The Horticultural Trades Association and the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) have written a joint letter to Emma Hardy MP, the Flooding and Water Minister, calling on the government to improve the way water restrictions are implemented and communicated. They warn that the current approach is harming businesses responsible for delivering and maintaining the UK’s green infrastructure, which is needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The letter followed South East Water's introduction of a Temporary Use Ban after the recent spell of exceptionally hot weather. While the organisations recognise the need to conserve water during periods of shortage, they say the current approach risks undermining the very sector helping communities adapt to the UK’s extreme weather patterns.
Representing almost 3,800 businesses across the horticulture, landscaping, and garden sectors, the HTA and BALI are calling for a long-term water strategy developed in partnership with industry, alongside changes to the Drought Code of Practice to better reflect their members' needs.
Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association, said: "Environmental horticulture is part of the solution to many of the challenges our towns and cities face. As this summer's extreme temperatures have shown, we need more trees, gardens and green spaces to help cool urban areas, reduce flood risk and improve people's health and wellbeing. But creating and maintaining that green infrastructure depends on sensible, proportionate access to water.
"Our sector uses just 0.15% of the UK's total water supply, yet delivers enormous environmental, economic and social value. We fully support the need to conserve water during periods of shortage, but the language used results in a disproportionate impact on our industry, and current arrangements are creating unnecessary uncertainty for businesses and risk undermining the delivery of the very green infrastructure that Government wants to see.
“For two years running, the country has seen flooding in January followed by water restrictions just six months later. It is now imperative that the government develop a long-term water resilience strategy that focuses on storing and protecting water, while recognising the essential role environmental horticulture plays in building climate resilience. That includes ensuring Temporary Use Bans are communicated clearly and that the exemptions better reflect how plants are grown, sold and established."
The organisations highlight that the recent June heatwave saw pavements and playgrounds in London reaching temperatures of 57°C. In his Heat Ready London Plan, the Mayor of London identifies urban greening as a key part of helping the capital adapt to rising temperatures and improve air quality. Delivering those trees and plants, expanding green spaces and protecting private gardens, however, requires access to water to establish and maintain healthy planting.
While environmental horticulture relies on water, the gardens, landscapes and green infrastructure it creates can significantly reduce long-term demand through rainwater harvesting, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), drought-tolerant planting, permeable paving and efficient irrigation. The organisations say that messaging around water restrictions, often unhelpfully referred to as “hosepipe bans”, can have a direct and damaging impact on the sector, despite its role in helping communities become more resilient to climate change.
The organisations also raise concerns about the way Temporary Use Bans are communicated. Guidance issued following the latest restrictions created confusion over what activities were permitted, resulting in uncertainty for businesses and customers at a critical time of year.
The organisations also argue that current exemptions are too limited. While newly planted trees, hedging, saplings and whips can be watered under existing rules, perennials and shrubs, which are commonly planted during the summer months, are excluded, creating significant commercial impacts for growers, landscapers and retailers.
The HTA and BALI recognise the need to conserve water in times of shortage; however, the current position, which only allows landscapers to water newly planted gardens in advance of restrictions, effectively renders parts of the sector unable to operate during Temporary Use Bans. This is particularly concerning given that, in 2025, some restrictions, including those introduced by South East Water, lasted more than six months.
According to BALI’s Lay of the Land report, a quarter of members said water management is either challenging or very challenging for their businesses, with broader pressures from climate change and increasingly hot, dry weather patterns compounding operational difficulties. The organisations say this underlines the need for a clear, long-term and strategic approach to water management that supports both water resilience and the delivery of green infrastructure.
Wayne Grills, Chief Executive of the British Association of Landscape Industries, said:
"It’s becoming increasingly clear that extreme weather conditions are becoming more prevalent, from consistent high temperatures and drought, to flooding events. The environmental horticulture sector and wider landscaping industry play a vital role in delivering the green infrastructure needed to make our towns, cities and communities more resilient to climate change.
“While we fully support responsible water conservation, the current approach to Temporary Use Bans creates uncertainty and can prevent essential planting and establishment work from taking place, which supports long-term water management and climate adaptation.
“We need a more strategic, proportionate approach to water management with clear, consistent guidance that recognises the environmental, social, and economic value of professionally installed landscapes and provides practical exemptions that allow businesses to continue operating responsibly and with confidence.
“By working with Government and the water industry, we can protect water resources while continuing to create greener, healthier and more climate-resilient places for future generations."
In the letter, the organisations also request an early meeting with the Minister to discuss how Government and industry can work together to develop a more strategic approach to water resilience, particularly as further periods of hot weather and additional water restrictions are expected this summer.
