Landscape Architecture
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Navigating Cash Flow Concerns in the Construction Industry
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any successful business. Cash flow is what allows a company to pay its staff, purchase stock, and ensure contractual overheads are paid on time. Once cash flow becomes squeezed, problems can quickly spiral, taking a once thriving company from a position of solvency to one which is struggling to meet its financial obligations surprisingly quickly. Cash flow challenges can arise for a variety of reasons, and in many instances, they are not caused directly by the actions of the company facing these problems. Late – and even non-payment – of invoices is rife in…
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‘Multifunctional’ park approved in Ebbsfleet Garden City development
Bellway London has secured planning permission for a ‘multifunctional’ park on its Harbour Village development in Northfleet, as part of the Ebbsfleet Garden City development. The almost 3 ha park has been named Bevan’s Park, named after Thomas Bevan, one of the founding partners of the site’s original chalk quarry. It will include a heritage park, celebrating the industrial history of the site, a sports pitch and footbridge, connecting Bevan’s to Chimney View, another park in the Harbour Village development. “Bevan’s Park will be one of several open spaces at Harbour Village and will create an important, multi-functional area for…
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Rochdale set to see boost in green infrastructure
Plans have been submitted for a new home garden neighbourhood project set to give Rochdale, Manchester a boost in green infrastructure. The hybrid application, submitted by Redrow, includes a new public park and wildflower meadow, green corridors and over 1,000 new homes. Plans include a 13.4ha park to the south, a wildflower meadow, green corridors and a potential community allotment. The park will feature “footpaths, ecological enhancements and plenty of opportunities for play and recreation,” says Redrow planning director, Robin Buckley, while the corridors will be “suitable for foraging.” “Our aim is to create a thriving new community with high…
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Rooftop terrace part of revamp plans in the heart of Birmingham business district
Wholesale renovation plans set for a 1980s office block in Birmingham’s business district include a new roof top terrace and external feature redesigns. The six-storey building has approximately 68,000 sq ft of internal floor space and is in ‘immediate need’ of rejuvenation, according to a report submitted in support of the planning application. The building’s current amenities do “not provide any tenant amenity space.” The new plans, designed by Birmingham-based practice Associated Architects, look to “repurpose” parts of the existing building, and will see the installation of a new rooftop terrace and sky lounge. Six electric vehicle charging points, a…
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Shortlist revealed for Pro Landscaper Project Awards in association with Provender Nurseries
Pro Landscaper has revealed the shortlist for its Project Awards, in association with Provender Nurseries. The Pro Landscaper Project Awards celebrate landscaping projects with a value under £50k, giving companies within the sector the opportunity to showcase the remarkable feats achievable on smaller budgets. More than 60 projects have been shortlisted across the 11 categories, with the winners and this year’s Supreme Winner to be announced at a ceremony at FutureScape on Tuesday 21 November, at London’s ExCeL. “It’s been a record year again for entries, and what’s been really good to see is the number of new businesses putting…
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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;…
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RHS and other industry members share how they’re embedding inclusivity at EDI event
Members of some of the industry’s leading charities and organisations gathered together on Friday at RHS Garden Wisley to hear the initial results of an industry-wide Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) survey. Following the signing of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter for the Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscaping & Garden Media at FutureScape last year, signatories have created a survey to provide a baseline figure for the diversity of the industry. So far, findings from the survey – which is still open for the industry to complete – show that the majority (36.4%) of the respondents are aged 45-54 and just…
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New president-elect announced for Landscape Institute
Landscape architect and horticulturist Carolin Göhler has been revealed as the new president-elect at the Landscape Institute, saying she looks forward to “a new chapter to build a progressive and inclusive” organisation. The announcement comes after what has been a controversial year for the Landscape Institute, after its previous president-elect Brodie McAllister was removed from the position and as a trustee, sparking some members to call an EGM earlier this year, though the EGM was “unofficial” and the Landscape Institute urged members to not attend. From June next year, Göhler will become the 45th president of the Institute, serving a…
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Land Studio supports record-breaking triathlete
An associate landscape architect at Land Studio swam with triathlete Sean Conway to support him in his challenge to complete 105 triathlons back-to-back across 105 consecutive days. Kate Richards accompanied Conway for a series of early morning swims throughout his world-record breaking challenge, as the 42-year-old Zimbabwean endurance adventurer completed Ironman distances of 2.4-mile swim followed by 112-mile bike ride and finished with a 26.22-mile run across the roads in North Wales and Cheshire – totalling 140.62 miles per day or 14,765.1 miles in total. Richards says: “I swam with Sean eight times throughout his challenge, which entailed getting in…
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Bowles & Wyer celebrates 30 years of ‘looking forward’
Bowles & Wyer celebrated its 30th anniversary last night at the venue of one of its most prolific projects. The design and build company, which was founded three decades ago by Chris Bowles and John Wyer, brought its colleagues, partners and clients together for an event at 78 St James Street. The Grade II listed building in central London is where Bowles & Wyer designed and built a series of outdoor areas and roof terraces, with the largest terrace featuring a living wall and planters with edibles and herbs. It won the National Landscape Award for Best Roof Garden over £100k, and…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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£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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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Could the greenbelt solve the housing crisis?
