Savills Urban Design Studio - Our Landscapes

SAVILLS URBAN DESIGN STUDIO

Our landscapes

Landscape Design

Landscape Planning

Open Space

People. Place. Design.

Landscape at every scale.

Savills Urban Design Studio deliver high quality placemaking through gaining a careful understanding of the landscapes in which we work.

From enhancing biodiversity through detailed planting design to creating distinctive strategic open spaces that benefit entire communities, we create resilient and thriving places which people value.

Our Landscapes.

Designing new multi-functional landscapes is at the heart of what we do.

Our experienced landscape architects design places that create valued landscapes at every scale. For nature, for water management, food, fun and for well-being.

This approach is at the core of what we do in the Urban Design Studio - delivering lasting and sustainable landscapes for all.

This is how we work together

Our Urban Design Studio includes dual-qualified landscape architects and urban designers, ensuring that all our projects consider the landscape as an integral part of our design. In addition, we work closely with our wider Savills specialisms, providing an integrated approach to our projects, including Heritage, Planning, Architecture, Sustainable Design and Nature Based Solutions.

This chart shows how our we work across the Landscape Institutes Scope of Services 1 to 4, undertaking landscape design, masterplanning, landscape & visual impact assessments, green/grey belt reviews and landscape planning input.

Our principles.

From early site promotion and appraisal work through to Green Infrastructure and Public Realm Strategies for urban extensions and town centre regeneration, we strive to deliver development that complements and enhances the wider landscape, townscape and heritage context.

We aim to ensure that we are helping to create resilient landscapes and townscapes that support our clients on their sustainability, energy and carbon net zero journeys.

We provide solutions based on multi-functional landscapes, providing space for sustainable drainage, sport, play and recreation and food-growing as well as attractive and safe spaces to linger and pass through.

RESILIENT LANDSCAPES

Our Projects

Loddon Garden Village

Reading, Berkshire

Savills has provided a multi-disciplinary team to the University of Reading, working across a number of projects across their estate including the masterplanning of the Thames Valley Science Park and a new 4,000 home garden village adjacent to the River Loddon. This has included promoting the land through the Wokingham Local Plan Review and preparing an Outline Planning Application.

Given the sensitive landscape setting of these proposals and the desire of the University to create a new low-carbon community and associated country park, our work has varied between detailed planting plans through to LVIA surveys, Green Infrastructure and Open Space strategies and landscape-led masterplanning.

Client: University of Reading

2021 - Present

Project Outcomes:

• Country Park/SANG/Open Space design

• Green Infrastructure Design

• Open Space Strategy

• EIA-LVIA

• Detailed Landscape Design

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Masterplanning

Other Savills Services:

• Planning

• Savills Earth

• EIA Co-ordination

Winnington Works

Northwich, Cheshire

Savills Urban Design Studio was commissioned to provide a masterplan for a new mixed-use community on a disused chemical works, including over 1500 homes. The site includes over 16Ha of Accessible Open Space and Green Infrastructure, including linear spaces adjacent to the River Weaver.

The site is also situated adjacent to the Anderton Boat Lift and Trent & Mersey Canal and we also undertook a Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment paying particular attention to the surrounding heritage assets.

Savills also led the production of a Design and Access Statement and stakeholder engagement to accompany the outline planning application.

Client:

TATA Chemicals Europe Inovyn, & Gladman Land

2017 - Present

Project Outcomes:

• EIA- Townscape & Visual Assessment

• Masterplanning

• Landscape Strategy

• Outline planning application

Other Savills Services:

• Savills Earth

• Economics

• Planning

West Carclaze Garden Village

St. Austell, Cornwall

Savills was appointed as lead consultants for the submitting an outline planning application for a new ‘eco-community’ on a disused clay mine. Our work included the production of a viable masterplan to include 1,500 new homes with associated education, employment and leisure facilities.

Our approach paid particular attention to the management and use of the extensive open areas which could not be developed. Our work also included the production of a Green Infrastructure Strategy, Landscape and Visual Impact chapter, extensive community/ stakeholder engagement events and design codes.

