Our landscape architect team was appointed by a data centre client to prepare landscape architecture information for a detailed planning submission. We then prepared detailed landscape information to support the tender of the external works.
The brownfield site occupies approximately 2.98 hectares on an existing business park. It has a broadly rectangular form and currently contains a commercial building and car parking. Existing trees sit immediately outside the western boundary. Meanwhile, access roads adjoin the southern and eastern boundaries, with an existing building to the north. A high-voltage electricity pylon stands within the car park, with overhead cables running east to west.
Our landscape architect scope included the design of functional parking and pedestrian circulation routes. We also coordinated the existing and proposed infrastructure. In addition, our landscape architecture proposals established a robust landscape setting for the new data centre building.
The western boundary required particular attention from the Local Authority. This reflected both the health of the existing trees and the visual impact of the proposed building from the adjacent busy road. Therefore, our landscape architect carefully considered the root protection areas when developing the site layout. Existing and proposed levels also varied considerably along this boundary.
To reduce the potential visual impact, our landscape architect introduced supplementary tree planting alongside the existing vegetation. This approach helped strengthen the landscape structure and integrate the new data centre into its surroundings.
The Local Authority also scrutinised the ecological value of the proposed planting. Consequently, our landscape architecture design incorporated native hedging along the southern and eastern boundaries. We also introduced native woodland edge planting along the western boundary.
The tree planting combines native and ornamental species. Furthermore, our landscape architect carefully developed the planting palette within the high-voltage cable wayleave. The statutory authority reviewed and approved this approach. Within the main site, we adopted a robust ornamental planting palette to provide year-round structure and visual interest.
Overall, our landscape architect services balanced planning requirements, infrastructure constraints, arboricultural considerations and ecological objectives. The resulting landscape architecture scheme provides a functional and coordinated external environment for the proposed data centre.
Landscape Institutes Work Stages: 2 to 4b
Client: Equinix
Architect: Bryden Wood