New developments must put SuDS at the forefront of schemes if they want planning approved
Receiving planning approval is a "yes" moment for
most practices. It can take a long time to prepare the application and even
longer to hear a response. Nevertheless, the joy of receiving a positive
response cannot be overstated.
At R-LA, we often get approached by developers who have been
rejected and need help. We understand their frustration as it is such an
expensive process in terms of time and cost.
In our experience, rejection can often be avoided if green
infrastructure has been thoughtfully included in the scheme.
One such success story is the Raven Road project. The design
team worked closely with the Redbridge council from the very beginning which
was crucial. The brief was to create new housing that would support the
community's infrastructure, encourage local businesses to thrive and create a
place in which people are proud to live, work and visit.
Thankfully, sustainable drainage features heavily within the Redbridge London Plan (2015-2030), so the council were only too happy to see nature-based sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) incorporated into the
proposal. The planning officer has experienced the impact of surface run-off first-hand
but also recognised the benefits of improved water quality and enhanced
biodiversity.
The
Raven Road
scheme
includes an intensive green roof, with a deep substrate (230mm) which allows
for the growth of a variety of nectar rich perennials and tall grasses
providing year round interest but also allowing a greater volume of water to be
attenuated.
The top roofs are described as extensive green roofs (100-150mm substrate) which means they can be seeded with native species and
offer a precious undisturbed habitat for invertebrates and the rare black
redstart whilst also contributing to the stormwater attenuation.
The use of street trees in the scheme sees the tree canopy rise by
more than 10%, and again, by using SuDS tree pits, stormwater is filtered and
attenuated. The green wall faces the wall of the offices and provides further
habitat and will develop into a complex vertical structure.
This new scheme on Raven Road , coupled with Crossrail’s arrival, secures Redbridge’s future as an attractive, well-connected part of London. To read more about Raven Road click here. If you are interested in how R-LA can help with planning applications that will meet London’s Urban Greening Factor and ensure at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain, send us an email
