**Nick Knowles Urges Integration of Gardens in UK’s Housebuilding Vision**
Television presenter Nick Knowles has passionately advocated for the necessity of gardens in new housing developments, highlighting their profound impact on individual and community wellbeing. Delivering a moving speech at the renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Knowles underscored the transformative role gardens play in helping people navigate trauma and grief – drawing on experiences ranging from the loss of loved ones to supporting wounded military veterans.
Best known for hosting the BBC’s “DIY SOS: The Big Build,” Knowles has long been involved in efforts to improve living conditions for those affected by adversity. The programme has revitalised homes and outdoor spaces for countless families, including bereaved parents and servicemen in need of care. These real-world experiences, Knowles explained, have provided him with compelling insight into how essential green spaces are for recovery and resilience.
Addressing attendees at one of the world’s most prestigious horticultural gatherings, Knowles reflected on the current momentum within the UK’s construction sector. With government plans aiming to deliver 1.5 million new homes, he described the situation as “a unique opportunity” to ensure that these new builds go beyond basic shelter. “Why not seize this moment,” he posed, “to create communities equipped with eco-friendly technologies and, crucially, gardens that nurture people and nature alike?”
The speech aligned closely with priorities set out by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), organiser of the annual Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The Society has called on builders and policymakers to guarantee that new developments include private gardens and shared green areas, highlighting extensive evidence of their benefits to both public health and biodiversity.
During his address, Knowles painted a vivid picture of what gardens can offer beyond aesthetics. “No app or digital device can replicate the restorative power of tending the earth,” he said. “Being in a garden encourages us to connect with what’s deeply human and timeless. Watching something grow—whether it’s a prize-winning rose or a patch of carrots—reminds us of patience, gentleness, and our place in the bigger scheme of things.”
He also referenced the mounting body of scientific research that supports the psychological and physical health benefits of gardens. The RHS has long argued that green spaces play a pivotal role in combating loneliness, fostering social ties, and supporting rehabilitation after trauma. “A garden does more than beautify—it can heal environments and the people within them,” Knowles claimed, echoing findings from mental health professionals and community leaders.
The presenter further remarked on the sense of community created by shared gardens, public parks and allotments, adding, “In a world that sometimes feels increasingly divided, these spaces give us common ground—literally and figuratively.” Knowles suggested that green spaces are important not only for private comfort but also for strengthening the fabric of neighbourhoods.
Turning to the practicalities of housebuilding, Knowles acknowledged that introducing gardens and sustainable technologies retroactively to older properties can be costly. However, he insisted that integrating them into large-scale new builds is more feasible and cost-effective, particularly when designing whole estates from scratch. He noted that developers have begun to recognise the appeal of such features, which often make homes more attractive to buyers in the long term.
Knowles’s remarks come at a critical time for the housing sector, as government officials, industries and campaigners debate how to meet housing targets without neglecting the well-being of future residents. With both the RHS and public figures like Knowles championing the integration of green space, there is growing momentum behind calls for more thoughtful, people-centred development. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether gardens will become an integral feature—or merely an afterthought—in the UK’s evolving neighbourhoods.