for planning and delivery of GI.
GI and allied political changes identified by The Landscape Institute include;
“The revocation of Regional Spatial Strategies
The establishment of Local Enterprise Partnerships
The creation of new designations to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities
The Big Society and local agendas.
The reduction of the budget deficit”
(Based on The Landscape Institute's latest article on GI.)
For general inquiries on Green Infrastructure and how Landvision can help you and your community email;charmaine@landvision.co.uk

Landvision and The Landscape Institute both fully recognise many far reaching benefits of Green Infrastructure.
These include GI as a way of tackling;
Climate change adaptation and mitigation
Water management improvements and flood alleviation schemes.
Biodiversity enhancement and BAPs(Biodiversity Action Plans)
Crime, safety and antisocial behaviour reduction.
Employment and training opportunities.
Well being and general health
Economic investment in local communities.
Beauty/pride of and increased sense of place in local areas.
Good design, robust, fit for purpose landscape design.

A leaflet will be published in January 2011 by the Landscape Institute urging local communities to become involved.

Green Infrastructure queries; to find out how Landvision can help you & your local community with Green Infrastructure; visit; wwww.landvision.co.uk or email, charmaine@landvision.co.uk

-- Press Releases November 2010 - UNEP launches Young Environmental Journalist Award for Africa - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) --

2010-11-02T13:46:00.000Z

-- Press Releases November 2010 - UNEP launches Young Environmental Journalist Award for Africa - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) --

What do you understand by Landscape Character Assessment? How can you help to safeguard Landscape Character? Why Landscape Character is important.

2010-10-29T16:58:00.008+01:00

What do you understand by Landscape Character Assessment? How can you help to safeguard Landscape Character? Why Landscape Character is important.Landscape character is defined as the natural and historical characteristics of a landscape, that give it a sense of place and distinctive locality. For instance, the South Downs have a rolling topography. Sheep graze and bleat in fields, scattered trees, sloe thickets and hawthorn hedges rustle in the wind; its a very distinctive landscape character. The National Parks Authority thought so too; recently the South Downs have been granted National Park status.

Another different landscape character area? The Ashdown Forest; open, bracken strewn, heather lowland heathland, nonetheless windswept and wild looking with a certain distinctive “look” within the High Weald landscape character area. One more?
The Norfolk Broads are wetlands, a very different landscape character type to the Downs, but just as important in terms of landscape character, just as distinctive...

So, what elements make these very different,landscape character types distinctive?
When someone mentions the South Downs to me, conjured up in my mind is an image of its intrinsic landscape character. South Downs equals = sheep grazing the slopes of the Downs on a sunny day with blue skies stretching away.
Norfolk Broads? = man rowing a boat, bulrushes, wetland birds settling on dark blue water.. sunsets...

You get the picture.

Why not do a few of these yourself?

You will probably come up with your "favourite" landscapes and its what makes them distinctive that gives them...yes, you've guessed it... their “landscape character”!

So, why should we preserve and protect these landscape character areas? How can you make a start?

Look at the area in which you live. If you are lucky enough to live in an SLA (Special Landscape Area) or an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) then there will be plenty of natural landscape features such as woods, hedges and farmland, old listed buildings.

What makes your area distinctive? What are the historic settlement patterns? There may be listed buildings, old barns, oast houses even, surrounded by fields with empty hop poles..(very distinctive.)

Are there any natural features that derive from the soils and the topography?
What are these? Are you sure? What about escarpments and scarp slopes, dip slopes, valleys and ponds. (Yes, I knew your O level geography would come in useful.)What about the landscape, is it managed? Are there animals or is it largely urban? Are there any areas which could be improved?
How could we do this? Can you think of things that you could do to help?

You may ask why anyone would want to start doing these things, why start asking these questions?
Its quite simple. When your local authority asks for feedback on its local plan, you will be able to put forward your ideas! Equally, you could start a new group to safeguard features that you like. Or join a society to find out more about your local landscape, its history, how it evolved, the communities it has served.

Landscape character assessment is a very useful tool in planning too. It helps planners to earmark areas for protection and this means that any new developments must be carefully located so as to preserve and enhance the landscape for future generations to enjoy. In many cases the long term protection of our landscape requires active improvements to a particular locality. Not just a preservation of a place in moth balls. It requires active involvement.

If you have questions about how to improve your local landscape please email;charmaine@landvision.co.uk
if you have a landscape design inquiry or question on landscape character assessment, call Landvision 01892 782200 or visit; www.landvision.co.uk and take a look at our website today.

Fruit tree planting tips - how to plan, select and plant fruit trees for all the family to enjoy.

2010-10-22T12:42:00.008+01:00

Fruit tree planting tips, how to plant fruit trees for a fresh supply of fruit every year for all the family. So, how exactly to start planting fruit trees for your own supply of organic, delicious fruit? Landvision regularly advise clients on planning and planting of fruit trees and orchards; what could be healthier, more money saving or more timely than your favourite fruit, your favourite plums and cherries for instance, already on your garden/doorstep?

The beauty of growing your own fruit is that you can choose what to plant and which of your favourite fruit you would really like to eat. Even in the smallest plot, there are dwarf varieties of trees which are readily available. There are also a wide variety of apples and pears, plums and cherries. Think about taste, growth habit of the trees and appearance. If you have more space, then what about planting some of the more unusual fruit trees mulberries, elderberries, quinces, medlars, nuts, filberts, walnuts, sweet chestnuts amongst your apple, pear, plum and cherry trees?

If you are unsure where to start and have a general fruit tree planting query or if you would like to have specialist, professional fruit tree planting advice with horticulturist advice on specific varieties of fruit trees, please ring Landvision; our help and advice will save you time and money ring Landvision 01892 782200; charmaine@landvision.co.uk.

The Chinese proverb asks,”when is the best time to plant a tree?..20 years ago.”
Don't delay! Starting sooner is wise as fruit trees will take several years to establish and then to produce fruit.

Here are some fruit tree planting tips.

The planting season of bare root tree stock runs from late November to early March- so this is the best time to select and plant bare root fruit trees for your home/school/ community orchard.
So, where to start planting?
Planting location is vital. Your local growing conditions are important – in England, we are situated in the cool temperate region where fruit can be damaged by late frosts. So, you need to make sure that you choose a sunny, sheltered spot where the trees will thrive and where blossom and fruit will be protected from cold winds. Avoid planting in a frost pocket. This is because all fruit is sensitive to frost. If you do have to plant in one, plant larger trees at the bottom of the slope and smaller trees at the top.

Planting preparation is very important.
Prepare the soil well, dig in well-rotted compost to provide organic matter and make sure that this is well mixed into the excavated soil and the back fill. Make sure that it is well drained (as standing water will kill off fruit tree roots.) Equally do not pave around fruit tree roots. Make sure that there is adequate space for the mature tree to grow, a full system of roots and tree canopy without competition from weeds will ensure maximum oxygen and food for the roots and thence higher fruit production.

Keep the tree roots covered until the last moment, to avoid drying out. Plant the tree at the same height as it was grown in the nursery. This is vital. (If you plant too deep, tree trunks will rot, too high and the roots will be exposed and will cause the tree to die.)
Ask us if you need help and advice, ring Landvision 01892 782200 or email us at charmaine@landvision.co.uk

The age of the plants you use.
This is important, as many fruit trees are not available in large sizes, with mostly 3 year old trees available in specialist tree nurseries. The older trees are useful as there will be a shorter time to wait before they bear fruit for you. Be patient though, trees like apple and pear take a few years to grow and bear fruit (5-6 years.) If you look after them they will bear more fruit, so undertake regular maintenance and pruning. If you don't know how, ask ian@landvision.co.uk or call Landvision 01892 782200 for help and advice; to save you time and money.

What if your trees produce a surplus? Why not make your own jam, pickles, chutneys, fruit flans, cakes and pies, for use through the whole year until the next harvest? Or you can swop with neighbours and donate surplus fruit to your local friends and family and the wider community. You can set up a Transition group and local food producers' directory.
Finally, don't forget your fruit tree maintenance.
Maintenance. This needs to be regularly undertaken to ensure good establishment of the trees and to ensure a good supply of fruit, correct pruning needs to be undertaken. Weeding also needs to be carried out and mulches used.

Finally for South east England...Brogdale Horticultural Trust in Faversham, Kent have an apple festival weekend this weekend 23rd- 24th October 2010 - why not visit? They are open all year round and have lots of fruit trees on display.

For more professional fruit tree planting tips and advice on all aspects including varieties, ring Landvision; our help will save you time and money on 01892 782200; email; charmaine@landvision.co.uk

What do Planners need? - BREEAM Land Use & Ecology Assessments and Code for Sustainable Homes Ecology reports

2010-10-01T16:12:00.008+01:00

What are the first 12 most important things for Planners to bear in mind when reading BREEAM Land Use and Ecology Assessments and Code for Sustainable Homes Ecology reports from planning applicants?

1)Firstly, what is the landscape ecology of the site setting, that is, the surrounding area; what is the landscape character? Has the BREEAM ecology report addressed this?
2)Has the BREEAM taken all the characteristics, including geology, soils, hydrology, aspect and past management, plus the impact of the development proposals into account when recommending enhancement measures?
3)Hedges and structural habitats; don't forget these. They are not included in BREEAM and are vital for ecology. Habitat structure is very important.
4)Are there any protected species on site? Are there any protected habitats, such as SSSI's?
5)Is the site in a protected landscape, such as a Conservation Area or an AONB? If so, what implications does this have for the recommended habitat planting?
6)Protection of habitats and species; what protection measures are required and have these been proposed? Will these be practical and will they do what they are supposed to do?
7)Are the enhancement measures creative and imaginative and not just satisfactory or simply ticking boxes?
8)Has the BREEAM assessment taken into account long term habitat development and the linking of green habitats up to and beyond the site?
9)Is the long term management of habitats practical and sufficient for the scale of the development proposed?
10)Has a biodiversity action plan been drawn up when this is required?
11)Will the environment around the new development be improved as a result of the BREEAM or Code for Sustainable Homes Land Use & Ecology recommendations being carried out?
12)What are the long term biodiversity aims for the site and are these compatible with the proposed site use and needs of the end users of the site?
For more information on BREEAM Land Use & Ecology and The Code for Sustainable Homes Ecology reports; contact us on 01892 782200;
or email;
ian@landvision.co.uk or
charmaine@landvision.co.uk
See some past testimonials on our landscape, planning and ecology work.
on our web site; www.landvision.co.uk

What are the shared characteristics of wildlife friendly plants? Planting schemes for wildlife.

