BALI welcomes the New Towns Taskforce Report which sets out recommendations for the design and delivery of new towns. BALI submitted a response to the call for evidence on new town delivery, and we are pleased to see that there is a clear focus on not simply delivering houses, but building and creating communities, including green spaces.
In particular, BALI welcomes the ambition to deliver environmental benefits throughout the development, as well as addressing the need for long term management of these community spaces. BALI believes that the landscaping industry is well placed to deliver many of the recommendations set out in this report, and it’s imperative that the landscaping sector has an active role in the design and delivery of the new towns. Landscaping delivers on many of the recommendations in the report, from the design, delivery and maintenance of green and recreational spaces to nature-based solutions such as biodiversity enhancing gardens and landscapes, as well as flood mitigation and management.
BALI is keen to work with government departments and local authorities to advocate for landscaping’s role in the creation and maintenance of new towns. Engaging with landscaping from the beginning of the process will ensure the most successful and highest quality landscaping projects for the new towns.