LUC

National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has chosen LUC to review the Vision & Management Planning (VMP) process for its National Nature Reserves (NNRs), develop a framework for the management planning process, and write VMPs for four of its NNRs across Scotland. 🌳 The project aims to create a robust, flexible and sustainable planning process specifically designed for NTS's NNRs, and to recommend next steps for future VMP development across NTS properties to ensure the long-term management of these remarkable landscapes. LUC brings a wealth of experience to this project, having worked on similar initiatives with organisations including Natural Resources Wales, the National Trust, Wildlife Trusts and previous work for the National Trust for Scotland. LUC’s team of skilled professionals includes landscape managers and ecologists. ⛰️ LUC will write VMPs for four diverse and inspiring NNRs: Corrieshalloch Gorge, Glencoe, St Abbs Head, and Staffa. This project represents a significant step forward for NTS in safeguarding the ongoing protection and prosperity of its valuable NNRs. The VMP process framework will ensure consistent data collection and management, guide future decision-making and provide a clear roadmap for ongoing NNR management and development for NTS. 🗺️🌱 #NationalNatureReserves #Conservation #Scotland #Nature #Landscape

We're excited to launch episode two of our Nature Markets Pioneers Podcast. 🎙️🌱 In this episode, Douglas McNab from LUC sits down with Nick Heasman, Countryside and Policy Manager at the South Downs National Park Authority. They delve into the groundbreaking ReNature Credit Scheme, which aims to enhance and restore natural habitats within the National Park. Nick shares the project's goals and its unique approach to boosting biodiversity. This episode is essential listening for anyone passionate about nature conservation and innovative environmental initiatives. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eD_FEnbn #Podcast #Conservation #ReNatureCredits #Biodiversity #Sustainability #NatureMarketsPioneers

National Green Belt Policy is changing, and we understand how it might affect you. We’ve been assessing Green Belts for a long time, helping to shape joint plans, #LocalPlans, and #masterplans across the country for decades. LUC's Green Belt studies cover over a third of England’s Green Belt land to date, so there’s a good chance we know your patch. If you would like some free advice on the latest Green Belt planning policy reforms, we are here to help. Please get in touch strategicplanning@landuse.co.uk 📃 In July we assembled some of the country’s leading Green Belt academics, advocates, planners and politicians to try to reach a consensus on how the policy might be improved. We co-authored this paper to help us understand how we can make Green Belts work better for people, nature, and sustainable development. https://ow.ly/BSbn50T1QvR 🌏 Our experts produced this helpful and interactive Green Belt map to help you explore the Green Belt across England and some of its key strategic assets and sensitivities. https://ow.ly/ijMM50T1QvS 📋 Our Green Belt services include GB performance and impact assessments, ‘exceptional circumstances’ cases for altering/defining boundaries, ‘very special circumstances’ for developing in GB, exploring cases for new GB, GB planning policies, and critical friend support. Our Environmental Planning team is experienced in strategic and spatial planning and has particular expertise in #GreenBelt policy. ✉️📲 Get in touch https://ow.ly/5JZC50T1QvQ

Jacqueline Whitworth-Allan and Ben Wayles continued their journey through Wales over the weekend to undertake #PublicConsultation on regenerating a local park in Rhos-on-Sea. 🌊 LUC has been appointed by the Friends of Rhos-on-Sea community group, and two local Conwy councillors who are driving the project. The group applied for and received funding from the UK Government for us to develop feasibility and concept proposals to rejuvenate a well-loved #CommunityPark. 🌳 We’ve already undertaken an engagement session and walkaround to understand more about the site and listen to client and #community expectations. Our latest visit was an opportunity to demonstrate that we’d listened to their thoughts and transformed them into a series of layout options, accompanied by sketches based on community suggestions and precedents of what has been achieved elsewhere. Key hopes for this project: 🤸♀️ To increase activities in the park for young people and teenagers. 🚶 To encourage use of the park by creating more circular walking routes and installing more seating and shelter. ☔️ To improve access and provide #sustainable solutions to drainage issues The visit was really positive, and we engaged with around 50 community members, who fed back on our draft designs. It was refreshing to hear from a range of stakeholders, from boys as young as five, girls aged 11 to 14 letting us know what would make them feel safer, young adults aged 20 – 25, parents, and older people too. Rhos-on-Sea has an ageing demographic and a high percentage of vulnerable people, so it was vital to ensure their voices were welcomed and heard. Next steps 👉 devising a preferred design option, supporting the community group to ensure deliverability, and working together towards a regenerated #GreenSpace that will benefit the #wellbeing of the entire community.

