Greenspace

The Greenspace team was set up in 2005 to carryout the maintenance of our open spaces and communal gardens.  Although only a small team of 6 we have selected members who are dedicated, enthusiastic and experienced. This enables us to deliver a comprehensive and first class service in garden/estate maintenance, and landscape construction and design.

There are over one hundred sites, some of which include large areas of open space and equipped play areas. These include areas of grass, a range of shrubs borders, hedges and some 1900 trees, all of which have to be maintained. There are limitations to what Greenspace can achieve, but we are able to do the following operations throughout the year:-

Grass will be mowed twice a month between Mid-March and the end of October.

Hedges generally form the boundary of the adjacent property and as such are the responsibility of the tenant to maintain. However where they are growing next to open spaces the side will be trimmed once a year. Where the hedge encroaches over a footpath or alleyway the side will be trimmed twice a year. Due to the recommendations concerning nesting birds hedge cutting generally only occurs between July and February.

Weeding is generally carried out on a 4-6 weekly basis by either hoeing or forking over borders. However on some hard surfaces, a glyphosate based weedkiller may be used. This is one of the few chemicals that is regarded as not being harmful to the environment.

Pruning is carried out as part of our winter maintenance of our shrubs. Generally the pruning of summer flowering plants takes place between November and March. And Spring flowering plants are pruned immediately after flowering. However there may be some pruning undertaken throughout the rest of the year to keep shrubs under control. Our aim is to use secateurs and loppers to prune shrubs and to carry out ’restorative pruning’ of over grown shrubs, rather than use hedge trimmers.

The Trees in our open spaces and communal gardens were surveyed in 2005/6 and are undergoing a programme of scheduled works. If any of our tenants have concerns about trees growing in their gardens we can arrange an inspection to ensure their safety. It is the tenants responsibility to maintain the trees in their garden but we do carry out requests for work were there are safety issues or it may effect the property. (Please note there is generally a waiting list for these requests).

Landscaping Being committed to the improvement of our neighbourhoods we carryout the landscaping around our new developments and have a programme of replanting across all of our sites. For instance we have recently planted native trees and shrubs in a number of sites to provide greater interest and a more pleasant environment for users and wildlife. At Maybridge square we have created a rose garden.   
Our open spaces provide a number of opportunities for play and enjoyment . There are areas of open space that have equipped play areas such as at Chiltern crescent, Keystone close, Maybridge Square, Queens Street and Westbrook way. Also we have been working with the police community support officers to keep the local children off the streets by providing facilities such as dedicated areas for 5-aside football. At Chiltern Crescent we have joint funded a basketball/ multisport area.

 

We always welcome anyone who wants to maintain an area of ground for their own pleasure and are quite happy to answer any questions you have. You may contact us via greenspace@worthing-homes.org.uk or by telephone 01903 703175.