Ahead of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show ‘front garden’ summit on Tuesday 24th May (1), the Rt Hon Greg Clark who is the keynote speaker, has been urged by Caroline Russell AM to order a review of front garden regulations (2) with the view of putting flower beds, rain gardens and other open soil plant cover over other hard permeable surfaces.
Caroline commented:
“As front garden plant cover is rapidly disappearing so are the benefits, ranging from flood protection, providing wildlife habitats, shade and cooling during heatwaves and the alleviation of air pollution”
“This trend is visible on just about every street and is changing the character and identity of our neighbourhoods. The current regulations are far too weak and the Government needs to urgently tighten these up to put the garden back into the front garden”
“The Mayor of London must find ways to discourage and reverse this damaging trend”
Notes to editors
Caroline is available for interview
(1) RHS front garden summit, Tuesday 24th May at 5pm at which Rt Hon Greg Clark is doing a keynote address https://www.rhs.org.uk/frontgardensummit
(2) Caroline Russell’s letter to Rt Hon Greg Clark, dated 23rd May 2016
Rt Hon Greg Clark
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
London SW1P 4DF
Dear Rt Hon Greg Clark
Put the garden back into the front garden – call for review of front garden regulations
Front gardens that were once graced by lawns, hedges, plants and flower are rapidly disappearing under a creeping layer of concrete, paving slabs and other hard surfaces, many impermeable.
The trend is visible on just about every street in London and is changing the character and identity of our neighbourhoods. The transformation of front gardens into car park spaces is exacerbating this trend where whole swathes of residential roads are becoming devoid of plant cover. As front garden plant cover is lost so are their benefits, ranging from flood protection, providing wildlife habitats, shade and cooling during heatwaves, the alleviation of air pollution and for our general wellbeing.
The Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘Greening Grey Britain’ report last year highlighted the extent of this problem which showed that half of all London’s front gardens are now paved over, marking a 36% increase in the past ten years. London also had the biggest decrease of plant cover in front gardens in the UK, with five times as many front gardens with no plants over this period. This report also showcased how plants could be an integral part of front gardens with multi-functional uses.
After the 2007 floods, the Government changed front garden regulation to incorporate the use of permeable materials. Given the mounting evidence and strategic implications of this trend, I strongly urge you to carry out a further review of front garden regulations with the view of promoting flower beds, rain gardens, lawns and other plant cover over other permeable options such as block paving, porous asphalt or concrete.
In February 2016, this call was reflected in a London Assembly motion proposed by Baroness Jones which achieved cross party unanimous agreement. The motion also called for a review of the permeable ‘solutions’ element of the permitted development regulations.
Yours sincerely
Caroline Russell
Green Party Member of the London Assembly
Letter references:
Why we all need Greening Grey Britain – RHS report https://www.rhs.org.uk/communities/pdf/Greener-Streets/greening-grey-britain-report
London Assembly front garden motion https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/assembly/put-the-garden-back-in-front-gardens-0