The Gardens Trust is now in an urgent situation following the Government’s announcement on 10 March. We know you will join us in being dismayed to learn that under new proposals, we will no longer be a statutory consultee within the English planning system. This means that developers will be able to push through projects without any requirement for the local planning authority to consult us on their impact on historic parks, gardens, and landscapes.
Currently the Gardens Trust is a statutory consultee for all planning applications that may affect a site nationally designated on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. There are over 1700 Registered parks and gardens, split into Grades I, II*, II. The Gardens Trust receives some 1800 planning application consultations each year and provides local planning authorities with many hundreds of constructive advice recommendations to support positive change.
We don’t recognise ourselves in the government’s characterisation of statutory consultees. We only rarely miss the 21-day response deadline and last year objected to less than 10% of our consultations, with the remainder of our responses being simply supportive advice.
Our role as a statutory consultee has been vital in making sure that historic parks and gardens can play an active role in creating a healthy and thriving society, whilst protecting irreplaceable landscapes from inappropriate development. Without our voice in the planning system, historic gardens and designed landscapes across the country will face increased risk of destruction and irreversible damage.
The Government claims these reforms will speed up housing delivery, but at what cost? Our expertise ensures that development is done sensitively, respecting all that these special places have to offer while still allowing for progress. Without the Gardens Trust, who will stand up for the landscapes we love? Who will safeguard our green heritage for future generations?
We will not stand by and let this happen. We are rapidly mounting a strong campaign to oppose these damaging reforms and make the Government listen and have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern and support. Our small team of staff, Trustees and volunteers are working around the clock, but we need your help.
How you can help
Please donate today: Help us raise £10,000 to fight this devastating reform.
With your support we can strengthen our advocacy efforts to challenge these proposals and ensure that historic gardens and landscapes are not sacrificed in the name of unchecked development. Any donation large or small could help us to fund:
- Legal and Consultancy Fees – Engaging legal experts to challenge the government’s decision, draft formal responses, or advise on advocacy strategies.
- Research and Data Collection – Gathering evidence to support advocacy efforts, such as impact assessments, surveys, or expert reports on historic landscapes.
- Volunteer and Staff Support – Covering expenses for staff and volunteers working on the campaign, including travel, training, and administrative costs.
- Lobbying and Political Engagement – Costs related to meeting with MPs, policy advisors, and government officials, as well as preparing briefing documents.
- Public Relations and Communications – Hiring PR professionals to manage media outreach, write press releases, and organise interviews to gain public and political support.
- Advertising and Social Media Promotion – Paid digital campaigns, such as social media ads, to reach a broader audience to mobilise supporters.
If you are not in a position to donate, please consider writing to your MP: telling them why the Gardens Trust must remain a statutory consultee. Personal letters from constituents can have a real impact. We have already written to over 400 MPs with Registered Parks and Gardens in their area and know that these approaches work well.
Please also help us to spread the word: share this message with fellow park and garden lovers, on social media, and within your community. Awareness is our first line of defence.
To support our funding appeal, please donate via our website.
Alternatively you can send a cheque made payable to “The Gardens Trust” to 70 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EJ.
We have always fought tirelessly to protect our historic landscapes, and we will not stop now. But we cannot do this alone. Please stand with us and donate today to help us defend the gardens and parks that are a vital part of our national heritage. Thank you.
