In April 2026, British Recycled Plastic supported J Paxman Landscapes as Material Innovation Partner for Common Ground, an APL Feature Garden at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show. The garden ran at the show from 23–26 April before relocating permanently to Project Colt, a community initiative in Elland, where the recycled plastic Parklets used throughout the installation were donated.

From Trade Supply to Trusted Partner

The collaboration was built on an existing working relationship - J Paxman Landscapes had previously specified British Recycled Plastic for a local club project in Huddersfield, installing four Denholme picnic tables and a Skipton bench.

"They're the best recycled plastic furniture I've come across, solid, well made, and they look great... We've had nothing but good feedback from our regulars."

J Paxman Landscapes decided to specify the Parklet system for a high-profile commission, where the brief called for structures able to withstand public show conditions, then be dismantled, transported, and rebuilt at a second permanent site.

Material Performance and Specification

Common Ground was constructed using British Recycled Plastic's modular Parklet system, built around the company's Marsden Planter range. Several material properties were relevant to the specification:

  • Non-porous and rot-free - resistant to splitting and weathering in exposed public settings

  • Heat retention - the Parklets' black colouring helps warm surrounding soil, supporting plant growth across seasons

  • Long-term stability - the material does not break down, shed microplastics, or leach chemicals over its lifespan

  • Modularity - components can be reconfigured, disassembled, and relocated without loss of structural integrity

These properties supported a design brief that required the installation to function first as a temporary show garden, then as a permanent fixture at Project Colt.

Design and Community Input

The garden was designed as a compact, enclosed communal space intended to bring green infrastructure into urban settings.

Planting was curated by FDA Landscape, while artist Serena Rogers led a community art element centred on the theme of togetherness.

Local residents contributed hand-painted pebbles embedded into the garden's walls, extending the mural into a collaborative piece.

During the design phase, the project team used scaled miniature Parklet models to test seating and planter configurations before construction.

Project Team and Collaborators

Common Ground brought together a cross-sector project team, including:

  • Association of Professional Landscapers

  • British Recycled Plastic

  • FDA Landscape

  • J Paxman Landscapes

  • JTD Building Supplies, Holmfirth

  • Freddie McGuire, Woodturner

  • Project Colt

  • Serena Rogers

Outcome and Ongoing Use

Following the show, Common Ground was relocated to Project Colt's site at Bridgefield Mills, Elland, where it is now a permanent community garden supporting the organisation's work with local residents in recovery.

The relocation was made possible by the modular design of the Parklet system, which allowed the installation to be moved without compromising its structural or aesthetic integrity.