A school in Oxford is reaping the benefits following the installation of a sustainable drainage system designed to prevent flooding, store rainwater, and create green space.
The planting system from Sudsplanter was installed at New Hinksey CE Primary in a project funded by the Department for Education’s contribution to the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme. Oxford City Council worked with Sudsplanter to install a system of 11 planters, each with specially selected plants and flowers which will be cared for by pupils.
Lorna Davis, Sudsplanter director, said, “It’s always rewarding to work in a school – but it’s extra special when you learn the SuDSPlanters have already proved their worth, reducing the severity of surface water within the playgrounds and making accessibility easier for teachers and pupils. And not just that – the new green space will help plants, bugs, bees and pupils flourish for many years to come.”
New Hinksey is in a river valley, which makes it susceptible to flooding from the River Thames and its tributaries. The area also experiences sewer flooding during periods of heavy rain when the drains become overwhelmed.
SuDSPlanter systems are designed to help prevent flooding on hard surfaces such as playgrounds, sports pitches, and car parks. They work by capturing rainwater runoff from roofs – redirected through a rerouted downpipe – and channeling it into the planters rather than directly into the drainage system.
