SoilsCon 2026

SoilsCon 2026 – 7th landscape industry soils CPD conference for landscape architects, landscape contractors and designers, ecologists, local authorities, soil suppliers and other industry professionals.

“Excellent day; very informative presentations, and accessible to a range of attendees and backgrounds”

“Another fantastic day of presentations, good range of talks, variety and good length. Excellent facilities and refreshments”

“I found the day to be very informative – fantastic eclectic group of talks and topics”

“I really enjoyed the day, the venue, the presentation lengths, the information pack, and have learnt more than I imagined”

“Excellent conference, brilliant variety of talks”

“Wasn’t sure what to expect but very informative and thoroughly fascinating!”

“The conference met all my expectations. Very helpful and well organised. Thank you”

Organised by leading soil science and landscape engineering consultants Tim O’Hare Associates LLP, the conference will focus on practical approaches and solutions to the key soil issues and challenges faced by landscape architects, landscape contractors and designers, housing developers, local authorities, soil suppliers, ecologists, and other industry professionals.

The speakers and topics this year are:

Ellen Faye, co-Founder and co-Executive Director of Sustainable Soils Alliance

Closing the Soil Policy Gap Between Farming and the Built Environment

The UK has no dedicated regulatory framework for soil health, agricultural or otherwise; soil is managed through rules designed for other purposes. At the same time, the new Land Use Framework, the freshly released LandIS data, and the updated Predictive Agricultural Land Classification map are creating a rare moment of alignment - one that will shape site selection, land-use trade-offs, and how "best and most versatile" land is defined for development. Yet there is still no shared standard for what "healthy soil" means across agricultural, urban and construction contexts, leaving BNG, nature markets and planning decisions without a common baseline.

This talk will unpack what the Land Use Framework means in practice for planners, developers and landscape architects, where the current standards gap is creating risk and inconsistency, and where SSA sees the built environment sector as essential - and currently underrepresented - in shaping the soil standards now being developed.

Gill Shaw, Senior Soil Scientist, Tim O’Hare Associates

Predictive ALC map: friend or foe?

The NPPF requires LPAs to consider the economic and other benefits of BMV (Grades 1, 2 and 3a) agricultural land, and to try to use areas of poorer quality land instead of higher quality land to protect and enhance soil ability to deliver ecosystem services. Until recently the Provisional ALC map was the only national map, but at a scale not suitable for individual sites; nor crucially did it show Subgrade 3a. Defra recently published a new Predictive ALC map which does, so does this mean no more field surveys are required to support planning applications?

Tim White, Senior Associate, Tim O’Hare Associates

Best practice soil management on Greenfield Sites

Tim will explore the various soil-related factors that contribute to the success or failure of re-using Greenfield soils for landscape construction. This will include looking at problematic soil characteristics, potential variability, the issue of surplus topsoil, programme considerations, and the damage caused by intensive soil handling. Tim will also look at how problems can be prevented or mitigated, the process by which soil management should be factored into at each stage of the project, and the relationship to the Society for the Environment - Soil Management Hierarchy for Development Sites. Key messages will be illustrated by Case Studies.

Tim O’Hare, Partner & Principal Consultant, Tim O’Hare Associates and James Lord, Partner, HTA Design

Designing and implementing a “Circular Economy Soil Strategy” for a prestigious, new urban landscape scheme

The principles of a circular economy focusing on eliminating waste, keeping existing materials in use, and regenerating natural systems were applied from the outset to the creation of the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regents Park, London. In this presentation,

James Lord will initially talk through the wider design inspiration and challenges that turned a derelict, disused 2 acre former plant nursery into a new, climate resilient, biodiverse garden. Tim O’Hare will then talk through the approach and various steps taken to develop a soil strategy that would ultimately be dominated by the re-use of concrete, overburden sands, recycled greenwaste and discarded soils.

Chris Bridgman, Chair of the Green Roof Organisation (UK Trade Body) and Vice President of the European Federation of Green Roof and Wall Associations

Life on Rooftops

Chris will talk about bringing rooftops to life in UK towns and cities for people and nature. He will explore trends in greening rooftops on new and existing buildings and focus on climate adaptation for sustainable living roofs.

Kevin Barton, Director, Robert Bray Associates

More than a substrate: Biomimetic approaches to soils in SuDS

SuDS can ruin landscapes or enhance them, lead to drought failure or resilience - and one of the biggest issues relates to soil specification. With the relatively new functionality of water management being demanded of our designed landscapes through the application of SuDS, it’s easy for soil specification to be dominated by engineering requirements with little or no regard for plant health or resilience. Similarly, substrates, structures and feature arrangements resulting from technical drainage requirements can lead to severely compromised and unnatural conditions for plants and trees.

Kevin will explore how his practice is inspired by nature and is challenging conventional thinking in SuDS, instead treating topsoil as an ecosystem integrated into a 'Critical Zone’ and extending the water story of the landscape below the bits we build.

Gareth Phillips, Senior Agronomist, Tim O’Hare Associates

Amenity Turfgrass and Soil Health: The Good, the Bad and the Science behind Sustainable Lawn Management

This presentation explores the relationship between soil health and amenity turfgrass, showing how healthy soils support resilient, sustainable turf that delivers environmental, social, and recreational benefits. It examines key soil properties, turf establishment and maintenance practices, common management issues such as overwatering, excessive fertiliser use, soil compaction, and poor mowing, and outlines sustainable approaches including smart irrigation, precision fertilisation, organic amendments, and integrated pest management. The presentation concludes by addressing future challenges, including climate change, water restrictions, and soil degradation, emphasising that sustainable soil and turf management is essential for protecting resources while maintaining high-quality amenity landscapes.

Alistair Bayford, Managing Director, Frosts Landscapes

Ground Truth: Why Soil Still Determines Landscape Success

We spend enormous effort selecting the right plants, refining specifications, and developing ambitious landscape schemes. Yet too often, the very foundation of those landscapes, and the relationship between soil and vegetation on which they depend, is overlooked. Drawing on more than 25 years of delivering complex public realm, rooftop and urban landscape projects, this session explores why soil remains one of the greatest determinants of long-term landscape success. It argues that 'right plant, right soil' should be considered just as fundamental as 'right plant, right place'.

From urban tree establishment and podium landscapes to the unnecessary removal, importation and replacement of soils, the presentation examines the practical realities of construction and the opportunities to adopt a more circular approach to one of our most valuable natural resources. Through real project examples, it challenges conventional thinking about how soil is specified, handled, and valued, demonstrating how better decisions during design and construction can improve establishment, reduce carbon, minimise waste and deliver landscapes that thrive for decades rather than simply survive the defects period.

The popular Soil Surgery, open to delegates who may have specific soil questions, will take place during the day’s networking periods. Members of the Tim O’Hare Associates team will be on hand to provide guidance and advice.

Other Details

Spaces limited to 150 so book early to avoid disappointment

Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day

Travel links to Phyllis Court, either by road (M40, M4) or rail, are excellent, with collection from Henley railway station available on the day.

For further information email [email protected] or call 01491 822653