Wellhouse Housing Estate SuDS Implementation

Project Details

Sector: Community
Location: Scotland
Client: Scottish Water
Date: March 2021

Situation

The Wellhouse housing estate faced significant flood risk at the bottom of the site due to surface water runoff from tenement buildings and a community centre.

Scottish Water aimed to implement SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) across the entire community to reduce flooding risk.

Task

Develop and install SuDS features throughout the housing estate to manage stormwater runoff effectively.

Engage with residents to gain their support for the project, ensuring successful integration of retrofitted SuDS solutions.

Demonstrate the viability of SuDS through a phased approach, beginning with the community centre and select residential properties.

Action

Community Engagement

A drop-in session was held in partnership with Scottish Water to discuss SuDS proposals with residents and secure community buy-in for the project.

Stage 1 – Community Centre Implementation

• Installed SuDSPlanters® at the community centre to demonstrate the proposed interventions.
• Incorporated a splitter system to handle the larger roof area by storing greater water attenuation volumes across multiple planters.
• Designed planters with low-maintenance, visually appealing plants and included a seating area to enhance usability for community centre visitors.

Stage 2 – Residential Trials

• Installed two SuDSPlanters® at residential properties to trial the system in a housing context.
• Incorporated seating into the planter design for tenants to enjoy their outdoor space.
  Selected plants prioritised for low maintenance and aesthetic value.

Ongoing Development

Continued rollout of SuDS features across the housing estate, including additional SuDSPlanter® units and other stormwater management systems.

Result

• Flood Risk Reduction: Early installations demonstrated effective management of stormwater runoff, reducing flood risks at the bottom of the estate.
• Community Engagement Success: The drop-in session fostered resident buy-in and understanding of SuDS benefits, ensuring smoother project progression.
• Enhanced Amenities: Planters at the community centre provided seating and an aesthetic improvement, making the space more welcoming.
• Scalable Impact: Residential trials validated the system’s feasibility, paving the way for broader SuDS adoption across the estate.

Summary

The Wellhouse project exemplifies the potential of retrofitted SuDS to address urban flooding challenges. By engaging the community and demonstrating success through phased implementation, Scottish Water and SuDSPlanter Ltd laid the groundwork for a sustainable, flood-resilient housing estate. The project remains ongoing, with further installations planned to expand its environmental and community benefits.

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