LUC

🍁Our Autumn Newsletter has landed!🍁 LUC is at the forefront of delivering impactful #GreenInfrastructure solutions that benefit people, nature, and places. 🍂Our Autumn Newsletter focuses on the value of Green Infrastructure and how its collective value is greater than the sum of its parts. From strategic planning to project delivery, we’re helping to build thriving, sustainable communities, drive nature recovery, unlock funding for a nature-positive economy, and shape greener towns and cities. https://arcg.is/rSemD

Earlier this month, the University of Westminster celebrated a major milestone in the construction of its new centre for student enterprise and career success, Zone29. LUC, which prepared and submitted the pre-application request for the refurbishment of 29 Marylebone Road, also managed the planning application and discharge of conditions for this significant project. Zone29, located at 29 Marylebone Road, will provide a cutting-edge physical and digital space, connecting Westminster’s diverse student talent with the business world and the local community. Set to open in early 2026, the nine-storey building will serve as a collaborative hub for students, alumni, businesses, and local residents, fostering innovation in an inclusive and sustainable environment. LUC's involvement in guiding the planning process ensures that Zone29 aligns with the University’s vision for a space that promotes wellbeing, inclusion, and sustainable development. The Topping Out Ceremony, held in collaboration with Morgan Sindall, marked the installation of the final structural beam. Richard Dobson, Area Director for London at Morgan Sindall, opened the ceremony, emphasising the importance of Topping Out Ceremonies and the project's engagement with over 165 students. “This project promotes careers in construction and the wider industry,” said Richard. Linsey Cole, University of Westminster’s Director for Business Engagement, shared an update on Zone29’s progress and how it will inspire new jobs, enterprises, and collaborations. Linsey acknowledged LUC's involvement in shaping the project alongside the consortium of partners: “Through this collaboration, we are bringing our vision to life and creating a space that is welcoming, fully accessible and inclusive for all.” Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, Professor Peter Bonfield, spoke about the significance of Zone29 for students and the wider community. “Zone29 will be a hub for students, alumni, and businesses to co-create and make a lasting impact,” Peter said. Attendees, including staff and students from the University, signed the final beams and a commemorative canvas that will be displayed at the building’s entrance. The event concluded with a networking reception, where participants discussed the future of the space. The development of Zone29 supports key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals). LUC's commitment to sustainable and inclusive design has played a pivotal role in shaping the project’s alignment with these global goals. Image 3 © ADP Architecture Gardiner & Theobald LLP #Zone29 #SustainableDevelopment #InclusiveDesign #UrbanPlanning #StudentEnterprise #WestminsterUniversity #ToppingOut #Collaboration #CommunityInnovation #MorganSindall #SDGs

We are pleased to share that the Garn Fach wind farm has been approved by Welsh Ministers. The project will generate up to 85MW of renewable energy, contributing to a sustainable future for Wales. Located south of Newtown in Mid Wales, this wind farm will power around 69,000 homes once operational. LUC provided essential landscape and visual consultancy for the project. We contributed to the design, aiming to minimise landscape and visual effects while ensuring efficient energy generation. Our team conducted a thorough Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA), produced high-quality visualisations, and attended the examination to offer expertise on landscape and visual matters. Collaborating with Dulas Ltd and EDF Renewables UK & Ireland, we worked together to shape a scheme that balances renewable energy generation with careful consideration of its landscape setting. The project also includes an energy storage facility, enhancing its contribution to grid flexibility. LUC is proud to support EDF Renewables UK in achieving this milestone. This project showcases our commitment to integrating renewable energy sensitively into the landscape while also enhancing local biodiversity. #GarnFach #WindEnergy #Renewables #SustainableFuture #CleanEnergy #Consultancy #LVIA #Biodiversity #NetZero #EnergyStorage #Wales

LUC is gearing up for the #30DayMapChallenge, and we can't wait to share what we've been working on! From points to polygons, heatmaps to hand-drawn creations, our team has been exploring a range of themes. Follow along as we showcase our cartographic creativity throughout November! #GIS #Cartography #Maps #DataVisualisation #SpatialAnalysis

The Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) wind farm, located off the coast of Fife in Scotland, has started generating power into the national grid. This is an important milestone for renewables in the UK, and LUC is proud to have played our part in the project. Our expert teams completed the Seascape, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (SLVIA), the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the onshore works, and the auditing Environmental Clerk of Works (ECoW) during construction. When fully operational, the #WindFarm will have 54 turbines, producing up to 450 MW of clean, #RenewableElectricity - enough to power approximately 375,000 homes. Jointly owned by EDF Renewables UK and ESB, NnG is set to offset over 400,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. The wind farm will be fully commissioned in 2025.

