Bethany Vann
- Nature & Biodiversity
New House of Lords ruling could be detrimental to UK housebuilding target, says Fix Radio
The governments’ recent plans to relax restrictions on water pollution has been blocked by the House of Lords. The government put forward plans to remove EU-era ‘nutrient neutrality’ rules last month, with the intention to encourage housebuilding amid current sector slump, and support its own housebuilding target. UK housebuilding has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade, with only 898 major residential projects approved between April and June this year, says trade radio station Fix Radio. Approval rates for major residential projects between April and June has fallen by 11%, in comparison to the same time last year;…
Read More » - Domestic Landscaping
JJH Landscapes wins top award at BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair
Association of Professional Landscapers’ Skills Competition JJH Landscapes from Oxfordshire, with team partner Radial Landscapes from West Sussex won the Association of Professional Landscapers’ Skills Competition. “It’s important to recognise the technical skills of professional landscape teams whose talents often go unsung when it comes to building show gardens,” says Rachel Poletti-Gadd, portfolio director – gardening division at Immediate Live, organisers of the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair. Best Showcase Garden The Best Showcase Garden was awarded to Lucy Chamberlain, head gardener at East Donyland, Gemma Sturges and Kelly Fowler. The trio’s ‘Edible Garden Through Time’ showcases three significant periods…
Read More » - Supplier News
Eljays44 gets ‘muddy’ for charity
The Eljays44 team took part in a ‘muddy’ charity event over the weekend, organised by horticultural charity, Perennial. The ‘Nuts Challenge’ is an award-winning mud run, held several times throughout the year. Participants are required to work their way through water and obstacle courses, from climbing to crawling. Three members of the Eljays44 team were amongst participants on Saturday, raising over £200 for the charity in under a week. “Everyone in the Eljays44 sales team had an amazing day raising money for perennial,” says Eljays44 sales executive, Lewis Everle. “The course was challenging and took our breath away at times,…
Read More » - Supplier News
NAO Landscapes continues to expand ahead of seventh anniversary
Southern-based NAO Landscapes has reached new milestones ahead of its seventh anniversary this month. The company has “experienced growth in all areas,” says NAO director Lucy Osman. It has reported a 100% increase in turnover in the last 12 months, with employee numbers doubling. Originally based in Kent, the company has now expanded into central London, with two contracts in the pipeline this year at the circa £5m mark. “We always aimed to get to the size where we could handle these types of large scale commercial projects. “We hope to see continued growth over the next year with several…
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Meadfleet rebrands ahead of new Biodiversity Net Gain law
Open space management company Meadfleet has rebranded ahead of Biodiversity Net Gain becoming mandatory for developers in November. The UK based company has ‘refreshed’ its branding and website to more appropriately reflect the organisation’s almost 30-year history and operational remit. It also includes additional support for the Biodiversity Net Gain law coming in November, and for existing and new developers. “With our 30th anniversary approaching and the introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain, we felt now was a great time to update our brand to better reflect our culture and approach to open space management,” says managing director David King. More…
Read More » - Commercial Landscaping
National Landscape Award winners announced
The winners have been announced for this year’s National Landscape Awards 2023. Winners span across 25 categories, with 50 companies being recognised, including Ground Control – which has won five – and Wright Landscapes and GP Plantscape, which both have won three. In total, 69 awards were presented. “The willingness to partake in this process highlights our members’ continued commitment to driving the industry forward, promoting excellence and encouraging fresh talent,” says BALI chief executive, Wayne Grills. The National Landscape Awards ceremony will be held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London on 1 December. The event…
Read More » - Nature & Biodiversity
Biodiversity gets a boost at one of England’s oldest nature reserves
One of England’s oldest nature reserves is set for an increase in biodiversity as local fauna is reintroduced and wild flora is increased. Natural England has started work to increase biodiversity on additional land at Wybunbury Moss in Cheshire, following the Church Commissioners for England agreeing to lease two fields of nearly 15 acres in an effort to protect moss lands and restore the fields to a ‘more natural state’. The site covers an area of approximately 16.5hain total and “supports an outstanding collection of invertebrates, including many nationally and locally rare species,” says Natural England senior reserve manager, Paul…
Read More » - Landscape Architecture
Plans submitted for 500 homes linked by linear park in Liverpool
British architecture firm BDP has put forward plans for more than 500 homes in Liverpool’s Love Lane, which will reuse part of the city’s existing “historic” brick railway arches. Sources Developments and Network Rail have collaborated with BDP to put forward development plans for 507 homes built adjacent to the railway lines, north of the city centre. Each of the four buildings will be capped at 11 storeys maximum and will contain an internal courtyard to support local community events and social activities. Development includes 147 one-bed units, 330 two-beds and 30 three-bed homes, with a 200-metre linear park connecting…
Read More » - Sustainability
British bank funds 10,000 new sustainable homes
