The UK is currently blighted by a burgeoning of hard and intractable surfaces, tarmac and block paving in particular. Not only is this sterile and dispiriting to look at, but it is increasing the likelihood of flooding by allowing rain nowhere to run off to. There is also no doubt that the sight of trees, plants, grass and hedges and the animal life they attract is good for our mental and spiritual health. It is especially important that children grow up seeing as much of the natural world as possible.
In order to replenish our urban environment I suggest we look at our front gardens. There are many medium-sized houses, for example the millions of semi-detached homes built in the mid twentieth century, which in recent years have lost their front gardens to hard surfaces for parking. More and more often front gardens are completely done away with so that not a single blade of grass, not a weed or ant can thrive. Landlords of shared rented housing are particularly guilty of this kind of ruthless devastation.
I would like the preservation of the British front garden to be incentivised. Local councils should reduce council tax by 5% for a period of ten years for houses where at least 60% of the front garden has been returned to a natural state. Conversely, council tax should be increased by 5% for ten years for houses where more than 40% of the front garden has been paved over. In each case the ten year rule would apply even if the house is sold within that time.
To incentivise this innovation further, there should be a government allocation of funds so that householders can apply for financial assistance of up to £1000 for the purpose of restoring their front gardens. Evidence would of course need to be provided.
I’m not thinking here about promoting front gardens that are excessively manicured, prim or municipal in appearance, but simply green spaces in any style that have trees, hedges, grass, flowers – all of them drinking in carbon dioxide and pouring forth oxygen.
These innovations should apply only to front spaces that are above a certain specified size, big enough to park a car.
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