By Finlo Rohrer BBC News Magazine Homes are springing up in back yards as the property boom continues. MPs are fighting for a bill to curtail the practice, but does the squeeze on land mean gardens are endangered?
By Finlo Rohrer BBC News Magazine Homes are springing up in back yards as the property boom continues. MPs are fighting for a bill to curtail the practice, but does the squeeze on land mean gardens are endangered?
So there you are living in leafy suburbia, children playing in immaculately coiffured gardens and along comes a property developer.
So there you are living in leafy suburbia, children playing in lovingly tended gardens and along comes a property developer.
Sadly, the only trees he's interested in are the ones that go to make banknotes. And he has a plan for that house for sale next door.
Sadly, the only trees he's interested in are the ones that go to make banknotes. And he has a plan for that house for sale next door.
Housing is a burning issue. Perhaps the burning issue that the next prime minister will face.
Housing is a burning issue. Perhaps the burning issue that the next prime minister will face.
Trees have been chopped down and buildings developed John Owen, homeowner An increasingly solitary population, immigration, wealthy second home-owners and the general mania for house-buying are putting immense pressure on some areas of the country.
Trees have been chopped down and buildings developed John Owen, homeowner An increasingly solitary population, immigration, wealthy second home-owners and the general mania for house-buying are putting immense pressure on some areas of the country.
One of the results is "garden grabbing". Developers buy a house with a generous garden, apply for planning permission to demolish the house and build either flats, or even a mini-estate in its place.
One of the results is "garden grabbing". Developers buy a house with a generous garden, apply for planning permission to demolish the house and build either flats, or even a mini-estate in its place.
The charity Garden Organic is leading the fight against the phenomenon. It says an area the equivalent of 2,755 Wembley pitches will be lost to new housing in Britain over the next decade.
The charity Garden Organic is leading the fight against the phenomenon. It says an area the equivalent of 2,755 Wembley pitches will be lost to new housing in Britain over the next decade.
This is happening because the law allows gardens to be classified as "brownfield" sites, in the same category as former industrial and commercial property. Councils have targets to meet for new houses and for brownfield building - thus gardens are being lost, the campaigners say.
This is happening because the law allows gardens to be classified as "brownfield" sites, in the same category as former industrial and commercial property. Councils have targets to meet for new houses and for brownfield building - thus gardens are being lost, the campaigners say.
The effect is a rash of flats and new houses replacing gardens in high-price areas.
The effect is a rash of flats and new houses replacing gardens in high-price areas.
There goes the neighbourhood
There goes the neighbourhood
John Owen, a former local government officer from West Bromwich, is watching his leafy neighbourhood being transformed. After 40 years in the same house, he is at breaking point.
John Owen, a former local government officer from West Bromwich, is watching his leafy neighbourhood being transformed. After 40 years in the same house, he is at breaking point.
The view can get rather grimOn one side, developers are building 13 three-storey terrace houses in what had been the gardens of seven houses. On the other side, five houses have given way to a development of 44 flats. It is too much for the Owens.
The view can get rather grimOn one side, developers are building 13 three-storey terrace houses in what had been the gardens of seven houses. On the other side, five houses have given way to a development of 44 flats. It is too much for the Owens.
"We are moving house as a consequence. It wipes out the character of a neighbourhood. We have lived here 40 years. In the whole area trees have been chopped down and buildings developed. The whole area is sliding downhill."
"We are moving house as a consequence. It wipes out the character of a neighbourhood. We have lived here 40 years. In the whole area trees have been chopped down and buildings developed. The whole area is sliding downhill."
And for Mr Owen it's not about preserving his neighbourhood for the haves with their big gardens, and keeping out the have-nots keen to jump on the property ladder. A tree-filled area helps everyone, even those living in homes without gardens.
And for Mr Owen it's not about preserving his neighbourhood for the haves with their big gardens, and keeping out the have-nots keen to jump on the property ladder. A tree-filled area helps everyone, even those living in homes without gardens.
"Even in a single-storey house you can see trees on your skyline. And there is the quietness."
"Even in a single-storey house you can see trees on your skyline. And there is the quietness."
For the property developers, the motivations are obvious. Without the need for new roads or services, profit margins might be higher. And a dense development in an established suburb can be a safer bet than a genuine brownfield site.
