New measures which require businesses bidding for major government contracts to commit to achieving net zero emissions come into force. The implementation of these rules will help deliver the manifesto promises made by this government to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The requirements will apply to any companies bidding for government...
Profits seem to be returning to normal for the construction industry, as Lendlease’s profits rebound to £20m and it seems as though the supply chain is just about coping. Lendlease Construction (Europe) has delivered a strong rebound in profit this year to £20m – a huge increase from just £3.9m in 2020. This is due in part to its strong pipeline...
There is an urgent need to recruit young volunteers to care for and maintain UK parks if they are to meet the needs of current and future generations, according to Future Proof Parks – a partnership between Groundwork, Fields in Trust and National Youth Agency. It says it is vital that we act now to recruit the next generation of volunteers,...
For the second year running, Caribbean Blinds has won at the national Real Homes Awards. The manufacturer of outdoor shading products has won in The Great Outdoors category with its hugely popular Cuba Awning product being crowned ‘The Best of the Best’ against stiff competition. Each year the Real Homes Awards attracts hundreds of entries across...
Just like that, RHS Chelsea Flower Show is done for another year. The hugely anticipated show seemed to go off without a hitch. Here are some of our highlights and standout moments. © RHS Credit Line: RHS / Sarah Cuttle © RHS Credit Line: RHS / Neil Hepworth © RHS Credit Line: RHS / Tim Sandall © RHS Credit Line: RHS / Neil Hepworth The...
Research shows that ‘play’ is essential to every facet of a child’s development and unfortunately it’s under attack. By the time a child is eight, they will have spent a full year sitting in front of a screen, and a report from the Children’s Society shows that one in six children aged between 5 and 16 are likely to be experiencing mental health...
Millboard explores which is the best subframe to avoid decking being damaged or becoming structurally dangerous. If you’re looking to build a decking project that is going to stand the test of time, the subframe of a decking area is one of the most important parts. Whilst the subframe is generally hidden, it is crucial for the deck’s longevity. A...
An ambitious 30-year landscape-scale rewilding initiative to link up a majestic sweep of the Scottish Highlands as one vast nature recovery area connecting Loch Ness to Scotland’s west coast has been launched by charity Trees for Life, and joins a select group of prestigious European rewilding areas. The Affric Highlands initiative follows three...
A new ‘meadow glade' bursting with thousands of flowers including Primula, Campanula, Ranunculus, Deschampsia, Succisa and many more has been created to mark the final major planting in Chatsworth’s biggest garden transformation for nearly 200 years. A trio of Britain’s leading garden designers, Tom Stuart-Smith, Dan Pearson and James Hitchmough,...
We speak to John Melmoe about why he's supporting the Green Up Campaign and why he believes maintenance budgets need to be re-evaluated before supermarkets change their landscape. Why is the Green Up Campaign needed? The majority of the superstores started being installed in around 1985. Led by Tesco, they rolled out a major construction...
Mark Gregory has triumphed at RHS Chelsea yet again – with not just a Gold Medal on his 100th garden at Chelsea Flower Show but a Best Construction and Best Sanctuary Garden Award too. Landform Consultants also bagged a Best Trade Stand Award for its work on the Gaze Burvill stand for goodmeasure as well. Mark Gregory, 61, has been building show...
First time Chelsea designers Peter Chmiel and Chin-Jung alongside construction company The Outdoor Room not only scooped up a Gold medal for their work, but also Best in Show at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We speak to Peter Chmiel about what this means, as well as the challenges of building a Chelsea Show Garden. How did it feel to win Best in...
Green projects across the country are set to benefit from funding from the UK’s first ever Green Gilt which will help drive progress to net zero and create jobs across the UK. £10bn was raised from the sale of the Gilt this morning: the largest inaugural green issuance by any sovereign, with the largest ever order book for a sovereign green...
Top tips for design It is critical that both clients and end users achieve a symbiosis through which the client’s schemes provide high quality, innovative landscapes for the benefit of all. Consider linked tree pits a best practice method for shared rooting volume Think right tree, right place, right way, consider species selection from...
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 has been much anticipated and entering the grounds on a surprisingly sunny September’s day, I was most eager to see how the planting would reflect this time of year. There were plenty of plants packing a colourful punch, but one stood out far above the rest for me: the hydrangea. It weaved its way through Bodmin...