In many parts of the estate, mature trees and planting provide a high degree of visual screening, meaning that carefully located new development will have little or no impact on the wider landscape.

One such area is the land immediately north of the main house, which is enclosed by mature trees and dense shrubbery. This area is currently occupied by compacted hardstanding, oil storage tanks and garages, and has minimal visual connection to the surrounding landscape.

The separately listed walled vegetable garden is visually detached from the principal group of historic buildings. This separation is reinforced by several substantial detached dwellings located between the garden and the main house. The enclosed garden sits approximately 3 metres below the unmade lane to the north, further enhancing its sense of enclosure and seclusion.

To the east of the estate, a grassed field is partially screened by mature trees and shrubs. Groombridge Road, which runs along higher ground to the north-west, is heavily enclosed by trees, hedgerows and undergrowth. Withyham Road (B2110), located further south at a lower elevation, does not provide views into the field, although parts of the estate buildings are visible in places.

The estate is recognised as a sensitive landscape. We commissioned an extensive Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) so that we could be careful where we chose to precisely locate the new buildings. Generally, each new building has been carefully designed and located so as to reduce the impact wherever possible.