David Keegan Garden Design Shortlisted Northern Design Awards 2011 Best Garden Design

Oct. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- A Garden In The High Peaks Derbyshire Has Been shortlisted for Best Garden Design;

Thornlea farm sits in a small hamlet in the peak district in Derbyshire, in a class 4 area of outstanding natural beauty. The area is subject to strict landscape planning laws, even moving the garden shed from its existing location required a planning application. The field to the rear of the plot was classed as agricultural land and as such could not be rezoned for domestic garden use.

Designer David Keegan says of the project;
On my first visit, I could see the potential in this unique setting. I already had a vision of how I could use reclaimed local materials, eg the natural local stone for dry stone wall raised beds. Fortunately the owners owned a number of fields with demolished dry stone walls, which we were able to salvage for the raised beds. Reclaimed York stone slabs for paths and terraces were sourced locally.

The seat on the lower terrace was constructed using an old oak beam from the house.
Applications were made for crown lifting to the perimeter trees to the end of the plot in order to draw the surrounding landscape into the scheme.

My solution using the parcel of agricultural land to the end of the garden was to make an application to remove the fence and turn it into a small wild flower meadow and interplant with fruit tress. The conservation officer accepted this.
Initially I wanted to remove the garden shed from the plot but with the clients were adamant that it stayed, so it was moved it to a lower hard standing.  A green roof and coat of apple green paint softened its impact.
An extended terrace providing views over the surrounding landscape replaces the sheds original location.

David comments further that it is great that there is now an awards programme specifically aimed at recognising the design talents of designers beyond the Watford Gap. He is also delighted to have been shortlisted again for this years awards.
The shortlist was selected by a panel of judges including Diarmuid Gavin, Terence Conran and Wayne Hemingway and Suzanne Imre, editor of Living Ect magazine.

The awards will be presented next month in Manchester.
For further information on Davids work visit his website at;
http://www.davidkeegangardendesignandlandscapingconsultan...