Landscape & Urban Design - Issue 12 2015

www.landud.co.uk

Landscape & Urban Design Designing your outdoor environment

Issue 12 ÂŁ3.95

IJLA - Chic Garden

Grand Designs

Nine Elms

Street Furniture

Landscape Services

Society Of Garden Design Awards

Structures & Fittings

Sport & Play

Tools, Plant & Equipment

The UK’s leading publication for key professionals within the Landscaping, Garden Design, Urban Design, Amenity, and Sport & Play Industry.

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Contents Issue 12

62 Tobermore

52 IJLA - Chic Garden Landscape & Urban Design

Designing your outdoor environment

Welcome To Our Glorious Spring Special!

In Issue 12, as the winter finally starts to relent and we turn our thoughts to outside pursuits, we congratulate all of the hugely deserving nominees and winners announced at the latest annual Society of Garden Designers Awards 2014. Reports are that a great night was had by all, with an exceptional amount of talent celebrated in style! In our special 7 page feature from the organisers, (P8 - 14) you can view some of the awards’ winners entries and no doubt be as impressed as we all are. The night was a special one for Cleve West (MSGD) with Horatio’s Garden for the Spinal Centre in Salisbury, who scooped a hat-trick win for its uplifting and healing delivery.

Moving on from the healing powers of nature and onto the part the ‘great outdoors’ plays in improving our communities’ lives; we also celebrate the advances in modern day design in making possible a truly inclusive approach for each of our children to participate in sport and play regardless of ability. Showcased in this feature (p30 – p42) are some grand examples of companies who have succeeded in creating, supplying and installing play structures which allow our disabled and able bodied children to play together – with such varied and accessible designs available to our schools and councils, I’m sure we all look forward to seeing more and more of these inclusive playgrounds becoming common place in the UK. I am personally really excited to be distributing this issue and mingling with many of you at the glorious Grand Designs Live show between the 2nd and 10th of May at Excel, London. We showcase some of the best and ‘grand’ outdoor designers of landscaping products, structures, fittings and exterior furniture, with contributors supplying some exceptional examples this issue.

So do come along and meet me and the rest of MH Media at our stand S5002 and take part in our competition!

All that is left, is for me to wish you all a very Happy Easter and hope that the new sunshine puts a veritable spring in your step.

Sarah Croft

74 Graze Burvill

Get in touch Publishing Director Martin Holmes martin@landud.co.uk Sales Director Sarah Croft Tel: 01843 830249 sarah@landud.co.uk

Editor Lorna Davidson Tel: 01843 830249 lorna@landud.co.uk Studio Director Josh Holmes josh@landud.co.uk

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in Landscape & Urban Design however, the publishers accept no responsibility for the claims or opinions made by advertisers, manufactures or contributors.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic (including photocopying) or stored in any information retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher.

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Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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Kebony and bliss announce second collaboration at GreenbanKs Innovative Property Brings 21st Century Design And Technology To The BreathTaking North Norfolk Coast ebony and Bliss announce their latest collaboration, a lateral house in Holt, Norfolk. Designed by Bliss, the property provides open, spacious living in a ‘Scandi meets North Norfolk’ setting with subtle, modern interior finishes and high tech features.

The ground-breaking and environmentallyfriendly project, Greenbanks encompasses approximately 2,180 sq. ft. of inspirational living space on just one level.

K

Greenbanks is a fully detached property which evokes a perfect sense of peace in its woodland setting yet is within a couple of minutes’ walk to the lively town centre. The

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concept from high-profile developers Bliss, the creative force behind the project has taken a revolutionary approach to design, both inside and out, where performance and efficiency are integral to the design process.

On the exterior, Greenbanks is a one-ofa-kind development built using advanced sustainability oriented construction techniques and state-of-the-art materials, including the award-winning Kebony wood.

At Greenbanks, Kebony’s non-toxic, lowmaintenance, durable and aesthetic wood has been used for the exterior cladding, contributing the modern look and feel of the building. Over time the Kebony wood will adopt a beautiful silver grey patina which will complement its rustic setting near the coast.

The property consists of a triple aspect living and entertaining area with high vaulted ceiling (unusually generous ceiling heights of 3.5m), kitchen and dining area, three luxurious bedroom suites all with direct access to the gardens and “The Snug” which provides an additional space ideal for an office or hideaway. Internally, Greenbanks is at the pinnacle of innovation, which has been installed to match the high performance of the materials and design, including a Heatmiser smartphone which controls the heating and hot water system, silent Gliss ‘wave’ curtain tracks and the UK’s first electronic pet-walk door.

Enjoying a peaceful woodland setting and landscaped gardens, which surround the house on three sides, Greenbanks is the second UK residential project with Bliss for Cleantech 100 company Kebony, following the successful collaboration at 25 Hurst Avenue, London.

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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> Daniel Broch, Founder of Bliss commented: “Greenbanks is our first project outside London and launches our ‘Latralife’ brand which aims to deliver cool and contemporary living spaces for ‘right sizers’ in great lifestyle locations around the UK. Working with Kebony again was a no brainer for us and we’re already working on another project together.”

Adrian Pye, International Sales Director at Kebony said: “We are delighted to be working with Bliss once again after our success at 25 Hurst Avenue. We are very proud not only to be contributing to another property with such fantastic design and aesthetic credentials, but also to take part of the global trend of eco-friendly architecture and development.”

Visit www.kebony.com: Blisspace.co.uk or Blissblakeney.co.uk for further information.

Greenbanks is located on Peacock Lane, Holt, NR25 6HD.

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Introducing the hedge in a handbag.

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society oF Garden desiGners announces Winners in tHe sGd aWards 2014 Ian Smith MSGD and Cleve West MSGD have taken the two most prestigious awards at the Society of Garden Designers third annual awards ceremony, receiving the Grand Award and Judges’ Awards respectively in front of an audience of over 350 guests.

The accolades were presented at a ceremony in London where 19 awards were announced including recognition for community garden projects, international schemes, excellence in public and commercial outdoor space and a special lifetime achievement award.

The Grand Award, the most celebrated award of the evening, went to Ian Smith MSGD of Acres Wild for a private garden in Surrey that the judges called ‘a transformational project.’ Remarking on the scheme the judges said: ‘This garden achieves one of the most difficult goals in garden design; it feels as if it has been in situ for several decades.’

Devised as a journey through interlinking spaces, the judges said the garden ‘feels composed and perfectly linked and has a period ambience, exhibiting confidence of scale’ and concluded that it was a ‘well executed, integrated design with sharp edges softened by sophisticated planting’. The Garden was also named best Large Residential Garden.

Cleve West MSGD’s Horatio’s Garden, created for patients and staff at a spinal treatment centre in Salisbury, was one of the most applauded projects at the ceremony. A garden full of life and hope, it was named best Public or Commercial Outdoor Space and honoured with the People’s Choice Award and the coveted Judges Award. The judges said: “This is what healing gardens should be like; if only they all had a similar design. It has beautiful planting that works with the scale of the building and helps to reconnect people to nature.“

international aWard Debbie Roberts - Le Haut - Above

desiGninG For coMMunity sPace

Guy and St Thomas’ - Annie Chapman - Left Jackie Herald - Tufnell Park School - Above

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student aWard Joanna Midwinter - Left Jiyoung Kim - Below

The SGD Student Award Joint winners were announced in Society’s Student Award for entries from Joanna Midwinter and Jiyoung Kim both of which the judges felt exhibited ‘a mature approach in dealing with the complex and challenging sites they were tasked to design’. The judges said Joanna Midwinter’s scheme for The New Great Square was ‘practical and beautiful and displayed a sensitive approach to dealing with an iconic site whilst creating something valuable for 21st century living’ adding that Jiyoung Kim’s design for a Rotherhithe garden was ‘dynamic and incredibly impressive and an ingenious use of the existing site.’

Public or coMMercial Cleve West - Horatio’s Garden - Below

PocKet Garden

Rosemary Coldstream - River Garden - Below

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A contemporary garden in Wimbledon designed by Charlotte Rowe MSGD was also granted three Awards, being named best Medium Residential Garden and taking awards for Hardscape and Lighting Design. The judges remarked on the 'good proportions, beautiful site lines, crisp design detailing and amazing finish. Calling the garden ‘a sublime haven’ and concluding that ‘the harmonious design worked perfectly with the house.’

from her gardens of the same period, was described by the judges as ‘a sensitive, beautiful and intelligent response to the client’s brief.’

Dan Pearson MSGD took the prize for the newly introduced Historic Garden Restoration award for a garden originally designed by Gertrude Jekyll. The restoration of the garden, for which Dan referenced Jekyll’s written work and surviving archival planting plans

Other awards on the night went to Debbie Roberts MSGD in the International category, John Davies in the Future Designer category, Jackie Herald and Annie Chapman who were joint winners in the Designing for Community Space Award and Andrew Wilson FSGD and

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The Pocket Garden category – the second new award for 2014 - was taken by Rosemary Coldstream MSGD for a riverside garden the judges called ‘very pleasing’, whilst the Small Residential Garden was won by Sue Townsend MSGD.

MediuM residential Garden Charlotte Rowe - Wimbledon Garden

larGe residential Garden Ian Smith - Millwater - Above

sMall budGet Garden Rebecca Smith - Old Bakery- Above

Gavin McWilliam who took the Paper Landscapes Award – a category that welcomes innovation and experimental ideas.

“Commenting on SGD Awards, Philippa O’Brien MSGD, Chair of the SGD said: “One of the joys of superb garden design is that it looks effortless. These gardens are however the result of years of training and experience, immense skill and razor sharp attention to detail. I am immensely proud that the SGD is the professional body representing such finely honed talents and we are able to recognise and celebrate these talents at The SGD Awards ceremony.

HardscaPe

Charlotte Rowe - Wimbledon Garden - Above Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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JoHn brooKes liFetiMe acHieVeMent aWard Beth Chatto- Left

The John Brookes Lifetime Achievement Award Other special awards given on the night included The John Brookes Lifetime Achievement Award – an award, named after one of the Society’s Life Members and granted to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the landscape and garden design profession. The Award, which is gifted by the Council of the Society of Garden Designers, was given to plantswoman and author Beth Chatto and collected by her granddaughter Julia Boulton.

Philippa O’Brien MSGD, Chair of the SGD said: “Beth Chatto was a natural choice for the John Brookes Lifetime Achievement Award and the SGD Council was unanimous in its eagerness to grant the award to her.

Beth Chatto has influenced generations of gardeners and garden designers through her passion for plants, her ecological approach and her inspired garden writing, continuing the important cycle of sharing and learning about plants. To a whole generation of garden designers, she is considered the guru of shade planting.”

PeoPle's cHoice aWard Cleve West - Horatio’s Garden

PaPer landscaPes Forest perspective across main pathway colour

12 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

Future desiGner

liGHtinG desiGn

PlantinG

Historic Garden restoration

John Davies - College Crescent - Above

Sue Townsend - Above

Wimbledon Garden by Charlotte Rowe - Above

Dan Pearson - Folly Farm - Above

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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tHe JudGes aWard Cleve West - Horatio’s Garden

tHe Grand aWard

Ian Smith - Millwater, Surrey

14 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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Grand desiGns liVe The UK’S Leading Contemporary Home Show, Grand Designs Live, Returns To London’s Excel This May

t

he UK’s leading contemporary home show, Grand Designs Live, sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, returns to the London Excel by popular demand for its 11th year running from the 2nd – 10th May 2015.

As the ultimate destination for home owners and self-builders, exhibitors will showcase industry’s most innovative ideas and products across the nine day show, offering visitors the chance to plan, buy, build and furnish a house all under one roof.

The following show sections have been confirmed for Grand Designs Live London 2015: Grand Build, Grand Interiors, Grand Kitchens, Grand Bathrooms, Grand Village, Grand Technology and Grand Gardens.

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GRAND DESIGNS LIVE, London Excel, 2 – 10 May 2015

In addition, Grand Designs Live London can reveal the following show highlights:

kitchen design seminar stage, a private consultation area for visitors to receive expert advice on their kitchen projects as well as a display of the winning kitchen design finalists. Visitor are also given the opportunity to see celebrity guests take on the ‘Celebrity Cook Along’.

Ask An Expert, sponsored by Express Bi-folding Doors, promises to offer aspiring developers, and those undertaking a home improvement, build or renovation venture, specialist advice to assist with getting their own Grand Designs project underway.

For the eco-conscious visitor, Kevin McCloud’s Green Heroes will showcase show ambassador Kevin McCloud’s hand-picked selection of the most impressive eco- innovations and technologies; aiming to improve housing and our way of living.

A new Grand Kitchens feature this year is the Miele Live Kitchen Seminar Stage, which will host a busy schedule of kitchen design talks. These are set to include kitchen design, technology in the kitchen, trends and materials, colour and much more.

The Garden Design Competition – is set to run at the London show for the third time in the Grand Gardens section, sponsored by Hydropool. The competition will see entrants submit a garden design based on ‘Encouraging Wildlife in your garden’. The competition gives an opportunity for garden designers and landscapers who are interested in boosting their profile to showcase their skills and their designs at the show.

‘The Green House’ – Grand Technology, new for 2015, the Green House is an interactive walk through experience, showing the latest innovative gadgets and eco technology, as well as lighting designs and systems for the home.

The Grand Designs Eco Trail will feature highlights of those exhibitors that have eco or sustainable build products, making it easier for visitors with an interest in eco-friendly innovations to seamlessly navigate through the show to discover the products that matter to them.

The Grand Kitchens feature, sponsored

by Miele, will boast a unique interactive cookery demonstration stage, a

The Grand Theatre will host a ‘Meet the Grand Designer’ seminar each day of the show, featuring a celebrity host alongside a couple or family from the recent Grand Designs series, talking through the challenges of their build project. The Theatre will also feature topical debates and talks as well as addressing local planning and building issues with a range of experts and guest speakers including: Kevin McCloud, George Clarke, Wayne Hemingway, Dan Hopwood, Sophie Robinson, Charlie Luxton, Lucy Hedges, Jo Hamilton and James Alexander Sinclair.

This year Grand Interiors will feature the Grand Designs Live Interiors Theatre, which will host a series of talks regarding home decorating, and interiors roomsets, for home inspiration.

www.granddesignslive.com

The Grand Village promises to showcase best-in-class innovation as seen on Channel 4: ‘Grand Designs’, featuring eco homes by Natural Building Live and Easy Domes, each demonstrating unique sustainable building techniques, and offering handson activities for visitors.

