Rapid Design and Ecology Support for Leeds Castle Glamping Pods
A fast-turnaround landscape and ecology solution helped Leeds Castle secure planning for glamping pods—achieving BNG, privacy, access, and drainage within weeks of project inception.
Client: Leeds Castle
Location: Maidstone, Kent
Services Provided
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)
Landscape Design
Ecological Impact Assessment
Biodiversity Net Gain Integration
The Challenge
Leeds Castle required urgent support to meet a tight planning deadline for a new glamping pod development. Land & Heritage was brought in at short notice to conduct ecological assessments and deliver a design that balanced planning requirements with guest experience and landscape sensitivity.
The Solution
Our ecology team immediately mobilised to complete a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, informing both design and planning risk. Working closely with the client’s engineer, our Landscape Architect designed individual pod plots that responded to site topography, provided privacy and views, and addressed drainage needs.
The layout used a framework of lawns, pathways, fencing, and native/ornamental planting to balance aesthetics, function, and habitat enhancement.
The Result
The final design integrated key findings from the Ecological Impact Assessment, achieving measurable Biodiversity Net Gain and aligning with National Planning Policy and Local Authority requirements.
Detailed plans were delivered within weeks and supported a successful planning submission—delivering speed without compromising quality or compliance.