The feedback from these specialist surveys has enabled the team to develop and refine the project design in an iterative process that has seen multiple layout and design revisions to maximise the benefits of the project whilst minimising any adverse impacts that the project may have.
The specialist design team have been able to carefully configure the scheme layout and design to:
- limit the visual impact of the project by carefully utilising local geography, woodland and features (like the existing dry-stone walls across the site);
- avoid the most sensitive landscape features; and
- keep away from sensitive areas of ecology, hydrology and archaeology.
The next phase of the design works is to develop on these findings to further improve the project to:
- Use carefully considered planting and management regimes for benefit of local biodiversity and ecology;
- Use screen planting to further reduce the visual impact of the project; and
- To consult with the local community to seek their input into the emerging design.
