The urban garden is under threat more so now than ever before. Home owners eager to cash in on their investments are selling off what was once a prized vegetable garden to developers who erect flats or one off houses.
Where will this all end? Well if the Councillors in Swindon get their way, legislation will be brought in to change the urban classification of town gardens.
The problem exists at present because gardens in towns are classified as 'Brownfield' which means that they can be developed as though they were an existing factory unit coming up for re-development.
Swindon Council have voted in favour of lobbying the government to change these rules so that they are able block or restrict builders plans so that any development is in keeping with the area.
At present, if development plans are challenged, the council is at risk of hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal fees if it were to go to appeal and they lose.
The urban garden is one of the most important areas of the UK ecology and we all have a responsibility towards balancing the Flora and Fauna with social and domestic needs. Problems occur when money gets involved but I fear it is too late to stop the development roller coaster.
I have read about residential schemes that put gardens into a trust so that they can never be developed although future owners have full rights over its domestic use.
A difficult subject but clearly an important one that must be addressed otherwise towns will end up as 90% concrete and brick.
Comments