Open Association of Landscape Industries
Appeal to the water companies before the deadline
I believe that the hosepipe ban imposed by the seven water companies in the south east will have a serious impact on the hundreds of small businesses working in the landscape industry in the south east.
Whilst we all understand the seriousness of the drought, the blanket ban imposed by Thames Water and others means that from 5 April, hosepipes cannot be used to water newly installed planting, turf and seeded areas. If you have not yet fully considered the implications of this, I have outlined my concerns in my letter of appeal (see below) and I am asking for a discretionary period for new garden installations.
All the water companies have a consulting period where representations or appeals can be made. The deadline for representations for Thames Water is 21 March (in writing to: Public Consultations Team, 2nd East, Thames Water, Clearwater Court, Reading, RG1 8DB - or by email to consultations@thameswater.co.uk). Check your water company for their deadlines and addresses.
I urge LJN members in the south east affected by this (there must be hundreds) to write to their water companies (please feel free to adapt my letter for your own business case if it helps). If there are enough people appealing and asking for a discretionary period, maybe our voices will be heard.
As an open association LJN is a voice in the industry and actively supports small businesses - a letter from LJN on behalf of its members in the south east may carry more weight. Strength in numbers?
Tags: ban, businesses, designers, drought, garden, hosepipe, landscapers, small
Replies to This Discussion
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
"You & Yours today on Radio 4 about the hosepipe ban.http://ning.it/HXwWhe"
Via Kerrie
-
Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Marie-Plews Garden Design on -
At least small companies got a mention as suffering a 'hard hit' on you & yours...
-
Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Marie-Plews Garden Design on -
btw are we getting anywhere with the legal question?
-
Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Jenny Bloom on -
Most disappointing... what a dismissive unresponsive response! We need an MP who will champion our cause. Maybe a friendly journalist too...? Is Jeremy Cooke worth courting, or maybe there is a print journalist who has shown interest. I'm not on Twitter so I don't know who is following this - I also need to listen to the You and Yours piece later.
Phil Voice said:I have today received this letter from Richard Benyon MP.
Seems there's room for the water companies to make their own decisions but we don't have a great deal hope through DEFRA.
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Yes Marie, I think we are. However there's a lot we cannot discuss at present due to its sensitivity.
We've had a response through Twitter from a company who've been adversely affected and we have other evidence to add to this.
Still a lot to do.
Marie Clare Shallcross said:btw are we getting anywhere with the legal question?
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
I think there is hope in Richard Benyon's response.
I contacted Jeremy Cooke after Ben's BBC news interview and he said: "We may be able to look at this in the coming weeks.....
The ban looks set to last for months so we will want to cover all angles in the fullness of time..."
Jenny Bloom said:Most disappointing... what a dismissive unresponsive response! We need an MP who will champion our cause. Maybe a friendly journalist too...? Is Jeremy Cooke worth courting, or maybe there is a print journalist who has shown interest. I'm not on Twitter so I don't know who is following this - I also need to listen to the You and Yours piece later.
Phil Voice said:I have today received this letter from Richard Benyon MP.
Seems there's room for the water companies to make their own decisions but we don't have a great deal hope through DEFRA.
-
Premium SupplierPermalink Reply by Tim Royce on -
Turf exemption has been lifted by Thames Water. You can use hosepipe and sprinkler for the first 28 days of a new lawn Great New
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on -
Hi Tim, that's great news for us down here - would you make it a new post with any relevant links ?
-
Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Marie-Plews Garden Design on -
yep I've just got that notice through too - yay!!
I shall be tweeting and telling clients; be good to have a post on LJN so I can link back to it, if you're offering Tim
(of course now it will rain all summer, you realise...)
-
Permalink Reply by Emma Renton on -
Brilliant news
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Well done to all who have worked so hard keeping up the pressure:)
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
It's a great result:)
Hosepipe exemptions should have been a priority years ago but it's pleasing that so many of you have felt strongly enough to push for this result. Your actions have also caused others to up their game.
http://www.landscapejuice.com/2012/05/landscapers-and-gardeners-get...
© 2013 Landscape Juice ® Limited - Registered in England 08356644
Badges | Report an Issue | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
