Creating Safer, Greener Environments in Local Authorities & Public Spaces

Tired of outdoor spaces that turn into dumping grounds or no-go areas?

We’ve all seen them – the playgrounds where parents won’t let their kids play, the housing estate green spaces that nobody uses, the school grounds that look more like wasteland than somewhere children should learn.

At Land Structure, we’ve spent over 40 years creating public spaces that communities actually want to use. From primary school playgrounds to housing estate parks, we know how to design landscaping that stays safe, looks good, and doesn’t cost a fortune to maintain.

Plants get trampled, benches get damaged, and areas become magnets for antisocial behaviour.

You need something that looks good but won’t need constant attention or expensive upkeep.

Overgrown areas create blind spots. Poor lighting makes spaces feel unsafe. Playground areas need clear sightlines for supervision.

Public spaces take a hammering from heavy use, all weather conditions, and sometimes deliberate damage.

We avoid creating hidden corners or dense planting near play areas. Parents need to see their kids, and people need to feel safe walking through.

We choose hardy, native species that can handle foot traffic and recover quickly from damage. No delicate flowers that need babying.

Strategic planting can guide foot traffic away from sensitive areas without looking like you’re trying to fence everything off.

Our designs always consider how grounds teams will actually maintain the space. If it’s hard to mow around or prune, it won’t stay looking good.

A local drainage housing association contacted us about a central green space that had become a dumping ground. Residents avoided it, kids couldn’t play safely, and it was costing them money in constant clean-ups.

The Problem: Overgrown shrubs created blind spots, poor made it muddy and unusable, and there was nowhere for families to actually sit and relax.

What We Did:

The Result: The space is now used daily by families. Antisocial behaviour stopped because there’s regular foot traffic. The housing association’s maintenance costs dropped by 60% because the new planting actually looks after itself.

When outdoor areas feel safe and welcoming, communities take ownership and look after them.

Proper design and plant choice means less maintenance, fewer repairs, and longer-lasting results.

Well-maintained public spaces reflect well on schools, councils, and housing associations. It shows you care about the community.

Kids have somewhere safe to play. Adults have green space to relax. The whole area feels more pleasant to live in.

Every public space is different. What works for a primary school playground won’t work for a housing estate or community centre.

Before we design anything, we need to understand:

Need public landscaping that communities will actually use and respect? We’ll assess your space and show you what’s possible within your budget.