David Wassell MBE - Chief Landscape Architect for ‘Telford the Forest City’ - remembered by Alan Simson and the Landscape Team
Alan Simson, Emeritus Professor of Landscape Architecture + Urban Forestry at Leeds Beckett University, worked with David Wassell at Telford for over ten years delivering the Urban Forestry Programme, he got to know David well.
David Wassell
September 1940- 5 April 2024
It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of David George Wassell on 05th April 2024 at the age of 83. David was the Chief Landscape Architect for Telford Development Corporation from 1969 until the Development Corporation closed down in 1991. He was the charismatic Leader of the Landscape Department that was responsible for the planning, design, implementation and prospective management of the green/blue infrastructure of the New Town. He very much encouraged his staff to engage in trans-disciplinary working and was responsible for setting many of his staff on their path to achieving their future creative, professional careers.
Landscape Structure Plan for Telford Development Corporation (TDC)
As with other New Towns of this era, TDC had a strong commitment to providing an environment of high visual and ecological quality, believing that a quality environment was good for people, good for nature and therefore good for business. Fundamental to the success of Telford was the design and implementation the Landscape Structure Plan, which was first launched in 1971 and subsequently updated every 5 years. David ensured that the Structure Plan built upon the strengths of the existing topography and landscape as far as possible, thus ensuring that the new built form of the town remained subservient to the dominant topographical and wooded character of the landscape, so that it would eventually appear as a settlement in a landscape rather than take on the more conventional character of a settlement imposed on a landscape.
Some 7 million trees of 138 different species were established and thus the concept of “Telford – the Forest City” was born, which David described as “a townscape dominated by a hierarchy of amenity green space, defined and delineated by a comprehensive tree and woodland structure”.
Malinslee housing area, just after completion of building works
Malinslee housing area, with established planting TDC
David was also a talented garden designer and led the Teams that designed and built three gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show, culminating in being awarded a Silver medal, a Silver-Gilt metal and ultimately a Gold medal. The gardens were rebuilt in the Town Park.
Lord Northfield, who was Chair of the Development Corporation until 1987, praised the work of David and his Team when he said that “The years of landscaping by the Best Team in Britain really hit us. The environment changed dramatically to a green and open place which people were proud of and anxious to preserve. We stuck to our plans for large areas of green open space and in the process showed how public and private housing could live together in a fine setting”.
Telford Town Park, all the trees were planted by TDC
The creative impact of David’s work in Telford was recognised by him being awarded an MBE in 1991. Telford was also the first town in the UK to be awarded Forest Stewardship Council certification and provided one of the case studies for the EU’s COST Action E12 Urban Forests and Trees, the first COST Action that established urban forestry in Europe. Telford Town Park was granted a Green Flag Award in 2015 for being one of the best parks in the UK, and this was taken even further when Telford gained the status of a UN World City of Trees in 2023.
‘Wings’ two gateway stainless steel sculptures by Julie Edwards and Ron Thompson, Planet Art, Southwater Way, Telford, Shropshire; the design was developed with five local schools, FE colleges, Telford Library and others.
The impact of David’s work at Telford will be remembered forever, and it has already positively influenced generations of people who have lived and grown up in the town. Thanks for all that you did for Telford David – you will be remembered forever.
Tree planting at Coalbrookdale. Although over 130 different tree species wee planted, they were set out in large groups of single species and make a more coherent impact