Client: Cornwall Council + Homes & Communities Agency 2013 - 2017

Project Outcomes:

• EIA - Landscape & Visual Assessment

• Green Infrastructure Strategy

• Masterplanning

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Outline Planning Application

Other Savills Services:

• Planning

• EIA Co-ordination

• Development

Kettering Town Centre

Kettering, Northamptonshire

Savills landscape team was lead consultant for the design and implementation of the regeneration of Kettering’s historic Market Place, Sheep Street and Market Street. This forms part of a wider project including the drafting of the Local Development Framework Area Action Plan and supplementary evidence including a Public Realm Strategy, Arts Strategy and Wayfinding Strategy.

Leading a team including civil and structural engineers, public art consultants, lighting designers, electrical engineers and cost consultants, Savills created a high quality vibrant civic space for the town centre. This kick-started the regeneration of surrounding uses.

Client: Kettering Borough Council

2009 - 2015

Project Outcomes:

• Lead Designer

• Detailed public realm design

• Town Centre Masterplans

• Heritage & Wayfinding Strategies

• Draft Area Action Plan

Other Savills Services:

• Heritage & Townscape

• Development

• Planning

Maple Cross

Maple Cross, Hertfordshire

Savills has provided a multi-disciplinary team to help promote this site within the London Green Belt. Given its sensitive greenfield location, a landscape-led masterplan was essential and our landscape architects formed a core member of the team.

The proposals for this 43ha site include 1,200 new homes, 1.5ha primary school extension, local centre, healthcare, innovation centre for new start up businesses, and new green infrastructure including new parkland. The masterplan has a focus on health and wellbeing; including green space, and local food growing, with the aim of providing a high quality legacy for our client.

Client:

Guys & St. Thomas Foundation

2018 - Present

Project Outcomes:

• Vision Document

• Masterplanning

• Green Infrastructure Strategy

• Landscape & Visual Appraisal

• Green/Grey Belt Appraisal

• Local Plan Promotion

Other Savills Services:

• Savills Earth

• Economics

• Planning

Multi-functional Spaces.

Our landscape architects are integral part of our masterplanning teams, creating landscape-led masterplans that minimise impacts on visual amenity and landscape features whilst producing opportunities for sustainable drainage, recreation and a beautiful setting to buildings.

We help our clients leave a legacy for the future, providing benefits to wildlife, and the health and happiness of new communities.

RUTH BISHOP Savills - Director, Landscape

Silverlake

Warmwell, Dorset

Savills masterplanned an innovative, sustainable leisure development, transforming a former quarry site into a mosaic of habitats, managed for wildlife and biodiversity. The project provided 1,000 holiday homes in a landscaped, biodiverse, nature conservation setting.

The scheme includes large areas of access land, recreational uses and community benefits. A robust and innovative Green Infrastructure Strategy was core to its success and our work also included the preparation of a Landscape and Visual Assessment chapter of an EIA. The design has been awarded ‘Excellent’ status in the Building with Nature Accreditation and an RTPI South West Excellence in Planning Award.

Client: Habitat First Group

2013 - 2014

Project Outcomes:

• EIA - LVIA chapter

• Masterplanning

• Green Infrastructure Strategy

• Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) design

• Outline Planning Application

Other Savills Services:

• Planning

• EIA co-ordination

Berewood

Waterlooville, Hampshire

Savills led the multi-disciplinary team masterplanning the new neighbourhood of Berewood. This extension to Waterlooville includes 2,550 new homes, 15ha of employment, a health centre, community centre, two schools, nursery, elderly care, and a mixed-use village centre.

Our team also prepared the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment chapter of the EIA. The work included the preparation of all planning material including Design and Access Statement, design codes, and extensive stakeholder consultation, including workshops, open days, neighbourhood forums, and interactive exhibitions.

Client: Grainger plc

2009 - Present

Project Outcomes:

• EIA - Landscape & Visual Assessment

• Masterplanning/Design Codes

• Design & Access Statement

• Stakeholder consultation

• Outline Planning Application

Other Savills Services:

• Planning

• Development

Woodgate, Pease Pottage

Near Crawley, West Sussex

Savills supported Thakeham Homes through the design and securing of a hybrid planning consent for new homes and a hospice at a sensitive site within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Our work included the preparation of a Green Infrastructure Strategy with generous areas of buffer planting and an EIA Landscape & Visual Assessment.

