The landscape architects comment on any planning application which is deemed to have a significant landscape impact, offering technical advice to our planner colleagues and negotiating with developers to ensure the highest possible standard of landscape design throughout the borough. As the planning application progresses, the landscape architects assist in negotiating payments under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act.

Known colloquially as 'Section 106 Agreements', these agreements are invaluable in securing funding from developers to finance play areas and additional landscape works. Many of the open spaces and play areas in the Northern Sector have been funded by this mechanism.

Landscape architects often appeared on behalf of the council as expert  witnesses at a planning enquiry when a developer has appealed against the refusal of  planning permission.