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Gardens essential to sustainable urban design

Posted: 11/03/2008

Good old fashioned gardens are essential to the development of eco towns as well as in the control of overheating and flash flooding in urban areas, say the Town and Country Planning Association, (TCPA). A seminar in Exeter today will see the TCPA call for proposed eco towns to rediscover the qualities of the Garden Suburbs and Garden Villages of a hundred years ago.

In its submission to the Lib Dem Truro MP, Matthew Taylor who is carrying out a review for the Prime Minister on rural economy and affordable housing, the charity states: “Homes with gardens attract people who would otherwise flee to further flung rural locations. Green space is not only important in creating desirable housing, it is also integral to more environmental design".

The charity is calling for the garden suburb and garden village principles to be applied to new settlements, including eco-towns as well as to urban extensions particularly in smaller towns with little housing choice on offer, in an attempt to create truly sustainable communities where people will want to settle. The TCPA believe this would help stem the tide of wealthier urban workers buying property in the countryside, leaving no homes for those living and working locally, but on lower wages.

And last month, the TCPA welcomed the government's new water strategy, 'Future Water', especially the requirement for people to get planning permission before replacing front gardens with impermeable surfaces. Hard surfaces, such as concreted over front gardens, roads or buildings retain heat thereby contributing to a steady build up known as the urban heat island effect.

Similarly the proportion of hard or sealed surfaces has a significant impact on urban flooding.

TCPA spokesman Gideon Amos commenting on the new regulations, said: “We are delighted that the Government’s water strategy now requires planning permission for homeowners wishing to cover their front garden with non-porous materials. With extreme wet weather events increasing in frequency permeable gardens are essential stores for excess water, helping prevent flooding. ”

Todays TCPA regional event highlights the case for housing growth and new eco towns in the South-West generally, given the urgent need to address the rural affordability crisis in the region. The eco town roadshow is being run by the TCPA in partnership with CLG, and the Academy for Sustainable Communities.

The programme aims to assist local authorities, development agencies and professionals working in delivery agencies and consultancies, as well as elected members and community groups, in the delivery of eco-towns and more widely in the delivery of truly sustainable housing growth.

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