Attractive buildings, streets, parks, open countryside and neighbourhoods all contribute to making an area a pleasure to live in. The quality of our surroundings is also a vital factor in attracting and retaining businesses, employers and tourists.
St Albans has a rich built and natural heritage, including a number of conservation areas, areas of archaeological interest, many listed historic buildings, extensive areas of attractive green belt countryside and areas of special nature conservation interest. It is vital that we strive to improve the quality of design of new development to maintain environmental quality in the face of a high level of pressure for development of green belt land and higher densities for development in existing settlements.
The council’s Landscape and Countryside Team deals with landscape, countryside, trees and woodland issues throughout the District and the management of trees on council land. Our work is closely focused on safeguarding the natural and built heritage and promoting environmental quality in new development or as a result of other changes.