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Calls grow for landscape-led approach to development
In this issue of Let’s Talk Landscaping we consider the growing importance of landscaping to both residential and commercial developments and how new regulations are impacting on the urban environment too.
The pace of change in terms of new legisation and regulation has been far greater in the last 5-10 years than has been seen in previous decades.
As a result, there is a growing awareness for the industry to take a proactive approach to these changes and show it is capable of meeting these new challenges.
The Landscape Institute (LI), the UK’s chartered body for the landscape profession, has launched a landmark evidence-based briefing report, making a compelling case for landscape-led development as being essential to the UK’s sustainable future.
The report calls for a fundamental shift in how the built environment sector approaches development. It urges landowners, developers, planners, local authorities and infrastructure funders to embed the expertise of chartered landscape architects from the earliest stages of planning.
A landscape-led approach, the report argues, results in healthier communities, stronger ecosystems and more economically resilient places.
Landscape Institute President Carolin Göhler FLI comments: “The places we build today must serve generations to come, socially, economically and
environmentally. Landscape-led development is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The Landscape Institute’s new evidence-based report shows that by embedding landscape thinking from the outset, we can create resilient, nature-rich communities where people and places can thrive together.”
With 1.5 million new homes planned for delivery in England alone, the LI’s briefing warns that continuing with business-as-usual practices will fail to create places fit for future generations and risks a high-cost legacy to people, place and nature. Instead, it offers a practical, evidence-based pathway to development that places landscape — and the expertise behind it — at the heart of decision-making.
The LI stressed that chartered landscape architects are uniquely trained to integrate natural and
built environments at every scale — from strategic land use and masterplanning to on-theground design and long-term stewardship. Backed by the LI’s Royal Charter, they are well-positioned to help deliver on national goals for climate adaptation, nature recovery, and housing.
“Policymakers have a critical role to play in embedding this approach into planning frameworks, funding criteria and housing policy,” adds Carolin Göhler.
“We need stronger national direction and local enforcement that ensures landscape isn’t treated as an afterthought, but as core infrastructure. For developers, the initial and longterm benefits are clear. Investing in landscape enhances the
value (more easily saleable and higher returns) and longevity of housing stock, benefits nature, lowers future maintenance and energy costs, and reduces strain on health and social infrastructure by promoting wellbeing and active outdoor lifestyles. It is smart, forwardlooking investment that creates multifunctional places, builds trust with communities, and creates places people are proud to live in.”
Paul Groves || Group Editor
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CDM regulations do apply to landscaping projects
Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations are a set of government regulations created to help keep everybody safe on a construction site. In the eyes of the law, landscaping comes under the umbrella of construction, advises the Association of Professional Landscapers.
The CDM Regulations are not there to be scary, stressful or to generate a whole lot of paperwork. But they do serve an important role, and that is to
make sure nobody gets seriously hurt during a garden makeover.
They are basically a checklist to ensure you’ve done a thorough risk assessment and done everything you can to avoid accidents or injuries on site.
If you are planning to involve an APL landscaper or garden designer in your garden makeover, you don’t need to fuss about details, but it is good to have a basic understanding of what the regulations mean to you and what your legal responsibilities are.
In summary, the regulations are in place to help your project manager:
• Ensure that the garden can safely be designed, built and maintained
• Sensibly plan the work so the risks involved are managed from start to finish
• Prevent accidents and injuries on your property
• Have the right people for the right job at the right time
• Cooperate and coordinate your work with others
• Have the right information about the risks and how they are being managed
• Communicate this information
effectively to those who need to know
• Consult and engage with workers about the risks and how they are being managed
UK law states that the householder is responsible for the safety of anybody on their property - whether they are invited to be there or not.
However, under the CDM Regulations they can pass that responsibility on to the garden designer and/or contractor for the duration of your garden build.
A garden makeover can (and usually does) involve moving heavy materials around the site, digging holes, working in all weathers, using power tools with very sharp blades, and many more potentially dangerous activities.
