Greening the UK

Councils should ensure new developments include plants, says David Gwyther, of the Horticultural Trades Association.

Green planting and landscaping in urban areas are an important part of any good environmental strategy. Not only does green planting help to reduce the heat island effect in urban areas, but it is important as a means of flood defence. The problem councils face is that developers have traditionally seen horticulture as an expense rather than a commercially marketable investment. Research by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) reveals that there has been a 50% drop in the planting requirement appearing in planning applications for new developments in urban and rural areas.

In addition only half of the green planting that is approved is actually being planted. Such a substantial reduction in the amount of green planting is somewhat ironic given that trees, shrubs and plants can help to reduce the impact of climate change and other environmental challenges that we face. Trees and shrubs slow the impact of rainfall and absorb water in leaf and root structures as well as anchoring soil and thus steadying river banks. By absorbing rain into the earth, rather than directing it straight to drainage, green planting helps to maintain the water table and prevent flooding. This will be essential for new high density housing developments such as the Thames Gateway. Furthermore, urban planting has been shown to bring great social benefits. The HTA found that building projects with high levels of planting had 52% fewer total crimes, including 56% fewer violent crimes.

It also improves patient recovery rates, worker productivity, and physical and psychological health in adults. Research shows that a 30 minute walk in a green environment can significantly improve mental wellbeing. The Greening the UK campaign, set up by the HTA, seeks to address this and is working to raise awareness, at all levels of government, of the need for adequate planting provision on new developments. The main focus of the campaign has been its model motion, sent to councillors across England, encouraging them to put the motion to their fellow councillors for debate. Recently, the campaign celebrated the adoption of its model motion by Canterbury city council, making it the sixth council, after Liverpool and Carlisle city councils, Crawley borough council, Devon county council and Uttlesford district council, to show their support for Greening the UK.

Many other councils have debated the motion, and councillors have engaged with the campaign to find out more about what they can do in their area. The next stage for Greening the UK is to continue its work with local government but to show planners and developers that green landscaping should not be seen as a cost but an investment in their profits, their future and the wellbeing of the whole community.

For more information see http://www.the-hta.org.uk/