CHARD COMMUNITY PROJECT

PLACE | Chard, Somerset

BUILD | Butler and Parker, Chard Town Council and Chard Community

DESIGN | Our aim was to create a resilient, future-proof and colourful planting scheme for the community of Chard, Somerset. The planting design was developed to provide long-lasting seasonal interest, support local biodiversity and create a welcoming and vibrant environment for residents and visitors.

A bespoke low-fertility soil substrate was introduced to encourage more robust, resilient plants that are better suited to the conditions of the site. This approach also helps to reduce ongoing maintenance, creating a planting scheme that is both sustainable and manageable over the long term.

Situated on the edge of the Blackdown Hills National Landscape (AONB), Chard is a small market town surrounded by a rich and varied landscape. We wanted the planting to reflect this setting while being as fun, colourful and engaging as possible during the summer months, when the town is at its busiest.

The planting scheme incorporates a diverse range of pollinator-friendly plants, with different flower shapes, colours and forms providing valuable resources for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. A succession of flowering plants ensures interest and habitat value across many months, while creating a dynamic and colourful display for the community to enjoy.

We worked alongside Chard Town Council and the Chard Gardening Group to bring the project to life, combining thoughtful planting design with practical, sustainable horticultural principles to create a space that is beautiful, biodiverse and resilient for the future.