A garden designer and contractor should have plenty of experience of building gardens and already be very aware of any risks and how best to manage them. Which is why it’s easiest for them to delegate these responsibilities.
As a householder, all they need to do is pen an email or a letter to the garden designer and landscaper appointing them as Principal Designer or Principal Contractor as appropriate.
It’s also important that any pre-construction information is supplied to the designer or contractor such as where any underground gas, water or electricity pipes and cables might be, whether there are TPO’s (Tree Preservation Order) applied to any of the trees on the property or if
there are any relevant planning restrictions they should know about. These questions should all be addressed during the garden planning stage.
Once appointed, the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor will take care of every aspect of CDM Compliance, including:
• Risk assessments
• Creating and maintaining a health and safety file
• Ensuring that all professionals involved in the project are competent,
knowledgeable and fully understand their job.
• Taking on-site measures to ensure everybody is kept safe.
CDM (2015) Regulations apply to all landscaping works, including garden design. APL registered garden designers and landscapers have a thorough understanding of the CDM (2015) Regulations and know how to ensure a project is compliant.
APL
Enquiry 3
Survey finds landscapers keen to engage with BNG
The vast majority of BALI members are interested in getting involved with the government’s biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy, according to our new survey on the topic.
Biodiversity net gain is essentially an obligation on developers to deliver more biodiversity than is lost through any building project, resulting in a 10% ‘net gain’.
And the government is currently consulting on how the policy
could be better applied to small, medium, and brownfield sites.
To inform its response, BALI we surveyed members about their experience with BNG to date and appetite to become more involved over time.
BALI found that almost half of respondents have already engaged with BNG in a business capacity and over 80% have either some or extensive knowledge of the policy. It also found that over 90% of
respondents are interested in getting involved with BNG going forward, with a lack of skills and training acting as the biggest barrier to doing so.
In February 2024, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) became mandatory for major sites followed by small sites in April 2024. The purpose of BNG is to support biodiversity in England and reduce habitat and species losses by 2030. BALI believes that the landscaping industry is uniquely placed to support BNG delivery as the
industry that will be doing the majority of planting, management, and maintenance for most projects.
Overall, while attitudes towards biodiversity net gain are positive, there have still been challenges in implementing and delivering BNG projects.
When asked about member experiences in delivering BNG and subsequent challenges, a lack of knowledge and training around the scheme was drawn out as a barrier for many members.
The lack of real understanding is not limited to the landscaping businesses themselves but also spans clients and local authorities:
• “Client adoption has been the hardest challenge, as good BNG solutions require a willingness to change attitudes toward the landscaped environment”
• “I would like to know more [about BNG] so I could increase my offering to our local authority clients”
• “In all honesty, builders and developers seem scared of [schemes such as BNG]. Another set of costs, legislation, and criteria to meet”
• “[BNG] feels like yet more buzz words around sustainability” and most designers are “planting for longevity and wildlife, using reclaimed/ repurposed materials, keeping water on site etc which is pretty much what BNG is without all the box ticking and paperwork”
Further, where landscaping businesses have worked on BNG, they have identified areas where the scheme in its current form requires reform.
Members largely reported that while they align with the goal of BNG, the delivery often seems to be viewed as red tape to developers as opposed to a meaningful way to enhance habitats and biodiversity.
Members also are concerned with the long-term management of these BNG sites as they often have insufficient funds for the maintenance and management of sites as well as little auditing.
BNG is a promising scheme for delivering biodiversity and habitat protection and restoration which aligns with the values of BALI members; however, the scheme could be improved to be more straightforward, accessible for landscapers, and deliver better results for nature and communities.
BALI will continue to work with government and industry to advocate for greater landscaping representation in the design and delivery of BNG going forward.
BALI
EverEdge, 100% Made in Britain
EverEdge has been manufacturing steel landscaping products in Britain for 30 years.
EverEdge have an extensive range of steel lawn, garden and landscape edging products for domestic, commercial and public projects. More recently, EverEdge have introduced a range of steel planters and walls that have been specified into projects such as hospitals, podium landscapes, streetscapes and stately homes.