Jacqueline Whitworth-Allan, Emily Blackwell and Ben Wayles recently spent a sunny Wednesday in Caernarfon, Wales to do a site walkaround for a #placemaking project. 🏡 They met the client Cyngor Gwynedd Council and other important project stakeholders, such as the Harbour Trust and representatives from local businesses at Cei Llechi, a nearby artisan shopping village. The project will develop concept design proposals for the space fronting the shopping village, which was formerly a car park. The client team has big aspirations to create a vibrant new #PublicRealm space to attract footfall, increase dwell time, support placemaking and local distinctiveness, and enhance the amount of #GreenInfrastructure in the town. 🌳 The site’s location is exceptional – it occupies a beautiful waterfront location with 360 views, lies in the immediate setting of Caernarfon Castle, a Grade 1 listed medieval building, and it’s a stone’s throw from the main square in the town. 🏰 It was great to meet the client, who is really passionate about improving this public realm space for the #community. We will be back in town to facilitate #StakeholderConsultation on our concept designs in mid-September. We’ll be using live Welsh translation services to ensure our approach is as #inclusive and #collaborative as possible. 🗣️

🎙️ Introducing the Nature Markets Pioneers Podcast! We're thrilled to launch episode one of our new podcast series. In this episode, Douglas McNab from LUC chats with Glenn Anderson, strategy lead at the Wendling Beck project in #Norfolk. They explore how transforming 2,000 acres of arable land into vibrant grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands boosts biodiversity and revitalises local ecosystems. Glenn offers valuable insights into innovative funding mechanisms, biodiversity net gain, and nutrient mitigation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in sustainable land use and environmental restoration. 🎧 Tune in now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eJHJCsGW #Podcast #Sustainability #Biodiversity #LandRestoration #EnvironmentalConsultancy #NatureMarketsPioneers

Colleagues Sofie Swindlehurst and Rebecca Turner were thrilled to return to Camley Street Natural Park recently 🌳 This tranquil oasis of #nature is nestled between King’s Cross and St Pancras stations and offers a welcome escape for many city workers. Its two acres of #woodland, #grassland and #wetland habitats are a stunning example of how degraded industrial wasteland can be transformed with #NatureRestoration and #UrbanRewilding. It’s close to LUC’s old Euston office, and a glorious example of the work of our #LandscapeDesign teams. Sofie and Rebecca were at the centre to facilitate the second in a current run of #workshops with the London Wildlife Trust and Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC. They discussed how each of the London boroughs would like to improve the SINC (local wildlife site) guidelines. 📍 Next stop – Walthamstow Wetlands Centre. #rewilding #biodiversity

Great to see our Managing Director, Jon Grantham, presenting at the MDP Sport & Recreation Management course in #London yesterday, organised by the Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE). Jon shared insights into our work with the Roehampton Club, where we've been helping shape their future masterplan. Our team has been instrumental in guiding the club's vision for the next 20 years, ensuring it aligns with planning policies while enhancing sports facilities, diversifying offerings, and improving amenities. We’re proud of our strategic contributions and the successful planning permissions we've secured for the club’s new indoor tennis facility and improved car parking. #Planning #SportManagement #RoehamptonClub #Sustainability #DevelopmentPlanning  

We are pleased to be featured as the ‘Office in Focus’ on Landezine. Landezine is the world’s largest archive of modern #landscapearchitecture projects, celebrating innovative and inspiring designs from around the world. We are thrilled to have several of our projects featured on this prestigious platform. Explore our office profile and standout projects here: https://ow.ly/K8ku50SSJR3 #Design #Landezine #OfficeInFocus

Last week, we started a new and exciting tradition in LUC’s #Manchester office – our first 'Design Show and Tell' session. ☕ Staff gathered with a brew and biscuits and Tom Jonson, our Director of Landscape Architecture, kicked things off by sharing insights from one of our recent projects, a #Masterplan in Ireland. Tom walked us through the project brief, the challenges we faced, and the final result. It was a great way to see the whole process and appreciate all the hard work that went into it. 🗣️ The idea behind 'Design Show and Tell' is to keep things relaxed and informal. We want everyone to share our passion for #LandscapeDesign. It’s all about connecting and inspiring each other. 🏡 Read more about our multi-disciplinary approach to climate-positive #UrbanDesign and #Placemaking and some of our projects with #impact here: https://ow.ly/5Ve950SS3n7