Our External Structures Service
Land Structure designs, engineers and installs bespoke external structures for commercial, industrial, housing, local authority and leisure sites. That includes pergolas, shelters, canopies, decking and one-off timber play structures, each built to suit the site and the people who use it.
With over 40 years of experience and our own design, estimating and engineering teams, we manage every project from the first site visit through to installation. Each structure is planned around how the space will be used, the ground conditions and the level of wear it needs to handle, so it looks good on day one and stays safe and solid for years.
What Does Our External Structures Service Include?
Structures are often delivered alongside our commercial fencing and general landscaping services, so one team looks after the whole external works package.
Which External Structure Is Right for Your Site?
The right structure depends on who will use the space and what it needs to do. The table below shows the structures we are asked for most often and where each one works best.
| Structure | Where it works best | Main benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Pergolas and gazebos | Business parks, retail sites and residential developments | Adds shade, shelter and a focal point to open space |
| Shelters and covered walkways | Logistics centres, offices, schools and hospitals | Keeps people dry as they move between buildings |
| Loading bay canopies | Warehouses and distribution centres | Protects staff and goods during loading |
| Seating and break areas | Industrial and commercial sites | Gives staff a usable outdoor space |
| Timber play and activity structures | Leisure resorts, parks and public open spaces | Built to handle constant use by visitors |
| Decking, boardwalks and ramps | Parks, woodland and leisure sites | Safe, level access over uneven or sensitive ground |
Not sure which option suits your site? Read our guide to external structures for industrial sites, or get in touch and we will visit to talk it through.
Why Choose Land Structure?
Building a structure that looks good on the day it is finished is one thing. Building one that is still safe and solid after years of heavy use takes the right design, materials and installation. Our engineering team looks at loads, foundations and ground conditions before anything is built, and we choose materials to suit how hard each structure will be used.
We are accredited with Constructionline, CHAS, SafeContractor, SMAS, CQMS and BALI, and we are used to working to the strict safety and security standards of government, prison and large commercial sites.
Case Study: Center Parcs, Woburn Forest
At Center Parcs Woburn Forest, we designed and built bespoke timber structures for the resort’s outdoor activity areas, including a military command bunker, a fort and a simulated crashed lorry. Each one had to stand up to constant use by guests of all ages, so we focused on durable materials and careful detailing.
The structures proved so popular with visitors and staff that similar installations followed at other Center Parcs locations. We continue to work across the Woburn Forest site on landscaping, fencing and enhancement projects.
External Structures FAQs
What are external structures in landscaping?
External structures are built features within a landscape, such as pergolas, gazebos, shelters, canopies, decking, boardwalks and play structures. They add shelter, shade, access or activity to an outdoor space and are usually installed alongside hard and soft landscaping.
Do external structures need planning permission?
It depends on the type and size of the structure and where it sits on the site. Larger shelters and canopies often need planning permission, and extra controls apply to listed buildings and conservation areas. We flag this at the design stage so any consent can be built into your programme.
What materials do you use for external structures?
We mainly work with timber and steel, chosen to suit the structure and how it will be used. Timber that sits in the ground or stays wet should be treated to Use Class 4 under BS 8417, as the Wood Protection Association advises, and outdoor steelwork is usually galvanised or powder coated to protect it from the weather.
Can you design a structure specifically for our site?
Yes. Most of the structures we build are one-offs. Our design team works from your brief, a site survey and your budget, and our estimating team gives you a clear cost covering materials, labour and contingency before any work starts.
Where do you work?
Our head office is in Old Stratford, Milton Keynes, and we have a regional office in Lakenheath, Suffolk. Recent projects include sites in Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire. Get in touch to discuss your location.
Get in touch to discuss your project
