Why the Landscape Plan Matters
In Ireland's predominantly rural landscape, visual impact is consistently one of the top concerns raised by planning authorities and objectors in solar farm applications. The Landscape Plan is your opportunity to demonstrate that the development has been designed with sensitivity to its surroundings — and that robust mitigation is in place.
A well-prepared Landscape Plan does not just satisfy planners — it actively improves planning outcomes. Applications that include a clear, detailed planting scheme are more likely to be approved without conditions requiring revised landscaping post-consent.
What Is a Landscape Plan?
A Landscape Plan is a planning-standard drawing (produced in AutoCAD) that shows:
The Landscape Plan is accompanied by a **Planting Schedule** — a table listing all proposed species, sizes, spacing, and numbers. This gives the planning authority (and conditions compliance officers) a clear reference for what was approved.
The Relationship Between the Landscape Plan and the LVIA
In Ireland, it is standard practice for the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) to be prepared by a qualified landscape architect, and for the Landscape Plan to reflect the mitigation measures recommended in that report.
We do not prepare LVIAs ourselves. What we do is take the recommendations of your LVIA consultant and translate them into a planning-standard drawing set. This division of labour is efficient: your landscape architect focuses on the professional assessment and recommendations; we handle the AutoCAD production.
This means you need to provide us with:
1. The LVIA (or landscape assessment section of the EIAR)
2. The site layout plan showing panel arrays, fencing, and access
We work from these documents to produce a Landscape Plan that is consistent with both.
What Irish Planners Expect to See
Native Species Only
Irish planning authorities strongly prefer native species in planting schemes. An Bord Pleanála applications in particular require native provenance planting. Typical species for Irish solar farm landscaping include:
Introduced ornamental species (leylandii hedging, laurel, non-native conifers) are typically discouraged and sometimes prohibited by planning condition.
Establishment Period and Management Commitments
Planners want to see that planting will be properly maintained through to establishment. Our Landscape Plans include:
Consistency With the Site Layout Plan
The planting shown on the Landscape Plan must exactly match the planting shown on the site layout plan. Inconsistencies — even minor ones — lead to Further Information requests. We cross-check both documents before delivery.
Ecological Enhancement
Many planning authorities now expect solar farm applications to demonstrate biodiversity net gain, not just landscape mitigation. Our planting schemes incorporate:
This goes beyond minimum landscape mitigation and positions your application as environmentally positive.
Common Landscape Plan Mistakes to Avoid
1. **Using non-native species** — even well-intentioned choices like cherry laurel or Portuguese laurel are often rejected.
2. **Inconsistency with the LVIA recommendations** — if the LVIA recommends dense screening to the north, the plan must show it.
3. **No planting schedule** — some applicants submit a drawing without a schedule. Planners will request one.
4. **Unrealistic planting widths** — a single-row hawthorn hedge does not screen a 4m solar panel. Plans should show credible screening widths.
5. **No establishment maintenance commitments** — without a maintenance commitment, the planning authority cannot be confident the planting will be achieved.
How We Can Help
We prepare Landscape Plans from your LVIA or landscape assessment within **2–3 weeks** of receiving your documents. Our drawings are produced in AutoCAD and delivered as both PDF (for submission) and DWG (for your consultants' use).
[Contact us](/contact) with your LVIA and site layout to discuss your Landscape Plan.
See also: [Landscape Plans service](/services/landscape-plans) | [Ground-Mounted Solar Design](/services/ground-mounted-solar-design)