Case Study: Sherford's Living Wall
2015 · Sherford New Town, Plymouth
In 2015, YGS Landscapes delivered a 380-metre landmark living wall at the entrance to Sherford New Town, Plymouth. The project involved installing 26,000 plants across a 10-metre high, south-facing engineered bund over a six-week programme in challenging summer conditions. The completed scheme was later recognised with a BALI National Landscape Award.
The Brief
A landmark,
not just
a landscape.
The brief was to soften a 380-linear-metre Huesker geo-synthetic bank, constructed to conceal quarry workings alongside the main approach to Sherford New Town. From the outset, YGS and the project team shared a single ambition: this would become Sherford’s very own ‘Angel of the North’.
Project Summary
- Location: Sherford New Town, Plymouth
- Duration: 6 weeks (Summer 2015)
- Scope: Installation of 380m living wall
- Scale: 26,000 plants, 10m high structure
- Sector: Housing Development
- Award: BALI National Landscape Award (2021)
Project Scale
The bank stretched 380 linear metres and reached 10 metres in height at its tallest point. It was built to a batter using a reinforced mesh system retained by steel cages – a structure designed for engineering, not horticulture.
Site Conditions
The wall was fully south-facing, meaning it received maximum sun exposure and was highly vulnerable to moisture loss. Works were carried out during a prolonged hot summer spell, compounding the challenge from the first day on site.
Planting Constraints
Every plant had to be installed through a 100mm gap cut in the mesh in a specific way to avoid compromising the structure’s integrity. Each individual planting pocket had compost, fertiliser and swell gel incorporated entirely by hand.
Access & Installation Challenges
The height of the bund meant all works were carried out from MEWPs – mobile elevating work platforms. The restricted space within each platform limited how many plants could be taken up per lift, requiring a methodical and repetitive approach throughout the six-week programme.
Technical Delivery
01
Soil & Water Retention
YGS specified and installed suitable topsoil volumes throughout the bank, then incorporated over 200kg of water retention granules – commonly known as swell gel. Delivered as fine granules, the product swells significantly when wet and acts as a water reservoir for plants for up to five years.
02
Bespoke Irrigation
A fully operational bespoke irrigation system was designed and installed before any planting began. This enabled controlled water management across the entire 380-metre bank and was critical to sustaining 26,000 plants through the unusually hot installation period.
03
The Planting Palette
The MDs of YGS Landscapes and Lavigne Lonsdale – drawing on over 100 combined years of plant knowledge – developed the planting palette together. It combined proven species with experimental selections, and was designed to give year-round interest while establishing well in testing conditions. A total of 26,000 plants were sourced and delivered in late July 2015.
04
The Installation
Three operatives worked from MEWPs over six weeks, methodically cutting the mesh, digging each planting pocket, incorporating compost, fertiliser and swell gel by hand, planting, back-filling and securing the mesh with cable ties. Works were completed ahead of schedule and considerably under budget.
Project Metrics
Linear metres of bank planted
Individual plants installed
Maximum height of the bund
weeks – three operatives, completed ahead of schedule
This uniquely spectacular project was embraced by the contractor, who refused to be daunted by its scale. The result of the dogged determination in challenging conditions is a stunning, lush and varied wall of green that visitors to Sherford can marvel at as they drive into the new town – it is certainly a unique landmark.
Project Team
The People
Behind the Wall
The project brought together a specialist team of designers, contractors and suppliers. Every organisation named below was publicly credited as part of the BALI award submission.
Client
Sherford Consortium c/o Brookbanks
Architect / Designer
Lavigne Lonsdale
Main Contractor
Groundfix
Maintenance Contractor
YGS Landscapes
Supplier – Irrigation
Access Irrigation
Supplier – Plants
Dingle Nurseries
Supplier – Green Infrastructure
Green Tech
Supplier – Hydroponics
Hydrotech
Supplier – Plants
Kernock Plants
About Sherford
Sherford: A Major Housing Development in Plymouth
Sherford is one of only a handful of government-backed major housing developments in the UK, with Homes England investing £32 million and construction beginning in 2015. Planned for 5,500 homes across 1,200 acres on the eastern fringe of Plymouth, it includes a 500-acre Country Park and a full range of community infrastructure.
Discuss Your Development
If you are planning an upcoming housing scheme and require a structured, dependable landscaping partner, our team would be pleased to discuss your programme.
Commercial landscaping & grounds maintenance across Devon & Cornwall
Telephone: 01752 337710
Free Lawn Care Guide Download
YGS Landscapes provides commercial landscaping, grounds maintenance, arboriculture and fencing services across Devon and Cornwall.| Established 1973
ISO 9001 · ISO 14001 · ISO 45001
YGS Landscapes Ltd, Elfordleigh Nursery, Larch Grove, Plymouth PL7 5EB
Email: info@ygslandscapes.co.uk
Socials:
