Stanthorpe Close Estate
The scheme is part of the ‘Soak Up Lambeth’ programme which aims to reduce flood risk to the Boroughs residents and businesses. It is recognised that Stanthorpe Close is mostly covered by roofs and hard paving. This creates a lot of water when it rains, but also makes the surrounding area hotter during the summer. The proposed work looks to address this while also creating:
- Improved outdoor spaces to relax in and enjoy
- Opportunities for outdoor play
- New habitat for wildlife
- Cooling surrounding areas during heat waves
- Promoting good physical and mental health of residents
The rain gardens would be planted and will receive surface water run-off from the surrounding hard surfaces. These areas will be designed as ‘damp gardens’, but when it rains they will not have standing water on the surface.
Phases
The proposals
SuDS are best located where water already flows to and drains when it rains, however buried cables and pipes can make it difficult to dig the ground to create them. From information we have of the area there are three potential locations for SuDs rain gardens to be located as follows:
Rain gardens A and B: Within the central courtyard.
Rain garden C: Within the parking area adjacent to Stanthorpe Road. This would result in the loss of five parking spaces.
The potential locations of these rain gardens are shown on the site aerial view. To illustrate how these proposals would look, an artists illustration is provided for each location below, along with an existing photograph.