Practice of the Year Shortlist for Weddles
We are delighted to be shortlisted for Practice of the Year award for the upcoming Sheffield Design Awards.
We are delighted to be shortlisted for Practice of the Year award for the upcoming Sheffield Design Awards.
We are seeking a motivated, creative and enthusiastic landscape architectural Year Out or Graduate who is looking to progress their landscape career. An interest or dual degree with ecology would be an advantage.
Our small and friendly team is based in Sheffield and we provide excellent training and experience across a wide variety of landscape project types throughout the country.
We have a wide variety of projects across the country and our focus is to provide a joined up service incorporating
ecology, landscape and arboriculture, from project inception, through planning and delivery on site.
The successful candidate will have good working knowledge of Autocad and Adobe Suite and have strong graphic and
presentation skills. Experience of Lumion and Revit would be an advantage although training will be given.
To apply please send your CV and portfolio to mail@weddles.co.uk
Applications by 30th June 2024. Earlier applications encouraged.
No third parties or agencies.
As of May 2024:
Major Site: Residential developments larger then 10 residential units / 1 hectare area; or commercial development where floor space is more then 1,000 square metres / 1 hectare area.
= Requires 10% net gain (or more if stated by LPA) as required by the Environment Act
Small Sites: Residential development less then 10 units / 1 hectare (or if the number of dwellings is unknown less than 0.5 hectares); or commercial development where floor space created is less than 1,000 square metres / 1 hectare area.
=Requires 10% net gain (or more if stated by LPA) as required by the Environment Act (typically can use the ‘small sites metric’)
Exempt from BNG: Impacts less then 25m2 of non-priority habitat; permitted development; householder applications; residential self-build or custom-build (where the initial owner/s are primarily involved in the development) and less then 0.5 hectare area, and change of use applications.
If in any doubt please get in touch and our team can guide you though the BNG process: mail@weddles.co.uk // 0114 250 1181
Weddles are a friendly and busy landscape architecture and ecology consultancy. We are looking for an office manager to join our growing team to help run the day-to-day workings of our Sheffield office.
The position is initially offered on a part-time basis with the potential to progress to full-time. The role is based in the office in Sheffield.
We are looking for somebody who has the following attributes:
Tasks may include:
The ability to reliably commute to the Sheffield office or plan to relocate to Sheffield before starting work will be required.
To apply please e-mail mail@weddles.co.uk sending a CV and covering letter.
Applications by 17th March 2024.
No third parties or agencies.
From today, Monday 12th February 2024, Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) begins for major developments applying for new planning permission under the Town & Country Planning Act. BNG then extends to minor developments, applying under the same Act, from April 2024.
By the end of 2025, BNG is expected to extend to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
To clarify what some of this means, our ecologists have provided some answers to Frequently Asked Questions, below.
What is BNG?
Biodiversity – biological diversity – is the variety of life on Earth. Having a ‘net gain’ for biodiversity means leaving the living components of a particular area (or, ecosystem) in a measurably better condition than in which they were found.
The way in which ecologists measure the condition of an area before a project has been undertaken and predicts what can be achieved after a project has been completed is by undertaking surveys, using a mapping system, and applying a formula (this is known as the BNG metric). Comparing those before and after figures result in a measurable gain – or loss – for biodiversity resulting from a project.
Losses are not permitted as of Monday 12th February 2024: a mandatory minimum of a 10% net gain across England has been set in law. Many Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) setting their minimum higher to ensure biodiversity improves in their regions.
Why does biodiversity matter?
More biodiversity means healthier, more resilient, ecosystems. Our living world is complex and formed by connections between its parts. These connections and systems are ultimately what sustains life.
Why has BNG been created?
Biodiversity in England has been in decline for decades, accelerating in the last thirty years (State of Nature, 2023). This has had detrimental impacts to the life systems on which we depend – declines in pollination, species extinctions, and contributing to the deterioration in the health of watercourses. There are many factors that have contributed to nature’s decline, and habitat loss from development is one of them.
What does BNG mean for development?
BNG has been created so that the impacts of development do not continue to contribute to the decline of nature; rather, it creates opportunities for developments to contribute to the recovery of thriving ecosystems in England. It adds to, rather than replaces, other current planning and environmental legislation.
Developers will be required to submit a BNG Assessment and calculation using Natural England’s Biodiversity Metric. Effectively, this shows a comparison of the pre- and post- development biodiversity values.
Weddles can assist during the early stages of design to consider the most important and valuable existing habitats, and how these can be protected and retained as part of the development. As our team carry out landscape design, arboriculture, horticulture, and ecology survey work, everything relating to BNG can be carried out in-house, collaboratively, ultimately leading to a more efficient project pipeline.
For more information, see Biodiversity Net Gain, or feel welcome to contact our team.
We carry out tree surveys to fulfil the requirements of mortgage providers. This involves identifying trees which may be impacting the property and providing a professional judgement on if these are causing damage. This report will identify hazards, evaluate risk and proposed appropriate measures. Hazards include roots impacts, overhanging branches that can damage structures, or the potential for falling trees during storms.
We have an opportunity for a Landscape Architect to join our team in Sheffield.
We have a wide variety of projects at a range of scales all over the country and our team provides a joined up, coordinated service incorporating ecology, landscape and arboriculture. We work across a number of project types including residential, education, commercial, energy and healthcare, providing our clients with initial feasibility and concept designs, through planning, to delivery and completion on site.
Your role would typically include;
Assisting with bids and tenders
Work with our multidisciplinary team, subconsultants, and client design teams
Prepare design information, specifications and schedules, including planting designs and construction drawings
Prepare Landscape and Biodiversity Management Plans
Work to achieve Biodiversity Net Gains
Co-ordinate drawings and visualisations with the wider team
Undertake baseline assessment work
Assist with the production of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments and other reports
Attend design team meetings and inspect site
Support junior staff on their work and progression
We are looking for a confident and enthusiastic Landscape Architect with two+ years of practical experience. You will have exceptional design and communication skills, and the ability to fit into our friendly and hardworking team. A proven ability with Autocad and Adobe Suite is essential. Experience of Landscape and Visual Assessments and understanding of the planning system would be advantageous. An understanding of Ecology and Arboriculture would be useful.
The role is based in our Sheffield office. We would also consider applications for a flexible part-time position, so please get in touch.
To apply please e-mail mail@weddles.co.uk sending a CV and covering letter.
Applications by 16th February 2024. Earlier applications encouraged as we intend to appoint sooner.
No third parties or agencies.
We’re very lucky to have Imogen join us for her year out placement during her MLA Landscape Architecture with Ecology degree at Sheffield University. She is providing superb support to both the landscape and ecology teams and is learning basic arboricultural skills.
Last week was the 75 anniversary of the NHS #NHS75. It also marked the official opening of the Northern General Hospital Wellbeing Garden designed by @weddles.co.uk
The £370,000 ‘Secret Garden’ has been funded by @sheffhospitalcharity with the design providing a series of tranquil outdoor spaces away from busy hospital life with opportunities for people to get outside to enjoy tranquil moments within green space.
We hope that the secret garden becomes well-known (not secret!) and enjoyed by staff and patients alike. The planting is still to completely fill out and it will be great to see it develop in the coming seasons.
You can read more about the garden on Sheffield Hospitals Charity website here: https://www.sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk/News/secret-garden-opens
Contractor: Jarvale Construction Ltd