Manufacturing in Britain ensures that all EverEdge products are made to the highest standard. 100% of EveEdge products are designed and made in Britain.
By buying EverEdge you are directly supporting British manufacturing and British jobs.
EverEdge’s bestselling edging product to the landscape trade is the Titan range of heavy duty steel edging. EverEdge Titan is available in a range of thicknesses from 2.5mm up to 6.0mm and depths of 100mm up to 300mm. Deeper and thicker edges can be specified.
EverEdge Titan is used in both soft and hard landscaping projects on lawns, driveways and pathways and offers a more durable edge which is especially useful in public projects.
New to the Titan range is the option to have a rolled top edge. This adds strength and stability and is especially useful when installing the edging proud or where a firm, straight line is essential.
EverEdge Planters are available in a range of standard sizes and finishes. Planters can also be specified in virtually any shape and size to suit your project.
EverEdge planters are made from robust steel and can be specified in a range of finishes including galvanised, powder coated and CorTen weathering steel.
Contact EverEdge now to discuss your next project.
For more information, visit www.everedge.co.uk or contact us on 01630 417120 or at enquiries@everedge.co.uk.
EverEdge Enquiry 5
Birkdale introduces its new DuraPost sleeper post
Birkdale has launched a new addition to its practical DuraPost range - the Sleeper T-Post.
The new post has been designed to offer an ideal solution for constructing small to medium sized retaining walls. Easy to install, the post features 9mm predrilled holes and offers a tough and durable fixing method.
The T-shaped design provides an ideal method for fixing sleepers to the post. It also features 9mm pre-drilled holes, which are then compatible with SiteMate FlatHead, Wafer-Head or Hex-head timber screws.
Available in 1.2m, 1.5m, 2.0m and 2.4m lengths, the patented DuraPost Sleeper T-Post is made from roll-formed
galvanised structural steel with an extremely durable pregalvanised coating to ensure the ultimate in corrosion resistance.
The coating offers a 30 year life expectancy in C2 and C3
environments, as defined in ISO 12994-2:2017.
While the T- Post can be used to build retaining garden walls up to 1.2m in height with a foundation
depth of 1.2m, Birkdale recommends that a structural engineer is consulted on projects over 0.6m in height.
Birkdale Enquiry 6
New SuDS standards offer the right words but no mandate
The Government has published new detailed design standards for sustainable drainage, but it has fallen short on giving them the mandate that would realise their many benefits.
The Government’s decision to publish new, robust standards for how sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) should be delivered in all new developments is a long-overdue breakthrough that should help tackle England’s growing flood and pollution crisis.
SuDS are a common sense, nature-based solution that mimic natural drainage to reduce surface water flooding, relieve pressure on overloaded sewers, cut storm overflows, and support biodiversity in our urban spaces.
But without a mandatory, rules-based delivery model, this progress risks being more cosmetic than transformative.
The CIWEM’s Alastair Chisholm said: “The new National Standards for SuDS are a major upgrade, offering developers and planners clear guidance to design multifunctional systems that manage flood risk, improve water quality, and make towns and cities more climate resilient in the face of mounting pollution and climate crisis.
“However, relying on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which only suggests SuDS ‘should’ be used, is simply not strong enough. That kind of ambiguity has already led to years of poor implementation, developer pushback, and delays to development because of planning appeals.
“The Government must now choose how SuDS are delivered and maintained –and fast. Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 provides a solid route that has been in stasis for 15 years now.
“But If Government isn’t willing to take this legislation forward, we believe there is also a credible third way: mirroring existing highway infrastructure approval and harnessing water company drainage maintenance funding that developers and local authorities are already familiar with.
“This –or Schedule 3 –would give SuDS the enforcement teeth and long-term oversight they urgently need, ensuring they are built to standard and maintained in the long term, but without the need to set up entirely new approval bodies and processes.
“We welcome the direction of travel –but now is the time to finish the job. If Government wants to build flood-resilient homes and infrastructure fit for the future (which it must), it must back SuDS not just in principle, but in practice.”
