SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System) is a critical cog in any development’s ability to address environmental impacts and the climate emergency. The primary benefit of SuDS systems is to control and manage peak surface water run-off rates to receiving watercourses or sewers, which reduces flood risk and improves water quality. SuDS, along with urban greening, also reduces ambient temperatures compared to fully hard landscaped areas. This improves comfort and contributes to climate change mitigation. The new biodiversity introduced via SuDS, such as rain gardens and biodiverse tree pits in our project at Fourfields, allows new soil and plant bases to establish. This diversity gives helps insect pollinators, providing climate change resilience and contributing to the amenity and social value of the site.
Working closely with Refolo Landscape Architects and the rest of the design team, our civil engineers led by associate Mark Gordon are designing the SuDS strategy for the housing development scheme Fourfields, Cheshunt which will ultimately deliver 15 new homes in Herfordshire for Herts Living.
We are pleased to share that this Low Carbon Landscape-led Masterplan has recently received a CIRIA SusDrain Award in the category ‘Early Housing schemes, not yet completed but with a firm commitment to deliver and maintain high quality SuDS’. CIRIA awards celebrate excellence and good practices in SuDs across the UK.
Enjoy Refolo Landscape Architects’s video submission and find out more about how nature-based SuDS solutions have been incorporated in the design.
