Homes

Beeches Park

Screenshot

Project Details

Client
Catesby Estates
Location
Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
Year
2023 – 2026
Services
Masterplanning

Overview

Define Planning and Design was appointed by Catesby Estates to support the preparation of a new planning application for a strategic residential site in Beaconsfield, following the refusal of an earlier scheme at appeal in December 2022 (which we were not involved in). The commission required a fundamental review of the previous proposals and a clear, evidence-based response to the Planning Inspector’s conclusions, with a focus on a genuinely landscape-led approach.

Define worked closely with the wider consultant team and the client to reshape the development approach, placing landscape, green infrastructure and long-term stewardship at the heart of a revised masterplan capable of addressing previous concerns and delivering a high-quality, sustainable place.

Define’s contribution

Define played a central role in re-establishing the design strategy for the site, providing landscape-led masterplanning and coordinating key technical and placemaking inputs.

Masterplanning and Design Evolution

Comprehensive review of the appeal decision and Inspector’s findings to inform a revised development strategy

Landscape-led masterplanning to reshape the site structure, development parcels and relationship with surrounding landscape and settlements

Iterative testing of layout, access, scale and landscape mitigation to address landscape, visual and character considerations

Green Infrastructure and Landscape Strategy

Development of an integrated green infrastructure framework to guide landscape structure, open space provision, ecological enhancement and sustainable drainage

Coordination with ecology, drainage and heritage inputs to ensure a multifunctional and policy-compliant approach

Clear articulation of landscape character areas and how green infrastructure supports sense of place and climate resilience

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)

Preparation of a robust, GLVIA-compliant LVIA to assess landscape and visual effects of the revised proposals

Use of assessment findings to directly inform design decisions and mitigation measures embedded within the masterplan

Green/Grey Belt Assessment (GBA)

Preparation of a robust assessment of the Green Belt and the land / development to demonstrate it is Grey Belt land and meets the NPPF para 155 tests / Golden Rules

Design Coding and Stewardship

Preparation of design coding principles to guide future development quality and consistency across the site

Key input into shaping the site’s stewardship strategy, ensuring long-term management of landscape, green infrastructure and community assets to secure a positive legacy beyond planning

Consultation and Engagement

Active involvement in stakeholder and community engagement, helping to explain the revised design approach and respond to feedback

Support to the wider team in pre-application discussions with the local planning authority

Outcome

Through a coordinated, landscape-led and evidence-based approach, Define helped Catesby Estates to prepare a fundamentally revised planning application that directly responds to the Inspector’s earlier concerns. This received the widespread support of officers and a recommendation to approve.

Members overturned this recommendation, and a planning appeal (via public inquiry) took place in late February 2026, which was permitted in March 2026. The Inspector agreed with our evidence insofar that the site was grey belt and the proposal was in accordance with the Golden Rules, the visual envelope would be very limited in part due to the site’s containment by woodland and the ring road, and that the scheme’s design approach was genuinely ‘landscape-led’ and resolved the perceived inadequacies of previous refused proposals.