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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INTERIORS TECHNOLOGY KITCHENS BATHROOMS GARDENS VILLAGE BUILD

AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENT ON A GRAND SCALE

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Max. 2 tickets per household, all tickets will be checked and verified on entry. Print at home tickets only. Additional weekend tickets can be booked for £11 using the code LANDUD11. Organised by Media 10 Ltd. Grand Designs is a trademark of Fremantle Media Ltd.

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Griffin Glasshouse Takes Pride of Place aT coTon Manor The installation of a Griffin Glasshouses greenhouse at Coton Manor in Northamptonshire three years ago has proved to be an essential part of nursery life ever since at the garden.

This peaceful ten acre garden occupies a hillside position extending down from the 17th century manor house, constructed of mellow Northamptonshire stone. Landscaped on different levels, it comprises a series of distinctive smaller gardens, providing variety and interest throughout the season, and enhanced by flowing streams, fountains and ponds.

Beyond the confines of the garden, there is a magical five acre bluebell wood and a colourful wildflower meadow at its best in June & July.

As well as enjoying the garden, many visitors are drawn to the Victorian style Griffin Glasshouses greenhouse which houses propagators, young plants and over-winter 1000 sweet peas.

Caroline Tait, Coton Manor nursery manager, said: “The Griffin Glasshouse is bespoke in design and perfect for our requirements. We are delighted with our greenhouse; it not only looks great but it helps us raise much needed money for charity when Coton Manor Garden opens for the NGS.” Every year NGS gardens across England and Wales welcome about 750,000 visitors. Most gardens which open for the NGS are privately owned and open just a few times each year. Some gardens open as part of a group with the whole community involved. The gardens give all the money raised directly to the NGS. Charities supported by the NGS include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices, Crossroads Care and Alzheimer’s Society.

Visitors to Coton Manor can also explore the extensive nursery, take light lunches or teas from the Stableyard Café, or visit the garden shop. Garden courses complete the range of activities available at Coton.

Linda Lane, Griffin Glasshouses managing director, said: “Griffin Glasshouses are thoroughly 21st century in design and maintenance. They are produced from the highest quality, maintenance-free aluminium. Our product range also includes an NGS collection. The NGS receives 5% of the proceeds from the sale of every glasshouse in this collection.”

www.griffinglasshouses.com 20 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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Each Griffin glasshouse is individually created for you, tailored to your individual requirements and unique surroundings whilst being both a pleasure for you to use and an enhancing feature of your property. Manufactured from powder coated aluminium and steel in any colour of your choice, your glasshouse will have all the appeal of a traditional wooden structure but without the maintenance issues.

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Hi-Tech Turf Ltd were employed by Base Contracts Ltd to turf the various roofs of the Tottenham Hotspur FC Northumberland Development Project, the project houses a 78,000 square foot Sainsburys store, Tottenham University Technical College and the new THFC Club offices. The main roof of the building required Hi-Tech Turf to incorporate the THFC slogan 'To Dare Is To Do'. The area for the slogan alone was 5m tall and 52.5m wide.

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The whole project required 4301m2 of HT Lush artificial grass, 340m2 of HT Schools in white which was used for the slogan lettering and hazard markings and 25mm Shock Pad. The HT Lush grass was chosen so that from the air the area looked a vivid green.

There were various problems presented by an installation of this size and location. All the roofs were at various levels so all the materials had to be lifted onto the roofs via crane or forklift. The correct type of glue had to be sourced to enable the turf to be adhered to the roofing material, the lightning conductors had to be changed to ensure a smooth surface was available for the artificial grass installation, all site operatives were trained for working at height. One of the major challenges was sourcing a stencil big enough to enable Hi-Tech Turf to incorporate the slogan in grass, the stencil was manufactured specifically for the job.

Hi-Tech Turf Director Simon Barbet commented, “Despite all of the challenges we had to overcome we had no hesitation in taking the job on and we couldn't be more pleased with the way the finished roofs look”.

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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Whitehall Landscapes is a family run business specialising in all aspects of synthetic and natural turf. Ian has been contracting for 15 years and has a wide range of customers from councils, schools, sports academies; football clubs and synthetic sport pitch construction companies.

A regular mechanical cleaning program is essential in maintaining the playability and the life span of an artificial playing surface.

We have a fleet of synthetic equipment which can be used on all types of artificial surfaces, whether indoor or out to perform the necessary tasks.

We offer a full contract cleaning and advisory service. For a free, no obligation quotation or for further information please do not hesitate to call Ian direct on 07770 362512 / 01455 212942 or email him at whiteha.white@btconnect .com www.whitehallartificialturfmaintenance.co.uk

SOFT TOUCH GRASS FROM QUICKGRASS. Excellent Premium Quality Artificial Grass from Quickgrass is ideal for anyone looking for a low maintenance outdoor ground surface option with that extra soft touch feel!

Low Maintenance! SCP Landscapes based in Huddersfield have installed Richmond artificial grass exclusively available from Quickgrass. The project has taken 2 months to complete and was designed to allow disabled access throughout the entire garden in order for the home owner, who is in need of a wheelchair, the freedom to explore the whole garden including going on the lawn .The firm sub-base constructed below the Richmond Grass will allow this.

In all 320m2 of Richmond Grass was installed creating a massive low maintenance garden!

The customer and SCP researched many different artificial grasses but decided on Richmond by Quickgrass as the best quality, having the softest touch and the most realistic available. Well done SCP! Looking for a softer option?

Here at Quickgrass we have 3 high quality soft touch grasses which have all been independently tested and approved with our Quickplay shock pads. We can supply our 25mm Quickplay Shock pad, tested with our Woburn, Richmond and Tewkesbury soft touch artificial grass. (Critical Fall Height tested in accordance with BS EN 1177:2008 for Head Impact Criterion). This now means you can have the benefit of a luxury, premium soft touch grass laid over a suitable shock pad , providing the perfect surface for disabled children, adults as well as anyone who loves that soft touch feel within a safe low maintenance environment.

For more details and samples please contact Quickgrass Ltd, Worcestershire Tel: 01527 579841

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THE GRASS IS GREEN ON BOTH SIDES WITH TIGERTURF’S NEW LANDSCAPING INNOVATION Leading artificial turf manufacturer, TigerTurf UK, has enhanced its market leading landscaping range with an advanced alternative to natural lawns and traditional synthetic surfaces.

Edén: TigerTurf’s new landscaping creation, combines pioneering light-reflective technology with authentic colourways inspired by nature, to create a surface that looks as lush as a well-kept, natural lawn, from any direction.

Where other artificial surfaces require pile to face in the direction of the property or focal point to avoid a glare, the profiled yarn used in Edén gives each blade an omni-directional™ surface. As a result, the turf – which has a pile height of 30mm – can be laid in any direction, leading to time savings for installers, and increased satisfaction for end-users.

Paul Langford, Managing Director at TigerTurf UK commented: “We are delighted to be able to offer an ever-growing range of bespoke artificial turf solutions to those seeking low-maintenance and great-looking alternatives to natural grass lawns.

“We are committed to evolving our product range in order to meet the needs of endusers, and feedback from our strong network of installers nationwide has been crucial in the development of Edén. With their scientific approach and market insights, our Research and Development department has created an industry first once again.”

For more information on TigerTurf (UK) Ltd and its industry leading portfolio of artificial grass, visit www.tigerturf.com. Edén is available in widths of 4m; contact TigerTurf for price information.

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Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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laVisH royal sWiss HoMes PerFected WitH PerMeable PaVinG FroM toberMore oyal Swiss Apartments, produced by Anglo Swiss, consist of an exclusive collection of fourteen one and three bedroom lavish apartments which have recently been constructed in beautiful, suburban Barnes in London. Tobermore, the world class paving and walling manufacturer, have supplied a selection of permeable block paving products for the impressive landscaping in this development. Founded in 1942, Tobermore supply a broad ranging collection of paving, walling, kerbs, steps and facing brick products for the commercial and domestic markets throughout the UK and Ireland.

r

Anglo Swiss build high specification properties with the latest technologies incorporated, so it’s no surprise that almost every exclusive home within the two

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apartment blocks have been snapped up already! With busy restaurants, bars and interesting events such as the Summer, Christmas and Food Fairs, the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race and Barnes Winter Ball taking place close to Royal Swiss Apartments, there is no doubt that this is a highly desirable location to vacate to.

The development has been carefully considered with acoustic treatments and walling to ensure that a peaceful environment is available for residents.

Impressive room sizes and large spacious balconies are available on all floors giving residents direct access to the gorgeous outdoor spaces which provide fantastic views of the common and surrounding areas.

No feature in the design of this development has been overlooked. The attention to detail

extends to the hard landscaping features at the premises. Laid by Andrew Towns-Wadey Ltd, Tobermore’s Hydropave Fusion block paving in subtle Sandstone and sparkling Silver is showcased on the grounds at Royal Swiss Apartments.

With the increase in flash flooding in areas of the UK in recent years, there is more demand than ever for permeable landscaping materials. For this reason, Tobermore offer an extensive Hydropave permeable paving collection. These quality products allow the creation of spectacular hard landscaping features, are environmentally friendly, and most importantly, significantly reduce the risk of flooding and pollution. Hydropave Fusion paving is an ideal choice for the modern, luxurious homes at Royal Swiss Apartments. This product encompasses a coarse textured surface, exposing glittering granite aggregates which provide a distinctive appearance similar to natural granite. Hydropave Fusion paving products guarantee to create a sophisticated look for any application.

Tobermore’s Country Kerb, the heavy duty commercial kerbing system with an exposed granite surface, and Radii Kerb, which is used to section off curved feature areas, are also incorporated on this scheme.

For more information on Tobermore’s world class paving and walling collection, call 0844 800 5736, email sales@tobermore.co.uk or visit www.tobermore.co.uk

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ultrascaPe FloWPoint Proven and Compliant Performance

Flowpoint has been exceeding the demands of clients for many years. It has been used in a variety of project environments including public realm, landscaping and domestic. The subsequent introduction of the British Standard for ‘rigid’ paving constructions (BS 7533) further strengthen the slurry (flowable) method as superior and has since promoted its use aggressively. Ultrascape Flowpoint is now synonymous with fast application, cost-effective and robust jointing.

The product is available in three alternatives: Regular, ECO and Smooth.

Overall all three offer the same great features; however you can choose to benefit from recycled material content or a smooth surface finish.

West Handyside Canopy: The specification of Ultrascape’s BS 7533 mortar paving system has meant the successful regeneration of the West Handyside Canopy in King’s Cross, London.

All three are sold individually as fully pre-mixed dry-packs, which only require the addition of water on-site. Once the desired consistency has been achieved, the product is poured over the paving, filling joints with ease, and then the surplus is simply washed off. The nature of this method causes many to worry about staining; however this flowable grout leaves a perfect stain free finish.

All Flowpoint alternatives boast the following capabilities:

Open to pedestrian traffic in just 1 hour Open to vehicular traffic in just 4 hours Joint widths from 5-50mm (3-50mm Flowpoint Smooth) and depths up to 200mm Exceptional bond strength Rapid setting Shrinkage compensated Can be used in the rain and is frost-resistant Ideal for large-scale projects Suitable for sandstone, limestone, concrete and granite paving types Equally suited to irregular setts as well as large profile paving Choice of colours available including Natural Grey and Charcoal

Lime Street Gate Way: Liverpool Lime Street station is the gateway to Liverpool city centre. Its outside entrance area has been rejuvenated using Ultrascape materials, complementing the station’s Grade II structure.

Ultrascape Flowpoint is the third component of the brand's BS 7533 compliant mortar paving system. It can be used in conjunction with bedding mortar, Pro-Bed HS and slurry primer, Pro-Prime to offer a complete paving construction solution.

For further information on Ultrascape Flowpoint or their mortar paving system, please visit www.ultrascape.co.uk or call 01827 871871.

Birmingham Bullring: A scheme aimed at attracting more restaurants to the Birmingham Bullring. Paving was constructed by P.J. Carey (Contractors) Ltd. using Ultrascape’s flowable grout, Flowpoint.

28 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

Bow Lane Durham: Durham County Council commissioned a restoration of their historic Bow Lane using the renowned Ultrascape mortar paving system.

Flowpoint Flowpoint ECO Flowpoint Smooth

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Watch our new videos here

HIGH-QUALITY PLAY SPACES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL ABILITIES 30 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

ne in twenty UK children has a disability or Special Education Needs (SEN) yet many have no access to an outdoor space with play facilities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child says children have the right to play and the Association of Play Industries (API), the UK’s leading play industry trade body, supports that right.

o

API member companies are leaders in the design, creation and installation of play equipment, facilities and safety surfacing. They work closely with schools, local authorities and others, creating high-quality, fun, stimulating play and outdoor learning spaces for children of all abilities. Many have specialist knowledge and wide experience of developing accessible, inclusive play areas that support physical literacy and the development, health and well-being of children with diverse needs.

Well-designed play spaces provide safe environments that support sensory, emotional and physical stimulation, movement, mobility, balance, co-ordination and spatial skills. They support social inclusion, integration, communication, confidence and self-esteem. Spaces should be adaptable and versatile to accommodate different types of play and provide an appropriate level of challenge. This takes children of all abilities outside their comfort zone, teaching valuable lessons about their capabilities and skills, building confidence in the process.

Creating zoned spaces using themed equipment or coloured surfacing, for example, provides distinct areas for children to enjoy different types of play, for instance, quiet, sheltered areas for socialising, reading and small-group activities and bright, colourful areas for high-intensity activities.

Planning an outdoor play space for children with SEN requires care, consideration, expertise and experience. Every school or local community is unique with children with specific, sometimes complicated, requirements. The design of any new playground or outdoor space must reflect that diversity.

In schools, API members work closely with headteachers, Governors, School Business Managers and staff throughout the planning stage, ensuring their investment offers excellent play value, clear educational and developmental benefits, accessibility and challenge for every child, whatever their skills and abilities. Children, usually

school councils, are often involved to ensure a sense of collective ownership, pride, teamwork and excitement.

API member company design experts create solutions that incorporate equipment and facilities developed specifically to support children with visual, hearing and mobility difficulties, sensory processing disorders, learning difficulties and developmental impairments. They provide groundlevel play opportunities, sensory stimulation, wheelchair access, gripping equipment, ramps, bridges and links to enable children of all abilities to play together.

Schools and local authorities play a vital role in encouraging children of all abilities to be active and many are investing in improving their outdoor spaces. When planning a new play area, the Association of Play Industries (API) is the perfect first port of call for advice. Its members operate to the highest standards, abide by a strict Professional Code of Conduct, comply with relevant safety standards, and are rigorously and regularly monitored and credit-checked for financial security and stability. The API is the voice of the UK play industry and campaigns at the highest levels for policy recognition of the value of active play.

