What is TGN 06/19, and does my CGI need to follow it?
Landscape Institute TGN 06/19 is UK guidance on how to produce visual representations of development proposals. It is not law. Yes, your CGI should follow it if the images support a UK planning application or a landscape and visual impact assessment, and your planning officer or consultant expects it. For marketing-only images, it does not apply.
What TGN 06/19 covers
TGN 06/19 is a technical guidance note from the Landscape Institute. It explains how to make images that show a scheme fairly. It covers photography, how a 3D model is placed into a photo, and how the result is presented.
The aim is simple. A decision maker should be able to trust what the image shows. That is why the note sits close to landscape and visual impact assessment, often called LVIA.
The note describes four types of visualization:
- Type 1: an annotated viewpoint photograph.
- Type 2: a 3D wireframe or model view.
- Type 3: a photomontage or photowire.
- Type 4: a photomontage or photowire that can be verified against survey data.
Each type suits a different purpose. Not every view needs Type 4.
When your CGI needs to follow it
Your CGI needs to follow it when it goes into a UK planning submission that relies on visual evidence. This is most common with LVIA work. It also applies when a consultant or planning officer asks for it by name.
The note is guidance, not statute. In practice, many authorities and consultants treat it as the expected standard. Ask early which type each view needs.
It usually does not apply to sales and marketing images. A lifestyle render for a brochure has no duty to follow it. Do not submit a marketing render as planning evidence, though. The two jobs have different rules.
Consider a generic example. A 50-unit mid-rise sits close to a protected view. The consultant may ask for verified photomontages from set viewpoints. The same developer may also want mood-led renders for sales. Those are two separate briefs.
What decides the type you need
The sensitivity of the view decides the type. A scheme in a conservation area or a protected landscape usually needs more rigor. A small scheme in a low-sensitivity setting may need less.
Scale also matters. A tall or highly visible building draws closer scrutiny. Your landscape consultant normally sets the type for each viewpoint.
If you are unsure, ask the planning officer before you brief anyone. Our article on whether you need a verified view in a conservation area walks through that decision.
What a studio needs from you
A studio needs three things: a clear type per view, photographs taken to the guidance, and a usable model. Without these, a compliant image is not possible.
For verified views, survey data is the key input. This is usually supplied by a surveyor or your consultant. It ties the photo and the model to real-world points. A studio cannot invent it.
On the design side, we work from CAD, Revit or SketchUp drawings, plus reference images and material lists. Work is delivered in rounds with your markups. We serve clients in the US, the UK and Europe, with time-zone overlap with US and UK mornings.
Before you brief, gather this:
- The type required for each viewpoint.
- Original photographs and any camera details.
- Survey or control point data, if Type 4 is needed.
- The latest drawings or 3D model.
- Material and finish information.
What it costs and where to start
Photomontage work starts from $399 per image, or $750 for a set of 3. Final price depends on scope, including the number of views and the type each one needs.
If you are comparing quotes, read our guide to what drives architectural rendering cost. It explains why two similar-looking briefs can price differently.
When you are ready, see our photomontage service and send the views, drawings and the type your consultant requires. You can also reach us through the contact page.
