On the 10 March the Government announced its intention ‘to overhaul the planning system’ whereby ‘Under new plans organisations such as Sport England, Theatres Trust and The Gardens Trust will no longer be required to input on planning decisions. The scope of other statutory consultees will be narrowed to focus on heritage, safety and environmental protection, speeding up the building process and preventing delays to homes being built.’
The Gardens Trust is our parent organisation, linking us a to a countrywide network of county Gardens Trusts. Through this network, we collaborate with our colleagues nationally on matters that relate to gardens and designed landscapes, most particularly in planning matters. At present, 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. The Suffolk Gardens Trust regularly combines with The Gardens Trust in its responses to planning applications that affect significant features of our gardening heritage – together we have a much stronger voice.
The Gardens Trust is rapidly mounting a campaign to oppose these damaging reforms and make the Government listen – you can read their strong response here. The GT’s impact report includes reference to the very successful Suffolk’s Unforgettable Garden Story (SUGS) project, to which we were partners and true ‘heritage champions’ (as accredited by the Suffolk Preservation Society).
The Gardens Trust urgently needs support in this fight and is trying to raise £10,000 to fight this proposed change – you can read their appeal here. Please consider a donation, large or small, to help.
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.
I have already written to all the MPs in Suffolk expressing the Suffolk Gardens Trust’s desire for this proposal to be reconsidered and for The Gardens Trust to continue as a statutory consultee – I hope you might do so too.
Edward Martin
Chairman, SGT