Greener living environments for London

Housebuilder Barratt London is planting hundreds of new trees and thousands of plants and shrubs on new developments across the capital every year – the equivalent of creating a small wood from scratch.

Last year, the company not only planted over 1,500 trees and more than 35,500 shrubs, it created over 18 acres of new public space in the capital.

Barratt’s London managing director Alastair Baird said: “We are best known as builders of new homes, but these days we see our job much more as creating outstanding living environments.

“That means building homes and communities that integrate and enhance the landscape and, where possible, open up new green space. Planting new trees and shrubs - and preserving existing ones where we can – is a key part of that.”

Last year’s planting took place on new developments across Barratt London’s area of operation.

Among key sites to benefit is Great West Quarter in Brentford which, when complete, will provide 773 studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments as well as shops, restaurants, a bar, a health club, an art gallery, a crèche, a hotel and serviced apartments.

Here, Barratt has planted over 270 new trees, preserving existing ones and replaced others that had to be felled, as well as adding around 20,500 new plants and shrubs. Landscaped areas, including nine courtyards and a large piazza, total over three acres of the 12.5 acre site. Prices start from £200,000 –visit gwq.uk.com.

On the other side of London, Dalston Square in Hackney is revitalising the heart of Dalston. Over 100 trees and over 6,000 plants and shrubs will have been planted when the scheme is complete, with the creation of around 1.5 acres of new open space.

Currently, prices for one-bedroom apartments at Dalston Square start at £226,000 and two-bedroom apartments from £314,000 - visit barratthomes.co.uk/dalston for more details.