I saw a story on the BBC which reports on ‘garden-grabbing’, whereby housing developers are increasingly buying up houses with large gardens and then applying for planning permission to demolish the existing house and build blocks of flats in its place. Current law dictates that gardens are classed as brownfield sites (e.g. in the same category as former industrial and commercial property) and local councils are under pressure to meet targets for new housing. Therefore these developments are increasingly being given the go-ahead. Understandably, house-hunters would rather live in leafy suburbia than on the site of a former chemical factory! The story also points out that many mature trees are being cut down to make way for these developments. All of this worries me. Despite its modest proportions, I love my garden and do my best to encourage wildlife (birds, insects, even large scary spiders!). There’s a simple joy in seeing the first Spring blooms, and even something cathartic about pulling up weeds. I know that having a garden is a luxury but I would hate to lose it. My own garden backs onto fields which, despite their Greenbelt status, are also ripe for development. I’m giving my support to the UK charity Garden Organic and their Save Our Gardens campaign. Garden Organic believe that gardens fulfil a range of very important functions for the community as a whole, and the environment. Please give them your support!
Gardens give so much pleasure as do mature trees in cities and villages. I remember when we first moved back to England from America, I was astonished to see that many of England’s cities had gotten rid of its tree-lined avenues and streets because of expense to local councils. Life is barren without them. These days, I see more voice and success at keeping mature trees and planting new ones. Hopefully, gardens will also be spared. Space is precious. Pretty space even more precious.
Thanks for leaving a comment, Rebecca.
In the news recently there was another story about people trying to save a mature tree. This time it was Anne Frank’s chestnut tree which gave her such comfort during the second world war. You can read about it here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7105235.stm
Just goes to show that trees can have a true emotional impact on people’s lives.