Supporting the environment with your garden

Gardens serve as crucial habitats, providing shelter and food for many different species. There are so many ways to support local biodiversity, from making a bug hotel in your garden, to planting flowers for pollinators, to creating your own pond to attract frogs, toads, and insects!

Enhancing your garden to support wildlife is a fun activity for the whole family, and seeing what animals you attract is the best part. Every small action helps to protect vital habitats, and contributes to a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem.


11.1.1

Trees, hedges and planting, even if not regularly maintained, have biodiversity value. It is important to retain these elements where possible, in order to not disrupt existing wildlife.


11.1.2

Setting aside a portion of the garden as a natural habitat can significantly enhance its biodiversity.


11.1.3

Reducing the area of hard surfacing in gardens, by de-paving and integrating planting, is key in reducing surface water flooding and urban heat island effect.


11.1.4

Consider integrating ponds and other water features to support a wide variety of wildlife.


11.1.5

Homeowners should work with their garden and its existing features - it’s rarely necessary to completely start again.



A combination of trees, planting, shrubs and permeable paving create a biodiverse and calming retreat in this home in Southwark, designed by Proctor & Shaw Architects

Urban heat island (UHI) effect

  • Urban heat island (UHI) effect is the phenomenon where metropolitan areas become warmer than surrounding rural areas, as heat is generated through human activities and buildings, roads, and other hard surfaces trap this heat.
  • The result is a dome of heat over the city, which is often most noticeable at night and during periods of low wind. All of Greater London, including Waltham Forest, is impacted by urban heat island effect.
  • UHI effect increases the risk of heat exhaustion, stroke, and is a major driver of increasing rates of heat-related illness during the summer in London. It also results in lower air quality, which can aggravate respiratory conditions. Older people are more at risk of all of these health impacts.
  • Deprived communities are disproportionately impacted, as areas with increased deprivation typically have fewer cooling green spaces, resulting in higher temperatures.
  • Reducing the area of hard surfacing in your garden is a key way you can counteract urban heat island effect. Plants reduce the amount of radiated heat, and cool the air by releasing water vapour.


Benefits of greening gardens

Gardening is a great form of exercise that can support your mental health. Spending time in green spaces has been shown to improve overall wellbeing, and trees, planting and water features can work together to create a beautiful, calming retreat for your home.

In addition to this, greening your garden can have a number of other benefits:

  • trees and plants provide natural cooling and shade, helping to regulate the temperature of your home.
  • planting and trees help to improve air quality.
  • soft landscaping and sustainable drainage systems help to reduce local flood risk.
  • rainwater harvesting can help to reduce your mains water usage.


11.2 Gardens

Front gardens

Front gardens provide an opportunity to turn streets into green and vibrant neighbourhoods. They are an extension of the home and an opportunity to express yourself. The blooming of different plants can help to announce the seasons and create a sense of place.


11.2.1

When choosing plants and materials, the character of the street should be considered


11.2.2

Seating in front gardens can foster conversation with neighbours, bringing communities together.


11.2.3

Built-in planters or green roofs can soften the impact of storage for bins and bikes in front gardens.





11.2.4

Planning permission is required for laying traditional impermeable driveways that do not provide for surface water to run to permeable area. Read further guidance on this here.



Planting, permeable paving and seating in a front garden

Rear gardens

Rear gardens serve as a private retreat from the neighbourhood, although they can also provide visual amenity to neighbouring homes. They often serve as multifunctional outdoor space for activities including play, sport and gardening, including food growing.


11.2.5

Dividing the rear garden into various areas can help to personalise and manage a garden space.


11.2.6

Planting standard shaped specimen trees can help to provide privacy, particularly for smaller rear gardens.


11.2.7

Planters containing flowers, herbs, or even small shrubs offer an easy way to provide urban greening.


11.2.8

A small pond, fountain, or birdbath can add a soothing element to any garden and attract wildlife.


11.2.9

Planters with flowering plants can help to support pollinators. Rotating plants based on the seasons will ensure that they thrive throughout the year.



Small planters can be used to create a mini vegetable or herb garden on your balcony

Balconies

Even a small balcony can provide a garden oasis, and through careful use of space, can help to support local biodiversity.


11.2.10

Consider using pots, buckets, or grow bags to grow plants in limited spaces.


11.2.11

When adding plants to a balcony, be mindful of the additional weight of soil and pots. Only add what the balcony can support in weight.


11.2.12

To maximise space on balconies opt for vertical planters, hanging baskets, or wall-mounted containers.


11.2.13Create a mini vegetable or herb garden in a container. This can be both decorative and functional.


11.2.14

Bird feeders, nesting boxes and bird baths can be fixed to balconies to help support local birdlife.