The association’s website provides a wide range of helpful resources, information and links about fundraising, planning and project guidance, design, safety and risk, plus full details of every member company including examples of recent work.

API Chair Michael Hoenigmann says: “Understandably families want the best possible facilities for their children, whatever their abilities.

Our member companies provide unrivalled expertise and experience to play buyers looking to improve accessibility within existing playgrounds or to create new inclusive outdoor spaces from scratch.”

Child’s play is a serious matter. Choosing an API member company ensures means working with a reputable, reliable, financially stable and experienced play partner who understands the specific needs of children with different abilities.

For further information about the API, its members and how it can help support inclusive play projects, contact: Deborah Holt, tel: 024 7641 4999 ext.

208, email api@api-play.org www.api-play.org

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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Every child has the right to play (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 31). This includes disabled children, who have the same rights and expectations to exciting, stimulating, challenging and fun play spaces as non-disabled children.

We may take for granted the abilities of non-disabled children to access play space and the features within, but there are often barriers to access for disabled children, or children with disabled parents. Overcoming these barriers and providing inclusive play experiences benefits all children and society.

It may be difficult to provide for all users in any particular space, but consideration should be given to who is likely to use the space and get the most from it. Care needs to be taken to ensure the correct balance is achieved between catering for all users and catering for specific needs.

Inclusion means being included in the whole, not separated out as different.

Inclusion can be achieved through excellent imaginative and sensory play, including features such as play sculptures, inspiring landscapes, sound and musical features. Elements with a strong visual appeal will be important for users with limited sight, but also to other users who are especially reliant on vision such as those with limited hearing. Such elements can include the use of strong colours, vivid designs, shadows and reflections and artificial light. Similarly, sound can be used to provide an enhanced experience to those with hearing impairment, but also to those who rely more heavily on sound such as visually impaired users.

All users will benefit from play features with a stimulating touch or sensory quality, such as tactile furniture, planting, and a range of textures and smells.

Gaining access to the play space is important, as is being able to continue to use the space for a reasonable period of time. Consideration needs to be given to how a child will get to the playground and this is often with a parent in a car. Designated parking spaces nearby, within an easy distance of the play space, can make a considerable difference to some users. The surfacing of the car park and the access routes needs to be considered so that it is suitable for mobility-impaired users and wide enough for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Include suitable seating with arm rests so that grandparents or disabled parents have a safe refuge where they can rest when caring for their children. What about toilet and changing facilities? These additions may make the difference between a child making a fleeting visit or being able to gain a meaningful benefit from the play experiences on offer.

Once within the play space is there easy access to a wide range of play experiences for all users? Are the pathways wide enough without barriers to movement? The choice of surface is important to ensure all users can gain free access to those elements intended to be accessible to them.

Playgrounds tend to offer a range of traditional play experiences. These generally fall into the following categories: sliding, swinging, rocking, rotating, balancing, climbing, experimenting, role-playing, learning and gathering (together). Consider how these experiences might be offered to all users. It is not necessary to make every piece of play equipment or each feature accessible to all users, but consider whether all users have access to at least one chance to experience every available play category. A basket swing, for example, may provide opportunities for a greater range of users than a single cradle swing. Children of all ages and abilities can use it, although some will be reliant upon caregiver support to gain enjoyment from it. Sand and water play are some of the best-loved play experiences of all children; they provide a wonderful sensory, tactile and auditory experience for children and an opportunity to use imaginations to build, manipulate and destroy. When combined with simple elements such as channels, structures and planting they can be wonderfully inclusive and enchanting for all children. Even the parents may get their shoes and sock off to join in the fun!

Consideration must be given to all users when developing and refurbishing playgrounds. Rather than focusing on a single user group it is usually beneficial to the whole local community to provide an accessible and inclusive play space.

RoSPA believes that children’s play spaces should be as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible. This applies equally to all users.

RoSPA – Playsafety Ltd 32 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

Tel: 01367 244600

email: info@rospaplaysafety.co.uk

star rubber enVironMental ltd

Safety Surface Specialists within Play and Landscaping Areas Star Rubber Environmental is the UK’s only manufacturer of TigerMulch and Agri-Flex rubber Chippings made from 100% recycled rubber.

Both are ideal natural looking resin bound products for tree surrounds, allowing space to grow and water to permeate to the roots.

The products have been tested to the water permeability test EN 12616 with a flow result of 5022mm/hr.

Neither will collect rubbish, nor create a trip or heel hazard and are buggy and wheel chair friendly, making either an excellent choice for your surfacing needs!

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Please contact us for further details or information 1A Belmont house, Aller Langport, Somerset, TA10 0QN T: 01458-253377 F: 01458-253375 E: tigermulch@aol.com W: www.star-rubber.com or www.star-rubber.co.uk Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

33

disabled Play is one oF our Greatest Passions at enViroPlay and We are WorKinG tirelessly to try and increase aWareness oF tHe lacK oF Facilities in tHe uK.

Do you know that the only requirement on a UK playground at present is that it has to be accessible by a wheel chair?

So how can this be right and also how can it encourage society from a young age to be socially accepting of everyone irrespective of their circumstances?

In January 2006 the Joseph Rowntree Foundation produced a paper on the inclusion of disabled children in primary school playgrounds, which is a fascinating reading and proved that in most cases children could all play together without any adaption to their games. So why, when they enter the playground do we now almost encourage discrimination, for disabled children by allowing access to public play areas to watch and not join in?

Another area where we have seen this first hand is where parents have tried to use existing play equipment such as swings or slides and the child has got stuck in the equipment causing even more problems such as embarrassment.

So let’s take us all back to our childhood!!! - Do you remember the warm summer days trying to get as

high on the swings as you could to feel like you were flying, whizzing around the roundabout until you were dizzy and racing your friends to the top of the slide to experience the speed down to the bottom?!

Now think again: -Why should any child miss out on these simple pleasures just because they have either been born with a disability or suffered some sort of tragedy in their early lives?

Play is a fundamental part of childhood.

It enables children to develop social skills, form friendships, develop physical skills and learn about and to become confident in their environment.

A report completed in January 2014 by the Office for Disability Issues and the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed that around 6% of the children in the UK are disabled which is an astounding figure for exclusion from free play areas. It also confirmed that a substantially higher proportion of individuals who live in families with disabled members live in poverty, compared to individuals who live in families where no one is disabled.

This further compounds the issue of access to free play areas just not being available.

Our goal is to bring awareness to the possibility of how having just one piece of play equipment which can be used for disabled play in a park could virtually change a child’s life. It’s surely not much to ask?

As a reader I hope this makes you think about your next play area and what we can do as a society to make the change.

At Enviroplay we can advise, assist, design and supply all play areas and equipment for able bodied and disabled children and we can blend ideas to make play seamless and encourage children to play together.

Budget is always a priority so whether you are looking at a small adaption or a totally new play area there is something for everyone.

3

One of the simplest things to do with an existing area is just to swap an existing swing unit for a boat seat. As it sounds, this is a simple boat-shaped swing allowing a child to be laid in it. The cost Minimum Safety Zone 350 cm x 800 cm is under a £1000 and could easily be funded from a charitable trust if funds are not readily available. of time, yet sleek enough to fit with any design plan. They do not need any We supply a vast range of equipment safety flooring meaning they can be which can vary in design and cost sited anywhere. depending on what our customers’ needs and budgets allow.

This game allows for a wheel chair to sit underneath one side of the As the UK’s only supplier of Conlastic ball bearing game, also allowing an and Dalen equipment we have some able-bodied child to stand on the step amazing pieces. Bearing in mind opposite so both can play the ball the comments already in this article, bearing maze together. This equipment wouldn’t it be great to have a piece can be sited inside or out: Perfect for of equipment which could encourage bringing play together! children to play together?

We also specialise in slides, swings and Well Conlastic have just that, we would roundabouts. Some of those which are like to introduce the maze. Conlastic currently available in the market place are well known for their ball bearing are cumbersome and make it difficult games which are robust to last the test for the chair driver to navigate. With both our swing and roundabout, you simply drop the ramp on the equipment, push the chair on and then the child can experience the able bodied experience of flying through the air or feeling dizzy from the safety of their own chair.

2

1

So why not make a disabled child’s day and make just one small change to your plans which could make a massive change to the 6% who just have to watch other children enjoying free outdoor play?

The Conlastic Maze

alle Altersklassen mit Aufsicht

Please contact us to discuss our range or for general advice on 0800 302 9290. Or visit our website to see our products on www.enviroplay.co.uk

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

35

Tayplay Rope Playground 1.

2.

Use our industry experience to develop your very own bespoke rope playground equipment.

Tayplay are the main UK based trade supplier of rope equipment for the playground & leisure industry.

We have developed everything, from a residential single rope, to a commercial playground standard steel wire rope net.

Our product range varies from Active Pyramid Nets, Rotating Cone Climbers, Timber Run, & Rope Levitators.

All we need is a rough sketch. Our design team will prepare the net ready for production.

We also produce play trail rope nets, scramble nets, rope bridges, ladders &

3.

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With budgets being cut, customers are looking for alternative ways of restoring playgrounds.

Please telephone us on +44(0)1738 449 084. We have help sheets, which will assist you with your quote*. Alternatively you can contact us at:

We offer an in house repair facility, where we analyse the damage sustained, & offer quotations, based upon two available options: Cut & Shut or Full Replacement.

We can also replace non-rope items with new rope nets.

Tayplay Limited Unit 4 - 7, Inveralmond Trade Park Perth PH1 3TT Email: info@tayplay.com Website: www.tayplay.com

*For the latest discounts on Tayplay rope nets, submit promotional code LandUD when requesting a quote.

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tHe easy Way to cHaMPion inclusiVe desiGn Designing play areas that provide fun, challenging, safe and sustainable environments that meet all the relevant health and safety standards and will be a minimal strain on maintenance budgets is quite a task.

Now how about creating a design with all of the above in mind AND designing for inclusion.

What is Inclusion?

Inclusion means everyone. Inclusion applied to outdoor public space design means everyone, no matter what age, ability, need, religion, gender and so on. Everyone should feel welcome and feel that there is a purpose or reason for them to be there.

Inclusive Play is the only play space specialist focused on inclusive design in Europe, particularly regarding disability and special need.

We often find well-meaning attempts of inclusive design result in Segregation and Integration which actually doesn’t bring a community together, let alone a family who will be made up of children who could be a mix of children with or without a special need or disability.

Why is it Important?

According to the Disabled Living Foundation approximately 800,000 children under the age of 16 live with a disability. To put that in context that’s around 1 in 20 children; think about the average classroom size. That’s quite a high proportion of children.

Typically we find that disability is associated with physical disability only and that isn’t surprising when the universally recognised symbol for access features a wheelchair user. There is far more to consider beyond physical disability, less than 10% of disabled children require wheelchairs, so what other disabilities and special needs should you be thinking about as a landscape architect, designer, play officer or parks manager?

Why is it important particularly in play space design?

In 2013 KIDS the Disabled Children’s Charity, carried out a survey to find out how accessible play areas were across the UK. Their findings were less than 50% were accessible, even those that were accessible there was very little to do for children with disabilities.

Research by Contact a Family found that 54% (of families with disabled children) said that not having the time or money to do things that other families do makes them feel isolated.

38 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

Raising a child with a disability or special need can cost up to 3 times as much as a child without a disability so free public facilities are absolutely vital for a family to be able to live a life like any other family; enjoying free time and space and to socialise with other friends and families.

How can it be possible to create an inclusive space when there are so many disabilities and needs to think of?

The Inclusive Play team submerse themselves in research, design and development. That’s our full time job. So how is it possible for anyone designing or managing play spaces to also take time to learn about a wide range of disabilities and special needs?

This is where PiPA (Plan Inclusive Play Areas) comes in. Through our own research and partnering with KIDS the Disabled Children’s Charity and experts in Occupational Therapy, Amy Wagenfield PhD, OTR/L, SCEM, CAPS and Constance Hurley Landscape Architect and recent graduate from Occupational Therapy we created this ground-breaking new tool.

PiPA – Your tool to becoming an Inclusion Champion PiPA is essentially a checklist. Easy to use as part of the design process or as a way to audit play areas already in the ground, not so dissimilar to the annual play inspection that needs to be carried out.

The absolutely unique quality of PiPA is that it captures all the knowledge and experience of people who work with a wide variety of disabilities and also work with play as therapy. This is all carefully balanced together with a complete understanding of playground budgets, health and safety and maintenance.

It is a practical way of capturing data on installed playgrounds. It helps to identify areas of development which becomes a meaningful way of planning budget spends for upgrades and redevelopments.

PiPA has now been recognised by The Accessible Britain Challenge, launched by the UK Government in September 2014 and is listed as a resource only 2nd to the Design Council.

PiPA in Practice Inclusive Play have already worked with local authorities and landscape architects across the country to develop this tool and have assessed sites in Camden, Islington, Halifax, Fleetwood, Wokingham, Bournemouth & Chelmsford just to name a few. Not all sites are ready for listing as a PiPA site, but what it has highlighted are the small changes that will make a lot of difference.

Those that reach PiPA status are eligible for the PiPA sign and listing onto the PiPA Map; with the aim of increasing visibility of play areas for all families and impacting the 54% of families who feel isolated because of their lack of money and knowledge of where to go.

Are you ready to take on The PiPA Challenge and Champion Inclusive Design?

Inclusive Play specialists are available to talk to you about inclusive design and play products that create a broader range of play experiences that will benefit any child.

Inclusive Play also run a series of webinars on PiPA - please contact us for more information by emailing info@inclusiveplay.com or call us on 0131 2141023 For more information and resources about PiPA please visit our website www.inclusiveplay.com

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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inVisible inclusiVity FroM sutcliFFe Play Play equipment expert Sutcliffe Play has a wealth of experience when it comes to inclusive play.

Through innovative design, the company’s inclusive playground equipment allows children with disabilities and special needs to be active side-by-side with able bodied children, allowing every child equal access to the best play opportunities.

Sutcliffe Play’s depth of knowledge has come through consultation and close working relationships with experts in disability, discrimination, special needs, access and inclusion.

Design Director, Dave Brady, is a Governor of a special needs school, Highfield, Ossett, West Yorkshire, and works closely with city councils and other special schools.

Whilst inclusive features are designed into most of Sutcliffe Play’s equipment, there are no compromises on the challenge it presents. The company’s play equipment always features an element of risk, allowing children of widely differing abilities to develop and explore in an exciting way.