The development was awarded Gold for ‘Best Placemaking’ at the 2025 WhatHouse? Awards as well as Best Housing Scheme (500+) at the 2025 Planning Awards. It is now completed, demonstrating the benefits of a high-quality built development and landscape setting.

Client: Thakeham Homes

2017 - 2020

Project Outcomes:

• EIA - LVIA

• Landscape Strategy

• Open Space Strategy

• Hybrid Planning Application

• Award winning placemaking

Other Savills Services:

• Planning

• EIA co-ordination

North Cambourne

Cambourne, Cambridgeshire

Savills is promoting an extensive mixed-use community including significant employment, commercial and retail facilities, leisure and the arrival of East-West rail, structured around multi-functional green spaces.

Our latest visioning work explores ways to deliver a net zero masterplan which involves increasing Cambourne’s self-containment, extensive provision of BNG and sustainable energy production. The proposals integrate strategies for health and will also deliver linkages to the existing town with green pedestrian bridges and extensive cycle highways which facilitate connections to Cambridge.

Client: Martin Grant Homes

2014 - Present

Project Outcomes:

• Landscape-led masterplanning

• Draft Local Plan Allocation 2025

• Reg. 19 Masterplan

Other Savills Services:

• Development

• Savills Earth

• Economics

• Health

• Planning

Grey Belt & Landscape Viability Studies

Various Sites

Following recent changes to the National Planning Policy Guidance and the updated Green Belt Planning Practice Guidance) we have been supporting our clients in testing the feasibility of development within the Green Belt and whether the land might be grey belt and how development may effect openness. Recent projects have focussed on the London, Bristol-Bath, Stoke-on-Trent and DerbyNottingham Green Belts.

In addition we regularly provide design and appraisal services for Green Belt projects and recently successfully provided landscape evidence on behalf of Watford Football club at a planning inquiry to retain a training dome in the London Green Belt.

Clients:

Society of Merchant Venturers

Severn Trent Water

Guys & St Thomas’ Foundation

Private Landowners

The Crown Estate

Watford Football Club

Whitbread Group

2024 - Present

Savills Services:

• Green/Grey Belt Appraisals

• Planning

• Inquiry Evidence

Caversham Park

Reading

Savills has supported Beechcroft through the planning application for the restoration of the this landmark listed building and registered park and garden as a new location for senior living apartments and affordable homes. The scheme gained planning consent in 2024.

This sensitive site has a long settlement history, and was most recently occupied by the BBC for much of the 20th century. Its redevelopment provides the first opportunity for its parkland to be opened up to public access, with further opportunities for Biodiversity Net Gain and Heritage Interpretation. Our work included detailed planting proposals, designing access routes and ensuring that new development respected the setting of the historic house.

Client: Beechcroft

2021 - Present Project Outcomes:

• Landscape/GI Strategy

• Detailed Landscape Design

• Landscape, Townscape & Visual Assessment

• Interpretation Strategy

• Full planning Application

Other Savills Services:

• Planning

Hencote Care Community

Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Savills provided landscape and planning support through the design and submission of a planning application and the subsequent inquiry for this new care village on the edge of Shrewsbury. The proposals include an extra care home, high quality village community/ wellness centre and a variety of apartments set within a green landscape setting.

Due to the hillside terrain, the scheme layout had to be sensitively designed to maintain accessible gradients and ensure that visual impacts would be mitigated.

The proposals were allowed at inquiry with Savills Landscape team providing written and verbal evidence.

Client: Senescura

2021 - 2022

Project Outcomes:

• Landscape & Visual Assessment

• Landscape Masterplanning

• Landscape Witness at Planning Inquiry

• Outline Planning Application

Other Savills Services:

• Planning, including Witness at Planning Inquiry

We have found Savills Urban Design the ideal partner – clear about their aims and and yet willing to respond to often challenging reflect local opinion and aspirations. They have been professional and fun to work delivered what has been asked of them.

Martin Hammond

Deputy Chief Executive Kettering Borough Council

Studio to be and objectives, challenging demands to work with, and have