Addleshaw Goddard Junglette Garden, a thriving balcony garden exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show

Gardens serve as crucial habitats, providing shelter and food for many different species. There are so many ways to support local biodiversity, from making a bug hotel in your garden, to planting flowers for pollinators, to creating your own pond to attract frogs, toads, and insects!

Enhancing your garden to support wildlife is a fun activity for the whole family, and seeing what animals you attract is the best part. Every small action helps to protect vital habitats, and contributes to a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem.


11.1.1

Trees, hedges and planting, even if not regularly maintained, have biodiversity value. It is important to retain these elements where possible, in order to not disrupt existing wildlife.


11.1.2

Setting aside a portion of the garden as a natural habitat can significantly enhance its biodiversity.


11.1.3

Reducing the area of hard surfacing in gardens, by de-paving and integrating planting, is key in reducing surface water flooding and urban heat island effect.


11.1.4

Consider integrating ponds and other water features to support a wide variety of wildlife.


11.1.5

Homeowners should work with their garden and its existing features - it’s rarely necessary to completely start again.



A combination of trees, planting, shrubs and permeable paving create a biodiverse and calming retreat in this home in Southwark, designed by Proctor & Shaw Architects

Urban heat island (UHI) effect

  • Urban heat island (UHI) effect is the phenomenon where metropolitan areas become warmer than surrounding rural areas, as heat is generated through human activities and buildings, roads, and other hard surfaces trap this heat.
  • The result is a dome of heat over the city, which is often most noticeable at night and during periods of low wind. All of Greater London, including Waltham Forest, is impacted by urban heat island effect.
  • UHI effect increases the risk of heat exhaustion, stroke, and is a major driver of increasing rates of heat-related illness during the summer in London. It also results in lower air quality, which can aggravate respiratory conditions. Older people are more at risk of all of these health impacts.
  • Deprived communities are disproportionately impacted, as areas with increased deprivation typically have fewer cooling green spaces, resulting in higher temperatures.
  • Reducing the area of hard surfacing in your garden is a key way you can counteract urban heat island effect. Plants reduce the amount of radiated heat, and cool the air by releasing water vapour.


Benefits of greening gardens

Gardening is a great form of exercise that can support your mental health. Spending time in green spaces has been shown to improve overall wellbeing, and trees, planting and water features can work together to create a beautiful, calming retreat for your home.

In addition to this, greening your garden can have a number of other benefits:

  • trees and plants provide natural cooling and shade, helping to regulate the temperature of your home.
  • planting and trees help to improve air quality.
  • soft landscaping and sustainable drainage systems help to reduce local flood risk.
  • rainwater harvesting can help to reduce your mains water usage.


11.2 Gardens

Front gardens

Front gardens provide an opportunity to turn streets into green and vibrant neighbourhoods. They are an extension of the home and an opportunity to express yourself. The blooming of different plants can help to announce the seasons and create a sense of place.


11.2.1

When choosing plants and materials, the character of the street should be considered


11.2.2

Seating in front gardens can foster conversation with neighbours, bringing communities together.


11.2.3

Built-in planters or green roofs can soften the impact of storage for bins and bikes in front gardens.





11.2.4

Planning permission is required for laying traditional impermeable driveways that do not provide for surface water to run to permeable area. Read further guidance on this here.



Planting, permeable paving and seating in a front garden

Rear gardens

Rear gardens serve as a private retreat from the neighbourhood, although they can also provide visual amenity to neighbouring homes. They often serve as multifunctional outdoor space for activities including play, sport and gardening, including food growing.


11.2.5

Dividing the rear garden into various areas can help to personalise and manage a garden space.


11.2.6

Planting standard shaped specimen trees can help to provide privacy, particularly for smaller rear gardens.


11.2.7

Planters containing flowers, herbs, or even small shrubs offer an easy way to provide urban greening.


11.2.8

A small pond, fountain, or birdbath can add a soothing element to any garden and attract wildlife.


11.2.9

Planters with flowering plants can help to support pollinators. Rotating plants based on the seasons will ensure that they thrive throughout the year.



Small planters can be used to create a mini vegetable or herb garden on your balcony

Balconies

Even a small balcony can provide a garden oasis, and through careful use of space, can help to support local biodiversity.


11.2.10

Consider using pots, buckets, or grow bags to grow plants in limited spaces.


11.2.11

When adding plants to a balcony, be mindful of the additional weight of soil and pots. Only add what the balcony can support in weight.


11.2.12

To maximise space on balconies opt for vertical planters, hanging baskets, or wall-mounted containers.


11.2.13Create a mini vegetable or herb garden in a container. This can be both decorative and functional.


11.2.14

Bird feeders, nesting boxes and bird baths can be fixed to balconies to help support local birdlife.



Addleshaw Goddard Junglette Garden, a thriving balcony garden exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show