The House Builders Federation (HBF) today announced its approval of the first greenleaf standard application for Hull, a development in Kirk Ella, submitted by McCarthy & Stone.This is the fourth award for the developer and the second standard awarded for the Yorkshire region.
Greenleaf was established in 1987 with the launch of an award scheme to celebrate the very best new housing landscapes each year. Chaired by Professor Chris Baines, the well respected environmentalist, broadcaster and writer, greenleaf has helped improve standards in the house building industry along with house buyers expectations by highlighting how new housing schemes can enhance their environment.
The greenleaf standard was launched in May 2002. It enables developers to register their commitment to greenleaf principles at pre-construction stage. If a site is approved for the standard then they are allowed to fly a flag on the awarded site along with using the greenleaf logo in any marketing for that particular site.
Approval is not easy and very high standards are required. The developer must have submitted documentation such as a landscape survey with photographs of the site as it originally was; planning documentation; landscaping design showing how the development would conserve existing features, consideration of pedestrian safety, respecting the local setting and visual continuity where possible.
A spokesperson from the New Homes Marketing Board, said: “We are delighted with the launch of the greenleaf standard. It benefits both home buyers and developers, helping to raise standards throughout the house building industry and enabling house builders to promote the environmental nature of their developments to potential buyers. The McCarthy & Stone development is an excellent example of what we are aiming to achieve”
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Notes to editors
1. greenleaf standard Criteria
Pre-development Plan
· Undertake professional landscape survey and establish a photographic record of the initial site conditions
· Design to respect existing features, e.g. streams and ponds, trees and hedgerows conserved.
· Design layout for pedestrian safety, and to take maximum advantage of local setting, views and existing features
· Agree detailed landscape conditions through development control before commencement on site.
· Design the junction between hard and soft landscape in ways, which will simplify after-care – avoid tight corners, sharp edges and steep changes in level of mown grass areas.
· Design landscape planting in the public areas to be bold in scale, to provide shelter and visual green continuity where possible, and to respect the local setting
Building process
· Protect mature tress, hedgerows and other vulnerable site features with substantial fencing and clear signage
· Avoid all compaction and ground-level change, stock-piling of materials, spillage of toxic liquid and bonfires beneath the canopy of mature trees
· Provide adequate provision of environmentally-safe disposal for all waste
· Prepare areas for planting by relieving compaction, ensuring adequate drainage, and eliminating persistent weeds
· Incorporate lighting, signage, safety – and hand-rails, access ramps and communal seating where possible and appropriate
· Provide for child safety with regard to roads and car-parks, ponds and streams
After-care
· Secure long-term management provision for the planted landscape, to include grass-cutting, weed control, plant failure replacement and litter picking beyond the initial 2 or 3 year contract maintenance period.
· Carry out remedial care where mature trees have been retained
· Engage residents in the overall management of the housing landscape