Making a case for a garden community

To deliver a successful garden community you’ll need long-term support, local leadership, partnership and financial backing.

A strong case with evidence is needed to demonstrate why a garden community is the right approach for large scale growth - socially, economically and environmentally.

To deliver a strong case:

  • engage local government, stakeholders and the community early in the process

  • understand the roles of different parties

  • have strong rationale why your garden community is a good option for growth in the area.   

How to engage different parties

Make sure the right people are involved from the start of your garden community project.

This builds consensus and highlights any risks early on.

Who you need to involve:

  • local authority decision makers who set planning strategy and policy for the area. This will include council elected members

  • local communities near the proposed location of the new garden community

  • land owners

  • developers

  • investors

  • local organisations like universities and business who could be interested in partnering and investing in new opportunities in the new community

  • Statutory undertakers and utility companies

Putting together a case

To create an evidence base for a garden community, you should gather and assess the following information.

  • relevant planning history

  • site context - including opportunities and constraints

  • information about land ownership

  • what is known about the potential level of support from the local community

  • initial vision and objectives of your garden community

  • the scale of new housing needed in the area and why a garden community is preferred over other growth options

  • initial likely costs and returns related to development of a garden community, including  cost of the resource  needed to plan and deliver the garden community

  • social, economic and environmental benefits that will be generated. This can include business generated, employment, environmental gains

  • risks associated with developing a garden community

Further information

If you need to take a more formal approach, download the HM Treasury guidance on how to appraise and evaluate policies, projects and programmes.