A British bank has provided funding for 10,000 new sustainable homes across the south of Wales in the next decade. Lloyds Bank has contributed a £100m sustainability linked loan to social housing provider, Pobl Group, in a bid to incentivise Pobl to meet its target on new home energy ratings and increase the number of affordable homes. “Integrating solar panels and smart batteries, leveraging heat networks, improving insulation and providing electric vehicle charging are just some of the raft of measures our team is reviewing and delivering as part of our sustainable development plans,” says James O’Connor, director of corporate…
Read More » - Nature & Biodiversity
West Sussex town receives RHS grant
A town on the River Arun in West Sussex has received a grant from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to support its local greening programme. The Greening Arundel initiative, still in its first year, has received funding to help make Arundel a greener place to live, work and visit, says the group. The initiative has a ‘Green Team’ of 30 who have contributed over 500 volunteer hours, transforming areas across Arundel, including the establishment of a herb garden at the town quayside, and the potting of more plants around town amenities, such as the train station. “The timing of the…
Read More » - Nature & Biodiversity
AI to combat rise in Asian hornet sighting
AI software is being used to combat the rise in Asian hornet sightings across the UK, a number that has doubled in the last year. Pollenize, a Plymouth-based beekeeping and conservation company, has developed an automated system that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify and report Asian hornets to the authorities. Stations will be placed across the UK at high-risk sites, including 21 ports, and will operate as an early-warning system, automatically identifying sightings of the non-native species, enabling prompt action to be taken to prevent potential spreading. The monitoring stations will deploy a mist, attracting hornets to the device,…
Read More » - Landscape Architecture
£128m in backing brings forward Manchester project with series of green spaces
A development project in Manchester, with an almost £30m estimated economic impact, has secured more than £128m backing. Property developer and investment specialist, Select Property has secured the funding from finance provider, Maslow Capital, fast-tracking its One Port Street residency project in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Over 22,000 sq ft of public green space, a roof garden and multiple residential green spaces are included in the plans, with EV charging points and cycle storage to encourage ‘greener’ travel. A roof garden will also be created. The development includes 477 apartments, aiming to “address the nation’s housing shortage,” says Matt Pigran, senior…
Read More » - Landscape Architecture
Construction industry calls for urgent action from net zero minister
Several construction industry organisations are calling for immediate action from the new net zero minister. The appointment of new secretary of state for energy security and net zero, Claire Mouthinho MP, has prompted the construction sector to put forward a list of priorities. “Millions are living in energy inefficient homes that are in dire need of retrofitting,” says RIBA president, Simon Allford. “If we are to address the climate emergency, help households with the cost-of-living crisis, and create new green jobs, we urgently need a well-funded National Retrofit Strategy, with a robust timetable and targets.” Members of the UK Green…
Read More » - Supplier News
plants@work introduces new equality and inclusion policy
plants@work is introducing a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy for all its members and teams, in a bid to eliminate unlawful discrimination and support fair representation to all sectors. The policy includes commitments to provide equality and respect to all members of the team, protect against unlawful discrimination as referred to in the Equality Act 2010, and encourage fair and professional practice. plants@work ambassador Ian Drummond, says: “I am so pleased to see this important policy launched at plants@work, supporting equality for everyone no matter what their gender, beliefs leanings or skin colour.” The full policy can be found…
Read More » - Nature & Biodiversity
UK among first to back new nature recovery fund
The UK has pledged to contribute millions to the newly launched Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) in a bid to restore and project global biodiversity. Over 185 environment leaders convened in Canada for the seventh Global Environment Facility where nature minister Trudy Harrison pledged a contribution of £10m to the fund, making the UK among the first countries to back the fund. The fund will support the plans outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which has been agreed on by almost 200 countries, to halve and reverse global biodiversity loss by 2030. The GBFF will build on the…
Read More » - Nature & Biodiversity
£16m funding for peatland restoration
Thousands of hectares of peatland in the UK are set to be restored to help tackle climate change and recover biodiversity. Over £16m of government funding has been submitted to 12 restoration projects, from the Great North Bog to the Norfolk Broads, including projects from Somerset to County Durham. The government is investing more than £50m to peat restoration as part of its commitment to restore approximately 35,000ha of peatland in England by the end of this parliament. “Our peatlands hold over half of our terrestrial store of carbon,” says environment minister Rebecca Pow. “With just 1% in a near…
Read More » - Supplier News
Origin Enterprises acquires UK-based landscape supplier
Origin Enterprises plc has acquired landscape supplier Suregreen, which went into administration this month. Suregreens’ portfolio will complement Origin’s subsidiary companies Green-tech, and its two more recent acquisitions, British Hardwood trees, and Agrigem. The acquisition will strengthen the Group’s amenity, environmental and ecological portfolio. “Landscaping, urban greening and habitat creation will continue to play an important role in sustainable land use to help tackle climate change and restore biodiversity,” says Origin. Suregreen’s administrators Messrs. De’ath, Gardiner and Provan of Begbies Traynor were appointed on 24 August.
