Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design·Page 46·3.1.61

Vegetation integration and landscape design

Developments must incorporate diverse vegetation types including street trees, native species, and wildflower meadows. Settlement edges require buffer planting of indigenous species approximately 8-10 metres deep. Hard landscape design must use high-quality materials.

The Council also will expect to see a greater use of vegetation within developments including a hierarchy of different types of planting such as street trees, garden trees and hedge planting, specimen trees, native species, wildflower meadows and amenity planting in open spaces. The integration of development at the edges of settlements is also important and buffer planting, generally of indigenous species (around 8-10 metres in depth), will be required to help assimilate and soften the impact on the countryside. In addition, all hard landscape design, including paving areas, means of enclosure and street furniture should be carefully considered and the use of high-quality materials will be required.

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