New Landscape Design

1. The landscape group within HCC Property Services is comprised of eight Landscape Architects and a dedicated Landscape clerk of works. We work primarily as members of project teams dealing with works contained within the capital programme for new build, extensions and improvements. We also respond directly to approaches from schools to help them achieve improvements funded from their own resources.

2. We aim to create innovative landscape architecture that acts as a catalyst for positive educational and recreational use of the school grounds and which supports and promotes the aims of sustainable development. Elements of sustainable practice can include:

3. Creating designs which maximise the retention of natural site features and wildlife habitats .

4. Creating designs which minimise the quantities of materials that have to be imported or have to leave a site, cutting vehicular movements to a minimum.

5. Utilising sustainably produced materials including recycled products where possible e.g. recycled aggregates for paving bases and paving materials and timbers from sustainably managed sources.

6. Creating designs that manage surface water on site to create habitats for wildlife and to minimise directing water into storm water sewers to prevent damage from flooding.

7. Creating designs that incorporate the imaginative use of renewable sources of energy in the school grounds e.g solar and wind power.

8. Utilising landform and planting belts to provide good solar access together with shelter and shading of buildings where necessary , minimising energy costs for building, heating and cooling.

9. Creating and managing a range of habitats on site to support biodiversity e.g. open water, wetland ,meadows, hedgerow and woodland .  

10. Creating designs that minimise the use of fossils fuels consumed and exhaust fumes generated in grass maintenance through intensive mowing.

11. Protecting of vegetation and soils and the maintenance of a balance of hard surfacing with open grass playing fields that can then function as a carbon sink to absorb harmful green house gases.

12. The incorporation of educational interpretation features that highlight the environmental good practices outlined above.

Further Information:

Web link: www.hants.gov.uk/design

Contact: Paul Best, Principal Landscape Architect .Tel 01962 846406 or email

Please also see: Learning through Landscapes and HCC Schools Landscape Programme