Get involved
Helping with planning consultations is a tangible and practical way that you can protect your local green spaces, especially with the many threats our parks are currently facing. LPG has prepared a helpful Handbook to explain more about the process and how we work which we are pleased to make freely available. This was made possible with the assistance of a grant from Historic England.
What do our volunteers do?
Planning Volunteers are our eyes and ears in the boroughs, getting to know their local area. LPG seeks to support applications, campaigns, and plans which benefit parks and gardens in London. The group meets 4-6 times a year on line to discuss any current issues and casework, and regularly visits sites of interest for walkabouts and training.
We have two types of volunteer – Seekers and Responders. Seekers, review local authority planning lists and flag cases which might jeopardise a local park or historic garden on our Inventory. Responders are allocated cases and review the application details against planning policy to prepare a formal response.
We also work with other campaigns to protect our green spaces from development or privatisation.
To find out about becoming a volunteer contact: office@londongardenstrust.org and fill in a volunteer form and making a note of your interest in planning.
There is a lot going on, and we always need your help.
Our Role in the Planning Process
London Parks & Gardens is the County Gardens Trust for Greater London, affiliated to The Gardens Trust. The Gardens Trust is a statutory consultee, which means that local authorities are legally obliged to consult with us before deciding on applications and policies which affect historic parks and gardens. Local authorities must consider our response as part of their decision process.
To read more about the history of how County Gardens Trusts, including London Parks & Gardens, joined with The Gardens Trust, please read this article which was published in Garden History, Journal of The Garden Trust volume 50:2 (2022).
