5. GARDENS 5.1 LANDSCAPING

The gardens of Camden’s urban Why are gardens important? Within the garden, landscaping could be soft In order to ensure the longevity of the plants townscape provide an extremely landscaping (planting) or hard landscaping. and trees in your garden, there are some • They form part of the semi-public important asset to the borough’s • Soft landscaping is a term used to factors to consider in the selection and use of domain as they are overlooked from plant materials in landscaping to include: attractiveness and character. They adjacent buildings and the streetscene describe the organic, vegetative or natural also contribute to the setting of and contribute greatly to the outlook of elements of landscape design. These occupants; natural elements could be permanent individual buildings and Conservation (grasses for lawns, other ground-cover Areas. There are many positive health • They contribute to the character of an plants, shrubs, climbers and trees) or outcomes both from taking part in area in terms of the relationship between transitory (herbs, annuals and biennials, gardening activities and from seeing buildings and spaces and the resulting perennials, and bulbous plants) which trees and landscaping as a pleasant openness or sense of enclosure; resume growth each year. and healthier environment. • Play a significant role in maintaining • Hard landscaping is a term used to Tree structure Seasonal density, the borough’s green infrastructure and describe the hard materials used in and shape texture and colour of foliage It is acknowledged that not everyone in biodiversity. See CPG Biodiversity; landscape design such as paving, Camden has access to a garden, but for this • Groups of trees and vegetation along the seating, water features, lighting, fences, particular reason those who have should rear boundaries of a garden, in particular, walls and railings. be mindful of the benefits that private front provide important wildlife corridors; For more information about landscaping see and rear gardens can bring to the wider CPG Design and CPG Biodiversity. community. • They can provide a sense of the greenery along the street and where they can be viewed through gaps between buildings; Before you consider altering your garden be • They support trees and vegetation which mindful of the following considerations: If you consider planting new assist with cooling, prevent soil erosion and trees in your garden, there increase the permeability of soil to air and Grass and other ground covers: Rate of growth Mature height and spread of foliage are certain consideration water; • Can reduce air temperature by absorbing you should take into • They provide a sense of visual separation solar radiation and encouraging cooling by account - See Greenery and and privacy; evaporation Biodiversity in Sustainability Chapter and CPG Trees for • They soften the impact of buildings and • Aid in stabilizing soil embankments and detailed information about integrate them into their setting and wider preventing erosion this at para 3.9. area. • Increase the permeability of soil to air and water

Trees are best at: Requirements Depth and extent • Providing shade, for soil, water, of the root sunlight and structure • Serving as windbreak, defining space temperature range • Directing and screening views • Attenuating sound • Improving air quality • Stabilising soil

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The design of gardens provide support 9 to green and wildlife corridors and Make your home super-wildlife friendly 4 makes a significant impact to the character and attractiveness of an A pond is a haven for various types of plants, insects, birds and animals. A area, particularly important to the pond provides essential drinking and 7 streetscene, bathing water for birds and mammals. At the rear of the property, if the space allows, you could integrate a pond into 4 Gardens have become particularly prone to the landscaping of your garden. If you development pressures where the loss of plant a range of plant species around the soft landscaping has resulted in the erosion edge of the pond, this would support an of local character, amenity, biodiversity and even greater diversity of wildlife. You can their function as a sustainable drainage find more information about this on RSPB system to reduce local storm water runoff. website 7 8 If your garden has already hardstanding which you are looking to replace due to 5 damage, you should consider maximising 5 the soft landscaping areas and provision of 6 permeable surfaces as hard landscaping to 2 1 allow water to runoff, grasses to grow and generally support a more biodiverse and resilient soil.

4 3 7 Always consider maximising the areas of soft landscaping over hard landscaping.