Key features of the new standards include:
• Reducing flood risk by actively managing surface water on site
• Improving water quality before it enters rivers and streams
• Provide community benefits by creating more attractive and resilient places to live and work
• Prioritising solutions that enhance biodiversity and green space
• Encouraging water efficiency, by enabling the reuse of rainwater through harvesting and collection systems
• Emphasising longterm maintenance and performance
READER ENQUIRY 8
The updated standards signify the government’s ambition to build 1.5 million homes sustainably without delaying the planning process and comes following the record £104 billion secured from private sector investment to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “The Government will introduce new standards to tackle water pollution, protect communities from flooding and make our new towns beautiful.
“Nature recovery and growth can go hand in hand, and these
new standards will enable the sustainable building of 1.5 million homes as part of the Plan for Change.”
To support the government’s Plan for Change, the updated standards are aligned with the National Planning Policy Framework and
will complement wider planning reforms which will take place later this year. Developers are encouraged to innovate and demonstrate how their systems meet the outcomes, rather than follow a one-size-fits-all checklist.
SuDS Defra Enquiry 9
Circularity in Landscaping: Kenoteq's Material Revolution
Landscape design and traditional construction are experiencing a sustainability revolution. With embodied carbon accounting for over 50% of a building or exterior's total carbon footprint, the materials we choose matter more than ever.
Cleantech company Kenoteq is addressing this challenge head-on with the low carbon K-BRIQ and K-SLIP, revolutionary materials transforming landscape design using genuine circular economy principles.
Kenoteq addresses the root cause of environmental impact by turning almost 100% recycled construction and demolition waste into durable, low-carbon construction materials. Sam Chapman, Kenoteq's co-founder, explains: "We deal with the cause, not the symptoms. Whereas everybody else is digging material out of the ground, we're offering alternatives so finite materials aren't used in the first place."
Recent high-profile projects demonstrate how circular materials enhance both aesthetic and
ecological value. At RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival, K-BRIQs formed the sculptural wall in Mike McMahon Studio's multi-awardwinning Subaru Cocoon Garden, sweeping awards including Best Show Garden and Environmental Innovation Award. The perforated wall served multiple functions –beyond aesthetic value, the natural holes acted as insect hotels for pollinators while the sustainable material choice underscored environmental responsibility.
At Bord Bia Bloom in Dublin, K-SLIP paving formed part of The 3D Gardener and Conquest Space's gold-winning "Renewed Blooms" Garden for the European
Commission, focused specifically on circular economy principles. With BBA certification recently secured, the ultra-low embodied carbon products – 95% lower than traditional fired clay bricks – are highly sought after both in the UK and internationally.
Available in 12 colours as traditionally shaped bricks or slips using recycled pigments, Kenoteq offers architects and landscape architects aesthetic flexibility without compromising environmental performance. For technical specifications, visit www.kenoteq.com
DW Windsor illuminates Gosport Harbour
Situated on the edge of the Solent, Gosport Harbour has long been defined by its rich maritime history.
To mark the millennium, a distinctive family of bespoke lanterns was commissioned, bringing both character and light to the quayside. Now, 25 years on, this coastal landmark’s lighting story continues with more than 100 replacement lanterns that preserve the design of the original scheme while delivering improved efficiency and control.
DW Windsor was approached to deliver a lighting upgrade, providing a like-for-like design that combines heritage detail with contemporary performance.
The original lanterns featured a bespoke design, taking inspiration from nautical elements and echoing the form of a ship’s masthead. Today, that same spirit lives on, with replica lanterns engineered to retain their distinctive form while offering all the benefits of LED technology.
One of the biggest challenges lay in translating a design conceived for lamped technology as a highperformance LED solution. The original version relied on two separate light sources: a SON lamp for functional white light and a metal halide lamp for decorative blue illumination.
The new version mirrors this approach with two dedicated LED sources — a precise white light directed to the ground through modern optics, and a soft blue core that creates the
signature glow defining the lantern’s character.
