
Revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on the 19th of February 2019. There are few major changes to the text - the revisions focus on clarification of key points. The main changes are as follows: Footnote 37,…
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Faversham, Bovis Homes, Plans Approved
James Blake Associates held considered, extensive communication with the Local Planning Authority to deliver a bio-diversely sensitive scheme, inclusive of native and locally appropriate wildflower areas, native tree species, and native hedges. The site includes a RNR (Roadside Nature Reserve) with mitigation planting to enhance the feature on the frontage. …
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High Quality Landscape Plans from £7 Per Plot
Our in-house landscape software update means we can now save clients half the cost of producing a plot landscape scheme. Clients tell us that their key drivers include: Value: starting at just £7.00/plot for larger schemes. Quality: bespoke planting design for each plot, plus a cost estimate, ensuring the WOW…
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Going Green Means Big Savings
At James Blake Associates we have been surveying trees and designing landscapes for developers for 30 years, but it was only in the last 8 years that we discovered how many common elements within standard landscape proposals add disproportionately to both build costs and maintenance costs. In light of this,…
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New Development Approved in Cambridgeshire – Landscape Designed by James Blake Associates
We’ve just received the excellent news from Bovis Homes, that East Cambridgeshire's’ DC planning committee has approved the development at Witchford, with a unanimous vote from members. Members complemented Bovis on the quality of the design response to the site constraints and how well the team worked with, and listened…
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Green Light to Help Make London Greener
James Blake Associates recently got the green light to make a street in London, green. We have introduced more nature into the heart of London. This is nature enhanced, because we've included some exotic species, but only those that the invertebrates love, being scented and with nectar rich flowers, (and…
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Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment – A Dark Art
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) has been described as a dark art; the assessor is required to make fine judgements about the impact of the proposed development, and these judgements in turn, can influence the final outcome of the assessment. But what about when LVIA literally is a dark…
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James Blake Associates Wins RTPI Award
James Blake Associates has won a prestigious RTPI award (Royal Town planning Institute) for ‘Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment’. This award was granted for the inspirational work carried out by JBA on the Kingsbrook development, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. This scheme is a credit to 10 years inspired work from…
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James Blake Associates Designs Britain’s Most Wildlife Friendly Housing Development
Kingsbrook is an inspirational example of how housing developments should be, and James Blake Associates has been integral to making that happen with this wildlife friendly housing development. As well as being home to 2,450 beautiful homes near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, it also offers welcoming dwelling to swifts, bats, sparrows, house…
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