Solihull Council

Landscape and Ecology

Solihull Council's Landscape and Ecology section, part of Sustainable Development, comprises of a small multi-disciplinary team of landscape architects, an ecologist and a local nature reserve officer.

We provide a comprehensive, integrated landscape design and ecological consultancy and advisory service for our clients within the Council. We are not able to offer our services, other than in a planning advisory role, to the public.

We aim to: -

• Conserve and enhance Solihull’s landscape character and local distinctiveness.
• Manage and maintain its diverse range of biodiversity.
• Protect our best wildlife sites and ecological variety.
• Promote and encourage community involvement in the design and management of our local environment, parks and public open spaces.
• Promote sustainable development principles and contribute positively to urban regeneration, social, economic and environmental projects.
• Ensure that the landscape and public realm of the Borough is well-designed, accessible and valued.

We have developed a diverse portfolio of projects that have been innovative and cost effective.  

High quality, creative and sustainable design solutions have been developed for a wide range of rural and urban projects that fulfil client needs and aspirations. Our practical innovation ensures that robust design solutions are developed and best-value principles are achieved, with technical competence, within budget and time scales.

We have an ongoing programme of woodland management, which includes the support of practical nature conservation volunteers. We also support Project Kingfisher – Kingfisher Country Park, an 11km stretch of the River Cole running from the Coventry Road (A45) at Small Heath as far as the M6 at Chelmsley Wood. Inaugurated in 1985, it is a joint project sponsored by both Birmingham City Council and Solihull Council together with English Nature, The Environment Agency, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country. Its overall aim is to care for the valley of the River Cole, improving it both for people and wildlife. Kingfisher Country Park has been designated under the 'Man and the Biosphere' programme.

Our partnership working

We work in partnership with other agencies including Birmingham City Council – Kingfisher Country Park, The West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership, Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Local Biodiversity Action Plan Partners, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, The Environment Agency and The Forestry Commission.

Policy development

The team contributes to the development of Council environmental policy, to Solihull's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and Local Development Framework (LDF), and has an important role in the statutory planning process. We work towards the designation of Local Nature Reserves, managing them primarily for nature conservation with special opportunities for study, research or enjoyment of nature.

Landscape design guidance

The Council, inline with national planning guidance and local planning policies, seeks to protect and enhance the landscape, whilst meeting the needs of the development. In this respect the Council supports good quality, sustainable development which respects, protects and, where possible enhances biodiversity, natural, man-made and historic features which contribute to the distinctiveness and character of Solihull Borough.

A design guidance note, Trees on development sites has been prepared to provide information and advice for applicants in preparing designs for development sites with respect to existing trees. The guidance note outlines the importance of surveys, understanding a site’s constraints and what design measures should be considered to protect retained trees. This note should be consulted prior to submitting a planning application.

Landscape character assessment

Landscape character assessment is a technique that has been developed to facilitate systematic analysis, description and classification of the landscape. It involves identification of features or combinations of elements that contribute to the character of the landscape. The assessment provides a clear understanding of the issues affecting the landscape, enabling the development of appropriate recommendations for its future conservation and management.

Landscape character assessment can make a valuable contribution to the formation of planning policies, to the allocation of land for development, in development control activities and for processes such as environmental assessment. For more information on landscape character assessment visit Natural England.

Solihull lies within the Arden character area, Natural England Character Area 97. The 'Warwickshire Landscape Guidelines: Arden', produced by Warwickshire County Council and the Countryside Agency, are adopted by Solihull Council. They provide a comprehensive assessment of the local landscape, dividing Arden into seven distinct landscape types, setting out a series of management strategies to inform new development and land management practices.

Contact Details

Mike Eastwood, Principal Landscape Architect Tel: 0121 704 6391
Email: meastwood@solihull.gov.uk