For the property developers, the motivations are obvious. Without the need for new roads or services, profit margins might be higher. And a dense development in an established suburb can be a safer bet than a genuine brownfield site.
Put bluntly, given the choice of moving to a purpose-built flat on the site of an old heavy metals factory, many buyers find they hanker for a berth in Acacia Avenue.
Put bluntly, given the choice of moving to a purpose-built flat on the site of an old heavy metals factory, many buyers find they hanker for a berth in Acacia Avenue.
GARDEN GRABBING 159,454 new dwellings in 200518% on residential landNo figures on garden lossGardens often designated as brownfield Now the Land Use Bill plans to stamp out garden grabbing by allowing local councils to avoid designating gardens as brownfield. The private members' bill is due its second reading on Friday.
GARDEN GRABBING 159,454 new dwellings in 200518% on residential landNo figures on garden lossGardens often designated as brownfield Now the Land Use Bill plans to stamp out garden grabbing by allowing local councils to avoid designating gardens as brownfield. The private members' bill is due its second reading on Friday.
"It is an anomaly most people don't know about and are shocked when they discover it. Most people think gardens are quite green, but they are treated the same as railway sidings and derelict gasworks," says Tory MP Greg Clark, who masterminded the bill with Labour's Chris Mullin.
"It is an anomaly most people don't know about and are shocked when they discover it. Most people think gardens are quite green, but they are treated the same as railway sidings and derelict gasworks," says Tory MP Greg Clark, who masterminded the bill with Labour's Chris Mullin.
"Greenery is incredibly important in towns for cleaning the air. Family homes are being knocked down, but the biggest shortage is of family homes."
"Greenery is incredibly important in towns for cleaning the air. Family homes are being knocked down, but the biggest shortage is of family homes."
And the notion that this wave of garden grabbing is providing affordable housing for first-time buyers is false, the Tunbridge Wells MP says.
And the notion that this wave of garden grabbing is providing affordable housing for first-time buyers is false, the Tunbridge Wells MP says.
"The threshold [for social housing provision] is usually 15 units. It's amazing the number of developments that come in at 14."
"The threshold [for social housing provision] is usually 15 units. It's amazing the number of developments that come in at 14."
Green and pleasant land
Green and pleasant land
Apart from the loss of green spaces, trees and barriers to traffic noise, current occupants are often left facing a brick wall through their kitchen window. In particularly expensive areas like London, new buildings perch uncomfortably in former gardens, looking rather like a game of residential hide-and-seek.
Apart from the loss of green spaces, trees and barriers to traffic noise, current occupants are often left facing a brick wall through their kitchen window. In particularly expensive areas like London, new buildings perch uncomfortably in former gardens, looking rather like a game of residential hide-and-seek.
Forests of scaffolding are replacing mature treesBut the Department for Communities and Local Government argues that gardens can already be protected by local authorities, and designated as non-brownfield, and that the bill is unnecessary.
Forests of scaffolding are replacing mature treesBut the Department for Communities and Local Government argues that gardens can already be protected by local authorities, and designated as non-brownfield, and that the bill is unnecessary.
It says 18% of all new dwellings are on residential land, up from 11% in 1997. But that includes a house being turned into flats, or a demolish-and-rebuild project that occupies the same amount of space. It keeps no separate statistics on how much garden space has been lost.
It says 18% of all new dwellings are on residential land, up from 11% in 1997. But that includes a house being turned into flats, or a demolish-and-rebuild project that occupies the same amount of space. It keeps no separate statistics on how much garden space has been lost.
"The bill is out of date and impractical. Councils already have the power to protect gardens and new planning rules that came into force in April have strengthened those powers further," a spokesman says.
"The bill is out of date and impractical. Councils already have the power to protect gardens and new planning rules that came into force in April have strengthened those powers further," a spokesman says.
But for the opponents of garden grabbing, local authorities are under immense pressure because of targets for building and the drive for high-density housing.
But for the opponents of garden grabbing, local authorities are under immense pressure because of targets for building and the drive for high-density housing.
"They are bedevilled with meeting targets. The inclination is to pass things regardless," the disgruntled Mr Owen says.
"They are bedevilled with meeting targets. The inclination is to pass things regardless," the disgruntled Mr Owen says.
And the challenge that faces the country on housing is staggering. Prices continue to spiral and last year, 160,234 new dwellings were built in England, a mere 780 more than in 2005. The average house in England and Wales costs £179,935.
