The effect of ‘garden grabbing’ is the replacement of gardens in high-priced areas with blocks of flats and sometimes as many as 20+ new houses onto the same plot.

It all comes down to supply and demand. Property Developers recognise the increasing need to supply housing in the UK, and see ‘garden grabbing’ as a way to squeeze as many flats and houses as possible onto their purchased ‘plot’ – making huge profits as a result.

Portions of gardens are also being sold off by homeowners for financial profit. This can often occur where people are getting divorced, selling up, and wanting to make as much money as possible out of their land. Or where people have perhaps inherited property from their parents and wish to build more homes on the garden – again to maximise the value of the land before selling up.

Critics of ‘garden grabbing’ say the practice is:

• Not allowing cities and towns to ‘breathe’ – effectively suffocating them
• Having a devastating effect on urban wildlife
• Creating tension between neighbours – many of whom are having their views spoilt
• Increasing friction between established residents and newcomers

‘Garden grabbing’ is not just a city problem – towns and villages countrywide are also being affected.

Traditionally, ‘garden grabbing’ was associated with the South East, but it is now a UK-wide issue.

Not everyone is opposed to ‘garden grabbing’, however. Some take the view that:

• Land is such a rare commodity, to oppose ‘garden grabbing’ is unrealistic and even unsympathetic to first-time buyers desperate to get onto the property ladder
• Genuine brownfield sites are simply in too short supply
• They would much rather see gardens in sparsely developed areas disappear before any countryside is built upon

For most country dwellers though, the practice is spoiling life rather than enhancing it. So great is the concern, Garden Organic has set up a ‘Save Our Gardens’ campaign – you can find out more by visiting www.gardenorganic.org/saveourgardens