Dave says: “Sutcliffe Play’s inclusive equipment is all designed specifically to deliver challenges, stimulation of senses and most of all enjoyment, and to enable able-bodied children to play with those with any form of disability.” www.sutcliffeplay.co.uk

HucK Play suPPly PlayGround eQuiPMent to MountJoy scHool in dorset Huck Play based in Bridport, Dorset has supplied a range of their playground equipment to the purpose-built Mount Joy School in Beaminster, Dorset. The school was relocated from Bridport in 2013 where it had been previously based for 25 years. The single level school provides state-of-the art learning facilities for up to 48 children and young people between the ages of 2 ½ and 19 years with physical and learning disabilities including ASD, SLD and MLD. The building, the classrooms and the play areas are planned to allow a learning journey that flows from the early years (2½ to 8 years) through learning and life (8 to 14 years) and finally to developing independence (14-19 years). The school includes a sensory studio, media studio, sensory hydrotherapy pool, soft play room and a large outdoor play area (almost 10 times the size of the former playground).

Huck Play manufactures and supplies an innovative range of rope play equipment suitable for all ages and abilities. “We were delighted to supply our play equipment to the new outdoor play area at Mountjoy School and to be involved with a community school that is totally dedicated to supporting special educational needs and disabilities makes us very proud” said Managing Director Jon LeggBagg. The Huck Play equipment supplied included:

Rolli Trampoline Sun Sail Birds Nest Swing – Douglas Fir Frame Arch Swing Swing Bed Easy Swing Net See Saw Little Eagles Nest Prairie Goalie Slam Space Goal

For more information on Huck Play’s full range of play equipment and their supporting design and installation services visit www.huck-net.co.uk; email sales@hucknetting.co.uk or call 01308 425100

40 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

Innovative Rope and Play Equipment for All

Direct from the manufacturer designed for all ages and abilities

By providing children with a choice of activity we bring play projects alive

e l b i s s e c c A

Challenging

Stimulating

Ropes | Climbing Towers | Bridges | Tunnels | Hammocks | Swings | Trampolines | & Lots More

“Inclusive play is not about meeting “special needs” it’s about meeting all children’s and young people’s need to play, wherever they choose and in a variety of different ways‟

(Douch, 2006)

Contact us today for free advice on 01308 425100 or sales@hucknetting.co.uk Our full range can be viewed on our re-vamped easy-to-use website www.huck-net.co.uk or contact us for a catalogue Gore Cross Business Park, Corbin Way, Bradpole, Bridport DT6 3UX

designing & manufacturing inclusive playscapes

For further information call +44 (0)1977 653 200 WEB www.sutcliffeplay.co.uk EMAIL info@sutcliffeplay.co.uk

42 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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7.7pH typically Saturated bulk density 1.03 tonne / m 3 Perfect for low maintenance wildflower and sedum installations

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For a copy of the Green-tree soils brochure call: 01423 332 100 or Email: sales@green-tree.co.uk

Green-tree is a trading style of Green-tech ltd

creatinG a Place nine elMs on tHe soutH banK

44 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

Introduction

At Nine Elms on the South Bank, we are creating a new district of riverside central London. The pace of transformation is rapid, currently with 34 developments in the pipeline and 13 on site.

Huge importance is being placed on delivering a high quality public realm that brings it all together, that serves the whole area and links the different developments, whilst making the most of the fantastic assets we have such as our riverside location, Battersea Park and Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. This will not only enhance the area for residents, but also be a key factor in creating a successful new business district. Our public realm will be truly public.

As a largely industrial district, the area presently is poorly served by accessible and high quality public spaces, compounded by physical severance caused by major roads and elevated heavy rail infrastructure and a street environment that reflects its historic industrial use. There is an inconsistency of materials used across the existing public realm.

With well-planned, well-designed green infrastructure this new part of London will

possess a sense of place delivered through a pioneering approach, unheard of in an urban area of such high-density. We are creating a strategic framework that informs design and ensures consistency throughout the area. We are turning private land into public space. Nine Elms on the South Bank will be a distinct London neighbourhood, created with little public money and with public space in perpetuity, in an area where land is at a premium.

Creating a sense of place will be an integral part of Nine Elms’ success story. Public and private partners recognise the changing nature of urban development and the importance of investing in public spaces. Such investment adds value, improves quality of life and creates a place in which people choose to spend time, ensuring that central London’s newest district does justice to London as a world-class destination. The key themes that Nine Elms is focusing on are:

Co-ordination and collaboration

Exceptional design and sustainability

Connections and creative solutions

Personality & distinctiveness

Co-ordination and collaboration

Behind the regeneration of Nine Elms a unique partnership of two local authorities, Wandsworth and Lambeth, the Greater London Authority, Transport for London, developers and multiple landowners are working collaboratively on guiding design for an area of 195 hectares.

Nine Elms is making use of the brightest and best in the field. Renowned landscape architects including LDA, HED, Camlins and Churchman’s are working with planners and developers, setting frameworks for materials, planting and drainage with an understanding that the spaces between buildings are as significant as the buildings themselves. Nine Elms on the South Bank is setting the standard for best practice with collaboration on a scale that is a first for London.

Despite 34 development sites in the pipeline across multiple land ownerships in Nine Elms, public spaces across each site and the spaces in between will be of the highest quality and consistency, thanks to partnership working and best practice.

Commissioned by TfL, design frameworks, developed by Camlins and most recently HED, set clear guidelines materials, street furniture, wayfinding, landscaping, planting, lighting, water management and drainage to ensure consistency and high quality throughout.. The guide aims to avoid a patchwork approach to development by providing a comprehensive document which sets out a vision for the area, focusing both on the integration of the area as a whole as well as identifying how varying architectural styles, physical elements and materials can be used to define character areas. The guide draws upon many other publications and studies, including TfL’s Nine Elms Lane Strategy, and anticipates separate studies on Lighting and The Thames Path. Plans are currently being made for a series of public consultations on the draft document over the next month.

The 4.5 hectare linear park will cross multiple private land ownerships, creating a challenge of how to create, fund, maintain and manage a single park. A unified Park Management Company, “Park Co” will be established for this purpose; a single Special Purpose Vehicle initially formed by three adjacent landowners, Ballymore, Royal Mail and CGMA. Ballymore starts work on the first segment of the linear park this year.

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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Churchman Landscape Architects have been commissioned to carry out improvements to a key section of the Thames River Path in Nine Elms, which in its entirety will extend 2km and link the South Bank with Battersea Park. The new path will be designed in phases, the first of which extends between The Tower, One St. George’s Wharf and Heathwall Pumping Station; a stretch of half a kilometre which includes three pocket parks and a pavilion, to be installed summer 2015. A meanwhile programme to activate and animate the new path is being facilitated Studio Weave, who are designing a series of temporary structures and interventions. Activities began in October as part of The Big Draw 2014.

Exceptional design and sustainability

A cluster of tall buildings at Vauxhall is being designed by some of the world’s finest architects. Considerable thought has been given to how they impact at ground level as well as their relationship to the surrounding open space.

With London’s history as a river marshland setting, the likelihood of flooding is an environmental reality for all London development. The Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership has recognised that green infrastructure and effective water management are as important, if not more so, than heavy infrastructure in ensuring that the risk of flood is lessened. Sustainable urban drainage (SuDS) will be deployed throughout Nine Elms, including a chain of interventions such as green roofs, rain gardens, swales and detention basins – that will provide a cost-effective and sustainable solution; enhance biodiversity and increase amenity space.

The first rain gardens will be on Mill Pond Lane, developed through Ballymore’s Embassy Gardens Development, and through Vauxhall One’s “Missing Link”. Rainwater will be stored in sub bases of hard landscaping, used as a growing medium to support plants and Trees. Diverse planting will carry local context, with consideration of the environment resulting in little need for heavy maintenance. There will also be extensive use of more unusual native plants and species, like lime?. Our Public Realm Design Guide gives recommendations on how both SuDS and planting can be achieved throughout the area, including vertical landscapes. Nine planting zones have been outlined, each with guidance on planting themes with regard to species, variety and colour.

Connections and creative solutions

Connectivity across Nine Elms on the South Bank will be a key part of the area’s regeneration. Improving how the area works, as well as its aesthetic, is a vital part of the Partnership’s vision for the area.

Disconnected areas previously blocked by railway lines will be brought together creating seamless links into existing communities. New strategic links will be forged; design and progress delivery is being prioritised currently for the Thames River Path and the commissioning of designs for Miles Street and Thessaly Road.

As part of plans for public spaces, railway arches will be opened up and given purpose – with many converted for retail opportunities or improved with art offerings. Damien Hirst for example, will be making an artistic contribution to an archway leading to his new Newport Street Gallery in Vauxhall, which is set to open this year.

A new green route is being created, which links the entire area: the linear park will connect Battersea Power Station to Vauxhall Cross, and the route continues onto Archbishops Park via a series of green interventions known as The Missing Link, commissioned through a RIBA international design competition.

‘Meanwhile’ gardens and arts-led programmes are part of our strategy, whilst construction is on going. Carefully considered timelines are being put together, ensuring that what needs to get done gets done at the right time.

For sites with development works not due to start for several years, interim measures will be put in place, with aspirations including 1-5 year pocket parks, temporary gardens and pop-up planters.

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Thames Tideway Tunnel will also make a significant, lasting contribution to the Thames River Path in Nine Elms. The legacy of the project, as well as delivering an upgraded sewerage system for London, will include the creation of a generous six metre wide path connecting William Henry Walk and the Riverlight developmentThe new section of Thames River Path in front of Heathwall Pumping Station will form a public square, set out into the river, providing amazing views of Battersea Power Station to the East and Westminster to the West. Similar additions are to be created in front of M16 and Camelford House.

Improvements to existing public space is also on going; for example at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens work is due to start this month, which will include the opening up/ levelling of an area of the park to be used for arts and performances, whilst simultaneously opening up the connection between the businesses in the archways and the gardens. Last year, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens also had the addition of Hugo Bugg’s Chelsea Gold winning garden which has been relocated near the Tea House Theatre.

Personality & distinctiveness

In creating a unique sense of place for Nine Elms on the South Bank, it is important for us to weave together the old with the new, to connect existing parks and open spaces, to create new strategic links, including through the railway arches, and celebrate the area’s heritage. We also celebrate our unique icons, including Battersea Power Station and New Covent Garden Market, and its new food quarter. Other examples of interventions, weaving the old and the new, include:

Re-purposing crests from the Battersea gasholders throughout the area, including in the linear park and Thames River Path.

Ballymore are making use of Portland Stone in their Embassy Gardens development, quarried locally and used throughout the area in the 19th century.

Barratt London’s development Nine Elms Point stands on the site of an old metalworks foundry, details of which are picked up in the architecture.

Summary

With 34 schemes currently in development, two local authorities, three highways agencies, multiple landowners and developers, Nine Elms on the South Bank is a particularly unusual project. Despite the complexity that faces us, this unique partnership has a shared vision for creating a sense of place bringing together beautiful, sustainable public spaces for residents and visitors, pedestrians and cyclists, as part of one distinct district.

2015 is a particularly key year for us in terms of progressing our plans for the public realm, with our new Public Realm Design Guide providing a strong framework for the area’s development, improvements to the Thames River Path underway, the first phase of The Missing Link due to complete and the start of work on the linear park also in the spring.

Tel: 01623 750214 Email: sales@alpharail.co.uk

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Visit www.alpharail.co.uk to view more projects Alpha House, Urban Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. NG17 8AP

HARINGEY PARK OVERHAUL IS A SLAM DUNK A Haringey park has re-asserted itself as a magnet for basketball players from across London since a ÂŁ300,000 facelift.

Ducketts Common near Turnpike Lane tube station boasts the finest basketball courts in the city, with spring-loaded hoops imported from the US for serious slam dunks.

The NBA selected Ducketts Common for their London summer 3on3 basketball tournament screened on Nickleodeon including a guest appearance by NBA star Atlanta Hawks centre forward Al Horford.

Troy Tigers, the North London basketball team that has made Ducketts Common its home, followed that up with a repeat 3on3 tournament at Easter.

Already a well-known venue for outdoor basketball, and originally converted from

rarely used tennis courts, specialist sports surface contractor Blakedown has rebuilt the now worn-out basketball courts with two full-sized quality courts using Duo8 SuperRebound fencing from sports fencing manufacturer Zaun.

As well as the 3m high fencing to keep the balls within the play zone, Zaun has specially made a 30-metre stretch of 1.2m-high twin fencing with a steel plate cap on which spectators often sit.

In the remaining space there is a 5-a-side football pitch, which can double for netball or volleyball, which was added to reduce the amount of footballs kicked on the nearby grass, which is close to a children’s playground and adjacent to a new gym. www.zaun.co.uk

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sHireland Hall GiVes neW security an a star A city primary academy has ensured the safety and security of pupils and staff with the very latest in school perimeter security.

quotations from the likes of Socrates, Oprah Winfrey, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela on its website.

Shireland Hall Primary Academy in Smethwick, Sandwell, just three miles from Birmingham city centre, has specified 250 metres of 2.1m high HiSec V-Beam around the perimeter of the school on the corner of Montague Road and Edith Road.

The safety and security of pupils and staff has always featured high on the list of priorities for schools.

Sadly, random acts of wanton violence and sometimes retribution and an ever more stringent legal responsibility mean safeguarding has become of paramount importance.

Zaun added one of the V-Beams to the top of the panels to add rigidity to the perimeter fence and ensure panels do not bow, following discussions with the architect and Birmingham fencing contractor Park Lane Fencing.

In addition, 125 metres of Wolverhampton manufacturer Zaun's Duo6 panels have been installed by Park Lane.

The primary academy is 'committed to learning together for today and tomorrow' and cites inspirational

Vice principal Fiona Wilkes said: 窶連s part of the Elliot Foundation we are committed to working with children, families and the local community supporting children to be successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens.

'So it is brilliant to have a learning environment that feels so safe and secure without it looking like a fortress and we are grateful to Park Lane Fencing and Zaun for making it possible.'

www.zaun.co.uk

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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it’s coMPletely

banKed

The White Rose Office Park is a 27 acre business park three miles outside Leeds. The original home of telephone banking in the UK, the park is owned by a dynamic, hands-on property company which has transformed the development beyond recognition over the last 10 years.

The property is managed by Munroe K Asset management who have an in-depth knowledge of the requirements for their clients and local area. White Rose Office Park is a challenging and continually evolving site, requiring a hands-on and flexible approach to working – particularly within a large team of external professionals.

installation process. This provided full continuity between all parties.

Collaboration with a CLD approved contractor is key to delivering a project successfully.

The Safeogril range has a mesh aperture of 136x32 and every joint is welded to ensure that the intersection is completely secure. Panels were framed with extra steel to make it possible to mount the panels in apertures formed within the building. This heavy duty system stands up to the wear and tear of many environments in which it is designed in to.

