11th August 2026: ZOOM EVENT

MORNING 10.00 am – 12.30 pm (including a break)

‘REFLECTIONS’ PROJECT TALK

‘Reflections’ in Haywards Heath was a two-year landscape build that combined every technical, environmental and regulatory challenge a modern garden can present.

Set around a large wildlife-rich lake, home to carp, roach, goldfish, moorhens, kingfishers, herons and owls, the project demanded a finely balanced approach to design, construction and ecological sensitivity. Heavy clay and ironstone soils, persistent waterlogging, steep level changes and extreme weather conditions made it one of the most demanding builds of Paul’s career.

The talk uses this project as a full case study, exploring how drainage, SuDS principles, soil behaviour, moisture movement and correct detailing underpin long-term landscape performance. It reviews the integration of deck structures, Corten steel, naturalistic zones, conduits, irrigation, sub-surface drainage networks and the reuse of on-site materials to minimise waste and improve sustainability.

More importantly, it shows how early-stage decisions, from surveys to preliminaries, cascade through the build, how CDM 2015 should function in real domestic landscaping, and why clear documentation and contract structure are essential when projects evolve.

It also reflects honestly on the realities of challenging access, weather delays, lost labour, design changes, extras, and the true cost impact of “small” client-led variations.

Together, Reflections becomes a rare, unfiltered insight into the complete lifecycle of a technically complex garden: from concept to construction; from regulation to craftsmanship; from wildlife and water management to the practical pressures faced on site.

Paul Greenyer

With more than two decades in the landscape industry, Paul Greenyer is a design-and-build landscaper, garden consultant and RICS-accredited Expert Witness specialising in construction detailing, drainage, SuDS compliance and industry best practice. His career spans award-winning gardens, major private commissions and complex technical builds that demand an integrated understanding of soils, water movement, materials, regulation and long-term landscape performance.

Paul leads InsideOut Home & Garden Improvements Ltd and Paul Greenyer Consultancy Ltd, providing design, construction, mediation and CPR Part 35 expert witness services across the UK. His work is grounded in British Standards, CDM 2015 and robust construction methodology, supported by a strong commitment to education and professional development.

He lectures for the London College of Garden Design and delivers specialist CPD sessions for designers, landscapers and contractors. Drawing on extensive experience across hundreds of projects, including high-value schemes, multi-year builds and technically challenging sites.

Paul brings a practical, evidence-based approach to landscape design, construction and dispute resolution.

Members; no charge.

Non-members, please book tickets below.