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 -
I thought you might be interested to see the percentage ratio demographic of who're signing the petition.
Although the gap has narrowed, garden designers still lead the way. It is perhaps a good indication of is likely to suffer with the ban?
Do we assume from these figures that those doing garden maintenance are either not concerned by the looming ban or are yet to realise that it may affect them too?
Good to see some non-trade support as well.
Click to enlarge the graphic.
Sign the petition here: http://www.landscapejuice.com/2012/03/urgent-call-to-action-propose...
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on -
This is the latest Map (from BBC website : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17340844) which indicates the extent of possible Drought/Bans.
As far as I can tell it is 'current' and graphically shows how many people & areas could be affected.
-
Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Jenny Bloom on -
We are still awaiting response from some of the companies who will not publish (on their website) their decision on exemptions until 5 April, but it's not looking great from what we have heard so far. It would be great if we can get as many people as poss to sign the petition (see above), continue to lobby MPs, talk to journos etc.
This will have an impact on the thousands of us that work in the drought afflicted areas. Only this week I heard from one long established landscaper employing more than 10 people, that 4 or 5 contracts had been cancelled in the last couple of weeks because of the ban. Losing income and not having people fully employed in March/April (usually our busiest time of the year) is really worrying.
I also wonder now what the HTA, BALI, APL, SGD et al are doing further (following their belated joint letter to the water companies)? Anybody got any useful connections here?
-
Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Marie-Plews Garden Design on -
I think there is still a considerable lack of awareness among the general public as to whether they'll be affected and by how much - I've had responses varying from ' what hosepipe ban?' to 'I thought they'd already started it' (the latter as a reason for not watering newly planted troughs...)
I organised some 'mystery shopper' type research last week in some local garden centres and was shocked to discover that one didnt know the ruling on lawns (they offer landscaping services) and two others had staff who knew nothing and couldnt advise where I could find out!
is this ostrich time or has everyone been overwhelmed by the fuel fiasco of last week instead?
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Claire Brown on -
I'm in a water restrictions area, and yet have heard nothing from my water company, I know lots because of this site and my own investigations - I had a prospect phone me last week who had just had a fountain finished, - to provide sound to mask nearby noise, - I had to tell them that they wouldn't be able to use it this year. - Unsurprisingly, - I havn't heard back from them about doing a consultation! lol
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Austin Powell-Allen on -
Yes I aggree needs to be publised more and needs to be universal, how can the water companies consider washing the front of buildings and jet washing paving/ decking a priority over watering your plants if they have been recently planted with a hose pipe, it baffles me. As i have already seen neighbours of mine jet washing decking etc prior to any ban which means the water has been used further in advance.
I think one option to make people use water more wisely is to stick everyone on a meter and operate a teared banded usage system eg; the more you use the more you pay. Also suprised as we are an island why more technology has not been spent on looking at turning sea water into drinking water. Then the left over salt could be used as grit on the roads or another function. As they keep saying the sea is going to rise.
Anyway there the experts!!!
-
Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Marie-Plews Garden Design on -
Ok I am now confused and concerned - Thames seem to have added exemptions for pressure washing patios for eg, but I cannot see on their website any exemption for watering with hose newly laid seed or turf or planting - is this me being dense???
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on -
I've spent countless hours on the phone to local 4 WA's and share your view.
'confused and concerned' is a very polite version of what I feel at this moment as we see a domino effect of jobs being cancelled/put on ice.
As per an earlier tweet:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/apr/02/hosepipe-ban-2013...
The implications are huge and are the water authorities carefully testing the ground for public reaction to a year long ban ?
Check for latest areas in official Drought Zone : http://tinyurl.com/7mz2cev
-
Permalink Reply by Jane Heath on -
No, you're not! Likewise South East Water - that concession appears to have been withdrawn, likewise the exemption for the over-65's
Marie Clare Shallcross said:Ok I am now confused and concerned - Thames seem to have added exemptions for pressure washing patios for eg, but I cannot see on their website any exemption for watering with hose newly laid seed or turf or planting - is this me being dense???
-
Permalink Reply by Jane Heath on
-
The one thing that REALLY upsets me is that you can top up a pond with a hosepipe if you've got fish - but seems like newts and frogs don't matter. I will not obey that order and I will top up my own three wildlife ponds with a hose ... wearing a balaclava at midnight if I have to!
-
Permalink Reply by Matt Brown on -
Phil Voice said:That's great Jane:)
"In the meantime, the only answer (with existing plantings) is to mulch, mulch, mulch and mulch again".
It might not be sexy to look at but fresh lawn mowings are a good mulch too. Rather than throwing them in a bin or on the compost heap, grass clippings can be spread immediately around new or mature trees and shrubs: bit fiddly around bedding plants etc but can still be done if one has the patience:)
thats what i use on the allotment between the rows, works wonders
-
Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by John Cavill on -
Hello all, Anglian water who have a hosepipe ban in my area from the 5th April state this so I have asked them if it applies to watering plants and turf?
"Businesses that operate at a domestic property or wash private vehicles (e.g. car/driveway washing or window cleaning) can use a hosepipe in the course of their work, where this is done as a service to customers"
It reads as if I can still use a hose, but who knows??
© 2013 Landscape Juice ® Limited - Registered in England 08356644
Badges | Report an Issue | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