The Architects working on this scheme were looking for a simpler and better solution for the HSBC call centre in Leeds which incorporated a ground floor car park, the criteria was clear, simple and concise, the chosen system had to be open for ventilation good security and look right aesthetically. For CLD Fencing Systems the product selection was easy as the UniGril range provided everything the client and architect required.

The Safeogril system was selected by Manchester based architects as being the perfect solution to secure and facade the ground floor parking lot at the new HSBC call handling centre in Leeds. Safeogril with its limitless height and versatile build combination made this product an easy fit to the structure under construction at the time of selection. This is a perfect example of how the product can be used to combine security and aesthetics. The scheme also included the Securus flat panel system installed to the rear of the car park, where aesthetics were not quite so high on the agenda and more secure plant/control equipment compounds had to be constructed.

The Fencing installer, a CLD approved contractor provided the expert installation of the product and working with CLD the manufacturer, main contractor and architect for the duration of the

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The outcome was excellent, everyone was very pleased with the overall result. One comment from the installer was ‘a very cost effective system and easy to install'. This project was challenging and everyone worked hard to achieve the results and it was manufacturer support along with installer experience which delivered this project on time and within budget. www.cld-fencing.com

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iJla – cHic Garden IJLA were engaged in 2010 to initiate the transformation of the external environment for this country house. The house had recently undergone a complete transformation giving it a contemporary look.

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Photo Courtesy Of IJLA

Photo Courtesy Of IJLA

Photo Courtesy Of IJLA

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> The landscape masterplan was created, allowing the client to then decide on a phasing strategy.

Initially the immediate arrival space was created using large blockwork and rendered planters through which generous steps were created.

The choice of materials reflected the building materials and corresponding tones. Render was used for the planters with copings and steps in slate.

Lighting was recessed into the planter walls throwing light across the step riser, along with up-lights to the topiary.

Planting for the arrival space was designed to be contemporary and also seasonal whilst retaining structure and form.

Photo Courtesy Of IJLA

Photo Courtesy Of James McDonald Photography and Graphene Architects

Buxus sempivirens half standards emerge from Stipa tenuisima, with Rudbeckia fulgida var sullivantii 'Goldsturm' appearing as a blaze of colour.

Buxus sempivirens hedges form solid blocks of colour through which Allium 'Globemaster' emerge reflecting the form of the Buxus sempivirens topiary.

The majority of the garden reflects the rural nature of the site, with flowering shrubs and perennial borders. There are however the added interest of terraced ornamental grasses with perennials including Verbena bonariensis and the simply delightful Cynarus cardunculus. These stages were completed in 2011 and 2012.

In 2014 the final part of the phased plan came into play. The open plan kitchen was extended and the inside outside space could fully be appreciated with the addition of sliding doors.

The inside - outside space allows for extensive dining, barbecuing and the added attraction of a separate table tennis area with seat walls.

The main area is paved with slate to match the arrival space and also tie into the window frame colours. The slate is aligned in 300x900mm planks and has minimal joints.

Photo Courtesy Of James McDonald Photography and Graphene Architects

The walls are in oak battens 50mm width with 5mm gaps between. Up-lighting from the base picks up on these recesses.

Planting is contemporary and in two main blocks. One has Lavandula 'Hidcote' as a base, with a Hamamelis Ă— intermedia 'Diane' multi-stem rising through. This casts fantastic shadows onto the timber building cladding, and will also produce beautiful burnt orange flowers in the spring. This isolated bed has acid soils so that the Hamamellis could be used.

The linear bed is composed of Thymus pulegioides 'Aureus' giving an acid green which would contrast with the slate grey. Iris sanguinea puts on quite a show when emerging from the thyme, but the surprise is the Gladiolus murielae which has quite a unique and delightful form and flower.

Cornus 'Eddies White Wonder' frame the steps from the dining area to the lawns and are also up-lit.

Photo Courtesy Of James McDonald Photography and Graphene Architects

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The space provides an excellent external environment for dining and entertaining.

Harry skinner surveys Providing Topographic Surveys, Mapping, GPS Survey and Flood Risk Assessment.

Harry Skinner Surveys provide expert services in the field of land surveying. Specialising in environmental, highway, airfield and land development schemes, we have diverse experience in the UK and Caribbean.

We also provide nationwide GIS asset capture, flood risk assessment, mapping, volumetric analysis and engineering survey control, all of which complement large and small scale topographic surveys in both the public and private sector.

t t t t t t

Flood risk assessment Topographic Surveys Building plans and elevations 3D ground modelling Channel surveys As-built and Control surveys

Backed up with the latest GPS, CAD, infra-red, laser equipment and technology, a high quality service helps us to maintain a portfolio of long standing clients.

Harry Skinner Surveys are members of The Survey Association, a body that is dedicated to raising the standards of the survey profession in the UK. Its land surveyor members are regularly vetted both financially and technically. By using a TSA member you are protected by a carefully regulated membership system.

Get it right first time. Survey and geomatic data is often the start point of a project. The correct professional attention will minimise risks and ensure correct dimensional control.

For more information on any of our land surveying services, please contact us: Website: www.harryskinner.com Telephone: +44 (0)20 8398 8991

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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EVEN MORE ADVANTAGES TO THE WINNING MAKITA 4-STROKE BACKPACK BLOWER t t t

Reduced vibrations and adjustable control arm New fully padded harness Carburettor anti-icing system

Makita’s 4-stroke backpack blower is proving a winner with grounds maintenance operators across the country who are choosing the power and performance of the Makita MM4 engine, coupled with ultra-low running costs, low noise and low vibrations. The new Makita EB7650TH enhances this specification with improved harness straps, more convenient carry handle and a foot plate to assist starting. New engine mounts further reduce vibrations for improved operator comfort and a new anti-icing feature enhances cold weather performance and winter fuel consumption. The operator control handle is now adjustable for comfort and control.

The latest Makita EB7650TH blower maintains the proven Makita MM4 75cc 4-stroke engine with 2.7kW output, and with a punchy 4.4Nm of torque, will generate a huge air volume of 19 cubic metres per minute with a super-fast air speed of 90 metres per second. Improved engine mounts further reduce the low vibrations of the machine and the new harness has a padded back-plate and fully padded shoulder straps which allow more size adjustment. This model weighs in at a comfortable 10.8kg.

The new design of machine frame includes an improved style of carry handle and a foot plate on the base of the frame that enhances stability when the start cord is pulled. The 3” diameter air tube has an adjustable long reach extension so the end of the tube can be set at

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a length suited to the operator and the application and is supplied with three alternative nozzle shapes. The throttle control handle on the tube can be adjusted for greater operator comfort and control so the throttle handle is positioned to suit the operator. The long air tube ensures that the operators’ hand is far away from the outlet nozzle and therefore away from the risk of static electricity.

A new anti-icing system has been introduced in this model in which a simple dial valve bleeds warm air from around the exhaust towards the carburettor to stop icing in cold working conditions, which improves fuel consumption during the winter months.

The new Makita EB7650TH backpack blower offers the all-round benefits of greater performance, ease of use, comfort and safety.

Please visit www.makitauk.com for the full range of Makita power tools and follow us on Twitter @makitaUK and facebook.com/ makitauk for our latest news and product launches.

Trees Direct was established 16 years ago as a family run business and is based in Shropshire. Since the birth of ‘Trees Direct, Selling Trees as Gifts’ website, we have grown and developed, and are now supplying garden designers, urban and council projects, contractors, schools and educational projects, care homes as well as wholesale plantings for country estates and corporate businesses.

Working with our clients on a one to one basis we are able offer our guidance and advice to ensure that the end result will bring pleasure and satisfaction for years to come. Always taking special care that trees and shrubs are planted to protect and preserve the environment and our wildlife.

Trees Direct keeps many of its trees and shrubs on site as well as working with leading reputable suppliers both in the UK and abroad. We are constantly expanding whilst maintaining our business on a personal level, offering a beginning to end service and all that goes in between. We have coordinated and put together many projects and are proud to have worked with The Woodland Trust, The Conservation Foundation and The Royal Institute, together with many other interesting plantings.

However small or large the job is, we are happy to guide, advise, design, deliver and plant.

We are aware that each project is personal to our client so we are always on hand to discuss the details of your plans.

Telephone: 01584 878 878 Email: info@treesdirect.co.uk Website: www.treesdirect.co.uk Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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GROW WILD WITH ENRICHED BIOCHAR Green roofs are becoming a key part of urban landscaping; cooling buildings in warm weather, providing natural habitats for wildlife and capturing rainwater runoff. Wildflowers are also growing in popularity and many are opting to beautify green roofs with vibrant, easy to maintain floral displays. Not only does this reduce the need to weed, it also attracts much needed pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Recent trials with native wildflower seeds have shown that enriched biochar from UK company Carbon Gold encourages high germination rates and prolonged flowering whilst minimising drought stress.

Biochar is a highly porous form of charcoal used to improve soil nutrition, growing conditions and soil structure, which comes with impressive environmental statistics - made out of recycled woody waste material it retains most of the natural carbon from its original plant matter.

When one tonne of biochar is put into soils, it’s the equivalent of removing three tonnes of atmospheric carbon dioxide from the carbon cycle.

Thanks to its microscopic honeycomb-like structure, biochar provides the perfect habitat for beneficial soil microorganisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi and actinomycetes bacteria, to flourish; encouraging strong rooting and increased flowering, and defending against disease. Biochar also acts like a sponge, significantly improving the water-holding capacity of soil or compost, lessening the risk of drying out and reducing irrigation requirements, making this an essential substrate addition for growing beautiful, natural, low maintenance green roofs.

You can find out more about using enriched biochar for landscaping at www.carbongold.com

iMProVe Your ProducTiViTY WiTh a Toro sTuMP Grinder The Toro STX offers reliable performance day-in, day-out. The TX-style control system has two simple levers that are simple to master and use combined with tracks and transport speeds exceeding 4 mph for maximum productivity.

The Intelli-Sweep™ feature automatically slows the sweep speed of the cutting head based on the load of the wheel, so heavy cutting loads won’t bog down the engine. The tracks travel easily over muddy areas, and the low centre of gravity adds side hill stability. www.toro.com/dingo

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bali reacHes MaJor MeMbersHiP Milestone The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) is today celebrating welcoming its 800th member – Wakefield-based landscape contractor Freshscaped Ltd. This is a major milestone for the UK’s largest trade association for landscapers, grounds maintenance contractors, garden designers and affiliated industry product and service suppliers, and confirms its place as the representative voice of the landscape industry.

BALI was established by a handful of industry movers and shakers in 1972, and by 1975 its membership had already grown to 230. By the end of the 2015-16 membership year this figure is expected to have increased almost four-fold.

Bob Field, BALI’s recently appointed National Chairman, expressed satisfaction that the latest BALI member is a new company working in the domestic sector whose principal, Mike Goodman, joined the association to help him build his fledgling business: “I am delighted that an increasing number of start-up companies in the domestic landscaping and garden maintenance sector are joining BALI as Associate Members in order to benefit from BALI business and technical support and the free consultancy their BALI peers are so ready to provide at regional and Landscape House meetings. I would like to personally offer Mike at Freshscaped Ltd a warm welcome and I look forward to helping him achieve Registered Contractor status over the coming two years.”

BALI is an inclusive membership association with a range of membership categories to cater for all industry disciplines and experience levels. BALI Registered status, however, is only available to companies and individuals who have been successfully trading for a minimum of two years and who pass the association’s stringent Quality Standards vetting. They are then entitled to use and promote the coveted BALI Registered logo. www.bali.org.uk

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bali

cHallenGes city & Guilds oVer reMoVal oF ‘Plant identiFication’ FroM QualiFications BALI has just been made aware that plant identification has been removed as a mandatory unit from both Production Horticulture and Parks, Gardens and Greenspaces level two diplomas.

Unit 225: Use and maintain pedestrian controlled powered equipment, is to be a mandatory unit for the Parks, Gardens and Greenspaces diploma.

BALI immediately challenged City & Guilds, the awarding body, to confirm if any industry consultation was behind the removal of the plant ID unit.

City & Guilds responded: “The changes to the 0065 units were made at the insistence of Lantra, the Sector Skills Council (SSC).

City & Guilds is one of three awarding organisations that offer work-based qualifications in Horticulture. To ensure we were in line with the other organisations, and to continue including our qualification in the apprenticeship framework, we were required to make this change.”

Wayne Grills, BALI’s Chief Operations Officer, commented: “BALI believes this is a step in the wrong direction when plant identification is such a key skill of the practising horticulturist.

We are working hard to demonstrate that this sector has a competent and skilled work force and this apparent de-skilling will not sit well with the industry.”

Gordon castle Walled Garden conFirMs aPPointMent oF neW Head Gardener Experienced Head Gardener John Hawley is joining the team at Gordon Castle Walled Garden in Fochabers, Moray, on 16 February 2015. RHS trained, John is the former National Trust Head Gardener at Sizergh Castle in Cumbria, and before that was Assistant Head Gardener at Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. He comes to the 8.5 acre, Arne Maynard designed, Walled Garden project with experience and excitement in equal measure.

Speaking about his appointment, John says, “I have been looking for the next challenge in my horticultural career for some time and when I heard about the opportunity at Gordon Castle I knew I had to take a look. It’s not often you get the chance to – almost – build a garden from scratch and with such a magnificent design already in place, I am going to love helping bring it all together.”

Angus Gordon Lennox says, “We are all thrilled that John is joining the team. His wealth of experience, demonstrable passion for horticulture and excitement at the challenge of continuing to create the garden here at Gordon Castle, will stand him in great stead. This year marks an important year for moving the garden forward. Now that our café and shop are open, and the bare bones of the garden design are in place, we are keen to get on with finishing the structure and filling the beds to give our visitors an additional experience unique to our Estate.”

The children’s play area will be opened to the public this year. Using the trunk of the 270-year-old Gordon Castle ash, felled by the winter

storms of 2013, as the central ‘climbing frame’, this area has been designed to offer children a natural and sensory opportunity to play and explore. The structure and pathways of the four beds of ribboned herbs, surrounding the central dipping pool, are almost complete and will be planted this spring, as will the annual vegetable and cut flower beds leading out from this area. Two thirds of the beautiful original glasshouse has been restored and is in use while the final third is due to be glazed this spring.

John is relocating his family from Cumbria to Gordon Castle Estate to begin work in the garden on 16 February. The garden, once fully restored, will be the largest fully productive walled garden in Scotland.

