The Landscape Institute (LI) welcomes the improved clarity, usability, and structure of the draft Design & Placemaking PPG, particularly its stronger emphasis on green infrastructure, nature recovery, and practical design tools. However, we stress that the guidance must go further to embed a truly landscape‑led approach, ensuring landscape is treated as of fundamental importance rather than cosmetic.

Our key asks include:

• Stronger stewardship and long-term management requirements, with early identification of responsible bodies, sustainable funding models, and clearer definitions of community control.
• Explicit landscape-led principles, recognising landscape as the medium for all planning (in line with the European Landscape Convention) and ensuring integrated SuDS, Nature-Based Solutions, and robust landscape management plans.
• Improved public realm guidance, ensuring well-located, multifunctional spaces designed at concept stage to support health, nature, play, active travel, and climate adaptation.
• Higher-quality visual evidence and contextual analysis, including accurate graphics, early attention to existing landscape features, and an emphasis on spaces between buildings.
• Strengthened design review processes, including clearer expectations for applicant reporting and applicability from small sites to strategic schemes.
• Enhanced climate resilience guidance, including resource circularity, rainwater harvesting, and design for thermal comfort through appropriate planting.

Overall, we call for a fully integrated, landscape-led PPG that supports resilient, inclusive, and sustainable placemaking.