This all encompassing title is perhaps a shade too grand for what I am to write, which may be added to in terms of the way the UK, (which has now ratified the ELC), make headway within its guidelines.
The Treaty in Full - 176.doc
The cynics will, with every reason, look upon this as a new method for the UK government to unleash further layers of bureaucratic power thus enabling local government to advertise for yet more middle tiered quango specialists to halt progress. In many respects this can be identified as a real policy in terms of bouying up elements of the economy which were previous to the recent downturn, fast becoming THE growth sector in the public sector.
However the people involved at the top, (and there are ongoing conferences and decisions on the progress of the implementation of the ELC), openly seek both the public and practioners opinion and involvement.
There is a desire to cut out the middle tier, between the academics and consultants who have produced the treaty and those who can actually implement it. This is particularly difficult in a country like the UK where that middle tier have become so dominant.
The truth has been realised in that the UK and European landscape has been shaped, (more than any other continent), by a strong cultural, industrial heritage that has always been an integral part of the multitude of landscapes that can be found in this small continent. Bear with me here, because the recognition of retaining and enhancing on these landscapes falls straight into the hands of us landscapers and of course our clients.
The main essence of the ELC is to allow the sustainable aspects, which are omnipresent throughout the industry to be the main ideal. Thus sustainable no longer becomes a buzzword, but a must. This is no news for many landscapers who have failed to recognise sustainable practice as it is simply the norm for most of us anyway.
This makes the ELC a weapon for us, we are the 'traditional knowledge' that has helped to preserve landscapes. Take any urbanised area in any region of the UK and the post war landscaping will reflect not only the trends but also and more importantly reflect the characteristics of that region / county / village. It's microclimate is understood, it's geology is used to shape the gardens and it's soils are well known for what can be planted and what can't be.
Bizarrely to become sustainable means to break some of the standardisation that has taken place and mainly enforced upon us by the very people now in charge of implementing the changes. See CSL blog on Stone Walling in Cornwall .
The fact is that the disjointed landscaping industry of the UK, with it's plethora of smaller companies and individuals is much better placed and well ahead of the game here. This is very evident on the LJN, which is the main lobby force now for these small companies and individuals. It is us who have the skills and knowledge of maintaining these landscapes in accordance with the ELC and who are referred to accordingly. The guidelines and legislation that will come from this highlight the need to retain our skills and combined with the economic slowturn, the self determination of the plethora of land based industry companies and individuals who have stoically worked independently for want of a more cohesive industry have won through. This will invariably leave the myriad of self interested organisations on the periphery of the industry, (as so often discussed on the Landscape Juice forum ), further flapping in the breeze, their own fault as despite evident notice, they did not choose to get involved in the process whatsoever.
My fear is that inevitably in the UK, us as the practioners will yet again be ignored as the local governments tackle this in their classic inimitable style. This is not what is wished for by those who drew up the ELC and we should be fighting our corner strongly with regards using the terms of the ELC. For once the PPG's and guidance stemming from this will be on our side and it remains to be vigilant to those 'over enthuiastic' public servants who fail to use the new guidelines as they should. It is also vital that though any guidelines that are placed before us are upheld the local authorities themselves must work within those same guidelines, which they often fail to do.
Register at the LCN for updates - http://www.landscapecharacter.org.uk/
The following is the draft guidelines for all small development: Consider whether the effect of new development erodes the existing
rural character;
i Minimise the visual intrusion of residential entrances and approaches avoiding over
engineered solutions favouring designs which follow the site topography;
ii Avoid removal of trees and Cornish hedges, ditches and walls, especially where these
form backdrops, soften roof lines, and produce screening. Replace features which have
to be removed to fit in with the existing landscape pattern;
iii Reflect vernacular and local rural detailing at gates, entrance ways and boundary
treatments, avoiding inappropriate use of ornate metal gates;
iv Retain grass verges and avoid upstanding kerbs and highway bollards, avoiding
the extension of garden features such as close-mown lawns, flowerbeds and
ornamental shrubs beyond garden boundary, as these have the effect of
suburbanisation of rural lanes;
v Site garages and other utility features such as rubbish bins and fuel storage away from
property frontages in screened areas;
vi Locate parking and turning spaces at the sides and rear of buildings, or within courtyards,
reducing their visibility from the highway;
vii Provide new native structure planting of Cornish hedges, copses, shelterbelts, (where
appropriate in the landscape) as an integral part of the development to help integrate
new buildings into the landscape. Carefully consider the use of exotic species, especially
evergreens such as cypresses.
www.paysagedurable.com
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