Flitch Green | Essex
From derelict land to a new landscaped, residential neighbourhood
An important part of our work in producing the landscape proposals for this residential development was in Water Sensitive Urban Design, in the attenuation, management and enhancement of existing waterways, creation of new water bodies and careful consideration of the floodplain.
Natural watercourses and the substantial new attenuation pools, which accommodate rainwater run-off from the housing scheme, are a key part of the site’s landscape character.
Novell Tullett was part of the team brought in by British Sugar to deal with the remediation of the site, bringing it from derelict land, filled with contaminated material to a new landscaped, residential district. The practice provided the overall landscape strategy, integrating green infrastructure with specific proposals for the lakes. These included the clay puddling of the attenuation ponds in order to retain standing water, enabling the introduction of aquatic and marginal planting, creating improved opportunities for wildlife and enhancing ecological value.
Proposals to enhance the existing riparian Local Nature Reserve which the Stebbing Brook travels through, included the introduction of scrapes, or shallow seasonal ponds.
Careful consideration of the River Chelmer was needed to allow necessary construction traffic to cross this existing watercourse with the minimum of disruption to the riparian habitat.
Key features
- Flood resilience
- Enhancing ecological value
- Great place to live