It provides fresh produce for the Castle Estate, the Walled Garden café and shop and for the new and unique range of Gordon Castle Scotland products available to purchase at the garden and online. The Gordon Castle Gin, containing botanicals grown in the Walled Garden, is now stocked in Harrods and Fortnum & Mason in addition to over 250 independent wine and spirits merchants across the UK. The Gordon Castle Walled Garden café is open daily from 10am for delicious homemade cakes and snacks, lunch is served daily and supper is served on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Walled Garden shop is open daily from 11am, selling a wonderful selection of Gordon Castle Scotland products and seasonal produce from the garden.

For further information about the ongoing restoration of this historic garden, visit www.gordoncastlescotland.com

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‘tHe Queen’s terMinal’ at HeatHroW enricHed WitH suPerior PaVinG FroM toberMore Almost 60 years after Her Majesty the Queen opened the original Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport in 1955, HM and The Duke of Edinburgh officially opened the new Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal at a prestigious ceremony attended by over 1,000 people.

The new terminal, which is complete with an incredible expanse of world class paving products from Tobermore, is a £2.5 billion project and marks the latest phase of an £11 billion private sector investment that has transformed Heathrow.

Heathrow’s Terminal 2 is steeped in airport history, and so, it was inevitable that the exciting development of the new Terminal 2 would earn a wealth of media attention.

The spectacular redevelopment plan at Terminal 2 has taken place over a period of four hectic years. The amazing new terminal has been designed by Grontmij, the leading European Consulting & Engineering practice and the landscape masterpiece was devised by global architecture and design practice, Aedas. The incredibly renowned Zaha Hadid Architects also designed the breath-taking glass roof incorporated on the building. The project was then constructed by Laing O’Rourke, the privately owned international construction and civil engineering enterprise.

Chief Executive at Heathrow, Colin Matthews, has noted, “The closure of Terminal 2 marked an important moment in the modernisation of Heathrow. We look forward to the new Terminal 2 providing a better experience for our passengers, with less impact on the environment”.

There are four elements to the extraordinary Terminal 2 redevelopment programme; the new terminal itself, a satellite pier, a new multi-storey car park and the refurbishment of the associated road system. Officials at Heathrow believe the incorporation of these elements in the £2.5 billion project, is a vital step in launching Heathrow as Europe’s hub airport of choice.

The original building, designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd, was Heathrow’s first passenger terminal and cost over £21 million to construct, a considerable amount of money in 1955. During the terminal’s 54 years of service, approximately 316 million passengers passed through. There has always been a sense of glamour associated with the terminal with famous faces such as The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, to name but a few, passing through its doors. However, despite renovations and upgrades in later years, the terminal no longer met the demands of a modern airport, and consequently, on 22 November 2009, Terminal 2 closed its doors.

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An extensive expanse of Tobermore’s fabulous Sienna and Sienna Duo block paving in sparkling Silver has been installed on the grounds at Terminal 2. Sienna complements the new Terminal 2 building perfectly and has achieved a sharp, contemporary look. Sienna encompasses a coarse textured surface, exposing glittering granite aggregates which produce a sophisticated, distinctive appearance, similar to natural granite. The aesthetic qualities of Sienna permit incorporation on any type of application.

For more information on Tobermore’s world class paving and walling collection, call 0844 800 5736, email sales@tobermore.co.uk or visit www.tobermore.co.uk

Clearstone™ craft designer resin bound paving At the forefront of design when it comes to bespoke, state-of-the-art resin bound surfaces, Clearstone™ continues to introduce new blends and finishes.

Clearstone™ formulates its own products using only the highest quality UV-stable aggregates and resins. Hand trowelled ClearStone permeable resin bound in natural aggregates and a range of colour blends is ideal for spaces such as terraces, driveways, pedestrian areas and paths. ClearStone is beautiful, SUDS compliant, wheelchair and buggy friendly, resistant to chemicals and weeds and power washing will maintain its clean good looks – so minimum maintenance too.

R

With Clearstone’s expertise, clients can incorporate a decorative inlay into their ClearStone surface. Using PrismStone – coloured quartz available in many hues – they can create motifs, patterns, logos, numbers or any decorative feature.

pathways enhancing the sleek intricacy of this stunning garden.

Clearstone’s ArborStone was used for the tree pit surfaces – allowing water and air to filter through to the roots of trees and shrubs.

In addition to a bespoke installation, Clearstone provides a personal efficient service: from design through to completion, Clearstone experts control the whole process so clients are assured of quality materials and workmanship.

Having installed thousands of square metres of resin bound and with a background in landscape design and building, Clearstone’s friendly team has the technical knowledge and experience to deliver what is required – an attribute recognised by clients such as Berkeley Homes.

For more details call us on 01273 358177, or visit our website www.clearstonepaving.co.uk

“Clients just give us the brief and we design and install their decorative paving,” says Marketing Director Debbie Orme.

At this ornamental garden in Henley on Thames, Clearstone laid resin bound, seamlessly incorporating features with the resin bound

PERMITTED PAVING The trade body Interpave offers a Springtime reminder about planning rules to encourage permeable paving for new or replacement drives, as part of the fight against flooding. Of course, a small area of paving in isolation is not going to cause major flooding – but it is the cumulative impact of lots of areas around homes being sealed up that creates real problems.

For example, The Greater London Authority estimated that paving over front gardens for car parking that has already occurred in the city is equivalent to an area around 16 times the size of the Olympic Park or 5,200 football pitches.

Before the changes, paving anywhere in a garden was considered to be ‘permitted development’ – effectively, an automatic planning permission. However, permitted development rights have been taken away from new or replacement drives or other hard surfaces, unless permeable paving is used or water drains onto a permeable area within the property. Otherwise, planning permission will be required and this should be resisted on policy grounds.

The permitted development regulations refer to a guide on permeable paving from the Department of Communities and Local Government and this, in turn, refers to Interpave’s website www.paving.org.uk/ domestic for help. More guidance for designers and installers is available from Interpave’s ‘Permitted Paving’ which can be downloaded from www.paving.org.uk

64 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

GftK Paving Joint Mortars for Natural Stone and Concrete Paving Ideal for both NEW and REFURBISHMENT works because you can: • • • •

Work in wet weather and low temperatures (from +3ºC) Use fast wet slurry application Get off your knees and work standing up Have greatly reduced staining and cleaning work

Whilst also achieving: • Full frost and de-icing salt resistance • Full pressure jet washing and mechanical road sweeper resistance • Permeable joints for SUDS Suitable Colours and Grades Available for ALL Types of Paving and Traffic, from Domestic Patios and Driveways to Market Squares and Highways

Save Time and Money on Every Project For more information visit www.nccstreetscape.co.uk or call David or Gary on 01257 266696 Paving Joint Mortars from

Using a matching combination of indoor 10mm tiles and exterior 20mm tiles it is now possible to create flush and fluid design solutions for projects where the inside and outside floors are all one space.

Hard landscaPinG Made easy

By Chris Short of Alfresco Floors Limited.

alk outside onto any hard landscaped surface in the UK that isn’t covered in cheap concrete slabs, and look down.

The chances are you will be standing on stone or timber, the perfect materials for warm, dry climates. Now look up. You see the problem?

W

For a country that traditionally favours organic materials as our exterior surfaces, we don’t really have the ideal climate for that preference. In a land of unpredictable temperature changes, intermittent bouts of intense sunlight, and reliable doses of dew and precipitation - common sense would suggest the UK is actually an environment far more suited to an exterior material that is frost proof, fade proof, mould proof, stain proof, immune to thermal expansion or contraction, scratch resistant and slip resistant. Or as the rest of Europe already call it; porcelain.

66 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

Two major developments have occurred in the ceramics industry over the last decade that have directly resulted in the new wave of double-depth porcelain tiles already so popular across main land Europe. First, all the major ceramics factories changed from ink rollers to high-resolution ink-jet printers as the method of applying surface decoration to their tiles – so it is no longer really ‘surface decoration’ at all, as the ink-jets now spray the pigments right down into every minute indentation of the tile surface, allowing the manufacturers to design heavily textured tiles with slip-resistant surfaces created specifically for exterior applications.

natural stone slab, pedestal based flooring systems are quick and cheap to lay (they need no bedding or grouting) and can hide a multitude of sins in the void created underneath - well, usually more pipes and cabling actually. In addition, the adhesive free pedestal system means that any tile can be lifted at any time in the future, to gain easy access for maintenance of the substrate below. So it was only a question of time before the major porcelain manufacturers developed new moulds for a ‘double-depth’ 20mm thick tile, strong enough to support the weight of a car even when just supported by a pedestal in each corner.

Secondly, the ceramics industry (particularly in Italy) was keeping a careful eye on the ever increasing popularity of adjustable pedestals as the new installation ‘system of choice’ for most flat-roof, balcony and large terrace projects here in the UK. Originally combined with a thick concrete or

Porcelain is much more resistant to surface abrasion than hardwood timber and so rigid that the 20mm exterior tiles are more than a match for stone several times thicker and therefore heavier – which of course means less pallets of material delivered and stored on site. Also, many installers are

Below: In addition to conventional tile shapes and sizes, exterior grade porcelain also comes in many specialist designs for steps, wall coping, garden borders and pool drainage requirements.

Above: Stain proof and scratch proof, porcelain tiles are ideal for the sometimes messy demands of outdoor bar and restaurant areas.

Below: 20mm exterior tiles are strong enough to take the weight of a car, so they can even be bedded directly onto compacted gravel.

Above: Impervious to any water damage or chemical spills, porcelain is now being used as the surround material for more and more swimming pool and water feature projects.

now commenting that the exact and reliable dimensions of porcelain tiles mean an end to the time consuming process of sorting out all the different slabs of stone into their various thicknesses before the install can even begin.

Finally, from an aesthetic perspective, 20mm porcelain specialists like Alfresco Floors now stock nearly 100 different surface designs, in several different tiles sizes – and will also supply matching 10mm interior tiles, for the seamless interior/exterior applications that are so popular now.

With well over twenty years of design and manufacturing experience in the story of pedestals and over five years behind the history of 20mm porcelain tiles – we are now in a position here in the UK to benefit from the marriage of those technologies.

Whether you are looking to create exterior hard landscaping projects on a traditional mortar bed or on a raised pedestal system,

20mm porcelain tiles will give you the closest thing to a ‘maintenance free’ surface you can find. The impermeable nature of porcelain means that no moisture can ever get in to create frost damage, no mould can ever get purchase to grow on the surface and nothing within can expand or contract enough to cause any lateral movement – so you can confidently lay porcelain tiles with as little as 2mm gaps between them - and that’s how it will remain, whatever the weather, forever. Well, for at least fifty years – which is how long the manufacturers guarantee their tiles to be immune from any sunlight induced fading or colour change. And that’s in countries that get guaranteed sunlight!

So; walk outside onto a hard landscaped surface in a year or two and you might be quite surprised by the new technology and materials that are springing up right under your feet... www.alfrescofloors.co.uk

Above: Porcelain tiles are the closest thing you will find to a maintenance free exterior surface. They need no sealing during the installation and require nothing more elaborate than the occasional jet wash after that.

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

67

rouGH&ready in a beautiFul, insPirinG brocHure Rough&Ready (R&R) is a unique product line for public spaces that combines unprecedented coherence with a natural style. It began life about ten years ago when Streetlife introduced the first basic R&R5 bench. Since then, R&R has evolved into a comprehensive programme enjoying international recognition. The beautifully designed brochure not only provides a complete overview of the R&R range, including three new products, but also offers inspiring examples, such as the Olympic Parklands in London and various projects in Amsterdam, Sunderland, Stockholm and Berlin.

Brochure The R&R brand consists of a comprehensive series of exceptionally sturdy and robust products. Together, they comprise a coherently unique product range that offers broad based functionality: curving and straight benches, benches that incorporate greenery, bicycle parking, bridges and tree isles.

A beautifully designed 60-page brochure now offers urban planners insight into the qualities and extensive nature of the R&R product line. Also included are the three new products, R&R Heartbeat, R&R Carré and R&R Hug a Tub. The brochure displays the R&R products along with many photos of newly completed projects. Inserted into the brochure, the Design+Details ‘fluor booklet’ explains the technical and design details. The R&R brochure can be viewed online, and a hardcopy is also available on request.

Unique The challenge for many designers is to develop products that when viewed together display a beautiful coherence, but when looked at individually possess distinct character.

The R&R product line is unique because it succeeds on both counts, not least because it was developed over a ten-year period in close collaboration with many landscape architects.

R&R intellectual property is protected by copyrights and international design applications.

Streetlife Streetlife offers a high-quality product range for landscape or urban design plans. Its products are not just for squares, shopping streets and parks, but are also suitable for green roofs and roof terraces. The Streetlife Collection comprises street furniture, tree products, bridges and decking materials.

Designer and director Peter Krouwel leads the Streetlife design and engineering team, which uses the landscape or urban public space as the starting point for each new project. Streetlife’s collection is created in collaboration with landscape architects for projects in many European cities, including London, Manchester, Oslo, Stockholm, Dijon, Berlin, Ghent, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

The complete Streetlife Collection can be found online at www.streetlife.nl

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Leiden Netherlands +31 71 5246846 www.streetlife.nl streetlife@streetlife.nl

All products featured are from LAB23 our Italian partner

We are your partner when it comes to finding the right designs and materials to complete your projects for your clients. If its standard product or bespoke we are there to assist.

Freefone : 0808 101 1590 -­‐ eMail : sales@public-­‐spaces.co.uk -­‐ Web : www.publicspaces.eu

MAGO Urban are leaders in the European market of design and the manufacturer of reconstituted stone and concrete furniture for modern and traditional streetscapes.

The company is part of one of Spain’s largest building materials manufacturing groups and therefore has the scope for research and development of new designs and solutions for the architects all over the world. This can be shown clearly by the introduction of the new 2015 range.

The new catalogue demonstrates the scope of the designs from MAGO URBAN with the inclusion of work from a variety of Barcelona’s leading designers. MAGO URBAN caters for both the public and private garden markets. The full range can be seen on their web page.

This year MAGO have launched a number of designs enabling the formation of large planted areas in town and city squares. The designs incorporate the ability to sit beside the planted areas on either the stone or timber-seating unit, which can be fitted to the top of the product. The ONA, the TIPPY, and VINYGS are all worth looking at if you are looking at forming such areas at your location.

The ZEN and the TETRIS are both being developed further due to their success since their launch three years ago. The TETRIS, known affectionately as “Lego for adults” is now so easy to use it can be both an inventive and quick solution to seating plans in such locations as, shopping centres, cinema complexes, universities and schools.

Where as ZEN is the type of product you can drop on a patch of grass and the area looks dressed. The ZEN is now available in four different formats from single to triple and now with built in lighting units.

