Landscape

The district's landscape is rich and varied, from the apparent wilderness of the high heather moor and intensively cultivated farmland, to the natural beauty of woods and water and carefully tended gardens and historic parks.

The publications listed below have supplementary planning guidance status and relate to policies in the adopted and emerging Harrogate district local plan. For more information, visit our local planning guidance page.

  • Landscape design guide
  • Landscape character assessment
    In planning terms, the landscape character assessment is a district-wide analysis of landscape quality. Our  landscape design guide (pdf / 4 MB) contains advice on landscape works and siting associated with new development
  • Historic parks and gardens
    Twelve parks and gardens in the district are registered as being of special historic interest, including Studley Royal and Fountains, which is associated with Fountains Abbey World Heritage Site
  • Biodiversity
    Biodiversity design guidance seeks to protect or enhance the biological diversity of development sites
  • Trees and hedges
    Find out how tree preservation orders and conservation area status can protect trees and get advice on planting garden hedges; how the high hedges legislation may affect you and, details of how the hedgerow regulations protect countryside hedgerows
  • Green infrastructure guide
    The green infrastructure SPD helps ensure that proposals for development make the most of opportunities to improve existing and create new, green infrastructure
  • Heritage
    You can find out more about all aspects of conservation in the Harrogate district