Green space essential for a better quality of life

Landscaping and green spaces should be a major part of all housing developments, says Wayne Hemingway, of the design team responsible for The Bridge, George Wimpey’s new development in Dartford.

"For too long green spaces have been ignored in the designing of large housing developments”, comments Wayne Hemingway. "Landscaping helps to create a caring society and also helps with sustainability and environmental factors such as drainage. More trees means less carbon, an issue all developers need to be aware of and we took into account when designing The Bridge.”

As parents of four children, Gerardine and Wayne Hemingway understand the importance of families having space to play outside, kick a ball, barbeque or just laze in the sun.

Wayne says, “We understand how kids and adults alike can go stir crazy cooped up and recognize that housebuilders and urban designers have positive role to play in combating the ‘couch potato’ culture and resulting health and behavioural problems.”

Wayne adds that the economic aspect of landscaping is also significant as green spaces can add value to a property. “Recent studies in Chicago, Amsterdam and by CABE in the UK have found that properties which overlook green, open spaces reach significantly higher prices than comparable properties which don’t."

Homes at The Bridge, Dartford have been designed so that green space was incorporated right from the start.

The first phase of houses are currently on sale and available from £175,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.

To help first-time buyers into these homes, George Wimpey has teamed with English Partnerships to offer properties via the First Time Buyer’s Initiative. Through this scheme, first time buyers can obtain an equity loan for up to half a house’s values, enabling them on to the property ladder when they otherwise could not have afforded to do so.

For more information about houses at The Bridge, visit: Thebridgedartford.co.uk.