2010-09-21T17:14:00.007+01:00

First of all, what do we mean by wildlife friendly plants and planting schemes for wildlife? What characteristics do these plants share? How do they look, what are their growth habits?

By “Wildlife Friendly planting” we really mean;
Food and cover producing plants.Through using these plants we can increase biodiversity and build stability of ecosystems. So, plants for birds and wildlife, with shelter providing plants for birds and wildlife...Plus plants for food for bees and invertebrates plus food for butterflies and invertebrates all help to attract wildlife.

Fab Food! - but what does that mean for a bird?
Berries and fruit, very attractive to birds and a favourite food.
Native species shrub and tree are of course suited to local soil conditions; this means that they will grow fruit best, so do choose native plants when possible.

Topical tip!...Have a look at landvision's previous Landvision blog on planting for butterflies and moths..:)

So, what are (some of) the best berry-bearing trees?

Shrubs that offer food include;
Pyracantha in variety- this has masses of white flowers in May- June then, masses of lovely bright orange, red or yellow berries in the winter.
Ribes odoratum- Buffalo currant- forms thickets of upright stems which birds love for cover, masses of bright yellow spicily fragrant flowers and black currants for birds. Fab autumn colour!
Sambucus nigra – Elderberry- has flowers, fruit and provide cover for birds, dense branches.
Viburnum lantana – Wayfaring tree- flowers, berries and cover for wildlife.
Viburnum opulus- Guelder rose- flowers, berries and cover for birds.

So, all these plants share a common feature; densely branched growth, with ample opportunity for birds to take shelter/ perch as well as to feed. Their berries are borne in masses, often highly coloured; thus being also attractive in planting schemes and by attracting wildlife they are arguably bringing another much more important dimension into your garden and properties. One of tranquility? Bird song is a way of introducing peace and character into space; it can even, in Spring, drown out some of the sounds of traffic in highly populated and densely developed areas!

Another great species?

Crataegus species- Hawthorn. These flower and bear berries after 5 years. If allowed to set berries they will attract a wide variety of birds and wildlife including song birds such as Thrushes.
Hedges which contain hawthorn, if left to flower and bear berries every 2- 3 years will help the hedges to increase in wildlife value and attract more and more wildlife! So, don't be too tidy and don't cut back hedges until late January every year; if you can just leave them a little longer they should bear berries for birds and much more valuable habitat for wildlife as a result.

What about food for bees?

Flowers which attract bees are borne on;
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Birch (Betula in variety)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Crab Apple and wild apple (Malus in variety)
Pear (Pyrus communis in variety)
White beam (Sorbus aria and forms)
Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia and forms)
Many of these trees bear fruit as well as distinctive flowers which are attractive to bees as well as being visually pleasing to us humans.

So why are these plants so attractive to bees?
Flowers of birch give pollen only, and this is very important to bees as it occurs early in the year. Other species are visited by bees for both pollen and nectar. Bees work single rather than double flowers, so bear this in mind.
If in doubt, visit our website and log in to send us an email question.
charmaine@landvision.co.uk

The main thing to remember is that, although surplus honey will not be produced unless a large area is planted with nectar bearing plants, even a few plants will help to attract bees. These bees will pollinate and thus help to increase yields of fruit and vegetables in gardens. So these plants are vital to food producers and us consumers as well as to other wildlife.

What about adding some plants for butterflies as well as for bees?
Some favourite plants of butterflies which bees also love include;
Butterfly bush (Buddleia in variety)
Lavender (Lavandula in variety)
Cotoneaster species, provide flowers (and later on the birds like their beautiful red berries)
Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)- great for flowers and for berries and cover for nesting birds.

Perennial plants for butterflies;
Michaelmas daisy (Aster in variety)
Ice plant (Sedum specatbile)
Golden rod (Solidago in variety)
Yarrow (Achillea in variety)

What characteristics do these plants share? Just why are they so attractive to bees and butterflies?
Many are brightly coloured, for instance the golden/orange Yarrow (Achillea varieties) and those of the tall,orange flowered Golden rod. They have umbellifer heads of flowers clustered and attractive to insects. Solidago species are particularly good for attracting insects into your garden as bees and insects are attracted to yellow flowers. Many of these plants which are attractive to butterflies are other bright colours like red or muted shades like mauve, but as some are late flowering perennial plants; Sedum spectabile and Michaelmas daisy (Aster species) they appear at a time when other food sources are not so readily available for wildlife. They are also invaluable to the Wildlife gardener as a late source of visual interest in the autumn border, bringing much needed colour from August to October.

If you have an ecology question or query on wildlife plants
contact us for friendly and expert advice;
email; charmaine @landvision.co.uk
Tel; 01892 782200
Or, visit our website for testimonials and to see just a few habitats which we have created; www.landvision.co.uk

Breeam and The Code for Sustainable Homes, Landvision provide expert ecological input; Landvision can answer all your ecology and land use questions .

2010-09-16T18:39:00.005+01:00

Questions we are often asked...
Can you obtain extra eco credits for us in Breeam and CSH (The Code for Sustainable Homes)Ecology and Land Use sections. How do we go about doing a Breeam assessment for Ecology and Land Use?
You need to use a Suitably qualified ecologist, such as Landvision, to undertake a site specific, ecology survey and for us to write you an Breeam ecology and CSH ecology report. These will enable you to gain more eco credits for your development; when you follow our specialist advice on ecology for your site. For more information on how we can help you email us at; charmaine@landvision.co.uk

Landvision provide expert ecologist and environmental design input into Breeam and The Code for Sustainable Homes.

2010-08-27T12:05:00.021+01:00

What is Breeam and CSH? Landvision are expert ecologists with over 25 years professional training and experience in ecology and environmental design. Breeam and The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) are new environmental assessment standards. They have been set up to ensure that specialist ecological input is put into all new home building and other new building projects.

Breeam and CSH both aim to ensure that each new development works towards a healthy ecological and balanced landscape environment, for our children and grand children.

Do you have a new building project that we can help you with? Do you know what Breeam is and how Landvision's team of ecologists and environmental design consultants can help on your project?

Breeam is now the most widely used assessment method for buildings. Breeam has become the standard for best practice in sustainable development and is part of The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH). So what does undertaking a Breeam entail?

Breeam is now widely used as a shorthand way of summing up a building's environmental performance. It was devised by the BRE Trust of companies, a body set up to advise on delivering sustainability and innovation in the built environment and society. The Landscape and ecology section in Breeam ; how Landvision can help you to obtain maximum credits....
With 25 years experience as qualified ecologists, as well as members of both The Institute of Ecology & Environmental management (IEEM), and as Chartered Member of The Landscape Institute (1993), the Professional bodies of Ecology and Landscape Architecture, Landvision are specialist experts on landscape and ecology. We act as expert advisers on Breeam;Landscape and Ecology. Breeam deals with the need to assess, to protect and to enhance each development site's landscape, ecology and biodiversity.

Landvision undertakes detailed Breeam assessments for Landscape and Ecology to maximise Eco credits and comply with The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) producing Breeam Ecological Assessments and reports.

If you need an expert ecologist/landscape architect for Breeam, Landvision can help as your expert environmental design advisers.

We provide ecological input and expertise. As expert ecologists as well as landscape architects, we use our unique experience to produce your bespoke Breeam reports. Your ecology report will review the many ways for you to maximise opportunities to achieve your site's full ecological potential. This may be through a series of recommended enhancement and mitigation measures. These may be implemented over time. Your Breeam Landscape and ecology report will review ways of obtaining a sustainable approach to your new development, to comply with the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH.)

Ecological design is Good practice.
A holistic approach is adopted by Landvision;the Code (CSH) and Breeam are developed together on each site. Each site is unique, with a bespoke ecological report produced that will ensure that the ecology and wildlife is conserved and improved.

Sustainability aims of Breeam.
Your Breeam assessment works to strengthen sustainability and through ecological mitigation and enhancement, the long term ecological health of your site and adjacent area will also be improved.

Conservation.
The site's ecological value will be conserved and enhanced through Breeam; a tool used by your ecologist to obtain a sustainable, ecological, detailed, site specific assessment with an enhancement programe often forming part of your site's Breeam.

Guaranteed enhancement of ecological value of site.
Landvision's imaginative and focused team will work hard to maximise opportunities for your Breeam assessment to achieve maximum eco credits.

This will help us all in turn to leave a more species diverse, more robust and healthier ecological future for our children and grand children to inherit.

To find out how we can help you with your Breeam so that your development complies with The Code for Sustainable Homes(CSH) or for any information about Breeam/CSH; ring Charmaine at Landvision; 01892 782200

New White Paper on Shaping England awaits your comments...Visit http://ww2.de fra.gov.uk/our-responsibilities/nat-environment/

2010-08-16T17:08:00.004+01:00

The new White Paper on Shaping the Natural Environment in England awaits your comments.

What matters to you most? Are you running a small business, or are you a commuter?
Do you live in a suburban area? Is the protection of the rural fringe important to you?
Would you like to see more trees planted in your local park? More biodiversity and wildlife protection? Perhaps you would like to have greater access to the countryside near you?
Do you think that flood protection measures are sufficient in your area? Are SUDs being implemented and encouraged by your local authority?
Whatever your burning issue is regarding the environment, whatever your landscape needs and ideas, the government would like to hear from you! So, follow the link above and have your say today...
the New White Paper awaits your comments...

http://ww2.de fra.gov.uk/our-responsibilities/nat-environment/

Does size matter?

2010-08-13T11:05:00.004+01:00

Planting large trees.

When it comes to it, why are small trees being planted when large trees are better for the long term?

Tree planting - As landscape architects, designers and tree experts, we are asked to design new planting schemes for parks and recreation, street planting and new housing developments. Where we can, we will try to plant large trees. On looking around us the choice of tree species usually used by others is poor. Why is this?

Why use a small tree such as a Sorbus aucuparia (Mountain Ash) in a public park when a large one such as a Quercus robur, (English Oak) or a Liquidambar styraciflua,a beautiful tree with stunning crimson colouring in autumn, would, when happily placed, suit the site so much better? Perhaps the people who have chosen the small trees have played safe because of a lack of understanding. On so many occasions, a larger tree would have been so much better, providing more shade and shelter; in the right place a large tree will not require continual tree pruning.

Right Tree - right place

London plane is a tree with one of the largest spreads of canopy. If planting London planes a large site is required, perhaps not the best everyday choice for a street tree? However, that is not so, they are a brilliant specimen street tree where space allows. Could they be used in the local supermarket car park? Why not? A large tree would give shade to cars parked underneath, would provide habitat, making car parks and shopping areas a much more pleasant place to be.

Tree planting tips.

Know your soil type and pH. Is it clay or sandy? Is it acid or neutral, or maybe even alkaline in pH?

