Gardens play 'crucial role' but could be put at risk by planners

HISTORIC parks and gardens like Chatsworth House play a “crucial” role for UK growth, health and climate action - but are at risk from proposed changes to planning rules, a charity has warned.

- By EMILY BEAMENT

A report from the Gardens Trust, a national charity with statutory responsibility to protect and conserve historic designed landscapes, is calling for greater investment and action to protect what it calls the country's green “crown jewels” of parks, parkland, cemeteries and gardens.

The charity also warned the Government is set to launch a consultation on removing a number of statutory consultees from the planning process - organisations that have to be approached in development applications - in England, including the Gardens Trust.

Designed landscapes are a key part of towns and countryside, with more than 1,700 given listed status through inclusion on the register of parks and gardens of special historic interest, the report said.

They would be at threat from developers, housebuilders and highways construction if local planning authorities no longer have to consult the Gardens Trust when considering applications affecting sites on the register, the charity said.