Adding value through landscape design

How green spaces can bring about financial benefits

No, we’re not announcing our expansion into landscape design. But over the course of our careers, we’ve worked closely with many fine landscape architects.

Truth is, we’re convinced that quality landscape is fundamental to a quality scheme. And yet, too often, it’s the element of design that is given the least priority, focus and investment.

Here’s why it’s hard to deliver green spaces in developments, but why we think it’s still worth it.

Why it can be difficult to deliver green space

Viability

The most common objection is that it’s simply too expensive. Designs proposing mature trees are too often swapped for the younger model, and creative or adventurous options are watered down for something “low maintenance”.

We get it. A scheme has to be viable for it to get built. The questions is, is it possible to deliver good design without losing sight of viability? We think it is.

Security

Public spaces (whether green or not) inherently raise the question of security. If everyone is welcome, then that means there’s scope for misdemeanours. Inviting people into open spaces means the design must consider the safety of the vulnerable and minimise the opportunity for theft or vandalism.

Maintenance

Finally, there can also be maintenance issues associated with incorporating green space into a new development. This includes both in the short-term (such as mowing lawns or pruning trees) and long-term (such as replacing worn-out equipment).

There’s always a solution – eg engaging a management company – but it all takes additional coordination and, of course, costs, which can be off-putting.

Why it’s still worth it

It’s good for health and wellbeing

The health benefits of open spaces are well rehearsed – and we all experienced first-hand in 2020 the difference that open spaces made to our wellbeing.

Beyond the physical benefits, it’s good for our mental health too. And that’s not where it ends. Healthier and happier communities are more productive, more empowered, more engaged in education and more resilient.  

Residential masterplan for Angmering, West Sussex

It’s good for the bank balance

But here’s the clincher: it’s actually good for the bottom line, too.

If you live on Eaton Square, Belgravia or Regency Square in Brighton you’ll be acutely aware that your house value is associated with the proximity of valuable green space. But there’s mounting evidence that a well-looked after green space can add a significant uplift in land value for all types of housing schemes, no matter how small, not just for the elite.

Place DP is a landscape design practice we work closely with in Raynes Park, south London. The team not only offers innovative design solutions but gets involved in the process from conception to construction, and maintenance. Well-versed with the discussion over whether their designs will be viable, director Tony Edwards knows all about the impact that green spaces have on land values.

Research by GLA Economics highlights that each hectare of park space within 1km of housing increases houses prices by 0.08%. The presence of a metropolitan park within 600 metres was found to add between 1.9% and 2.9% to total house value. The bigger the space, the bigger the uplift.

Tony Edwards, Place DP

Research in the United States even shows whopping uplifts of up to 19% in land values in all its forms, including in new housing developments and commercial spaces too.

It’s critical, of course, to maintain such areas because, as we’ve noted above, allowing an area to become rundown attracts antisocial behaviour which will detract from, rather than enhance, value. That’s why London Borough of Merton charges a rates precept on any house within three quarters of a mile of Wimbledon Common: to pay for the Common’s maintenance.

Mohsin Cooper’s approach to landscape

We understand its value

Although landscape schemes are often watered down on the basis of viability, with a little faith and forward thinking, schemes that invest in green space pay dividends.

But the effect of this is that areas close to green space continue to benefit both in wellbeing and financially while areas divorced from green space languish. If the pattern is allowed to continue unchecked, we see increasing disparities and inequality.

That’s why it’s so important, particularly in less affluent areas, to strive for quality new green spaces in developments, no matter how small, to bring about improvements to quality of life and bridge the gap between those that have and those that have not.

Our public realm scheme for Essential Living at the Perfume Factory, Acton

We collaborate

We know from experience that the best way to achieve successful green spaces that enhance wellbeing is to collaborate with experts within the built environment. We don’t try to dabble with landscape design. We focus on what we do best – architecture and planning – and know when to step aside and let others do what they do best.

We work with many brilliant commercial landscape designers that can make the most of any site.

We front-load discussions

And, importantly, we talk to decision makers early on. Whether we’re project managing the planning application or leading on the architectural design, we bring the landscape officer into pre-application discussions early on to find the best solutions for a site, no matter how small.

Green spaces make sense

Yes, green spaces can be difficult to deliver, with issues of viability, security and maintenance making it challenging for developers.

But there’s no doubt that schemes which prioritise high quality public green spaces reap the benefits – many times over.

The key is ensuring that, through collaboration and early dialogue with the council, opportunities for clever, space-maximising green spaces can be incorporated into new developments, no matter how small.

If you’ve got an urban site that is ripe for redevelopment, get in touch and let us help you add value.