🌎 Mapping land use support systems to reach net zero LUC is excited to share our latest study for ClimateXChange. We’ve worked with Scotland's #ClimateChange centre of expertise to map land use support systems. The Scottish Government’s ambitions to reach #NetZero by 2045 require transforming land use and reducing #GreenhouseGasEmissions. Our research aims to understand the factors that influence engagement with land use transformation support systems, to guide policy and speed up the pace of change. Through interviews and a literature review, we wanted to understand how stakeholders make decisions and access funding. We established how rural land managers interact with systems and services and the barriers they encounter. Key findings: 📖 The public sector grant system is logical but has a high administrative burden. 🤝 Trust in the source of advice is key for land managers’ decisions. 🙇♀️ The breadth of support sources is confusing for some. To speed up land use transformation, simpler processes, better payment rates, and more training are crucial. Read the full report here 👉 https://lnkd.in/exeEaZWF

This month, our GIS team from the Bristol office joined the bi-annual clean-up at Clevedon Marine Lake. We waded through knee-deep mud to collect litter, save wildlife, and even searched for lost wedding rings. At first, some of us were anxious, but we soon rescued eels, fish, and crabs before a digger arrived to dredge silt. We also washed down the main slipway and all the stairs leading into the water. Clevedon Marine Lake is a treasured community resource. Many of us have swum there on warm weekends or in colder months. Helping the Marlens Charity maintain it felt rewarding. The charity appreciated our efforts and has invited us back in March for the next clean-up. So stay tuned for more wildlife rescues and muddy adventures! At LUC, our commitment to Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (CSER) is central to our values. Our team strives to give back to the communities we live and work in. We volunteer our time, share our skills, and aim to create a positive impact through environmental projects like this. Stay connected for more updates on our CSER activities and how we’re working to protect the environment and support communities. #ClevedonMarineLake #GIS #Volunteers #WildlifeRescue #MarineConservation #CSER #EnvironmentalResponsibility #MarlensCharity #Clevedon

We're proud to announce that The Garden at 120 has won Gold at the prestigious 2024 London in Bloom Awards. This recognition highlights the garden’s exceptional contribution to enhancing London’s green spaces and delivering a haven of calm in the heart of the City. Located on the rooftop of 120 Fenchurch Street, The Garden at 120 was designed by LATZ+PARTNER and LUC, in collaboration with Eric Parry Architects. The 2,200m² public garden sits 65 metres above street level and offers stunning 360° views across London’s skyline. Its lush planting design and thoughtful layout create a tranquil oasis for visitors from all walks of life. Since opening in 2018, The Garden at 120 has continued to flourish, protected by the ongoing relationship between designer, client and horticultural maintenance team. LUC, BNP Paribas and Landform Consultants Ltd work closely as a team to ensure the design intent is held and strengthened as the years pass. This year, it welcomed its one-millionth visitor, and its vibrant planting has matured beautifully, bringing new colour and life to the rooftop. The rooftop garden, free and accessible to the public, provides a serene escape from the bustling city below. The garden’s centrepiece is a stunning pergola supporting 88 wisteria vines, which provide shade and fragrance throughout the year. The space combines evergreen planting with seasonal herbaceous borders, offering visitors an immersive experience amidst greenery. Winning Gold at the London in Bloom Awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved. The garden has become a beloved green space for locals, tourists, and plant enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re an office worker taking a break, a local resident, or a visitor exploring the city, The Garden at 120 offers a unique blend of urban dynamism and natural beauty. This achievement follows previous accolades, including the BALI Special Award for Horticultural Excellence in 2022 won by Landform’s Phoebe Hay, head gardener. To see this award-winning space for yourself, visit The Garden at 120, no need to book, where you can enjoy a peaceful retreat above the city while experiencing one of London’s finest green landmarks. Images © Hal Rejali #TheGardenAt120 #LondonInBloom #UrbanGreening #LandscapeDesign #RoofGarden #SustainableDesign #GreenSpaces #LUC #CityOfLondon #PublicGarden

We’re over the moon to let you know that LUC is a finalist for The Scottish Green Energy Awards 2024! 🎉 The awards celebrate the inspirational organisations, people and projects making a real difference in Scotland’s energy future. We’ve been shortlisted for the Outstanding Service Award, which recognises the impact our work and our teams, both past and present, have had on Scotland’s #RenewableEnergy sector. Our work has supported Scottish renewable energy for over 25 years, beginning with the design and EIA of the Beinn Tharsuinn Wind Farm, one of Scotland’s first commercial wind farms, and extending to major projects like Clyde Wind Farm, previously the UK’s largest onshore wind development, and Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm, a pioneer in offshore wind. Our teams are delighted that their work is helping to advance renewable energy, while balancing development with environmental stewardship, shaping Scotland’s renewable energy landscape and supporting climate goals. The Scottish Renewables awards ceremony will take place on 5 December 2024 🤞 https://lnkd.in/dm7spj6e #SGEA24

Behind the scenes! Daniel from our Visualisation team and Fiona, one of our Landscape Architects, were out recently capturing the landscape for the Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Kintore to Tealing Overhead Line project. It was a beautiful day for site photography, and they made the most of it! 📷 #SiteVisit #LandscapePhotography #SSEN