Does your site have a micro climate such as a frost hollow, or is it exposed to high winds?

Size of the site; for a very small site, a small tree such as a rowan. However, for a large site, why not plant a large tree; this will become an important tree and a valuable landscape asset when mature.

If planting a tree, you need to know; how big the tree will be when mature, the useful life expectancy of the tree, other information, such as, does this tree drop branches? Are the roots of this species likely to cause problems with the drains? This all goes back to good tree selection.

The RHS site has a plant selector http://apps.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantselector/default.aspx This could help, or type the name on google; alternatively you can email us your tree enquiries to;
charmaine@landvision.co.uk or telephone us on (01892) 782200

Wadhurst Tennis Club Floodlighting Planning Application is successful due to help by Landvision Landscape plans and ecology report.

2010-08-03T10:29:00.011+01:00

Wadhurst Tennis Club is successful in obtaining planning permission for floodlights at Wadhurst Tennis Club, Wadhurst Recreation Ground. Landvision helped to obtain this planning permission.

Landvision has recently helped to obtain planning permission for Wadhurst Tennis Club to install floodlights at their courts in Wadhurst Recreation Ground. Despite opposition from some nearby residents, Landvision's detailed planting plan has helped to set out and implement a landscape scheme at Wadhurst Rec Ground. Landvision also undertook a bat survey to support the planning application by Wadhurst Tennis Club. Thanks to this ecological work and to our landscape design plans, the whole community of Wadhurst can now enjoy walking and cycling to play tennis in the winter months and evenings, whereas previously they would have to travel miles to play on other courts.

The planning application was supported by detailed planting, designed and drawn up by our landscape architects which specified the planting of interesting and attractive trees with all year round interest, good autumn colour and blossom in spring. The trees and hedgerows now add species diversity and valuable wildlife interest to the areas around the tennis courts which were previously uninspiring grass banks and a flat area of grass.

The planning application was further supported by a bat survey by Landvision's ecologists which found that the proposed floodlighting would not affect bats. It is likely that further planting of trees and hedging that bats favour will also be undertaken as part of mitigation measures and in order to further enhance the area for wildlife.

The trees planted comprise;

Carpinus betulus Fastigiata- Fastigiate hornbeam- a tree which is well suited to the heavy clay soil and has lovely golden autumn foliage colour.

Other trees specified by Landvision's landscape planting for Wadhurst Tennis club include;

Malus "John Downie" – lovely Spring blossom and edible crab apples, great for bees.
Sorbus aucuparia – mountain ash, an atttractive native tree with feathery foliage and orange/red berries.
Ilex aquifolium – native holly, berries and evergreen cover for wildlife.

The hedging specified comprises;
Eleagnus x ebbingei, Euonymus japonicus, Ligustrum ovalifolium and Ilex aquifolium.

On the advice of Landvision's landscape managers, a regular programme of weed spraying and mulching has discouraged weed growth and assisted the much stronger growth and establishment of existing Fagus sylvatica (beech) hedging, which now reaches 2 metres high from a previous height of 1.2m high. The beech hedging gives all year round interest with bronze foliage retained in winter. The beech hedge has been supplemented by the planting design of additional holly, eleagnus and ligustrum hedges which now soften the court perimeters and add valuable all year round visual interest to the park.

Our landscape architects undertook the setting out of the planting schemes and contract managed the planting and maintenance of trees and hedges which was undertaken by specialist landscape contractors.

As a result of Landvision's landscape planning work, the community of Wadhurst and surrounding villages can now enjoy playing tennis all year round.

If you want to have your say, go to the Landvision Fan Page on face book;
Landvision Fan page
or add your comment below in the comments section.

How to save and to attract more butterflies in Butterfly Conservation Week.

2010-07-27T08:43:00.009+01:00

How to save and attract more butterflies into your garden and land in Butterfly Conservation Week. This week is officially “Save our Butterflies week” 24th July- 1st August. So why not get involved?

I was listening to Mike Mullis, our local butterfly expert talking on Radio 4 this morning about our coppice woodlands in East Sussex, where they have successfully managed to conserve and protect populations of the rare Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterfly. They have managed this through captive breeding programmes and through re introduction of coppice woodland management. This has encouraged the growth of Dog Violet; the food plant of this rare butterfly. Mike has been involved in rearing Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterly larvae and re introducing them into the coppice woodlands, which is their preferred habitat. It is great news that his work is being so successful.

If you like butterflies, why not create an area in your garden for them to thrive? A sunny sheltered spot is ideal and remember to provide lots of their food plants for the butterfly larvae as well as lots of plants rich in nectar for the butterflies later. (see our previous blogs) or, email us with your inquiries at charmaine@landvision.co.uk and we will advise you.

Why not start visiting some butterfly habitats near you and try to spot some new butterflies?
If you spend 15 minutes in a sunny spot in your garden or local park, just watching and counting butterflies, you will learn which ones occur locally and also what their preferred habitats are.

You can try to encourage butterflies into your gardens and land, through small changes in planting and by sensitive landscape management with butterflies in mind. These changes to habitat management,by re introducing coppicing cycles into your small woodlands and by adding sunny,sheltered woodland rides and glades on your land, will really boost your local butterfly population. Why not start by leaving rougher areas of tall herbs/ long grass at the base of your hedges or by creating new areas of wildflower meadow grassland which will also encourage a much greater variety of butterflies on your land?

Butterfly Conservation week runs from 24th July - 1st August 2010. At a time when 7 out of 10 butterflies are in decline, this is an excellent time to start getting involved.

“What is the single most important thing we could do that is “Green” ?

2010-07-21T11:36:00.003+01:00

“What is the single most important thing we could do to be “Green”?

I was reading the Green group comments on Linkedd in;
the question was asking for ideas on the single thing that each of us can do to help the planet?
Great question, but what is the best answer? Recycling? Growing your own food? Community action?

Well, I like this one;

“Develop the art of reflection. Ask yourself who am I? What am I doing here? What is important to me? What is my impact on others?
Keep asking yourself this every day.
When we discover who we truly are for ourselves and for others our perspectives change considerably. When you realise what is most important are relationships and community...your footprint on the planet will reduce naturally.”
(Dave Harvey)

Mostly we don't question our motives for our activities enough, if at all, or only very infrequently.
We just get sucked into doing things that maybe we simply don't need to do. We may find ourselves doing them just because it is expected of us, because everyone else is doing them and on it goes.

My father used to say; “If everyone went and jumped in the lake, would you follow them? No?So, don't just follow everyone, do your own thing.”

I would like to add my thought and comment here which was;
“Act now, whatever you do, start it today. Don't delay.”

Goethe said,
“Whatever you dream of doing, begin it now.” That boldness and action towards dreams has magic, genius and power in it.

So, whatever it is you can do, try to begin it, today.

2010-06-29T15:48:00.001+01:00

Can we all start walking and stop talking?

I was listening to the radio when a man came on and began talking about the oil spill in the USA and how last time there was a major oil spill (Exxon) he had decided to stop talking and learn how to make his way out in the world without oil.
He began walking and he stopped talking.
That made me wonder how much I could do to make changes to my life and the local environment I live in. Would this make a difference?
Not unless other people did likewise?
Then I realised that we all have to start somewhere.
If I stopped driving short journeys and started walking I would;
1)Get fitter
2)Save money- less fuel.
3)See more people.
4)Be able to drop in on shops instead of looking for car parking spaces.
5)Go back a different way to the way I had gone to my destination.
6)That started me thinking how far more creative it is to be in charge of your own transport.
7)You can stop and start when you like, not be dictated to by traffic flows and traffic lights, fuel and repairs.
8)It is actually a way of freeing yourself.
9)I would, of course, have to plan my day a bit more so I could fit in the added walking time.
10)I would need to be more local, working and living more locally.
I decided to try to do like the walker. Stop talking and walk for 30 minutes more each day, for a start.
If we all decided to do this - there would be a big impact.

Who was it who said that a journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step?

How to create new habitats for Moths and Butterflies, increasing biodiversity and slowing decline in these species in Britain.

2010-05-19T14:56:00.007+01:00

This month we have heard from Helen Briggs (BBC News) that UK moths are in “serious decline'.
Why is this important and why are we right to be concerned?
Richard Fox of Butterfly Conservation says in a recent report that numbers of moths have fallen by a third since 1968. This is a truly alarming decline in moths and it is thought to be indicative of a wider decline in British Biodiversity. It probably also reflects an actual loss of habitats for moths, other species which depend on them. It may also be indicative of the bigger biodiversity crisis that could be one of the knock on effects of global warming on British wildlife.

According to Dr Martin Warren of Butterfly Conservation, we have “only just seen the tip of the iceberg.” David Attenborough has agreed that British long term data showing decline in moths is indicative of habitat loss and that the UK has a unique position in holding such long term moth data. Other areas do not possess such long term data and are therefore perhaps not yet aware of the decline in their native species.

So should we be worried by the decline in our moth and butterfly species?
Could we be taking steps to redress the biodiversity balance? Why is our biodiversity declining?

With the ploughing up of unfertlised wildflower meadows and increased use of fertilisers and pesticides since the 1960's, many meadows and their wildflowers have been wiped out; these were a popular food source for butterflies and moths, plus other species which are dependant on them for their survival.

The group Butterfly Conservation has said that number of moths have fallen due to 97% of our flower rich meadows being lost in the past 50 years. Species of moth and butterfly that require special habitats are more at risk because they have specialised requirements. Grasslands have declined and the species that depend on them have done likewise. For instance, High Brown fritillary and Silver Spotted skipper butterflies have declined.

What these butterflies and moths need are new green infrastructure planting with enhanced wildlife habitat corridors. This is so that they can still transfer from one specialised habitat to another.

Two thirds of the 337 moth species studied showed a decreasing population trend in the last 35 years (Rothamsted Research Institute.)Further, more species have declined in Southern (75%) rather than northern (55%) Britain. Government Policy will need to make room for changes and better resources for moth and butterfly conservation. In the meantime, what can individuals and small groups do to help British moths and butterflies survive?

Conserve and manage your local hedgerows and field edges, creating and linking networks.
Create and manage grassland areas to keep a variety of heights of vegetation.
Wilder gardens can be a haven for moths and butterflies. This verdant style of mature garden, akin to the old style English cottage gardens, can be just as attractive as more formal gardens.
Keep an area for wildlife and allow grasses and wildflowers to flower and complete life cycles.
Plant food plants for moth larvae and adult moths. (Many of our wild grasses fall into this category.)
Also, add plants moths and butteflies love; Lonicera periclymenum (Honeysuckle),Oenothera (Evening primrose) and Valerians, aswell as Centranthus, Ligustrum and Sedum asters and Erigeron species of perennial plants; these are all attractive to butterflies.