For homes in Conservation Areas, if you want to remove or trim a tree in your garden with a trunk diameter of 75mm CONSIDERATIONS or more, you will need to 1. Vertical Greening 5. Wildlife homes (bats and birds) apply for Prior notification 2. Green Roof 6. Gaps/holes in fences to support wildlife corridors of the tree works. See CPG 3. Low boundary walls with hedges and trellis with 7. Green buffer with the street and the open space Trees for more info. climber plants 8. Pond for wider biodiversity support 4. Varied species of shurbs, plans, and trees to 9. Open space support biodiversity Photo 45

70 CPG HOME IMPROVEMENTS HOME IMPROVEMENTS - GARDENS 71 5.3 BOUNDARY TREATMENTS

When you design alterations to your garden • For rear gardens you are advised to Boundary treatments are one of the If you are planning to make changes to your or other similar forecourt spaces, you should: consider permeable surfaces for patio most prominent elements of your home’s boundary treatment you should be areas or raised timber boards which would home within the streetscene. The way aware that: • Consider maximising areas for soft allow the soil to continue living underneath; landscaping over hard landscaping; the boundary relates to your home • We would expect that the repair of • Retain trees and mature vegetation which • Prioritise retention of existing permanent and neighbouring ones has a strong boundary walls, fences and railings are contribute to the biodiversity and character considered before they are replaced; elements as they are important for of the site and surrounding area; contribution to the character of your sustaining biodiversity in your garden: trees property, its appearance, and wider • We would expect that its dimensions, and shrubs provide cover for nesting birds • Integrate planting into garden structures, area. proportions, detailing and design to and bats, as well as rich food sources; e.g. bin and bike stores – see details below respect the existing character of the street and be subordinate to the host • When selecting plants, their biodiversity • Retain or re-introduce original surface It is important that before engaging in building; is a key consideration. In general, native materials and boundary features, such changing the boundary of your home you plants are best chosen followed by near as decorative paving, walls, railings and should firstly establish if your home is in • Materials used should relate and natives and then exotics which can extend hedges where they have been removed, a Conservation Area covered by Article complement the host building; especially in Conservation Areas. Any new the flowering season and provide an added 4 directions which restrict alterations to • In Conservation Areas, check the resource later in the year for some types materials should be complementary to the boundary treatments under permitted host building and neighbouring ones. Conservation Area Appraisal in relation to of insect, such as solitary bees. Overall, development. If the answer is yes, you will boundary treatments. The works should the differences between these categories need to submit an application to the council preserve or enhance the existing qualities are not large, and plenty of wildlife will be with your proposal. and context of the site, and character of supported by all three. the Conservation Area; • For front gardens, hard surfaces should If you property benefits from • Consider gaps in boundary treatments in cover no more than 30% of your garden permitted development rights order to ensure wildlife could still move and they should be properly designed to (it is a single family dwelling through gardens to find needed food, by provide access to and from your home, with and not covered by Article 4 removing bricks from the wall, cutting considerations for elderly, wheelchair users, directions) then you can erect a hole in the fence, digging a tunnel and pushchairs; a boundary fence up to 1m underneath the fence, or leaving a gap in height in facing a highway, at each side of the boundary wall. This or under 2m along any other is especially important for hedgehogs, boundary. Height is measured which travel on average a mile a day and from natural ground level and they are currently in a rapid decline; should include any additional • The design and construction does not If in conservation area and you On-site parking is limited to structure you may wish to damage any trees within the curtilage of are planning to extend your spaces designated for disabled attach to the top, such as trellis. the property or those in close proximity property with a structure which people where on-street parking is that may have their root system running incorporates new foundations not possible. The Council will not into your curtilage; in close proximity to an existing support development of boundary tree, you will need to provide an treatments and gardens to • Consider installation of bird and bat Arboricultural Impact Assessment provide vehicle crossover and on- boxes on the structure or in vicinity. as part of your submission for site parking due to the impact on planning permission to extend. green infrastructure, biodiversity and character of the area. The All garden gates and Council encourages sustainable doors should not open modes of transport. For further outwards into the public information see CPG Transport highway

