Here are some of the projects the Landscape Section is currently involved in:
New schools and other design projects
Recent landscape schemes include the Evergreen Special School, Bishop Auckland, and the Oaks Special School, Spennymoor. Sensory gardens at both schools are nearly complete. Framwellgate Science Centre, Byers Green Primary and Price Bishops Community Primary School (replacing Eldon Lane and Dene Valley Schools) were also completed recently. Murton Primary School, featuring an amphitheatre set into sloping ground is nearing completion. Eden Hill Primary School, Peterlee and Princess Road Primary, Seaham will be completed this year. As part of the Building Schools for the future Design and Sustainability Task Group our role has been to contribute towards the preparation of the design brief and site evaluation. We are similarly engaged in the associated BREEAM schools environmental standards monitoring process. Durham Johnston School is the current major project.
Highway Improvement Schemes
We have recently designed and supervised planting schemes for the new Durham Park and Ride developments at Sniperley, Howlands Farm and Belmont. Other recently completed work includes A167 Chilton Bypass, Willington Industrial Estate Spur road and B6302 Relley Bridge. Phase 2 of the A688 West Auckland Bypass is on site amd planting contracts are being drawn up for the East Durham Link Road and Wheatley Hill to Bowburn Link. Our practice of moving mature highway hedgerows- rather than destroying them - has been applied to a number of schemes this year with considerable success. Highway planting schemes are usually subject to three years establishment maintenance to ensure our investment has the best chance of thriving.
Urban and Rural Renaissance Initiative
The £10 million
Urban and Rural Renaissance Initiative aims to improve the vitality of many of the County’s smaller towns and villages. As part of this initiative we design and implement schemes that improve the fabric of the streetscape, create or reinforce a sense of place, and provide an attractive focus for local communities while reducing conflicts between traffic and pedestrians. Current projects include works at Horden, Shotton Colliery, Thornley, Chilton and Barnard Castle. Proposals for Trimdon are on the drawing board.
Planning and design advice
Each year, the Landscape Section responds to over 120 written requests for specialist advice from District and County Council planners and other services or agencies both within and outside the County Council and the region. We provide advice to planners on planning policies affecting the landscape, allocations of land for new development , the development of planning tools like supplementary planning documents, and detailed advice on individual planning applications. Recently this service has extended to include guidance, design brief, contract preparation and supervision for our strategic building and engineering partners on County projects. We also contribute to various County Council, county wide and regional committees and working groups.
Landscape Character Assessment, Strategies and Guidelines
The County Durham Landscape Character Assessment and Landscape Strategy have been completed and the results can be viewed on the
Durham Landscape pages. The website includes background information on the landscape and descriptions of landscape types and character areas in the county. New landscape guidelines for Woodlands and Forestry have recently been published on the
Durham Landscape pages.
Hardwick Park
Hardwick Hall Park is an 18th Century designed landscape that is owned by Durham County Council and managed as a Country Park. A multi-million pound grant-aided project to restore the park to its former glory is nearing completion. For further details contact Tony Smith Tel 0191 383 4081.
Landscape Scale Partnerships
The landscape section is involved in the development of Landscape Scale Partnerships, the first of these to be established is 'Limestone Landscapes' which is based on the Magnesian Limestone Natural Area. We have also just produced the management plan for the South West Durham Heritage Corridor.
The County Durham Hedgerow Partnership
We continue to be heavily involved in the
County Durham Hedgerow Partnership, administering the
Field Boundary Restoration Grant Scheme to restore old hedgerows and plant new ones, and helping to organise the annual
County Durham Hedge Laying and Dry Stone Walling Competition .
Tree Week
National Tree Week is the Tree Council’s annual festival to mark the start of the planting season, and a nationwide celebration of trees and woods. Each year, Durham County Council provides grants of up to £150 to community groups and voluntary organisations to plant trees for local benefit.
The School Grounds Project
We provide support for the
School Grounds Project which encourages children and young people throughout Durham to enjoy the many unique opportunities and experiences that well designed and well managed school grounds can provide.
Great North Forest
The
Great North Forest is a long-term initiative to regenerate and revitalise urban fringe countryside across south Tyne and Wear and north Durham, creating an attractive, well-wooded, accessible and sustainably managed landscape that enhances the health, well-being and quality of life of local people.
Northwoods
Durham County Council assisted in setting up the Northwoods project in 1997 to raise the quality of life for people across the North East by encouraging woodland creation, sustainable forest management and supporting the development of businesses in the sector. Further details from Neil Harrison Tel 01669 621489.
Tyne Tees Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG)
We work in partnership with the
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group to promote, develop and administer the
Field Boundary Restoration Grant Scheme. FWAG provides farmers and landowners with practical advice on making adjustments to farm operations and enhancing farm features in order to support wildlife, landscape, archaeology, access and other conservation issues. Further details from Jennie Stafford or Sue Zissler Tel: 01833 696634.