If you don't have a garden yet you can join a garden share scheme or perhaps set one up locally? Start an allotment. Plant flowers for cutting as well as some small fruit trees and peas and beans on your allotment.
If left to grow to maturity near to the base of mixed native hedges, long grasses will attract many British moth species. Grasses left to grow tall will provide cover for overwintering insects aiding to stem the decline in biodiversity.

"Good Foundations" Project - why analysing well being is important in space design and mangement.

2010-03-12T15:27:00.002Z

Good Foundations Project - how design and management of communities can be enhanced.

This is a project worthy of some air time. A project based on increasing well-being in communities.

So how do we measure happiness and well being? How do we build a sense of real security and enhanced sense of place in new communities within new building projects?

“The Centre for Well-being at nef recently launched the findings of its Building Well-being project at the Building Centre, London.”

How can we determine value added by happiness and a sense of well being?
If we can do this then we can begin to drive well-being and to plan, design and develop it into our neighbourhoods.
This is an interesting challenge to be met by the management, design & construction professionals of the future. To build these aims into future design and management projects at an early stage.

There is also a new report;
“Good Foundations, proposes that our measure of success should be neighbourhoods that promote two key outcomes:
place Happiness: the personal, social and economic well-being of inhabitants
place Sustainability: which arises from minimising the environmental impact throughout both the construction process and lifetime of a building or place.
The aim of Good Foundations is to stimulate the beginnings of a cultural shift in the built environment sector. Recognition in the sector of the interdependence of well-being and sustainability is critical, not least because the built environment influences all of us when it comes to the choices and decisions we make on a day-to-day basis.”

How can we use these findings in our everyday lives? Well, maybe some of you do already, or you live in areas where these aims have been achieved in the past? In which case, those around you may already be feeling the benefit.

Food for thought - how getting on your bike, and asking your MP to do the same, will help.

2010-02-25T13:02:00.012Z

Food for thought- if we are heading for a food crisis related to peak Oil, how getting on your bike and asking your local MP to do so, can help.

Ask your local politicians if they own a bicycle? If so, do they ever use it?

Ask the next government to tax bank bonuses 100% and reinvest the billions of pounds in buying bicycles for students and the long term unemployed; Einstein would have approved of this.

Until huge inequalities are addressed by our politicians (pay gaps between bankers' bonuses and tax payers' average salaries are tackled) many people will have little faith in their elected representatives' ability to govern responsibly or for the good of the majority of the population.

Ask the politicians what their policies will be on peak Oil and how they propose to plan for the long term shortage that oil and other fuels will bring?

What would you and your friends like to see happen? Ask for this when they ask for your vote.

What exactly are all the main parties' manifestos on Peak Oil? No one knows...

What are their timescales? No one has any...

China is buying up huge tracts of land reserves in Africa and other parts of the world. This is to ensure that it will have food in the future. What is the UK and US investing in for the long term? No one knows...We suspect that nothing is being done about food reserves/land acquisition. Why not?

China is investing in high speed rail links.. Not so the UK or the US. Why not? It is clear that oil supplies are going to peak in 10-20 years and then we will be reliant on rail and communal transport, or the country will grind to a halt.

China is putting in place long term sustainability policies right now. What are we doing in the UK?...No one knows...

In 10 years time, we will not be able to make up the lost ground on our misplaced investments (nor recoup the lost benefits.) We only have enough food in the supermarkets for 5 days if Peak Oil happens and we run out of oil. Essential food and other resources that we can no longer import will have to be bought locally. So, what can we start doing about this? Build local resilience, local food supply chains now. We should make a start.

Some other things that you might be able to help with. Small is beautiful. Try to consider your own position in this scenario.

Downsize on car numbers and size- 3 is too many.(2 is also too many.)Do you really need a 4 wheel drive if you live in the suburb of a town. Really? If you don't live on a farm you do not need it.
If you live in a city consider using public transport.
Share lifts and rationalise journeys where possible.
If you can be flexible, look at adjusting your life style. You will be freer and healthier as well as having more money to spend on enjoyable things (that cost less and bring quality of life)
At least down size your car(s) next time you have a chance to.( You will also be creating less air/dust pollution as well as using up less fuel!)
Buy/share a bike,walk, take the train/ tram/bus..even occasionally.
Car sharing/car pools. If you haven't got one locally, perhaps look at setting one up?
This will all save you money.

You can also join a local Transition Towns group. Look at some on the web. Chichester, Lewes, Stroud and Brixton all have them. We have set one up in Wadhurst recently. Celebrate local food, local diversity and activities that build your local community and make it what it is.
They are about raising awareness of Peak Oil and building resilience locally.
Consider your lifestyle choices.
Take the train/boat once in a while.
Recycle.
Grow your own food- it not only tastes better it also works out cheaper than buying it.
Buy local food and services as much as you can. This should work out cheaper, as food will have travelled less far. It will encourage local markets to expand, building links in your local community- more resilience.
Services – using local staff who travel less far to work saves everyone time and resources.= Better value for money.
Feeling reluctant? Can't see the need to change? Why should you do anything at all?
If you take a look at our landvision blog on Climate change (Sept 2009) and the flooding one (Dec 2009) you will understand where the climate is heading (El Nino effect and other changes) and try to begin to take steps now to redress the balance. Its about buying time for our children to act when they need to.

Look into installing solar panels, rainwater harvesting, insulation. Each year if you invest in these alternative energies and conservation measures, as fuel prices rise, you will be glad that you did. Ask local politicians on funding for these changes- we need encouragement to start these changes now.

Set up local meetings, to raise awareness about peak oil; increased understanding will bring solutions and a better world. Green Drinks anyone?

Discuss Peak Oil and other global issues/ or the latest news. They are not going to disappear; better to face them and find solutions now, rather than wait for the impact later. It will also help to give our children more time and their children more opportunity to do things if we start now.

If your job allows it (not all jobs do) maybe you could home work for part of the week and try to cut down on your working week. It cuts out the commute and is green, as well as saving you more time that would have been spent on travel;increased quality of life is worth a lot in money terms.

Just remember, you do have a choice..and a responsibility. Everyone does.

Some solutions are simpler than they might first seem...They just require a shift in awareness and increased understanding. Lets get everyone back on their bikes, including politicians.

Einstein said that whenever he saw someone riding a bicycle, he felt that there was hope left for humanity.

Email us with any comments or queries;
charmaine@landvision.co.uk

or visit www.landvision.co.uk

What kind of a world are we going to leave for our children and granchildren to live in?

2010-02-24T17:19:00.007Z

One with fewer and fewer natural resources? Even if we all want electric cars in a few years time, there will not be enough lithium on earth for the batteries...(C Marteson)A sobering thought. So, shall we continue consumption of oil at present rates (in the past 22 years we have used half the world's reserves...) until we are forced to expend 1 barrel of oil for every barrel extracted? If things carry on as they are at the moment, oil wells will need to drill to reserves deeper and deeper, making oil more expensive than ever. If we also fail to reinvest in wind/ solar power technology and other sustainable energy, we will continue running towards the solid wall of low/no oil in 20 years (or less). If however, we reduce our consumption of everything, if we learn to slow down and conserve our resources, we may be able to steer a way out of the present doldrums. Maybe inflation will limit our ability to buy them anyway.
Better to start now to try to control oil use. If we act as responsible Stewards, the world which we hand on to our children and their children will be a better conserved one.

Public and private spending needs to be reduced so that long term debts can be paid off. By building resilience in local communities and economies, food, fuel and energy green links, can be forged.

"we might also imagine that if we diverted money being spent on military expenditures into, say, high speed trains, wind farms, natural gas pipelines and distribution stations, and an upgraded electrical smart grid ...we'd get far more immediate and lasting economic benefit (and improved national security too, I might point out) than we would out of so-called "defense spending....
The cold economic truth is that we are slowly bankrupting our country.. we are spending our money on things that do not contribute to our collective long-term prosperity...” Chris Marteson

The same applies to the UK and many EU countries at the moment.
So, why aren't governments all around the world reacting, cutting defense and other short term spending? The answer is, we don't know...In fact, no one knows why...

The talk on peak oil yesterday in the House of Commons highlights the need for a long term approach.

We need to ask ;
What kind of a world do we want to leave for our children and grandchildren to live in?

You can send us comments or a query at;

charmaine@landvision.co.uk

More tomorrow..!

Tree Surveys. Veteran tree surveys, tree surveys to BS 5837: 2005 plus tree management plans.

2010-02-22T14:07:00.008Z

At LandVision we are often asked to undertake a tree survey. Our first question to our client is; “what is the purpose of the tree survey?” Here we investigate different types of tree survey available.
First of all, is it just one tree which you would like us to survey? Or, maybe a population of trees such as groups on campuses or business parks? Very often with single trees, a tree inspection is called for. This is an in depth examination of the tree for a hazard assessment or an amenity value tree assessment. This type of tree survey may be required if the client wishes to remove a tree previously protected under a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), if the tree is dead, dying or dangerous.
Another reason for a tree inspection might be that further management of a veteran tree, such as an old yew or an Oak, is required, in order to prolong the tree's life. A Veteran tree inspection will lead to an informed management plan being written for the detailed up keep of the veteran tree. This type of tree inspection is detailed. It not only looks at the structural aspects of the tree, at any pests and diseases found, but it will also look at the wildlife potential and the ultimate longevity of this veteran tree. So, a tree inspection can be for a single or individual trees and this is a detailed tree inspection.

When tree surveys are of populations of trees, they tend to be less detailed and can vary from the basic naming or “stock take” of trees to the more detailed survey for BS; 5837:2005. Finally, the tree survey might be a tree safety survey.

Areas which may require a tree survey are public open space, street trees, campuses, parks and gardens. The survey might be for bringing a local authority's TPO register up-to-date, or for investigating the planting potential within an area where mature trees already exist. BS: 5837: 2005 (Trees in relation to construction) and trees in relation to other planning related law to do with trees and wildlife, are also some areas of tree survey work that LandVision undertake.

If you have an inquiry about a tree, why not give us a ring? It is useful if you can send us plans of the existing site and of the proposed development if these are available. We will then be able to assess the extent of the survey and special engineering solutions where these are required. You can take a look at our tree page on;
www.landvision.co.uk or ring 01892 782200.

BREEAM - how to begin gaining Eco Credits

2010-02-09T13:50:00.003Z

BREEAM - how to begin gaining Eco Credits for more biodiversity in your local community; part of moving towards zero carbon rated new housing, from 1 May 2008, all new homes in UK are now required to be rated on their green credentials, as part of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
There are generally no less than seven credits available within BREEAM assessments with respect to Ecology / Biodiversity. Eco Homes, Eco1 to Eco4 comprise 9.23% of the total score, which can make the difference between a Pass and a Good and significantly contribute to achieving Very Good and Excellent ratings.