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The increased need for storage in BICYCLES AND BINS STORAGE WATER HARVESTING Water butts in your everyday lives could put significant If your structure to accommodate garden If you want to make your home more garden are not pressure on the natural environment storage takes up garden space, you are environmentally friendly you can consider considered development if located outside. Garden storage encouraged to consider provision of a green installation of water butts in order to harvest to require planning facilities if not designed carefully, roof on top of your garden storage structure. the rainwater which you could then use to permission. could take over garden areas which Consider an adequate substrate (soil) depth water your plants in pots and garden. could have been better used by plants, of 100mm or more and drainage for your shrubs, trees and wildlife. green roof to allow plants to grow and mature Water butts come in different shapes and easily whilst requiring lower maintenance. forms and they generally located adjacent on the side of your building where your When designing structures for your garden downpipes are, away from the street. for bicycles and bins, you should be mindful of the possibility to require additional storage You can integrate the water butt and cladding To make your home area in the future, such as plant equipment, or trellis with pots around to allow plants to wildlife friendly, plant space for pushchairs or water harvesting. grow on it. nectar rich plants There are ways to accommodate adequate which would attract storage for your home, while also caring for insects and birds. the environment. We encourage innovative solutions which can incorporate wildlife habitats.

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74 CPG HOME IMPROVEMENTS HOME IMPROVEMENTS - GARDENS 75 5.5 OUTBUILDINGS

Outbuildings are structures within • Ensure the siting, location, scale and a property’s garden which offers a design has a minimal visual impact on, Outbuildings are permitted The use of outbuildings should under Class E of GPDO reasonably low-cost alternative to an and is visually subordinate within, the host always be incidental to the garden; 2016 for single family enjoyment of the main house. extension, whilst providing usable dwellings, not covered by The use of an outbuilding as • In Conservation Areas, check the space away from the main building Article 4 Directions in a a self-contained residential Conservation Area Appraisal in relation Conservation Area. accommodation would be subject for various functions such as storage, to outbuildings, to know what you should to enforcement action if undertaken home office, studio, gym, children’s consider. The works should preserve without planning permission playroom etc. They can free up space or enhance the existing qualities and specifically for this use. in the main dwellinghouse to allow context of the site, and character of the for an extra bedroom, kitchen or Conservation Area; living area, without the need for an • Not detract from the open character and extension. The outbuilding could be garden amenity of neighbouring gardens in the form of a shed, greenhouse, or and the wider surrounding area; others. • Retain space around the building for suitable soft landscaping; As they occupy space in the garden, the size • Ensure the height will retain visibility over and design of outbuildings must consider garden walls and fences; their impact on amenity of neighbouring • Ensure the size will maximise retention of occupiers, biodiversity and the character of garden and amenity space; 4 wider area, so they do not detract from the generally ‘soft’ and green nature of gardens • Ensure the position will not harm existing and other open spaces. trees and their roots; 3 • The construction method should minimise 5 Large garden buildings may affect the any impact on trees, mature vegetation 5 amenity value of neighbours’ gardens, and if used for purposes other than storage or (see CPG Trees) or adjacent structures; other domestic uses, may intensify the use • Use materials which complement the host of garden spaces and cause loss of amenity property and the overall character of the 2 through overlooking, overshadowing, surrounding garden area; 1 lightspill and noise nuisance. • Consider installation of green roof and/or To result in an acceptable scheme, solar panels; development in rear gardens should: • Address any impacts upon water run-off and groundwater flows, and demonstrate that the impact of the new development will be negated by the measures proposed. Reference should be made to CPG Water and Flooding. 1. Structure subordinate to the garden size 2. Maintain adequate distance to boundaries to • Consider installation of water butts; allow plants to grow • Consider installation of bird and bat boxes 3. Overall domestic character and appearance on the structure or in vicinity. 4. Green roof as insulator and support of biodiversity 5. Bird / bat box to support biodiversity

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