CAROLINE  DE LANE LEA  

The masterplan for this garden needed to anchor a new build eco home sensitively into the landscape, while overcoming

the challenges of the sloping site and access restrictions. On the edge of a nature reserve and surrounded by rolling hills,

the new property was built on the site of an old chicken farm and a former quarry. Planning allowed for a single storey so

the ground was excavated into the hillside to provide a lower ground floor at the rear with a sunken courtyard and terraces for planting. A parking area, wood store, tool shed, vegetable garden and swimming pool were also on the client's wish list. 

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The design for the garden incorporated stone excavated during building works to construct rustic dry stone walls. Used historically as the local building material, the stone ties the property and garden to its location. Naturalistic planting using grasses and perennials provides a long season of interest and help to link the garden with the wider landscape.