Landvision works with clients and can provide specialist ecological input, thus assisting BREEAM Assessors to successfully gain such scores. You can maximise your credits by asking us to look at and consider ecological opportunities within your site in the early stages. This is preferable to waiting until the planning application has been made - when retrospective action is harder to achieve in layout design and can cause planning delays and higher long term project costs.
To avoid these costly delays, using an IEEM qualified assessor like Landvision will help you to gain valuable eco points for your new house.

The most effective ways of achieving eco credits are:
Employing an IEEM qualified ecologist to undertake survey pre-design
Protection and retention of areas of established habitat, particularly high quality habitats
Landscape plans with planting of native species and wildlife friendly species
Addition of ecological enhancement measures, for example, adding bird and bat boxes
Ecological Management Plan to manage the area after the development is complete
You can have a look at some of our past work; www.landvison.co.uk
Alternatively, do click on breeam page for more details.

How to attract wildbirds into your garden by creating suitable habitat.

2010-02-08T18:20:00.004Z

How to attract lots of wild birds into your garden; bullfinch, goldfinch, greenfinch, wren, chaffinch, Long-tailed tit, tree sparrow, house sparrow, dunnock, robin, serin, great tit, coal tit, collared dove, wood pigeon, pied wagtail, to name but a few wild birds which can be attracted to gardens by creating suitable habitat.

If you have hedges on your site, protect, retain and manage them for maximum width at the bottom and trim into an A shape over time; this is wildlife friendly. Hedges make excellent cover for birds, especially if they are berry bearing and consist of native species. If you only have a fence, consider planting a native hedge, double row if possible, along your boundary; the more different species you plant, the greater the variety of birds you will attract. Plant hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) for berries for birds, flowers for insects, wild Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) which bees love, with dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), flowers and berries, Holly (Ilex aquifolium) for all year round cover and berries in winter months. Including as many different species as possible, means that they will flower at different times; this will attract a wider variety of insects, which in turn attracts more varied birds.

Try to plant a few native trees where space allows; trees with berries are best.
Sorbus aucuparia is a good small tree with lots of wildlife interest; it has sprays of white flowers in Spring and red berries in the autumn. If you have enough space, why not try planting native shrubs too, such as Hazel (Corylus avellana), catkins and nuts, Elder (Sambucus nigra), flowers and berries or some Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) for flowers and berries.

Non native shrubs that are great for providing berries for birds include;
Pyracantha “Orange Glow”, Cotoneaster horizontalis and Cotoneaster lacteus.

Adding a bird feeder with wild bird seed will also help to attract birds in initially.

I will write more next time about how to attract wildlife to your garden. If you have a working farm and would like to apply for ESA or HSA countryside Stewardship grant, we can prepare your Farm Environment plans or FEPs. For more details, contact; charmaine@landvision.co.uk

Or, if you would like to have a look at past landscapes we have created, take a look at our website;
www.landvision.co.uk

Discovery of 3 new Sorbus spp; Sorbus cheddarensis, Sorbus eminentoides & Sorbus rupicoloides aid Biodiversity argument.

2010-01-07T14:45:00.013Z

Conservation & managing for increasing biodiversity,managing natural resources responsibly and increasing sustainability are key issues; habitats are under pressure and rainforests are being destroyed, so discovery of 3 new Whitebeam (Sorbus cheddarensis, Sorbus eminentoides and Sorbus rupicoloides) in the UK Whitebeam hot spot of Cheddar Gorge, (where 8 species of Whitebeam now grow), is heartening news indeed. We should really be encouraged by this; biodiversity and enhancing and safeguarding our natural resources is vital, if they are to be there for future generations to enjoy.

The 3 exciting new species show that evolutionary processes are operating effectively in these habitats; with the result, confirmed by DNA testing, of these 3 new species, Cheddar Whitebeam, Sorbus cheddarensis, Twin cliffs whitebeam, Sorbus eminentoides and Gough's Rock whitebeam, Sorbus rupicoloides, reinforcing the importance of continuing to preserve our biodiversity.

Mark Courtiour, NT Countryside Manager; "We always wondered what whitebeam rarities might be lurking in the gorge as it's such a stunning place for wildlife. This important survey work will help with our management of the site now we know what we have and where they can be found."

So, what more might we be able to do to continue to help biodiversity and evolving species like the UK Whitebeam (Sorbus species), so that they are safeguarded for future generations to see and enjoy?

One way of helping is by managing your land for enhanced biodiversity and protecting any endangered sites or species near you. Conserving mature habitats, such as native hedges, woodland and species diverse natural wild grassland will help to ensure that species are allowed to evolve and develop in their natural environment. If you would like to know more take a look at some of our work on www.landvision.co.uk

The new discovery illustrates that sensitive habitat management and botanical survey work pays off. This was the first time this site had been surveyed for Whitebeams. The Gorge is steep, making survey work hazardous, in parts the ledges of the gorge are 120 metres high, (same as a 40-storey high rise block of flats/appartment) and so parts are almost inaccessible. This gorge is the largest in the UK.

So, what do the new species discovered look like?

Whitebeams belong to the Sorbus family. There are now over 30 known species in the UK. From old English ‘beam' meaning tree, the underside of its leaves are covered in fine white hairs, hence named Whitebeam. They also have red fruits that resemble tiny apples.

8 whitebeam species occur in this part of England, including the 3 new species which are;
Cheddar whitebeam (Sorbus cheddarensis) – oval shaped leaves; tree can grow to seven metres high,at least 19 trees found.
Twin cliffs whitebeam (Sorbus eminentoides) - has roundish leaves, grows up to 9 metres, greyish brown bark. 15 trees recorded.
Gough's rock whitebeam (Sorbus rupicoloides) - long narrow leaves, tree grows up to seven metres. 13 trees found in Cheddar gorge.

Hugh Cornwell, Director of Cheddar Caves and Gorge; "This discovery demonstrates the rich biodiversity in the Gorge." Other UK locations which whitebeam favour are; the Avon Gorge, Bristol, Wye Valley, Craig-y-Cilau in Brecon Beacons and the northern parts of the Devon-Somerset coast. 2 other National Trust sites,Watersmeet in N Devon and Leigh Woods in Bristol also contain species unique to their sites.

At a time when the earth's natural resources are under increasing pressure,conserving biodiversity has not always had the air space it deserves. This discovery Dr Tim Rich, Head of Vascular Plants, Welsh National Herbarium says;
" (shows) that we're still learning about the natural world and finding new species of plants in the UK. Cheddar is a very special place."
It is clear that we should be encouraging processes of evolution, through sensitive management of biodiversity as this brings rewards in the form of evolving species like Whitebeam (Sorbus spp.)for future generations to enjoy.

The Copenhagen Agreement - a long delayed case of Risk Management aversion is confirmed.

2009-12-21T11:09:00.008Z

Changes in the Qori Kalis Glacier, Quelccaya Ice Cap, Peru, are shown between 1978 (top) and 2002. © Source: Professor L. Thompson

The Copenhagen Agreement, a long delayed case of Risk Management aversion is confirmed. While we live in a society that is increasingly ruled by Health & Safety Assessments, on nearly everything under the sun, the world’s leaders have ironically appeared to play Russian Roulette with the world’s future at Copenhagen this week. Shall we, or shan’t we intervene in global warming? Squabbling like children over the minutae which have delayed agreement until later- yet again. What are we supposed to think? Well, one thing is for certain, there has never been a better time to start thinking for ourselves.
In one way, it would be tempting to say to hell with vicarious responsibility. But if we do that, we are falling into the trap that was laid for us more than 30 years ago, when limited supplies of oil began to run out and then flow again. The trap? Reliance and over reliance on oil...It really up to each company and individual to make a choice now. No more prevarication or excuses.
“At the end of the day... its a level playing field...” oh yes and various other platitudes have all been trotted out again. They seem to abound in the public arena when what we really need is free and open, impartial statistics which are available to everyone, to make their own informed choices where possible, plus balanced and impartial advice on what those choices actually mean in terms of risk.
The Copenhagen Agreement impasse on climate change reminds me of Pension advice I received 20 years ago. “We can’t make the decision for you, we don’t know what the markets will do...” but I was expected to choose a product, based on virtually unknown risks. Except that in this case, we do know that global warming exists, we can also actually see the evidence of it and we can if we so wish, put that evidence into context and judge that as time is ticking way, opportunities to act are still being squandered. You can’t buy back time. You can’t step into the same river twice.
The banks were given 10, 000 billion dollars in the recent bail out, to survive, but what price do we put on humanity...? Just 200 billion dollars it seems. Mmmm, the maths don’t quite add up here.
Virginia Woolf once said that writing a novel was like walking through a room holding up a lantern which lights up what is already in the room anyway. This is what writing on the Copenhagen Agreement feels like. It is already blatantly clear and very simple what the course of action should be. Don’t wait to be told, take action yourselves.
Try starting today with one of these tasks. How? Well, there are a whole raft of things that we as companies and individuals can all start doing that will make a real difference to global warming, albeit with the time lag involved;
Reduce waste.
Change electricity supplier to Green suppliers.
Install water meters and harvest and recycle rain water.
Join a group like Transition Towns. There are many groups of sincere, green minded, community orientated people who really care. At least we act. Join one.
Share resources and pool local knowledge.
Travel less. Share car journeys and use public transport when possible. Walk or cycle for short journeys. Have staycations.
Recycle unwanted goods.
Grow your own food.
Look for ways (& grants) to make your house more energy efficient.
The population of the world is expected to decrease by 2050, if current rates continue. However,despite this, Resource Management, of water,food, energy and skills, will be vital.