MAGO URBAN know how important planters are to most streetscapes. We offer all types and styles from giant to small and elegant. If it’s a garden or a large public space you are specifying for, you will find the solution in our range.

We have also recently introduced a timber and stainless steel seating unit that can be tailored to fit most types of concrete low walls where seating is required. It is of course a perfect match to most of our seating products but can be retrofitted to existing installations such as our recent project in Lambeth. The product is called PLUS ONE and an effective way of transforming an open area to welcoming seating space.

Contact us at PUBLIC SPACES for a free catalogue and to enquire about your current project.

Contact details: Freefone: 0808 101 1590 Email: sales@public-spaces.co.uk Web: www.publicspaces.ie

70 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

MAGO URBAN are one of Europe’s leading designers and manufacturers of recons<tuted stone and concrete furniture.

Contact PUBLIC SPACES to learn more about our bespoke and design services and see your ideas come to reality.

Web: www.publicspaces.eu Email: sales@public-­‐spaces.co.uk Free No: 0808 101 1590

Walking on Water Streetlife is a design-driven company with a passion for creating innovative elements for public spaces. The Streetlife Collection includes durable pedestrian- and bicycle bridges with a contemporary appearance that comply with British Standards. From the initial design stage and the drawing up of technical specifications through to manufacturing and final delivery, we take care of the entire process professionally and efficiently.

The Collection includes a variety of new bridges designed in natural style.

Get inspired by the Walking on Water brochure.

Streetlifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design team also realises made-to-measure solutions for extraordinary locations.

The fascinating Bowie Bridge comprises CorTen or stainless steel criss-crossed bars in varying sizes.

A continuous fencing system without posts!

In close cooperation with the client, Streetlife delivers made-to-measure solutions. For example the asymmetrical bridge pictured here.

Flat Country Bridges have a no-nonsense design, a palpable rural character and beautiful industrial detailing.

Tree products

The products shown are protected by Int. Model Depots, Patents and Copyrights.

Rottterdam / Haarlem / The Hague / Nijmegen

.NL

Streetlife Leiden The Netherlands T +31 (0)71-5246846 www.streetlife.nl streetlife@streetlife.nl

Street Furniture

Amsterdam / Veghel / Groningen Essen / Heemskerk / Vlaardingen / Brugge

The Jetty system allows for the creation of playful, curved jetties. Curve Benches follow the contours of the walkway and enhance the overall aesthetic appeal.

Walking on

Water Browse through the brochure online Or request your own copy by e-mail!

Mighty Mill速

The Shortline Bold Bridge incorporates robust balusters with stainless steel cables.

It is equipped with a generous stainless steel or wide ellipse-shaped hardwood handrail!

Bridges & Decking

This Shortline Single Bridge has an appealing, flowing design. Accessibility is enhanced due to the outward orientation of the balusters, which creates extra width.

neW outdoor Furniture Pieces FroM Gaze burVill For sPrinG/ suMMer 2015 Gaze Burvill has been making high quality outdoor furniture since 1993 and since then has gathered a loyal following of discerning clients who recognise the craftsmanship and design integrity applied to each and every piece of Gaze Burvill furniture. Each season Simon Burvill and his design team reveal new products, some of which are completely new and others a development of an existing collection. Crafting beautiful pieces takes time but the company ethos is all about exceeding expectations and so no compromises are made, no corners cut and what emerges is always beautifully designed, practical, fit for purpose and a natural product made with integrity.

The Philadelphia Flower Show runs from February 28 to March 8 and is this year playing host to Gaze Burvill for the first time.

Gaze Burvill already has a presence in the US market but the Philadelphia Flower Show is the largest horticultural show in the land and offers Gaze Burvill the opportunity to reach US consumers directly and showcase the best of British craftsmanship.

To mark this important affiliation, Gaze Burvill will be donating 10% of all sales generated from the Show to the PHS (Pennsylvania Horticultural Society), and is offering its Meander and May Throne designs, custom engraved with the PHS logo, at a substantially reduced introductory price to all PHS members.

>

Especially for the show they have developed a New England pale finish, imagine the May Throne perfectly positioned on a wraparound veranda at one of those glorious clapperboard eastern seaboard homes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a wonderful synergy!

74 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

Curved Dining Table

>

The Broadwalk Coffee Table

>

Tall Splash Square Table

Brand new is an eye catching large round table called ‘The Broadwalk Coffee Table’, which is 45cm in height and 116cm diameter and retails at £3882. Gaze Burvill uses traditional steam bending techniques to create the Oak rails of the table to form the circular shape and Prime Grade Oak quarter sawn slats on the top, spaced to create a distinctive ‘sunburst’ pattern. Mortise and tenon jointing and a fumed oak finish complete this craftsman piece.

Oak has wonderful steam bending properties, which allow skilled craftsmen to create extraordinary curves out of solid in a way that other tropical woods can’t replicate. The heat in the chamber makes the wood just pliable enough to shape around a special former. It is a highly skilled operation, particularly for these larger pieces of wood, with its roots in the centuries-old heritage of wood craftsmanship, and in which Gaze Burvill has become highly expert.

The ‘Curved Dining Table’ is rather a special piece as it can be used as a stand-alone piece or in multiples linked together in formation.

This unique piece of oak furniture is 74 cm tall and 89 cm wide, is 200cm long, can comfortably seat 6 and retails at £3882.

A new addition to the ‘Splash Collection’ is the ‘Tall Splash Square Table’. This useful piece is perfect for drinks and a tray of canapés or simply for magazines or books. The dimensions are 53.5cm tall, 76cm wide and 76cm long, and retail price is £1890.

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steelscaPe Founded in 2012, Steelscape is primarily a manufacturer/supplier of bespoke high quality stainless steel street furniture. Its origins are firmly rooted in the Sheetmetal industry as it was a natural progression from the traditional base of a sheet metal manufacturer.

Our in-house design and fabrication team ensure a smooth transition from concept to drawing board and finally to finished product.

Employing a dedicated sales team that liaise and identify solutions to your problems coupled with our fully skilled design engineers and craftsmen with over 100 years combined experience you can rest assured that the product you receive will be one that exceeds your expectations.

Situated at the heart of the Pennines in Burnley, Steelscape takes advantage of the depth of manufacturing and engineering talent for which this area of Lancashire is world renowned. We have at our disposal a Trumpf L2530 laser cutter, an Amada 50:20 press brake and a Euromac multi-turret punch, which when coupled with the significant investment in 3D design technology allows us to develop prototypes, bespoke items and batch production solutions for our customers. This coupled with our fully skilled in-house craftsmen and design team ensures that all areas of the project are combined in harmony.

Camden Council We were tasked with supplying planters measuring 640 x 640 x 640mm for an internal multi-storey complex with the only available access being via many flights of stairs. Given that planters of this size are generally constructed complete, weight and delivery access had to be considered paramount in the remit. Along with the specification that half of the planters required to be mobile and that any castors would need to be hidden behind vanity panels, this prompted a radical review of the design. Through much dialogue a design was eventually arrived at that complemented the design brief and was aesthetically pleasing.

The final design resulted in them being flat packed and therefore much more easily conveyed to their final destination for assembly on site.

From the initial enquiry to delivery was a mere 7 weeks .

CONTACT DETAILS

Steelscape, Unit 8 Forbes Court, Billington Road, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 5UB Sales enquiries :â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (01282) 835371 Fax :- (01282) 455661

Website :- www.steelscape.co.uk 76 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

Contact us on 01254 685185

Featured product: EVO Seat 1

Evolution is the new urban street furniture range developed by Woodscape, featuring Hardwood, Granite, and Stainless Steel.

Contemporary aesthetics and strong defined lines make this range stand out in terms of form and function. Further bespoke and standard options are available.

Technology Our products are designed using pioneering software and created with computerised machine tooling.

Woodscape create beautiful hardwood street furniture for some of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most vibrant public spaces.

Innovative Design Our in-house designers work with the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most durable timbers to fully exploit the design potential of hardwood.

EVO Seat 1 Straight Slatted Seat with partial Backrest and Armrest, 316 Grade Stainless Steel frame on a Granite Base.

Timber Engineering We have 38 years of experience in timber manufacturing, delivering timber engineered solutions that meet the most challenging of designs and construction criteria.

Bollards

Litter Bins

Pergolas

Seating

Balconies

Planters

Bridges

Scheme: First Street North, Manchester

Find out more at

www.woodscape.co.uk Email us on

sales@woodscape.co.uk

Retaining Walls

Tree Seats

Bin Stores

Decking

Bicycle Parking

Signage

Structures

Gates

Shelters

bramhall landscape

78 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

Architects and designers are rediscovering the qualities of hardwood as the natural material for the outdoor environment.

As craftsmen in hardwood street furniture, Bramhall 1840 can transform your design ideas into products which are both attractive and meet the essential criteria of sustainability.

Our expanding portfolio includes seating, signage, bollards, planters, pergolas, shelters, retaining walls and many more. Whatever you have in mind, we have the skills to create it in hardwood.

times our advice is sought on the best methods of construction. We are always pleased to provide information based on our long experience of woodworking.

Many designers come to us at an early stage in the design process. We welcome them to use us as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sounding boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to assess whether their designs are practical and economically viable.

We may be able to suggest alternative materials or methods of construction which do not detract from the quality or appearance of the product, but may help to reduce the overall cost.

The name Bramhall has represented quality for over 150 years. Bramhall 1840 is continuing this tradition using time honoured skills and modern manufacturing techniques to produce items quickly and cost effectively.

So, if you are about to embark on a project, contact us now and we will do our very best to assist you. Or alternatively view our web site for inspiration and to view the range of prestigious projects we have been involved in.

From initial enquiry right through to final delivery our friendly team will ensure that all your requirements are met.

As specialists in bespoke hardwood street furniture, we are used to working alongside designers and landscape architects as they formulate their ideas.

Above are examples of what can be achieved; for this award winning project we worked very closely with Southern Green Landscape Architects to deliver their bespoke seating at Newcastle University, photographs care of Sally Ann Norman.

Sometimes we are asked about the qualities of a particular type of hardwood and at other

www.bramhall1840.co.uk or call us on 0845 643 9882

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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benchmark street furniture

www.benchmark-ltd.co.uk t: 01243 545926 f: 01243 545453 email:tony@benchmark-ltd.co.uk

Second Life Products Wales Ltd Second Life Products Wales Ltd are a leading manufacturer and National distributor of 100% recycled plastic products. Our low maintenance outdoor recycled plastic products include Street furniture, fencing, lumber, decking, signage, bollards and sheeting.

Our products are DURABLE, CANNOT ROT, require NO treatment and are easy to use.

Our range of recycled benches are of exceptional quality and maintenance free â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ideal for any outdoor location from town centres and parks to sea front and harsh/ extreme weather environments.

All our furniture is 100% recycled, manufactured from quality, heavy, solid lumber sections and fully assembled.

By choosing our quality recycled products and choosing the environmentally friendly option, your purchase and ongoing costs are substantially reduced.

All items are available in a range of styles and colours for use by adults and children alike.

80 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

We offer many styles and colours of planter to enhance any park, town centre, school, leisure or play area.

There is a wide range of options within our signage range, including information boards, street name signs and waymarkers.

We are able to offer a range of round, square, and chamfered/ square bollards in standard format or with reflective rings.

Suitable for a range of areas and applications with steel inserts and reflective plates as additional options.

Our standard 100% recycled plastic sheet options are available in 8ft x 4ft - from 2mm-19mm, and are suitable for a wide range of applications.

Visit our website: www.slpw. co.uk - Email us: slpwadmin@ btconnect.com View our brochure: http://issuu.com/slpw/docs/ slpw_brochure Call our friendly team: 01269 826680

Products

Projects

Contact us:

Planters Seating Other street furniture

Roof Gardens Healthcare Retail Education Residential Commercial Public Realm Hotel & Leisure

Tel 01509 815335

Fax

Street Design

01509 815332

established in 1986

Email sdl@street-design.com

Website www.street-design.com

UK street furniture designers & manufacturers

Curved Spalding bench with Swithland planter Curved Spalding seat

Planters & Seating www.street-design.com see our new website for full details

Tel: 0844 561 7679

Shade and Shelter Specialist

OUTSIDE STRUCTURE

S O L U T I O N S

Canopies come in all different shapes and sizes, and no two are the same.

Retractable canopies and terrace covers are a great way to create additional outside space without the expense and cost of an extension.

Free-standing garden rooms with retractable roofs bring Italian flair to restaurant terraces or even the English garden.

All terrace covers have the ability to be fully enclosed if required.

Walkway canopies can be used to link two buildings together or to lead up to the entrance where you can use a stunning canopy to make an impact.

all

..

or f .

eeds cture n u r t eS tsid u O ur yo

www.OutsideStructures.co.uk

www.alan-hayward.co.uk

BESPOKE ARCHITECTURAL JOINERY t t t t t t t t

Manufacturers of bespoke garden joinery, Horizontal slatted trellis panels, Traditional trellis panels, Illusion panels, Pergolas, Planters, Gazebos, Gates, Decking, Garden buildings.

Hardwood and softwood timbers available.

Full paint finish available to a colour of your choice.

Site consultations available.

Drawings provided for approval.

We offer supply only and full installations.

Repeated associations with BALI award winners.

Modern workshop with C.N.C Facilities.

82 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

ALAN HAYWARD JOINERY LTD Unit 7A Javelin Way, Henwood Industrial Estate, Ashford, Kent TN24 8DH Tel: 01233 625204 (2 Lines) Fax: 01233 621155 Mobile: 07906 173457 email: enquiries@alan-hayward.co.uk Web: www.alan-hayward.co.uk

snicKersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; canVas + toolVest - tHe ultiMate in tool-carryinG tecHnoloGy. Unbeatable functionality, quality and comfort - the Canvas+ is the latest addition to the Snickers range of Toolvests.

With Cordura-reinforced versatility, his hard-wearing Toolvest ensures you have easy access to your essential tools at all times.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s built-in ergonomic tool carrying and all the pockets you need â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for outstanding working comfort and efficiency on site.

It has wide shoulder straps and stretch fabric in the back for increased freedom of movement. The Cordura front holster pockets have tool loops for enhanced durability and easy-access angled rear holster pockets. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also Cordura breast pockets with a knife fastener, easy-access mobile phone compartment and ID badge window.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more the integrated expander means the tool vest can be easily worn over a jacket to ensure you keep working effectively on site.

Check out one of the Snickersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; range of Toolvests, buy one and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be a long-lasting workmate on site for you.

