http://www.michellebolger.com/contact daily 0.75 2023-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1445095613697-4ONFH9UXRR1KHXQVK35W/VP55.JPG Contact http://www.michellebolger.com/home daily 1.0 2021-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1445091129600-24MC5PEHICZO8IQPO3TH/Thamesbank+-+crop.jpg Home http://www.michellebolger.com/about daily 0.75 2023-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1611574748228-ADQU1YDPZCMGX9ZLLIHL/8e7b2c98-c064-4764-9eae-538af64b169c.jpg About - Michelle Bolger Michelle is an experienced landscape planner with a reputation as an outstanding expert witness. She brings a clarity to the landscape assessment of new development that is valued by clients and by planning inspectors. Michelle has been consistently praised for her understanding of the landscape and landscape planning policy; her LVIAs and proofs of evidence tell a convincing story. When giving evidence at public inquiries, Michelle successfully conveys complex ideas, inspires confidence and excels under pressure. Qualifications - Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute - Dip. LA (Diploma in Landscape Architecture): Greenwich University, 1999 - BA (Hons) Landscape Architecture: Greenwich University, 1997 - PGCE: London University, 1981 - BA (Hons) English: Durham University, 1980 Contact Michelle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516895568037-UDVV9YSR6E2GY7O3RXGI/1041+Symondshyde+image+2.jpg About http://www.michellebolger.com/services daily 0.75 2021-11-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516907212279-DCHARQ7I89XM065EEY34/1049+Hendy+Image+6.jpg Services - Planning Application Reviews MBELC specialises in reviewing the landscape and visual aspects of planning applications for local planning authorities, other statutory consultees and local action groups. Reviews have included minerals and quarries, wind turbine developments, residential development and energy developments. Fundamental to the reviews is a clear identification of what are likely to be material considerations for the planning officer and the planning committee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/e969b16e-da3e-44a2-8575-e818d58a2d94/1214+PIEWTR+Front+Page.jpg Services - Expert Witness Training MBELC provides training for local planning authority officers with regard to providing expert evidence at public inquires and hearings. The training can be tailored to the needs and experience of officers and covers aspects such as understanding the inquiry process, how to prepare robust evidence and how to present evidence at inquiry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516906993475-NLHBSBNXF69I1JN7WUP9/1041+Birchall+Image+1.jpg Services - Local Plan Assessments Many sites that are being promoted through the local plan process, particularly for residential development, are greenfield sites with landscape issues. A well-focused landscape assessment helps to identify how a site can be most appropriately developed and is essential to inform a successful indicative masterplan. Where landscape or Green Belt studies have been undertaken by a Local Planning Authority it is important that these are carefully analysed as the methodologies are widely varying. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516907181709-SH280PXEMAC7C9XJSLKT/1011+Wylva+Image+3.jpg Services - Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects The NSIPs process includes a series of consultation phases in which all statutory consultees can be involved. Many of the consultees, district and county councils, boards of National Parks or AONBs, need expert landscape advice to help them understand the potential landscape impact. MBELC have been involved in reviewing several NSIPs applications including the application for a new Nuclear Power Station at Wylfa in Anglesey. Our role has included making sure that all possible mitigation has been considered by the promoters of the development and representing the consultees on landscape issues during the examination in public. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516906583308-9HHCSELTDKG0NRDPNJ7M/1032+Finchingfield+Image+1.jpg Services - Expert Witness Landscape effects are sometimes seen as an easy option for the refusal of planning permission as there is an inevitable degree of subjectivity in judgements concerning landscape and visual issues. Landscape evidence prepared by MBELC addresses issues of subjectivity through a thorough understanding of the site and the local landscape character followed by well-reasoned and evidenced judgments. Work prepared by MBELC is written to be understood, it uses clear English, avoids unnecessary jargon and identifies what matters and why. We believe that decision-makers are more likely to be persuaded if they can understand the underlying assumptions and reasoning behind judgements. Many recent decisions have turned on interpretations of what defines a ‘valued landscape’, as described in paragraph 109 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Our evidence demonstrates a thorough understanding of the factors inspectors and the Secretary of State have considered relevant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516906944072-SH57EK7WNPNORPYMS0BA/1005+Griffe+Grange+Image+5.jpg Services - Landscape AND Visual Impact Assessments Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA) or Landscape and Visual Appraisals (LVA), written for applications that do not require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), are at the heart of landscape assessment. Assessments are prepared for all scales of development, as part of an EIA and as standalone LVAs. Assessments should be proportionate to the scale of the development and the sensitivity of the landscape. It is essential that a LVIA/LVA identifies the most important landscape issues, reaches clear conclusions about landscape impacts and the means by which they can be successfully mitigated. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516792480943-IQQI3UDNG0UXDWL56WCX/MB++VIEWPOINT+9+-+Stow+Longa+Village+Green+-+75mm.jpg Services http://www.michellebolger.com/clients daily 0.75 2018-06-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516905399186-FELHG8QN02A75RVVHHGV/1016+St+Osyth+Image+5.JPG Clients - Developers Our services have been utilised by a number of developers, from national companies such as City and Country, to smaller local developers requiring landscape and visual expertise and support through the planning application and appeals process. Photograph: Restoration at the Baliff's Cottage, St Osyth's Priory. Learn more in Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516905808973-BGRUE7U8Z9P9OB7AB7GS/1032+Finchingfield+Image+2.jpg Clients - Local Authorities We continue to work with a number of local authorities across Great Britain. Our services are often sought for reviewing planning applications and supporting landscape reasons for refusal through the appeals and inquiry process. Clients include North East Derbyshire, Derbyshire Dales, Braintree, Huntingdon, South Oxfordshire and The Vale of White Horse. Photograph: Aerial View of Finchingfield in Braintree District, north-west Essex. Learn more in Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516906425047-4LUOBRQZO2T6HW36MKFW/1012+West+Garty+Image+1.JPG Clients - Other Professionals We are regularly engaged by and work alongside a range of other professionals including: Town Planners; Architects; Urban Designers; Arboricultural Consultants; Engineers; Ecologists; and other Landscape Architects. Photograph: Helmsdale, Sutherland Learn more in Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516904516643-UWUAA7MSXRA8A7UZKMAC/1011+Wylva+Image+1.JPG Clients - charitAble organisations and local action groups We help a number of well-known national organisations such as The National Trust and The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) as well as local action groups who have often taken Rule 6 status at a planning inquiry. Photograph: Wylfa Nuclear Power Station on Anglesey Learn more in Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516904648444-KSWCD6TM8SSHG0PWA7NL/1041+Birchall+Image+3.jpg Clients - Estates We continue to provide landscape planning expertise in relation to a number of large estates, including Milton Hall in Peterborough and Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, where we work with Gascoyne Cecil Estates. Photograph: The Rooftop of Hatfield House Learn more in Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56212a14e4b0797d1bf9122d/1516895698294-GNUT7GWDRK7BC652V0OG/1012+West+Garty+Image+2.JPG Clients