The last question that no one seems to have asked, what if the projections turn out to be worse and faster in global warming terms, than those presented by our governments; what if that happens?
Acting now will help; a journey of a 1,000 miles really does begin with one single small step; why not begin to do something great today. Show our leaders an example of how to act.

www.landvision.co.uk

Green infrastructure, incorporating green roofs and Sustainable urban drainage schemes enhances biodiversity

2009-12-17T18:03:00.002Z

Green infrastructure, incorporating green roofs and Sustainable urban drainage schemes enhances biodiversity as well as optimising the aesthetic potential of green spaces through linkage; helping to achieve sustainability and lowering CO2 emissions over time; with greater net benefits for wildlife and urban environments than the ad hoc addition of individual components on their own.
So, what exactly is green infrastructure?
Green Infrastructure includes these components; green roofs, sustainable urban drainage schemes (SUDS), garden trees, wildflower meadow creation and enhancement, wildlife habitat creation, ecological enhancement, biodiversity action plans, linking of green space, urban woodlands, street trees, urban parks and public open spaces. The combined benefits of green roofs, Sustainable urban drainage schemes, rainwater harvesting schemes, biodiversity action plans and green space allocation and the ethos of linkage of all these components, through sustainable ecological “green” design is currently being encouraged in landscape planning.
More benefits?
Green infrastructure helps to aid biodiversity, increases energy efficiency in buildings and decreases storm water runoff, minimising peak water flows.
Therefore, using green roofs (and also green walls), maximises habitat creation potential, with wildlife benefits in built up urban areas, whilst minimising & slowing down storm water runoff from buildings, aiding flood alleviation schemes. They cool buildings in hot weather with less need for air conditioning and trap dust and other pollutants, improving air quality & lowering temperatures in “urban heat islands”.
What angles allow a safe green roof to be installed?
If the angle of the roof is between 2 and 20 degrees then you should be able to install a simple green roof. When angles of less than 2 degrees or greater than 20 degrees are involved, more complex design considerations will need to be taken into account. The installation of green roofs on angles of more than 30 degrees is not recommended, unless you have specialist advice available to you.
Underlying roof structure, will the roof structure of the roof of your shed/garage/house take the extra weight that the green roof will put on it?
A simple, light weight green roof will weigh between 60-150 kg per square metre; calculations must also include the weight of water held in the roof and snow loading. If you are in doubt, you should consult an architect/engineer.
Green Roofs have 5 main layers; planting layer, planting substrate (this should be 80% inorganic and 20% organic compost), filter layer(Light weight geotextile/landscape fabric), drainage layer (especially important for roofs of less than 10 degree angle), and finally a waterproof/ root proof membrane layer.
For details on Flooding go to www.landvision.co.uk . We will be adding a web page shortly on how to install your Green Roof. Alternatively contact us at; charmaine@landvision.co.uk with your query.

How to minimise and slow water flow rates thus reducing flooding

2009-11-30T18:00:00.004Z

“How to minimise and slow water flow rates thus reducing flooding by use of ecological planting and sustainable urban design techniques in the landscape.”

As Britain braces itself for more wet weather in December, the high rain fall levels last week which led to flooding in Cumbria lead us to ask again; how can we minimise and slow water flow rates thus reducing flooding by use of ecological planting and sustainable urban design techniques in the landscape?

The high rainfall which caused the flooding last week in Cockermouth, Cumbria, was so extreme that the Environment Agency said that a flooding event was likely to happen only once in 1,000 years. However with the El Nino effect, this once in a 1,000 year rainfall event may become increasingly common in Britain and elsewhere, in wet months, when high rainfall continues to fall on already saturated ground. We really do need to press on with the implementation of recommendations as set out by The Pitt report.

Floods are notoriously difficult to predict, for meteorological and earth science reasons. Sheer scale of human tragedy and loss, plus millions of pounds worth of damage, mean that modelling firms must continue to work apace to search for ways of accurately predicting floods.

However, we must also seek swift and widespread landscape design and ecologically sound landscape management solutions to flood alleviation.
1) We will need to start planting more trees, in river catchment areas, such as the Cumbrian hills. We all need to contemplate planting more trees where space allows, as this will help to slow rainwater flow rates, giving more time to react to flooding- saving lives.
2) Woodlands should be actively managed and schemes integrated into flood management.
3) Deciduous trees are best as their leaf litter helps to absorb the rainfall and this helps to slow surface water flow rates following high rainfall, thus lowering the incidence of flooding.
4) We need to increase water storage on upland areas, rather than drain these areas too quickly as has been done in the past (where drains placed in Victorian times still hasten the flow of water from upland areas for historically traditional land management practices such as grazing by sheep.)
5) Designing large lakes and ponds and SUDs for upland areas and river catchments with high rainfall and other areas with a propensity towards flooding would help.
6) Designing flood alleviation schemes in flood risk areas should continue.
7) All new parking areas and housing hard surfacing must be designed to be permeable, so that water flow rates are slowed, minimising flooding in neighbouring areas downstream.
8) Convert impermeable hard surfacing into permeable surfacing.

Rainfall on this occasion was unusually high;“the highest level measured in England since records began.” (The Times, Nov 21st, 2009) “Meteorologists recorded 314mm (12in) of rain in 24 hours”; the rainfall was also widespread;“ flood warnings remained in place across North West of England, parts of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland;” (The Times, 21st Nov 2009

Professional, pragmatic and innovative skills and research continue to be required to help to produce practical solutions to minimise and slow water flow rates thus reducing flooding. Planting and sustainable urban design techniques can help to minimise flooding due to high rainfall events. For more information visit our flooding web page http://www.landvision.co.uk/services_flooding.html

How to recognise Red Band Needle Blight and Pine needle loss

2009-11-20T16:33:00.003Z

There has been a dramatic increase in the outbreak of Red Band Needle Blight in Britain since the 1990’s. Red Band Needle Blight affects coniferous trees. Until recently, it was found more in the Southern hemisphere. However, with climate change causing warmer Spring temperatures and higher rainfall in Spring and Summer in Britain, Red Band Needle Blight is more widespread.

So how do you recognise Red Band Needle Blight (Fungus Dothistroma Septosporum) in coniferous trees including Corsican Pine, Lodgepole Pine and other Pines and Larches?

Firstly, this catastrophic disease causes the browning of the ends of pine needles.
It is easiest to spot in May to July when new needles are growing.
Needle defoliation usually starts in lower crown of trees.

Here’s how to recognise Red Band Needle Blight.

Do your coniferous trees look red/brown and the needles are dying off?
Are the defoliating needles leaving bare patches on the branches?
Other signs to look for;
• In late Autumn, yellow bands or tan spots start at the point of infection. These bands soon turn red/red brown.
• End of needles die back to the lowest point of infection.
• *Characteristic browning at distal ends of needles whilst the base remains green.(This is especially easy to spot on needles of 1 year or older.)
• Best time to look for signs of Red band Needle Blight is May- July with new needle flush.
• Defoliation starts in lower crown in plantations where disease is active.
• Disease commences on older needles, (though foliage of any age can be affected.)
• Lower branches can lose all their needles.
• In Autumn, once needles are shed, the tree crowns look sparse as old needles drop off.
• Isolated tufts of current year’s needles are left and remain at branch tips.

Pines are the most economically significant tree species in the world (Ian Noel, pers comm.)Red Band Needle Blight causes catastrophic lowering of forestry yields and economic loss as well as a considerable aesthetic loss to woodlands and the decline in visual and landscape amenity.

The disease has its most pronounced effect on Corsican Pine (Pinus nigra ssp Laricio) Corsican pine is the main conifer grown in Britain as it makes up 21% of Britain’s coniferous planting.
It also causes lasting damage to Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta var Latifolia.)

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) can be susceptible when it is located close to stands of wood with a high concentration of infected trees. The worse affected trees are also the three most planted Pines species grown in Britain. So, the recognition of Red band Needle Blight is vital in its control.

Other species affected;
Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)
Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata)
Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)
Austrian Pine(Pinus nigra)
Bishops Pine (Pinus muricata)
Maritime Pine (Pinus maritime)
Weymouth Pine (Pinus strobus)
Pinus Mugo ssp Uncinata (Mountain Pine) and Pinus Peuce (Macedonian Pine.)

Apart from Pines, other conifers affected are;
European Larch (Larix decidua)
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Norway Spruce (Picea Abies)
Sitka Spruce.

These are affected when located close to a highly infected crop.
The seedlings of these trees are also affected.

• This disease has a striking effect on diameter and height growth in trees as well as the loss of aesthetic value. (A mean crown infection of 70% resulted in a 68% decrease in mean annual volume.) (Brown, unpublished data.)
• Once crown infection exceeds 40%, the increment loss is more than 40% (Forestry Commission statistics.)
• Control is by thinning trees, stand manipulation, pruning and by reduction in dense understorey which cause higher humidity levels at base of crown and favour development of the pathogen (Villebonne & Maugard, 1999)

There is currently a moratorium in Forestry Commission plantations on planting of Corsican Pine.
Moreover, there is no replacement species for timber production. Strangely enough, the much maligned Leylandii could become our new timber tree!

As 10 hours or more of needle wetness is required for infection by Dothistroma Septosporum, we will need to continue to adjust our management of coniferous woodlands. Judicious management will be needed to help to slow down this disease which could also affect genetic diversity of the Pinus species.

Without intervention, aesthetic landscape value will continue to be eroded with economic losses caused by Red Band needle Blight in British Woodlands, if the current climatic trend towards warmer British Springs and wetter British summers continues.

Festival of Interdependence 24/10/09

2009-11-15T14:35:00.002Z

According to radical economists from the nef (New Economics Foundation) Autumn 2009 magazine, time to react to global warming is fast running out.

Climate change experts back this up; they calculate that there are only 100 months (from August 2009) before we pass a point beyond which runaway climate change becomes much more likely to happen.

The Festival of Interdpendance on 24th October, 2009 run by nef , has helped to highlight some of the ways in which we can begin to make small changes. It showed that if we can try to embrace this challenge of a call to action, we can bring about far reaching positive benefits for society as well as slowing climate change.

Social, economic , political and environmental challenges need to be addressed by the next government. The festival brought together thinkers, poets, artists, philosophers, musicians and activists.

Climate change challenges do not exist in isolation; they are interrelated to the social and economic fabric of our society, sometimes in intricate and unforeseen ways. This complexity highlights the need to react locally to the challenge of inter relating social, economic, political and environmental initiatives. It is an exciting time to be working in environment and to be an informed member of the voting public.

We should seek to unravel the tangle that the current economic systems are in, for the social and environmental benefit of all man kind. Equally, do not waste your opportunity to become involved yourselves, to act in a perhaps more socially, politically and environmentally sustainable and enlightened way. This involvement of more of us in our local communities will bring “win- win” results and establish a new status quo.

The clock is ticking. Don’t waste time, get involved with your local community.

Missing duck of Wadhurst.

2009-11-13T11:59:00.002Z

Transition funding nearly out for a duck.

A luke warm reception was given for Transition initiatives last night at the Parish Council meeting.

It seems that the Wadhurst parish councillors would rather discuss the missing duck than to offer their whole hearted positive support for making their local community more resilient to transition from carbon based society.

Despite some support for the new group;
“This is an organisation worthy of us getting it off the ground...” their actual grasp of how to help Wadhurst to a Transition economy and lifestyle was pretty unedifying.