Getting information on Snickers Toolvests is easy. You can call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at:

Website: www.snickersworkwear.co.uk Email: info@snickersworkwear.co.uk

Cycle bridges by - Expanding the Network

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% " " ! $ % " ! % ! "

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www.ctsbridges.co.uk

01484 606 416 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

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be insPired For your landscaPinG ProJect at

Since 1995, the Natural Stone Show has been providing the stone industry with a platform for stone suppliers and associated products and services to promote themselves to trade customers, developers and designers. Back at ExCeL, London from 28th – 30th April, the Natural Stone Show will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary, and will be bigger and brighter than ever.

With over 200 exhibiting companies and a packed conference programme as well as the Natural Stone Awards Gallery, showcasing award winning projects that exhibit exemplary design and execution of stonework.

The exhibition will play host to over 200 suppliers, including paving and landscape products ranging from British Yorkstone and Italian Porphyry to Indian sandstones and Chinese granites. The Natural Stone Show will feature exhibitors from all over the world, including China and India which are both major suppliers of natural stone to the UK these days, plus the more traditional stone supplying countries of Italy, Spain, Portugal

and Turkey. However, if you prefer your stone home grown then there are more than ever British stone producers exhibiting this year.

Away from the exhibition floor, the free Natural Stone and Building Conservation Conference programme is CPD approved and features 25 seminars, including the RIBA assessed one day ‘Architect & Designer’ workshop on Tuesday 28th April. ‘Adding Value with Stone: Aesthetics, Performance and Heritage’, will feature a keynote presentation by Vince Marazita of Stone Trends International, California, and will also feature a guided commentary tour of the exhibition, so you will be able to learn more about the products you are seeing.

The Conservation Day on Thursday 30th April will be hosted by Historic England and feature a series of seminars designed to help you with the sourcing and selection of stone for your projects. Details of both seminar programmes and complimentary registration is available on the website at www.stoneshow.co.uk

You can take the opportunity to learn more about some award winning landscaping projects at the Natural Stone Awards Gallery which will feature projects from around the UK, including the 2014 Landscape Award Winner, Douglas Town Centre, which the judges cited as being an exemplary scheme, bringing brightness and light into the heart of the islands capital.

With so much packed into three days, the Stone Show ‘App’ will help you experience the show in a whole new way by allowing you to plan your visit, engage with exhibitors and network with other attendees, all from the convenience of your Smartphone or Tablet.

Download your free app now at bit.ly/stoneapp2015.

Get some fresh ideas for your business and make a date with the Natural Stone Show 28-30 April 2015.

ExCeL London hosts the Natural Stone Show

Myers Group (Stand C20 at the Natural Stone Show) present a range of York stones used here at the award winning Tudor Square, Sheffield

A large selection of sandstone and granite paving products sourced from all over the world will be showcased at the Natural Stone Show

84 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

Specify for your landscaping project at the Natural Stone Show

The UK Stone Industry Event

28 - 30 April 2015

Be inspired for your landscaping project...

Choose from 200 leading stone providers from around the world supplying paving products ranging from British Yorkstone and Italian porphyry to Indian sandstones and Chinese granites.

Access CPD from 25 free seminars at the Natural Stone & Building Conservation Conference including the RIBA assessed oneday workshop on Tuesday 28 April Adding Value with stone: aesthetics, performance and heritage.

Learn about landscaping projects showcased in the Natural Stone Awards Gallery.

Benefit from free specialist advice on sourcing and selecting stone within the Stone Federation Village and Conservation feature areas.

Download your free Event App now Register for your complimentary ticket at

www.stoneshow.co.uk #stoneshow2015

t: +44 (0)115 945 3889 e: stoneshow@qmj.co.uk

The Natural Stone Show 2015 is a Natural Stone Specialist event & part of the QMJ Group

Forest Pennant eXclusiVe uK suPPlier oF blue Pennant sandstone Royal Forest Pennant unearths exclusive supply of sustainable Blue Pennant stone Forest Pennant has excavated further into its Barnhill quarry in Gloucestershire, to discover extensive reserves of rare Blue Pennant sandstone, establishing this natural stone company as the only supplier of Blue Pennant in the UK. The exclusive supply is extracted from such depths where the stone is extremely hard, making it technically possible to apply the highly sought after flame texture treatment and produce a beautiful finish that makes a difference to any hard landscaping scheme.

Forest Pennant were fortunate to discover the presence of Blue Pennant deep beneath the quarry bed, before any extensive and expensive mining was implemented.

Permission was obtained last year to re-open the portal of the closed mine, where samples of Blue Pennant were found, taken and flame textured. Once established that the sandstone was resilient to the flame treatment, they started excavating supplies from beneath the bed of the Barnhill quarry.

Managing director, Nick Horton commented: “Having dug for king and country we have exposed six beds of Blue Pennant and from the evidence in the mine we would expect to find another 30m in bed depth of dimensional block stone.”

Due to the abundant reserves, the company has geared up the stoneworks and invested in the latest Pelligrini flame texturing machine, to increase production processes to meet the high demand for this flame textured stone. The mined stone will also be sawn with a soft-start Fantini saw, which further reduces waste and improves recovery rates by up to 75%, adding to Forest Pennant’s green credentials and operations. Access to current supplies through the open face quarry will indeed satisfy customer demand for the foreseeable future.

Looking longer term, Forest Pennant plans to mine the Blue Pennant through a new portal.

It will be safer, more economic and sustainable to eventually develop a new mine than continue to use the existing one.

As the only UK supplier of flame textured Blue Pennant sandstone, Forest Pennant has gained a significant competitive edge over other stone products, including Yorkstone. The company is enjoying a period of strong growth and has extended its reach to supply Pennant throughout the UK, including Northern Ireland, and on prestigious projects such as the Apple Store in Covent Garden and Princes Street, Edinburgh.

Nick added: “Everyone’s mindset is on Yorkstone. It’s like trying to get people to change bank accounts, and we are the new kids on the block. But we’re finding people are opening up to the suggestion. We are not just offering Blue Pennant – we do a mix as well. I am now confident we have a viable and commercial supply of Mixed and Blue Pennant in the range of sizes, colours and finishes that specifiers want.” www.forestpennant.com

t6 driVes oFF For QuicK round oF seed drillinG at Pennard GolF course Perched 200 feet up on the cliffs of the south Wales coast, overlooking some of the UK’s most beautiful shoreline, Pennard Golf Club describes itself perfectly as the “links in the sky”.

The sport has been enjoyed at Pennard, on the Gower peninsula, since 1896. Over the years it has become such a gem that American golf writer James W. Finegan was moved to describe its surface as worth crossing an ocean to play on.

It’s a big responsibility for Head Greenkeeper Dean Thomas, for whom finding the right machinery is a key ingredient to keeping the grass in perfect condition for its members – and the occasional American from across the Atlantic.

One of the most important tasks at the end of the summer season is replenishing the fairways’ grass with a seed drill in October; a job for which speed is the essence to minimise disruption to players but without risking damage to the carefully manicured surface.

The solution came from J.G. Plant, a New Holland dealership based in Bridgend, Glamorgan, which provided Dean with a T6.140 tractor – the perfect utility

workhorse balancing power with surefootedness.

Fitted with extra wide Trelleborg tyres for minimal ground pressure, the T6.140 had the power to pull the heavy seeder and drill the fairways with 80 bags of seed – all in just one pass. The task was done in a week.

Dean explained: “It was a challenge because our fairways are some of the most undulating in Wales. Basically we needed something that could take the fairway seeder which is twice the weight of the greens seeder. We needed a big tractor.

“The T6.140 was brilliant. It was so simple to use one of my kids could have driven it – it was that easy. It followed the inclines very well and it never felt dodgy; it was very stable and it did not struggle at all.

“The tyres were chosen by J.G. Plant and they were so big – perfect for spreading the load. It’s a beast of a tractor but it hardly made a mark on the fairways.”

With its strong four-cylinder engine, the T6.140 joins a range whose power-to-weight ratio is as low as 28.6kg/hp (CV) – essential for reducing soil compaction and with the added benefit of fuel-sipping efficiency too.

The T6.140 also boasts Engine Power Management to make life even easier.

Essentially, the engine develops more power and torque according to the actual load on the transmission, hydraulics and PTO. It optimises performance and improves fuel consumption even more.

The Horizon™ Cab, with optional Comfort Ride™ cab suspension, offers outstanding ergonomic comfort and exceptional visibility, which is improved by the high visibility roof hatch.

Dean added: “The cab had brilliant visibility and even coped with a direct hit from a golf ball. It was comfortable too – I was on it for a week and it was fab to have no aches afterwards.

“To anyone else considering the T6 I would definitely go for this tractor just for its suitability, the fact that it did a good job and because there was not a lot of disruption for members.”

Gareth Rees, Managing Director at JG Plant, said: “I’m really pleased the T6.140 did the business for Dean. It’s a great tractor which proves time and time again how versatile and dependable it is – whatever the job.”

THE NEW ELIET SUPER PROF SHREDDER – THE EVOLUTION OF MOBILE SHREDDING PSD Groundscare are the exclusive distributor for the Eliet range of products throughout the UK. Back in 1994, innovative manufacturer ELIET introduced the Super Prof shredder which was the first professional mobile shredder into the market that offered users the opportunity to take their shredder to the wood! 20 years later and with over 5,000 happy customers, the Super Prof model has been the flagship model and one of the most reliable and highly efficient shredders the market has seen.

The launch of the NEW Super Prof builds on the existing key features making it even more user friendly, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. One of the key additions is the air-blown chip removal via a 360o rotatable discharge chute that will blow the chips to a height of 2 meters. Over the years the Super Prof has earned a well-deserved reputation of being capable of processing almost any kind of green waste.

This exciting new model ensures that the Super Prof remains a highly efficient 4 Season Shredder that is the envy of all.

The next generation of the Super Prof will also be available as a trailed machine for those that prefer to process the wood on the roadside and transport off site. Additionally the renowned “Cross-Country” tracked model has also been updated to include all the features of the new Super Pro ensuring those who need to access difficult terrain have all the benefits of the latest features.

To discuss your requirements further or for more information please contact:

Tel: 08450 773773 Email: sales@psdgroundscare.com Web: www.psdgroundscare.com

www.cobragarden.co.uk

PROFESSIONAL LAWNNMOWERS POWERED BY HONDA & KAWASAKI ENGINES The Cobra Professional Range of petrol lawnmowers are powered by Honda and Kawasaki engines. The 7 models in the range come in either 4 wheeled or rear roller options and are suitable for both the professional and domestic user.

Cast Aluminium Decks, Blade Brake Clutch, Shaft Drive, Fan Assisted Collection are just a few of the features you can expect from Cobra Professional lawnmowers.

To find your local Cobra dealer visit www.cobragarden.co.uk today For information on all Cobra products call: 0115 986 6646 visit www.cobragarden.co.uk or email: info@cobragarden.co.uk

Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

89

you HaVe to see it to belieVe it neW Ground breaKinG online resource For landscaPers A fresh, new support resource for landscapers has been launched at www.onlinelandscapedesign.co.uk. The web service, fuelled and inspired by garden designer and creative visual specialist Tom Hammers, opens up a new avenue for busy landscape contractors who want to develop their design-and-build services without costly outsourcing or recruitment. Tom and his team create powerful visualisations of basic sketched plans, allowing a landscaper to gain all the advantages of an in-house design team without the expense, additional staff, premises or training.

The concept is simple. Landscapers need not be limited by design skills or time constraints – now their own beautiful plans and creations can be transformed into illustrations, concept drawings and full-blown, stunning presentations. This way, they get to enhance their portfolios, enabling them to present a more convincing proposal to convert their plans into reality.

The Online Landscape Design team can translate a basic sketch with outline dimensions using drawing styles that are both visually powerful and beautifully conceptualised. “Everyone can have landscaping that is beautiful, functional and easy to maintain” states Tom Hammers, director of Online Landscape Design. “Landscapers have great ideas; we use our design expertise and software knowhow to make their concepts REAL. 3D modelling, CAD and virtual images are the norm in other disciplines; we’re bringing these to landscaping at affordable prices.”

A variety of drawing styles allows for personalisation and all visuals can be branded with the customer logo, reinforcing corporate image

90 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 12

and creating an impressive, professional element to any design portfolio.

The 3- step process is easy: 1.

2.

3.

Complete a simple Tell Us About Your Project online form.

Scan and/or upload your files/images. Approve preliminary drawings.

Receive your brilliant plans, transformed into illustrations, concept proposals and stunning visual plan sets.

Tom and his London-based team have launched the online service at www.onlinelandscapedesign.co.uk to bring conceptualisation and visualisation to landscapers who want that edge. With services starting from £99 and all costs fixed before commitment, designers can dip in at every level – from an Illustration or Planting Plan to Concept Proposals, Masterplans and 3D modelling. The process is backed up by the team’s email, video or phone contact along the way, ensuring service is personal, supportive and comprehensive.

For fresh illustrations and a smart presentation style that’s all your own, www.onlinelandscapedesign.co.uk allows you to go beyond 2D drawings and transform your completed projects into stunning visual concepts – a powerful tool to help you gain more business.

Unequalled.

JUST GOT UPGRADED

THE NEW, EVEN BETTER

STW COMPACT TRACTOR SERIES

Step up into new levels of comfort, reliability and performance with the new STW compact tractor series from Kubota.

From mowing to loading, the new STW is an unequalled performer. Amazingly quick and impressively powerful, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lightweight and compact design delivers outstanding efficiency with minimal surface impact.

Scan the QR code for more information

Heavy duty tasks are light work thanks to the STWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high torque, low noise Kubota diesel engine plus a host of standard features including the exclusive Bi-Speed turn for enhanced and effortless operation.

Now available with a panoramic, spacious and air-conditioned cab, the STW offers class leading visibility and operator comfort. Why settle for less. Be unequalled.

See it now at your Kubota dealer.

For more information or to find your local dealer call: 01844 268 000 or visit: www.kubota.co.uk

You are invited to visit

HardscapeinLondon Visit our new offices at: 59 Warwick Way, Victoria, London SW1V 1QR T: 0845 260 1748 Nearest Tube Station: Victoria (10 minute walk)

t: 0845 260 1748

INSPIRE

SELECT

S U P P LY

59

GRANITE

SANDSTONE LIMESTONE PORPHYRY

Hardscape are proud to have opened a new oďŹ&#x192;ce and showroom in the heart of London. Our showroom displays all types of hard landscaping materials and has project space to discuss your designs and specifica"ons with a member of our technical sales team.

KELLEN

CONCRETE C L AY

S L AT E

www.stockscape.co.uk

www.hardscape.co.uk

www.hardscape.co.uk

www.stockscape.co.uk

www.hardscape.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming you for an informal chat and light refreshments.

enq@hardscape.co.uk