William Eichler 20 April 2023

Eco-friendly gardeners should be offered council tax cut

Eco-friendly gardeners should be offered council tax cut image
Image: adamikarl / Shutterstock.com.

Residents who look after their gardens in an eco-friendly manner should be offered reduced council tax rates, researchers say.

A new study from the University of Sheffield has warned cities may have lost between 40–75% of vegetated areas over the past two decades through the increased use of astro-turf and paving in gardens.

This has reduced biodiversity in cities and contributed to rising urban temperatures, according to the study.

Prof Ross Cameron, the author of the report, proposed that eco-friendly gardeners should be offered a reduction in water bills or local taxes.

He said that local authorities should encourage endemic or spontaneous ‘natural vegetation’, including those species considered conventional weeds.

‘Owners who have gardens that look unmanaged and untidy through low maintenance regimes of native plants should not be penalised or criticised, but rather promoted as a “norm”,’ he wrote.

‘Active engagement with the garden (whether “wild”, unkempt or otherwise) should be encouraged where possible, due to the potential health and nature engagement opportunities.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner