Family Garden in Georgian setting – Farningham

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– January 12, 2012Posted in: _Gallery, Border planting, Brick walling, Cut and fill, Earth moving, Fountains, Irrigation, Lighting, Paths, Pergolas, Relocating large plants, Sheds, Specimen planting, Swimming pools, Topsoiling, Trellis, Turfing, Walls

Award winner British Association of Landscape Industries National Awards 2008

The challenge with this garden was to design and build a garden that would fit in with the character of the Georgian grade 2 listed house.
Planning permission was not required as such but we had to go through the planning process to receive a Certificate of Lawful development before we could start any building. We also had to run the works by Sevenoaks District Council’s Tree Officer for his go-ahead before we set foot on the property. The design process ran smoothly and the clients made only a few minor changes to Stephanie MacFarlane’s design – incorporating some ideas preferred by their gardener as well.

Bearing in mind the changes of levels, our brief was to facilitate ease of access and movement around the completed garden as well as providing space for a childrens play area. A swimming pool was added at the last possible moment (all of the spoil for this pool had to be craned over a 6ft wall to a side road as access was very limited through the main gates). We laid all the services to allow for the pool, a comprehensive lighting system throughout the garden and a fully pumped irrigation system with pop-up sprinklers.

We had to bear in mind two very ancient horse chestnut trees when we were excavating and take care around the listed summerhouse and greenhouse.

The clients were very pleased with the finished garden which, when fully planted, sat well with the landform and in relation to the house.

Bearing in mind the changes of levels, our brief was to facilitate ease of access and movement around the completed garden as well as providing space for a childrens play area.

 PROJECT SUMMARY

Year of completion: 2005

Duration: 8 months

Budget: £100-£250k

Location: Farningham, Kent

Area: 3000 sq.m

Features: lit pergolas under planted with lavender,  potager herb garden, hexagonal brick paving adjacent to listed summerhouse,
water fountain, swimming pool

Challenges: conservation area, chalky soil, poor access to site