B1.2.1 Working with the natural landscape

Guidance: 1.7g

Development proposals should respond sensitively to existing landform, avoiding excessive cut and fill that would result in abrupt or artificial changes to levels. Where level changes are unavoidable, proposals should:

  • include naturalistic solutions such as green retaining walls to enhance biodiversity

  • provide a slope or landscape bund of a prescribed width, on the platform created by the cut and fill, to complement the landscape utilised on the slope/bund and minimise visual impact

  • explore linking landform design with Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

  • ensure that undulation and slopes within open spaces form part of the designed usage of the area and have a purpose

  • avoid steep slopes in recreational areas and explore opportunities to integrate shallower slopes to create attractive and interesting spaces

  • manage any potential adverse effects of visual dominance of new buildings, landforms, or infrastructure as seen from canals or rivers

Guidance: 1.8g

Both the horizontal layout (site plan, building orientation) and vertical alignment (ground levels, building heights, cut and fill) of proposed development should respond sensitively to the natural landform to minimise visual impact and reduce environmental disturbance.

Development proposals should ensure that:

  • the siting and orientation of roads, buildings and infrastructure follow the natural contours where possible, minimising the need for extensive earthworks

  • vertical alignment avoids abrupt level changes by incorporating graded slopes, stepped building forms, or split-level designs

  • where visual screening is appropriate, the positioning of buildings makes use of the existing landform (such as ridges, hollows, or vegetation) to help integrate development into the landscape

New residential development in the background and sloping public open space in the foreground showing the position of the new homes to reflect the change in levels of the slope.

Figure 6: Shows an example of new residential buildings following the natural topography, at Malvern Mews, Wakefield (Guidance: 1.8g)

An example how new residential development should respect the contours of the land to integrate the development.

Figure 7: Illustrates an arrangement of buildings and routes which follow natural contours (Guidance: 1.8g)

Illustrative site section showing two dwellings with one at the top of a slope and one at the bottom of the slope. The dwelling at the top of the slope is cut into the slope to show as one storey at the front and two storeys to the rear. The dwelling at the bottom of the slope is shown as one upper floor storey at the rear of the dwelling and two storeys at the front of the dwelling. This demonstrates how new developments can sensitively be integrated with a site’s existing topography, ensuring that new buildings step-up with the sensitively be integrated.

Figure 8: Shows a site section illustrating how new developments can sensitively be integrated with a site’s existing topography, ensuring that new buildings step-up with the terrain rather than over dominating it (Guidance: 1.8g)

Code: 1.9c

Where development is proposed on the edge of a site, finished floor levels must not be artificially raised using made ground (imported soil or fill) by more than a single storey above the natural pre-existing ground level. This is to prevent adverse effects (such as dominating the landscape or overlooking neighbouring open land by artificially raising their height).

Exception: If levels are required to be artificially raised and increased by more than a single storey for drainage and flood risk purposes, this must be outlined by an accompanying Flood Risk Assessment, Drainage Layout Plan and accompanying External Works Plan and must be agreed with Wakefield Council.

Guidance: 1.10g

Development proposals should seek to minimise the off-site disposal of surplus excavated material by reusing it on-site wherever practicable. This may include incorporating the material into landscaped bunds, landform features, or other integrated site design elements.

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