England’s greenbelt has been called into question, and that question is, can it help the government solve the current housing crisis? In research conducted by independent architecture and surveying consultant, Woods Hardwick, England’s green belt is estimated to cover almost 13% (1.637m ha) of England’s total land area. Less than 10% (8.7) of England’s land area is of developed use, with 10.5% defined as ‘built-up’. Woods Hardwick’s research shows that the green belt could facilitate the construction of almost 80 million new homes, with the average new-build plot required to be 222sqm. Less than 2% of the green belt would…
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ANS Global to open new nursery in Yorkshire
Green infrastructure provider, ANS Global has acquired a new plant nursery in East Yorkshire, to support the “significant increase” in market demand. The 10-acre site will include a climate-controlled glasshouse and an automated irrigation system to support living wall and green roof growth externally and internally all year round. ANS Global aims to grow in excess of 20k m2 of living walls annually, the company has already integrated over 35m plants across its almost 6k projects. Richard Silcock, managing director of ANS Global says: “This is a major investment for our company, and it will allow us to meet the…
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Over 300 jobs to be created in Midlands home development project
Planning permission for a 650-home development in Mastin Moor, Derbyshire has been approved, with preparatory works already underway. The plans include 650 homes, including affordable and accessible properties, a local centre and elderly accommodation, encompassed by green space. The Devonshire Group, which owns the 46ha site, has begun preparation works, scheduled for completion in spring 2024. The project is expected to take 10 years to complete, creating 150 direct construction jobs and 250 roles in the supply chain and related fields. Phase one, which includes the development of 143 of the planned units is scheduled to begin over summer 2024…
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New green space and nature trail part of plans for “sustainable” neighbourhood in Oxford
Plans to create a new sustainable and eco-friendly neighbourhood district centre in Oxford have been agreed by the council’s planning committee. The redevelopment plans, put forward by housing association Peabody and development partner Oxford City Council, include a new central green space for natural informal play, including a nature trail. The community space has been designed with a residential roof terrace to support intergenerational living. Nearly 300 affordable new builds, retail spaces and community facilities will be constructed in the centre of Blackbird Leys, Oxford. A majority of the new builds (210) will be located in a new district centre,…
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Wapping Wharf receives final proposals
Revised proposals for the final stage of the Wapping Wharf regeneration scheme have been submitted, following a two-year consultation. If approved, the plans will provide “sustainable” new accommodations, retail facilities and workspaces, with additional public green spaces and balconies to support the local wildlife and improve the biodiversity of the city docks. Property developer Umberslade submitted the proposals following a two-year consultation with Wapping Wharf traders, residents, stakeholders, advisory bodies and the wider public. Notable changes made in the revised proposal include a redesign of the CARGO building to correspond to the existing shipping containers, with multi-planting schemes situated on…
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Opening of new green space a “watershed moment” for Liverpool
A new 24-acre recreational green space called the Southern Grasslands has opened in Liverpool. It was created in response to a remediation programme laying the foundations for a new housing scheme at the nearby Festival Gardens development site. Situated three miles south of Liverpool city centre, Southern Grasslands is the largest transformed green space to open in the city this century. The site was previously a public waste disposal facility. The space now features more than 5,700 new trees and shrubs, creating a new raised woodland meadow, forming an ecological corridor to boost the population of insects and pollinators and…
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Design team appointed for Piccadilly Gardens transformation
A design team led by LDA Design has been appointed to lead the Piccadilly Garden transformation project, following an international design competition. The winning design responds to the public voice and includes a refurbishment to the children’s play facilities and improved links to London Road. The 10-acre site includes Mosley Street, Parker Street, the section of Portland Street which runs alongside Piccadilly Gardens and the section of Piccadilly which borders the Gardens. The design will retain the listed monuments and statues, and tramlines and infrastructures, as well as the pavilion structure. Mark Graham, Manchester studio lead at LDA Design says:…
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