And the challenge that faces the country on housing is staggering. Prices continue to spiral and last year, 160,234 new dwellings were built in England, a mere 780 more than in 2005. The average house in England and Wales costs £179,935.
There is immense pressure on the government to provide more houses, and some wonder whether greenbelt land will have to be sacrificed in order to meet the need for affordable houses.
There is immense pressure on the government to provide more houses, and some wonder whether greenbelt land will have to be sacrificed in order to meet the need for affordable houses.
Television gardener Diarmuid Gavin said the loss of gardens, while sad, might be viewed as acceptable if it saves vast areas of the countryside from being built on.
Television gardener Diarmuid Gavin said the loss of gardens, while sad, might be viewed as acceptable if it saves vast areas of the countryside from being built on.
"People are getting used to the fact that gardens are getting smaller. It's why a lot of TV shows are patio shows or city gardens. They are gardening or designing them more intensely. People don't have the time - a lot of people want a manageable-sized garden.
"People are getting used to the fact that gardens are getting smaller. It's why a lot of TV shows are patio shows or city gardens. They are gardening or designing them more intensely. People don't have the time - a lot of people want a manageable-sized garden.
"It is not nice for anyone who is interested in gardens but it is the new reality. We haven't got the space anymore. People come first and they need a place to live."
"It is not nice for anyone who is interested in gardens but it is the new reality. We haven't got the space anymore. People come first and they need a place to live."
So enjoy the view out your window, while it lasts.
So enjoy the view out your window, while it lasts.
Send us your comments using the form below.
Send us your comments using the form below.
This is not just a city problem, three gardens in our village are being converted to housing at present. The main reason is financial profit and the environment is suffering as a result.Mike Dennis, Newbridge, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
Houses with gardens over a certain age are the guardians of a vast majority of our wildlife species, especially since the agricultural policies of the 50s and 60s. I believe unless a lot of land is taken back from farmers, who are getting paid not to grow anything, we will loose part of our culture and history.George Clarke, Portrush, N Ireland
In Eastleigh, Hampshire, garden grabbing has been taken to new levels - the town's protected allotments are being threatened with development. Local councils are often persuaded by builders offering them "developers' contribution". Eastleigh allotment holders have fought for five years to save their plots from the bulldozer and on 25 June will drag Ruth Kelly, the current Minister for the Communities and Local Government, into the High Court where they will seek a judicial review of her decision to allow development on allotments to proceed. If this fails then all of England's 300,000 allotments will be at risk to developers.Richard May, Eastleigh, Hampshire
We have one of these estate being built onto our existing estate, community housing will exit via present roadway, pricier homes exit through private drive-way. Yet there is a town full of empty office buildings not used since building them, so why not convert these? Would make great starter apartments, singles don't seem to need a garden.Sue Chadwick, Slough
"We haven't got the space anymore." Hey? We've only built on 8% of the land in this country. And I'm paying subsidised farmers to sit on the rest of it. And where is the green belt? Do you go on holiday there? No. So let people have big (energy efficient) new houses on new sites. Give the people what they want. If the economy is going to grow then we'll have to build more. You can't have one without the other. Harry, London
When I was six (some 33 years ago) I met a very old woman in her 80s who lived at the end of the street. She had lived in the area her whole life, and told me how as a child she had fond memories of a time when all the houses were just fields. If I continue to live in my area for long enough, I'll be telling kids of a time long ago when I was a child, and all these flats were just houses with big gardens where children could play. As my neighbourhood is ploughed up for cheap housing I feel increasingly like I don't want to be British any longer if that's what it now means. I want to leave - but where do I, my friends, relatives and family now belong?Ian Light, London, England
Many more homes have to be built somewhere and a lot more than are currently being built. Dairmud is correct in that if the required new homes are not built of brown field or infill sites then the only place left is previously undeveloped or green field land. You pays your money & takes your choice. Of course environments and areas change over time - the world would be a very boring place if they didn't and if you don't like the change then moving is the obvious solution. I certainly don't have a problem with that and have moved several times for similar reasons.Andy R, Plymoth UK
Today's new housing estates will become tomorrow's overcrowded slums. Rather than a minimum number of dwellings per acre, planning should specify a maximum, ensuring that all new builds have good sized gardens and private space.Tony, Newport Pagnell