Read More » - Landscape Architecture
HTA Design to lead Canterbury heritage regeneration project
HTA Design will lead several heritage regeneration projects across Canterbury after winning the council’s Levelling Up Fund Competition in May. The project includes the development of Story Gardens at Dane John and St May de Castro Gardens; Greyfriars Gardens and the Castle Grounds. The regenerative plans will deliver restorative landscapes across the sites to address the biodiversity emergency, says James Lord, partner for landscape at HTA Design. “We are looking forward to working with Canterbury City Council and our skilled team to deliver a restorative landscape that addresses the biodiversity emergency and preserves heritage for future generations, whilst celebrating Canterbury’s…
Read More » - Landscape Architecture
Higgins Partnerships awarded £176m Peckham estate project
Higgins Partnerships has been selected by Southwark Council to collaborate on two phases of the Ledbury Estate in Peckham, regeneration project. Four existing blocks with identified ‘structural and fire safety issues’ will be demolished and replaced with six blocks ranging from five to 22 storeys and 340 mixed tenure homes. A new multi-purpose garden courtyard is set for development, with space for community growing and play areas, with several tree-lined paths that extend to create a new pedestrian walkway connecting local streets. At least 25% of labour forces will originate from the Southwark area, says Declain Higgins, CEO for Higgins…
Read More » - Garden Design
Yorkshire School of Garden Design celebrates first anniversary
The Yorkshire School of Garden Design celebrated its first anniversary with an exhibition of works from its inaugural graduates. The event, which was held at the school’s 100-acre Grade I listed Harewood House residence, was attended by landscape designer, Alistair Baldwin, who founded the school in August of last year. The school’s ‘flagship’ Diploma in Garden Design is a one-year part-time course, structured to prepare students for the challenges in professional practice, with industry professionals at the helm. “I can’t believe it has been a year”, says Baldwin. “This generation of landscape designers are truly something to behold.” Students’ portfolios…
Read More » - Nature & Biodiversity
New border trade plans inadequate for addressing horticulture needs, says the HTA
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) says more progress is needed following the publication of the government’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). New controls were set out today that the government says will ensure more efficient trading and better protection against biosecurity threats, all of which will help to create a “world-class border system”. Lord Benyon, Defra’s Minister for Biosecurity, says the new model “sets out our innovative system of border controls, which will continue to uphold UK biosecurity and support trade with other countries.” But Fran Barnes, chief executive of the HTA, says that whilst she acknowledges the positive strides…
Read More » - Nature & Biodiversity
Nutrient neutrality law changes spell “good news” for housebuilders
Over 100,000 new builds originally delayed due to defective EU laws will be given the green light between now and 2030. Originally blocked by legacy EU laws on nutrient neutrality, including cases where planning permission had already been granted, the construction of all new builds in certain areas was ceased. The EU laws on nutrient neutrality refer to nutrients entering rivers, but research has shown that the contribution made by new homes is very small, says the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. An amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will see construction of “desperately needed” homes,…
Read More » - Website Exclusive
Trades people set to be “worst hit” by ULEZ expansion
The expansion of the ULEZ is causing concern across London’s trade sector, and for good reason. The added charge inflicts unsustainable financial pressure on a number of trade businesses. As of today, drivers of non-compliant vehicles will have to pay £12.50 a day to travel in the now affected areas, which cover a majority of Greater London. The charge, which is equivalent to more than £3k a year, is already incurring multi-level knock-on effects as tradespeople increase their prices to compensate. According to Fix Radio, 25% of construction workers say they have lost work as a direct result of the…
Read More » - Nature & Biodiversity
Hasty peat ban could lead to “detrimental” outcomes, warns the HTA
The HTA warns of the “significant environmental and economic impacts” across multiple industries, from bringing the peat ban forward by four years. New data from independent economists at Oxford Economics, commissioned and released by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) shows that the fast-tracked peat ban could lead to a loss of over £500m in Gross Value Added (GVA) and over £100m in decline tax revenues. More than half (68%) of garden centres are expected to cut staff in 2027 as a result of the expected 100 million plant and tree shortage immediately after the ban takes effect as the accelerated…
Read More » - Domestic Landscaping
Volunteers needed to rebuild show garden
An award-winning show garden from this year’s RHS Flower Show Tatton Park needs volunteers to help rebuild it at Clatterbridge Hospital in Liverpool, where it is being donated. The Constructing Minds garden designed by Carolyn Harden and Jon Jarvis won Silver Gilt and Best Show Garden at Tatton, where it raised awareness for suicide rates in the construction industry. Inspired by the Japanese practise of shinrin-yoku (‘forest bathing’), the belief that immersing in nature can have revitalising benefits, the garden is now being relocated to the hospital to afford patients and staff a space for “sanctuary” and “rejuvenation.” Harden and…
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