The result is a luminaire that enhances the harbour’s distinctive night-time identity. Designed to withstand the harsh coastal environment, the lanterns combine durability with long service life.
Marine-grade paint finishes, high-grade stainless steel, and robust gasketed seals protect against salt corrosion and weather extremes.
Kenoteq Enquiry 10
DW Windsor Enquiry 11
Drought resistant plants never more important for pollinators
Drought resistant summer flowering garden plants are needed in greater number to support pollinators, says the RHS, as it publishes its updated Plants for Pollinators list.
Warm, dry weather has been a boon for pollinators but a lack of rain this year has meant that many summer flowering favourites such as oxeye daisy, rudbeckia and phlox have reached only roughly half their average size with a reduced number of blooms or else blooms which have rapidly ‘gone over’ in the heat.
This has impacted on plants’ provision of nectar meaning a broad spectrum of flowers that thrive in dry conditions has never been more important. Alongside drought tolerant favourites salvia and lavender, the charity is also recommending sea holly, euphorbia, helianthus and marjoram that a comprehensive review of its Plants for Pollinators now includes in greater number.
Plants for Pollinators, which first launched in 2011, highlights plants that gardeners can grow to support the UK’s 6,000 pollinating insects. The 2025 updated list now includes
nearly 10,000 plants which equates to roughly 15% of all plants available to buy in the UK. This includes 19 recently elevated to genus level – a grouping of closely related species of plant. Those plants include Eryngium (sea holly), Origanum (marjoram), Lavandula (lavender), Prunus (cherry/laurel), Euphorbia (spurge) and Campanula (bellflower).
While Plants for Pollinators has expanded, 14 plants have been removed from the list as a result of a new methodology that incorporates literature reviews and working group observations.
Of those plants RHS Grow app users said were in their gardens the most popular on the Plants for Pollinators list are: 1. Salvia
Geranium 3. Allium
Lavendar
Prunus 6. Hellebore 7. Euphorbia 8. Verbena
Hebe
Campanula
Let's Talk Landscaping
Those removed include spider flower (Cleome hassleriana), cigar plant (Cuphea ignea), Cupid’s dart (Catananche caerulea) and sweet sultan (Amberboa moschata). These all still provide sought after summer colour but alternatives that will marry colour and carry the pollinator-friendly logo include hollyhock (Alcea rosea), cornflowers (Centaurea spp), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) and singleflowered forms of China aster (Callistephus chinensis).
Andrew Salisbury, entomologist and Head of Plant Health at the RHS, said: “Indications are that the warm and dry conditions in the first half of the year have been good for pollinators. But should rainfall remain low as we head into late summer then plants’ growth potential and provision of nectar will continue to be impacted by the lack of water so gardeners should look to drought resistant favourites to outlast these periods and future proof their gardens.
“Using our updated pollinator list to determine which are best for the conditions in your garden and on a local level is so important if we’re to help reverse the decline in UK pollinator numbers. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the likes of marjoram and sea holly becoming more popular
with gardeners owing to their structure, resilience and pollinator appeal.”
The review of the RHS’ Plants for Pollinators list forms part of its Plants for Purpose project that will recommend plants suitable in responding to local geography and climactic and environmental conditions such as flooding and drought and pollution.
The RHS Plants for Pollinators list is intended to help tackle the decline in pollinators
and lists those with flowers attractive to a wide range of pollinators including butterflies, hoverflies, wasps, moths and bees; single blooms with pollen and nectar.
The list is divided according to cultivated garden plants and wildflowers. Each plant on the list has to be suitable for gardens and have a high level of nectar, pollen and/or oils, or serve as an important pollinator resource in autumn and winter, bloom prolifically
or attract more than one insect group. The new methodology combining literature reviews and observations will be used to assess any potential new additions to the list.
The list of plants that feature on Plants for Pollinators is searchable on the RHS website and denoted in garden centres across the country by those bearing the logo.
The RHS Enquiry 13
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