They do not seem to have grasped the fact that we are all involved in Transition.
That it is not simply the Parish council’s role but moreover its duty to provide not only allotments for residents but also whole hearted support for community initiatives which will give added time to our children to react to the challenges of climate change.

The generally negative attitude was exemplified by one councillor who thought that the group had already spent the money and that were coming to them for help- which he did not think they should give! This patronising attitude was unfortunately widespread amongst them, as was their negative and unenlightened stance to Transition.

But apart from not getting their facts right, the majority of councillors have failed to grasp the real challenges that Transition from carbon based society will mean. The energy saving workshops and practical seed swopping workshops which Transition Wadhurst plan to run locally will offer real and practical help to local residents to shift towards a more resilient society and a community in which more people try to help each other.

Transition seems to be poorly understood by the Parish councillors, who fear it as a militant organisation bringing change. It is not a party political group nor is it affiliated to any political party but wants to involve a whole community. We face challenges. Perhaps I am more militant than other members of Transition and these are my own views.

Transition is a very worthwhile initiative, but only half of the councillors supported it to any significant degree. This is despite the fact that it is in our Parish Plan to support initiatives like this. This is also despite the fact that they have a moral duty to support their local community.

Rotary club Xmas lights, a twinning trip to France and other far “safer options” were given more financial backing and air time than what they saw as “political or controversial issues”; namely, an energy saving workshop run by the Energy Saving Trust and a local food growing/seed swopping workshop initiative.

The Vicar of Dibley springs to mind...Politics at the local level... arcane, negative and befuddled.

The result? Wadhurst PC voted several times with motions to halve the paltry amount requested for the practical workshops to a mere £200, at one point half of the councillors suggesting that they offer only the derisory sum of £100. Some even just a room for the venue or no other help whatsoever. I would expect more from the people I elected to represent me.

Yes, we certainly do seem to have a long way to go to gain true Parish Cpuncil backing.

Transition begins at the individual and local Parish level. But this is precisely the level at which administrators like our parish councillors simply can’t see the wood for the trees. While I think that at a National level we do have braod support, at the local level, the Parish level, we do not. They cannot seem to grasp that this is a cross party movement; nor that it is a positive move towards building community resilience. Nor, can they fully grasp the urgency of the action required. If our future society is to be faced with climate change and fuel poor, we will need to build local resilience into our communities. We will need Parish Councillors whole hearted sipport; we will need them on board. The best way is to start locally.

They would much rather discuss the missing duck, prevent speed limits from being imposed on dangerous roads and dwell on grass clippings’ removal.

Perhaps we should implement some of the 300 + suggestions from the first public meeting of 100 + residents of the village.
All grass verges should be replaced by communal winter salads, beetroots and courgettes.
Safe cycling for 1 mile on every road out from the village.
Zero carbon conversion for all public buildings in the village.

Is this too much to ask?

My own personal view is that perhaps we should start with an educational workshop for our own Parish Councillors to which I would expect every Councillor to turn up.
They have a duty to support and encourage the Transition team to lead the way.

Transition Wadhurst refused Parish Council grant.

2009-11-10T15:02:00.001Z

Transition Wadhurst refused Parish Council grant.

So, Wadhurst Parish Council members have voted against supporting a community organization?

Do they realise that central government has to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050?

If so, do they have a road map of how the Parish council will reduce these CO2 emissions?

If not, then they will have to start to work with Transition Wadhurst or groups like us.

This is an initiative which is in the Public Interest and is well supported by over 100 + of the Wadhurst villagers, who elected the Parish Council to represent them.

The Parish Council have a responsibility to act in the Public interest.

If they cannot do so then they should retire and we should take their place.

It is obvious to anyone with half a brain that climate change is a political matter. Therefore, saying that this is political and so cannot be grant aided is rather ostrich like, and not at all helpful. It is political but it needs to be apolitical (cross party.)

Yes, there will criticisms of politicians from all parties. This is normal and this is democratic free speech.

We would suggest that if they are that worried about criticism then they should not stand for re election.

We do not wish to be political in conventional party terms. Everyone has a responsibility to try to reduce their carbon footprint.

The Transition Organisation is apolitical and cross party. This is its strength.

"A picture of happiness"

2009-11-02T13:48:00.005Z

“ A picture of happiness” was just one of the workshops run on the New Economics Foundation “Interdependance Day” on 24th October, 2009 at Oxo Tower, London.

The NEF sees itself as;
“an independent “think and do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic well-being... aiming to improve quality of life by promoting innovative solutions that challenge mainstream thinking on economic, environmental and social issues. (They) work in partnership and put people and the planet first.”

“So, the economy is in ruins...unemployment is still rising and we are running out of resources...we are at a cross roads and we need to start thinking about a way forward.”(Samaah Abullah, researcher, NEF)

So, where do we start?

We were asked us to remember a time in our life when we were really happy.

You can do this now. (Don’t look at the themes below the line of asterix yet if you want to think clearly of your own first.)

What was it that made you feel so happy? What are the themes? (Come up with your own- don’t look at the ones listed below for a moment.)
Also, what helped and what detracted from this personal happiness? (Put a + or a – next to them.)

Write them on different coloured paper hexagons, (orange paper hexagon for main themes, green paper hexagon for positive or negative influences.)

Now you could try to slot them together to see if or how they fit together.
This may help you to redress the balance in your life and perhaps to enable you to achieve greater personal happiness?

**********************************************************************************
The themes that our group felt brought us feelings of happiness were;
Achievement
Freedom and creativity
Relationships

Friends
Love
Nature
Spiritual

Other groups’ additional universal happiness themes were;
Peace and tranquillity
Support
Connections

Letting Go
Humour
Shared values

“Instant happiness”
Being what you are
Autonomy- freedom to do your own thing
Making a positive contribution

Community
Carefree time
People joining together

Excitement
Thrill and variety
Beauty

Learning
Empathy

Happiness differs for each individual as it is personal view and no two people are completely alike. Of course the list is different for different people. Not everyone wants to be creative, not everyone derives happiness from exciting pursuits or thrilling exploits! So, different groups came up with different ideas. Some people don’t like variety, whilst others relish change.
Some themes are shared by all people, (universal) whilst others are not. However, amongst all the themes, there are numerous common “threads” of experience; albeit, there are many different ways of achieving happiness.

So, can we blend our ideas and come up with some interlocking ones that will benefit each other?
That way we can perhaps help to rebuild a society in which people feel more included and not isolated. We were asked to think of things that would either help or detract from ability to achieve the above happiness themes.
We had to put a plus or a minus next to them.

The positive themes that PROMOTE the goals of happiness were;

Achievement
Good relationships
Peace

Compromise and balance
Collaboration
Individuality and autonomy

Focus
Trust
Confidence

Stress (+/-)
Resilience
Opportunity

Time (to think)
Positive thinking
Acknowledgement and acceptance

The negative themes that DETRACT from and prevent happiness goals are;

Stress(+/-)
Poverty
Isolation

Empathy ( +/-) ie. can be both a positive and negative force
Inequality(+/-)
Individuality (+/-)
Depression
Lack of confidence
Low self-esteem

The elephant in the room was, of course, money. Money and its role in happiness is very relevant.

Money acts as “a sort of points system, with status attached to people who gain money. It’s a symbol of power and is connected to positive self-esteem.” (Samaah Abdullah, New Economics Foundation)

Making lots of money is associated with thrill, status , addiction, achievement and other less tangible aspects of happiness, such as speed and excitement (an Investment banker.)

To date, happiness has been wielded into the argument for achieving economic success or power, to such an extent that we may sometimes forget what our goals originally were when we started out.

In view of the current economic crisis and rising unemployment, research into happiness is vital. This will enable the potential and talents of individuals to be unlocked, achieving happiness and improved quality of life for more people and arguably, a better society as a result.

You can join the growing debate on how we can measure and achieve happiness other than in economic terms.

We came up with the above list on Interdependance Day, which was organised by NEF.

You can add you comments below
or email researcher Samaah Abdullah at well-being@neweconomics.org

Landvision.

Use "grey water" not mains or "green"-Rainwater Harvesting systems and reduced CO2 emissions..

2009-10-22T16:41:00.007+01:00

Use "grey water" not mains or "green"- rainwater harvesting and reduced CO2 emissions.

Dr Colin Green of Middlesex University points out that global warming causes increased variability of rainfall. (Pers. comm.)This impinges on water availability and in the driest regions this means increased water stress and shortages. South East England is under water stress already, with little rain in the last 8 weeks (since August.) Globally the picture is far worse, with desert conditions and droughts extending in extent and severity to cause serious food shortages.

In the UK, we use 500 litres of water a day per family, average personal use of water is 150 litres per person day, but this varies from 75-400 litres p/day. (Cath Hassell, Ech2o)
So, how can we act smart when water is in shorter supply?
How can our reduction in mains supply water also slow down global warming?

Firstly, we can prioritise water efficiency.
Second, we can reduce our water demands and thereby reduce water stress in dry periods.
Thirdly, use of mains water and the use of mains hot water are both linked to carbon emissions and global warming. How? More than 5% of greenhouse emissions are associated with the heating of water for showers and baths. Water is 5 times harder than granite to warm up, so if you leave the hot water tap running or have a leaky tap you are wasting water and energy. It takes 0.7 kg of CO2 emissions per 1m3 of mains water used. Worse still, it takes a massive 10 times that amount of CO2 though if you use 1m3 of hot water. (Jacob Tompkins,Waterwise.)
So, reduce hot water use and you cut your bills and CO2 emissions.
How?
1) Do you heat your bathroom by running a hot shower? Don’t- its wasteful in both water and energy terms and it increases CO2 emissions .
2) Understand how your water system works. Be curious.
3) Have a meter installed. Meters installed inside houses show up underground water leaks and you can then mend these quickly (Jacob Tompkins, Waterwise.)We only have 30% water metering in England; this is way behind Germany and other European countries.
3) Consider retro fitting dual flush toilets and slow flow showers.
4) Replace showers with fast water flow rates for showers with slower rates (less wasteful and less expensive to run.)Replace inefficient taps (- why have inefficient taps anyway?)
5)Use “grey water” instead of mains water for toilet flushing and garden irrigation.
What is “grey water”? It’s recycled rain water collected from roofs and gutters and channelled into water butts and rainwater harvesting tanks. Install several water butts.
You can collect all the grey water you need for your garden – that way you won’t need to use “green” (cleansed and pumped) mains tap water for irrigation and garden watering or for flushing toilets.
“Grey water” collected from water butts and rainwater harvesting tanks are sufficient for garden watering. This helps relieve water shortages and water demand at peak times of drought.
5) Next time you re plan/build an extension/ undertake any changes to your house/your office add a rainwater harvesting tank and pump. Creative landscape design can disguise this.
So, intelligent water use can save you money on your mains/fresh water bills and on your waste water bills. It will also help water attenuation, slow and reduce storm water flows, reducing flooding. Plus, you gain your very own water source for the garden and flushing toilets. What could be better than that?
We waste 150 litres of water per day. 1/3 of our green water is used for flushing down toilets – when grey water could do that job. 1/3 is used for showers and baths; 1/3 is used for washing machines and dishwashers. Next time you flush your loo, think about “grey water”.

