8 minute read
Come outside
GRAEmE mAnn argues the case for better use of outdoor space
*LAST YEAR, The Guardian newspaper raised the question of whether or not British gardens were stuck in the past? Perhaps the same could be asked about the landscaping of communal outdoor areas around many flats and estate blocks around the country.
Many developers are already aware of the wishes of flat owners to enjoy more green space. In response they are adding larger landscaped areas to their developments in order to create inviting and liveable ‘outdoor rooms’. So the biggest challenge is not new build but existing blocks. Flat owners are often keen to find a way to update the communal areas around the many estates built over the last 20 - 40 years to reflect the needs and aspirations of residents, without breaking the bank . However, there is a fine line to tread in order to get the right balance between cost, functionality, health and safety and on-going maintenance. Strategic planning While
most Residents Management Companies (RMCs) will have a schedule of on-going improvements these tend to be reactive, addressing the short term needs and requirements of the tenants. I would question how many RMCs have a longer term strategic view and plan for the future needs of the landscaping around their block. On-going grounds maintenance may stop communal green space from sliding into neglect but without longer term planning how can residents be sure that it will continue to fulfil its amenity potential?
In the past, commercial landscape designs were geared towards combining structure, security, a long season of ground cover and - if you were lucky - colour. There wasn’t a requirement to consider conservation/habitat management and increasing biodiversity, protecting species and their habitats, environmental management or sustainability.
Today’s designers recognise that a good, well thought out garden can be a great asset to be enjoyed by residents. Each site should be bespoke and address the needs of both current and future tenants. A good design and well maintained communal outdoor space will encourage tenants to be proud of their space and will have an impact not only on the well being of the residents but may also be advantageous in letting or selling properties.
Good curb appeal is all part of the selling strategy and encourages residents to want to respect the landscaping and form good communities.
The new wave of naturalistic planting which has come from mainland Europe, has done away with the tired leggy shrubbery found in a lot of older developments. Neglected and looking grim for most of the year, these areas can quickly become dumping grounds for litter and at night can be quite frightening for residents returning home as you cannot see through the dense dark foliage. Far preferable is to open up the spaces, letting in more light and encouraging wildlife. Providing well-lit seating areas around scented plants and using plants vertically adds interest and many new projects include living walls in their design. Making changes So what should you take into consideration if you are planning to make some changes to the green space around your block? Commercial garden maintenance is a skilled occupation and your service provider should be able to give advice on what changes and improvements can be achieved dependant on your budget.
If your project area is large, complex and needs design on a master-planning scale, a landscape architect may be required to coordinate all aspects of the process from the site survey through to the contractors building the finished project and will deal with planning issues, designations, landscape assessments and even a consultation process if necessary.
For small to medium sized projects, consider engaging the services of a garden
designer. Such companies may have their own in-house team or work closely with a number of recommended designers. Together they can capture the requirements and aspirations for your outdoor space and turn these into workable and costed solutions. They will consider the soil type, the drainage, the angle of the sun, the season during which the plants will flower, the design, style, cost, quantities and quality of the finished area. Even small changes can make a big impact without costing the earth. Grow your own With the added pleasure and recent resurgence of grow-yourown, there is also the opportunity to get flat owners involved in tending and harvesting
Growing your own is a great way to involve children in outdoor activity
their own fruit and vegetables. This is great for promoting a sense of ownership of the outside space among residents but requires some thought in terms of location of the fruit trees and/or vegetable plot and does need buyin from at least a small group of committed flat owners. However, there is a huge amount of satisfaction to be gained from growing produce that can be enjoyed by everyone: the problem of what to do with a glut of fruit or vegetables that is faced by many gardeners is easily dealt with when you have plenty of neighbours to share them with. Growing your own is also a great way to involve children in outdoor activity and can bring the community together to enjoy their outside space in a fun, healthy and productive way - something which is often lacking in larger developments. Choosing the right contractor
The key to keeping up appearances is simple: regular maintenance and on-going improvements are needed. These may encompass lawns, car parking areas and flowerbeds. and can be effectively achieved by engaging the services of a good quality contractor.
There are a vast number of companies out there to choose from ranging from those that can provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ service with everything provided in-house down to the small sole trader who can provide a minimum level of service and may have to sub-contract out some specialist tasks, for example tree felling and fence replacement.
Each site is different and which company you choose depends upon your unique requirements and a service that can be tailored to suit your budget. It is often far more cost effective to specify a reasonable number of visits/work requirements rather than asking for a quote based on the bare minimum and then be forced to add services in order to maintain standards.
As a basic level of service, a grounds contractor should undertake: n Shrub bed maintenance n Annual planting n Lawn maintenance: mowing, weed and feed treatments n Shrub and ornamental tree care n Leaf clearance n Litter control n Snow and ice removal
As a basic level of service, a grounds Lawn maintenance: mowing, weed and feed
TheThe millionmillion dollardollar questquestionion ––howhow muchmuch willwill it it cost?cost? It would
be be impossibleimpossible to to givegive any balany ballpark figulpark figures forres for grouground nds m s maintenaaintenance ance as eacs each site wh site wil ill h l haveave it its owns own un uniqueique requrequirements. However, airements. However, as a s a generageneral r l rule of tule of thu humb, Rmb, RMCs should eMCs should expecxpect a t a fixedfixed pr price quotationice quotation ba based on 1sed on 12 month2 months s ba basicsic servservice.ice. ForFor somesome servservicesices it it wouldn’twouldn’t alwaysalways be be possiblepossible for tfor the he contcontractorractor to to givegive a fi a fixed pricexed price but ubut undernder these cthese circumstaircumstancesnces a a recommendedrecommended pr priceice shoushould ld be be given.given. Contingency fund There wThere wil ill a l alw lwaysays be be somethsomethin ing t g that chat cropsrops up up th that at wa wasn’tsn’t included wincluded wit ithi hin youn your i r initialnitial quotquotat ation.ion. ForFor example that beloved oak tree suddenly getting diseased and needing to be felled. When setting out your monthly ground services fees to residents, don’t forget to allow sufficient funds to cover the unexpected. Managing the grounds maintenance contractor
Hopefully by selecting the right contractor, day to day management should not be
What should We look for? A written quotation detailing the exact level of service and price goes without saying but you should also expect to receive (in no particular order of importance)
Risk Assessment This could be a generic risk assessment or one that has been tailored to your particular property / requirements. Method Statement This is sometimes referred to as a “safe system of work” and is a document that details the way a work task or process is to be completed. Environmental policy The policy should address how the company will minimise the impact of its activities on the environment and should address – as a minimum –waste disposal and use of chemicals. Health and Safety policy If a company employs five or more people they must have a written health and safety policy statement and a record of their health and safety arrangements. Te Terms rms and and Co Cond ndition itions s ThisThis addressesaddresses thethe supplier’s and customer’s obligations. Other documents/ statements may include: a summary of their past experience; team structure and skills; how they will deliver on the service and timescales; and how they will manage the project.
Each site will have its own requirements
required. However, it would be prudent to regularly inspect the communal areas to ensure the right level of service is being provided. Most contactors would recommend at least quarterly meetings or correspondence to discuss their progress and medium term planning for upcoming work. ●
Graeme Mann is the commercial director of BGS with specialised commercial grounds maintenance teams covering the South East and the Midlands areas. Tel 01252 416 373 Email info@bsgcommercial.com
