Fine Landscaping delivers School Grounds in Downham that are safe, inspiring and built to last. From adventure play to quiet zones and wildlife gardens, we design spaces children love and staff can manage with ease.
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Downham schools and nurseries need outdoor spaces that work hard all year, from wet winter playtimes to summer sports days. We create robust, engaging grounds near local hubs such as Downham Fields and Bonus Pastor Catholic College. Our team designs and builds everything from playground layouts to outdoor classrooms and growing areas. Every element is planned around safeguarding, supervision lines and long-term maintenance.
The Downham area is known for established residential estates and excellent community facilities, with a mix of 1920s cottage estates, 1930s semis and post-war housing across BR1. That variety often mirrors local education sites too—some with tight access, others with large open pitches. We’re used to working around existing buildings, boundaries and mature trees. Designs are tailored to each setting, whether you’re close to Grove Park, Bellingham or Catford.
We start with a site visit, risk-led design and clear phasing to keep your site operational. You’ll receive a detailed scope, materials schedule and programme, plus options to match budget and curriculum goals. Our installations prioritise compliant safe surfacing, drainage and durable edging so areas stay usable. Local clients choose us for tidy working practices, transparent communication and consistent aftercare.
Across the London Borough of Lewisham, we often find mixed ground conditions and areas that hold water after heavy rain, so drainage and sub-bases are specified carefully. Access can be restricted on residential streets around BR1, so we plan deliveries, parking and safeguarding routes in advance. We also factor in term-time working, noise limits and secure storage. The result is a smoother build with fewer disruptions to pupils, staff and neighbours.
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Costs vary by size, surfacing type and the amount of groundworks required. As a guide, small upgrades (e.g. a quiet zone, planters and minor surfacing) often start from £5,000–£15,000. Mid-sized schemes with safe surfacing and play features commonly fall around £20,000–£60,000. Larger full-ground redevelopments with sports surfaces, drainage and multiple zones can be £80,000–£200,000+.
Timescales depend on scope, access and weather. A small surfacing or planting package may take 1–2 weeks. A typical mixed project—playground design, safe surfacing, and a wildlife or growing area—often takes 3–6 weeks. Larger schemes with sports surfaces, drainage and multiple zones can take 6–12+ weeks. We can phase work around term dates and prioritise safe routes to keep the site functioning.
Many school grounds improvements are permitted, especially like-for-like surfacing, planting and low-level play features, but it depends on the site, boundaries and any restrictions. Planning may be needed for larger structures, lighting, fencing changes, or works affecting trees. We’ll review your proposals, check constraints and advise on any applications or approvals required. Where needed, we can support drawings and information for the council process.
We provide a 10-year warranty on workmanship for installed hard landscaping elements, giving reassurance that key construction details are built correctly. This covers issues such as failed fixings, edging movement or installation defects, subject to normal use and maintenance. Manufacturer warranties also apply to many products, including certain surfacing systems and play components. We’ll explain what’s covered for each element and provide maintenance guidance to protect performance.
We offer a wide range of options to suit safeguarding, learning goals and budgets. Popular choices include wetpour or rubber mulch for safe surfacing, artificial grass for multi-use areas, resin-bound paths, timber or recycled plastic edging, and robust planters for growing areas. For learning and wellbeing, we design outdoor classrooms, wildlife gardens and quiet zones. We guide you through samples, drainage needs and maintenance levels to choose the best mix.
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