Even with the blistering cold we have been busy out in the countryside building gorgeous spaces to enjoy when the warmth of spring decideds to show itself.
Believe you me, its not fun laying heavy pavers when you cannot feel your fingers. brrrrhh. Roll on spring and the coming season!
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With the ever growing amount of water we have falling from the skies and the pressure on local water companies to direct it away from our homes, the issue of hard surface run off is becoming more and more apparent. As we have all seen in the last month or so the sheer amount of water has overwhelmed the storm drains and locally we now see the water bubbling up in our roads and parks.
Historically we used to have front gardens with small driveways and lawns that would capture and slow the natural flow of water through the ground to the water table. With modern living and the trend toward ‘low maintenance’ gardens we now see hard surface paved expanses to accommodate off road parking as our towns and cities swell.
Whilst we cannot solve the number of vehicles on the road or the associated parking problems, we can help the situation by the correct installation of water runoff capture systems otherwise known as SUDS. Sustainable underground drainage systems can mimic the roll of the soft ground by collecting the rain water and holding it in the ground to slowly permeate back into the water table thus easing the problems of surge that overwhelm our old highway drainage systems.
Current government legislation stated that if you have a new driveway installed where the water will run off your property onto the highway, unless you comply with the SUDS rules, you will need to apply for planning permission.
A linear drain across the entrance is not enough to be compliant. You ned to capture the water using a soak away or aqua cell which holds the water on your property to slowly soak back to the water table. A 100m2 driveway sheds a lot of water and a 10cm x 10cm linear drain alone will only hold a fraction of the water being driven to the channel. It needs somewhere to go or the water will just flow freely onto the highway and the overflowing storm drains.
Simple pipework and a silt trap will send the water to an aqua cell that can be installed under the driveway that will solve these issues. Make sure that when you choose your contractor that they offer you the correct system or you will be the person responsible for the breach in Planning rules.
With the days becoming lighter and a hint of spring around the corner its time to start planning how your garden will transform as summer approaches. Over the past few years the accent has been on ‘low maintenance’ clean lines for those ‘Dez rez’ properties but now there is definitely a revival towards planting schemes and more traditional materials such as clay pavers, brick planters and flowing borders.
Porcelain Paving has dominated the landscaping scene for the last 3-4 years but as tastes change and the focus shifts to ‘timeless gardens’ then natural stone and features more suited to a country garden appear to take the lead in clients wish lists. ” I want somewhere tranquil to go a escape the rigors of working life” is a comment I hear more and more these days. It is actually quite refreshing to hear as a garden designer and installer as I get to expand the palette choice away from grey and white to more earthy tones that will stand the test of time.
Whilst I agree there is still a place for these builds in modern contemporary homes the feel for a softer, flowing garden as opposed to strong lines and render, seems to take traction amongst my clients.
Now as the first few bulbs of spring send flowers out of the soil lets see how clients tastes lean toward a more traditional English country garden!
I wonder if the rose garden will ever return?
