Green vision of the city's rooftops

The report identified 61 hectares of roofs in central Brighton in nine square kilometres between East Brighton and the West Pier which can play host to a series of rooftop gardens.

Environmental experts hope city planners will recognise the innovation and consider it as a way to bolster Brighton’s green credentials. The findings from The Ecology Consultancy say greening up Brighton and Hove’s rooftops with living plants could have major benefits for the people’s quality of life.

The roof greenery would help bring natural biodiversity of the South Downs into the city centre and could absorb up to 244,000 square metres of rainwater which could help tackle flooding during heavy downpours.

The report also boasts having a grassy roof could help moderate temperatures inside buildings, reduce energy costs, and “improve workplace wellbeing”. The Velo Cafe at The Level is one of the city’s buildings which already has a grass covered roof. Local environmental expert Lee Evans from Organic Roofs contributed to the report findings.

He said: “Reducing our urban Heat Island impact will make the whole city a more attractive place for tourists and employers and lifestyle entrepreneurs.

“Imagine living comfortably and working safely with all your modern facilities in the middle of meadowlands.

“City energy costs would fall and our Happiness Index would rise.”

Organic roofs are also supported by the University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform.

Clive Bonny, innovation consultant at the platform, said: “EU laws are now being passed approving green roof platforms to improve community quality of life. Brighton has worked hard to be awarded as a UNESCO biosphere site.

“We now have a real opportunity to be leading in this new field.

“Let’s hope the planners and architects recognise this innovation can take root here.”

For more information about Organic Roofs click this link.