Sustainability in design

2009-10-20T17:52:00.003+01:00

An American Landscape architect in USA writes;
“LA house, a single family residence, advertised as a "sustainable" house that is the "Ultimate Green Home" for the Next Generation. This house has over 6,500 square feet of AC area, 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a 3-car garage, swimming pool, a home theatre, an elevator, etcetera.
Next week he will report back to us on how this home measures up to an unbiased assessment of its level of "sustainability." He will rate this property on my sustainability scale: from "reality" (i.e., it really is sustainable) to something less sustainable, for lack of a better descriptor let's say we will call it "green" (LEEDish or Energy Star) to the next levels of "green-wash" and finally to "hog-wash."
Of course, we can discuss what it means to be "sustainable" all day long. Your sustainability characteristics may be quite different from his (actually, he really likes Janis Birkeland's list). He states in advance, the measures that he would consider in his report to us:
1. Does this house improve human and ecological health, resilience, and viability?2. Does it increase natural capital, biodiversity, and ecosystem goods and services?3. Does it increase secure access to food and water?
At this point you are likely saying, "give us a break" since there is no house in North America that could possibly come close to meeting your first three measures. He says, not so, we have architects and developers who are doing it now. Let's continue with the measures of "sustainability" by which this house will be judged . . .
4. Does this house enhance urban space for both people and natural processes?5. Does it help to transform our infrastructure from fossil fuel-driven to solar/wind powered?6. Does it conserve open space, wilderness and natural resources?7. Does it increase life quality and substantive life choices for present and future generations?
Food for thought indeed.

Why mycorrhizal fungi are very useful in planting.

2009-10-12T19:25:00.003+01:00

What are mycorrhizal fungi?

Soil doesn’t just consist of material derived from underlying parent rocks and decayed plant matter and animals remains. It may surprise you to know that at least 90% of all plants depend on a group of fungi which live on their roots and increase their root capacity by up to 700 times! (Plant works, Kent.)So, if we add some mycorrhizal fungi to all our planting schemes, the soil, plants and ecosystem will all benefit. These fungi are relatively inexpensive to add, when compared to the whole cost of a scheme.

The addition of mycorrhizal fungi has an effect like a tonic given to plants, as they quickly enable the faster establishment of plant roots and that leads in turn to much healthier plant growth and plant establishment. Therefore, you can see the effect of adding the fungi within 1 year, by lusher growth on your larger, healthier, faster growing plants.

The plant groups that benefit the most from the addition of mycorrhizal fungi to their root space are;

Bare root roses.
Bare root trees.
Bare root whips.
All bare root plants are prone to transplant shock which can lead to poor establishment and weak early growth. The fungi reduce mortality and speed first year growth and establishment.

Specimen and root ball plants.
Most rootball plants have a poor root to shoot ratio due to intensive nursery production, but the addition of mycorrhizal fungi compensates for this by increasing root area and thus help the establishment of the plants.

On your next planting scheme consider asking for these fungi to be added at planting time. The cost of using these fungi is really only a fraction of the total planting costs and the investment is likely to be swiftly repaid by faster establishment of plants, lower mortality and fertiliser use can also be reduced, which tends to compensate for the cost of the fungi.

These fungi are most useful on difficult planting sites, where establishment could otherwise be slower than normal;brownfield sites, ex-arable farmland, ex-mining sites, and ex- landfill sites. With the use of mycorrhizal fungi, there are reduced plant mortality and enhanced growth rates. This is because contaminants on ex-landfill sites are also locked up by the fungi. (Without the use of mycorrhizal fungi, the effect of contaminants would be slower plant growth or death.)

Landvision will continue to specify use of mycorrhizal fungi on all sites, particularly on bare root planting schemes, for root ball trees and on difficult sites, where planting schemes need an extra helping hand. They are especially useful on bare root rose planting schemes, where first year old roses show remarkable growth rates and flowering due to their addition.
For more details visit;
www.plantworksuk.co.uk

Landvision.

Soil carbon’s role; CO2 emission & flood alleviation.

2009-10-02T14:11:00.002+01:00

Soil carbon’s role; CO2 emission & flood alleviation.

Peter Smith of Aberdeen University has found that we can reduce CO2 emissions by 30% if we add more carbon to the soil. What is soil carbon?
Dr Julia Cooper of UEA describes carbon sugars; readily available to plants in the soil, as well as soil fauna and flora, flesh, plant residues, fresh manure, all forms readily absorbed by growing plants. Then there is mature plant residue carbon, well composted manure and peat; this is more stable. Finally there is biochar, black carbon, eg charcoal. This can take thousands of years to be taken up by living plants. So, each type of carbon varies in its ability to be taken up, the rate at which plants can absorb it and in its stability.

Why should we care about soil carbon?
How is it important in climate change and slowing global warming?
Despite tendency of soils to reach equilibrium of carbon levels, there is still ample room for many soils to accept and store more carbon. Soils that have been well managed for years tend to have higher levels of carbon stored in them, but there is room for improvement, especially on other less well managed soils, or soils that have been regularly cropped as arable, and not put down to ley grassland or protected by management as woodland. More carbon stored means less CO2 released into the atmosphere- thus slowing global warming.

Not only will increasing the carbon stores in the soil be good in reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, it is also proven that increased organic matter in the soil replenishes the nutrient balance and restores soil structure.

Why is this improving soil structure important?

Improving carbon levels and improving the structure of the soil creates a stable equilibrium in soils, with less soil erosion, less runoff and thus less flooding – soil carbon and organic matter acts like a sponge, soaking up water and retaining the nutrients in the soil. This combats flooding, as increased organic matter types of soil carbon slows water runoff rates, increases soil ground water infiltration as well as slowing global warming.

If we add organic matter to the soil, we can greatly increase the general health of the soil, one effect is encouragement of mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi increase plants’ nutrient uptake (especially of phosphorus). This helps to protect the plant from pathogens and also encourages healthy growth, with increased yields.

So, what kinds of carbon can we add to the soil? Adding a full diversity of different kinds of carbon to the soil is important. Slowly available carbon such as mature plant residues in the form of recycled, well composted Greenwaste, plus also adding some of the more stable forms of black carbon or biochar, will improve soil structure, plus soil and plant health.

Overall ecosystem health-Adding recycled Greenwaste to soil as an improver and a mulch, minimises the amount of greenwaste going into landfill, as well as having the potential of slowing global warming by reducing CO2 emisssions by 30%. Research shows that adding soil organic matter prevents and minimises the effects of soil erosion and flooding. We have a responsibility to safeguard and improve the soils of the world for our children and their children, so that they will be in a better position to tackle effects of climate change. At Landvision, we will continue our long standing practice of use of recycled Greenwaste as a mulch and soil improver on all landscape schemes; improving soil structure and plant health whilst lessening CO2 emissions & the effects of flooding.

What sort of world do we want our children and grandchildren to live in?

2009-09-21T11:18:00.002+01:00

As global temperature has risen 0.8 degrees since the late 19th century and we have had 10 warmest years since 1990, with 2001-2007 being 7 of the 8 warmest years on record and Carbon dioxide CO2 has increased by more than 25% since 1700 (pers comm. Peter Cox, Exeter University), now is the time to act.
If we don’t, then we may not be in a position to act in 10-15 years time - when we really need to. This is because Climate has memory and it is on a track to increase temperatures between 2 and 6 degrees by 2050. So, it will be approximately 10-15 years before our current actions are felt- this therefore means that we need to start acting to determine climate in 15 years time.

What we need to do

1)Active management and reforesting – will tie up CO2, as only actively growing trees take in CO2. When they stop growing, they stop taking in CO2 We should therefore increase our managed woodland cover as much as possible.

2) Stop deforesting- Global warming is accelerated by destruction of tropical rainforests- which is happening at an alarming rate- More than ½ the world’s biodiversity is stored in these rainforests and when they are cut down all those plant, animals and insects are lost forever. These are a vital biodiversity resource for future generations and research and should not be destroyed. Also, the total removal of tropical rainforest is increasing the release of CO2 into the atmosphere and speeding up global warming- so this really needs to stop now.

Avoiding deforestation could save 20% of CO2 emissions and protect ½ the world plant and animal species. Reforestation also has a slowing down effect on global warming.

Whatever we start doing now will directly affect the kind of world our children live in; plus, their ability to have an effect on the sort of world that they live in.

Canvey wick Brownfield site - wildlife haven.

2009-09-15T10:37:00.003+01:00

The Land Restoration Trust has discovered that brownfield sites, such as old industrial wasteland, are home to some endangered species of plant and animal. Skylarks, lapwings and water voles are amongst the many species that can occur on brownfield sites!

Canvey Wick, (which is due to be bought by the Trust) is home to a staggering 30 Red Data Book species, plus...an amazing three species which were previously thought to be extinct.

One reason taht these rare species like brownfield sites is the informality of the design. Another is that sites have grown over time and tend to be more varied in layout than formal green spaces - with shallow pools (ideal for a multitude of species), diverse flora and low fertility- all prerequisites for diversity in the natural world. Management has been informal and the result - a diverse ecosystem worth safeguarding and emulating.

The Trust tries to balance the needs of people (recreation, relaxation spaces..) with those of the natural world- so that people can see and understand nature and its uniqueness.

Ethical Indian sandstone

2009-09-07T12:32:00.003+01:00

In July 2009, ITN reported on Mohan aged 5, who;
"enjoyed playing with hammers" but would "rather be at school." ITN reported on children working in appalling conditions in Indian sandstone quarries, for reportedly less than a £1 a day.

At Landvision, we have an ethical code. So, we will be asking landscape companies to check that their Indian sandstone comes from an ethical and transparent supply chain.

Our first post

2009-08-27T20:03:00.000+01:00

My first blog.
We have moved from the partners blog which will now have minimal activity

Transition Towns are popping up all over the British Isles and we are getting involved in Transition Wadhurst.
For those of you who don't know about Transition, it is about the reduction on our reliance on fossil fuels and the transition from an oil based society. It fits in with our thoughts personally and as a business we are keen to help as landscape architects, horticulturalists and arboriculturists we have quite a few skills for this type of group.