{"id":2109,"date":"2016-12-19T11:12:14","date_gmt":"2016-12-19T11:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/planning-architecture\/?p=2109"},"modified":"2022-01-26T12:03:46","modified_gmt":"2022-01-26T12:03:46","slug":"greener-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/planning-architecture\/2016\/12\/19\/greener-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"Greener Gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Throughout the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, Scottish Government Planning & Architecture officials have been working in partnership with Central Scotland Green Network Trust, Taylor Wimpey West Scotland, Abertay University and C+D Associates on an innovative \u2019Greener Gardens\u2019 project. Together they\u2019ve been looking at how the gardens of new homes can be used to contribute to green infrastructure, biodiversity and storm water management. This partnership working received the 2015 VIBES Award (Vision in Business for the Environment Awards) for Cooperation Working.<\/p>\n

The project features a number of strands – all designed to encourage the development of sustainable places \u2013 including installation of demonstration raingardens (including a raised bed raingarden and a natural raingarden) at Torrance Park, one of Taylor Wimpey West\u2019s housing developments; pioneering sub-ground SUDS box\u00a0 with associated academic research; provision of 200litre water butts as part of the package for new homeowners to save tap water; and raising awareness by promoting the benefits of raingardens both to homeowners and the wider house building industry. On 16 November 2016 Kevin Stewart Minister for Local Government & Housing visited the site, to see the features for himself.<\/p>\n

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The Minister said: \u201cGreener Gardens\u201d is a practical project which demonstrates a new way to implement the principles in our \u201cGreen Infrastructure: Design and Placemaking\u201d guidance. The purpose of our involvement and providing funding support was to work with a housebuilder and progress work on mainstreaming raingardens in new developments, recognising how at a larger scale this could contribute to the Central Scotland Green Network national development. Through the partnership we are aiming to show how there can be effective solutions for both individual homeowners, as well as the wider housebuilding industry to create sustainable gardens and developments whilst encouraging biodiversity.<\/p>\n

Raising the awareness of this innovative project has overall benefits for a wide audience as Stephen Andrew, Technical Director for Taylor Wimpey West Scotland explains: \u201cAlong with our project partners we are leading the way both in research and analysis of raingardens at plot level.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe the inclusion of raingardens within house plots can contribute positively to help the industry deal with storm water management in a sustainable way as a source control SUDS technique. We are really excited to be at the forefront of this project which we believe will provide us with valuable insight into how our industry will adapt and plan for the challenges brought about by climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learning and education is a key part of the project, for all ages and sectors, right from primary school children, to University level and academic research, to informing prospective homeowners about the benefits of raingardens,\u00a0 to promoting emerging practice with other housebuilders and the development sector. Dr Rebecca Wade from the Urban Water Technology Centre at Abertay University said: \u201cCollaboration between education and industry can really make a difference!\u201d The project has included collaborative work on a storm water management MSc project developed by Dr Brian D\u2019Arcy (C&D Associates) together with Abertay University. It involved testing a new product\u00a0 – the \u2018SUDSbox\u2019 designed by C&D Associates, James Travers studying for an MSc worked with Taylor Wimpey West Scotland who agreed to install the innovative technology\u00a0 to enable its use to be monitored, providing real world learning opportunities for students. \u00a0Abertay University also developed materials for a schools pack, to highlight raingardens, sustainable drainage and the environment. The material helps show how changing land from greenfield to urbanized influences how rainfall impacts on the environment.\u00a0 Pupils from Holytown Primary School were at the site for the Minister\u2019s visit and will also benefit from a series of classroom talks and discussions, interactive activities and local show and tell walk-abouts in the local community to learn more about the concept of Greener Gardens.<\/p>\n\n\t\t