Rural Landscape Architecture
A Contemporary Garden Shaped by Woodland Ecology
Written Stone Farm is a rural landscape project in the Ribble Valley, centred around a Grade II-listed building. White Mosaic was commissioned to develop a landscape masterplan that would meet planning requirements while creating a clear vision for the house, barn, courtyard and surrounding land.
The landscape was therefore more than a planning requirement. It needed to strengthen the relationship between the listed buildings and their countryside setting, while bringing together landscape design, planting, visualisation and planning coordination.
The masterplan established a clear distinction between the residential curtilage and adjoining agricultural field. It was coordinated with the approved architectural drawings, topographical survey and Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan. Following planning advice, the western boundary was aligned with the consented red-line plan. A native hedgerow and cattle fence provide separation from the field, with planting carefully positioned around the public footpath.
Formal planting close to the buildings creates structure, while the landscape becomes more naturalistic towards the wider countryside. The masterplan explored features including a rain garden, shelterbelt planting and carefully positioned tree groups.
Around the barn and courtyard, the planting palette is deliberately restrained, with white-flowering species chosen to complement the architecture.
Ecology was considered from the outset. Existing biodiversity information and BNG calculations informed tree numbers and locations, while proposed planting was checked against buildings, walls, the public footpath and future access.
External lighting was also carefully considered. The planning submission included lighting positions and product information, demonstrating how light spill and pollution would be minimised.
Written Stone Farm demonstrates how landscape architecture can bring together heritage, ecology, planning and contemporary rural living. The result is a landscape designed not simply to support planning approval, but to provide a strong foundation for the property to mature naturally within its setting.
