The Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme will create a new wetland habitat and reduce flood risk in the city by relieving pressure on the city’s watercourse and sewer network
The Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme aims to improve sustainability and biodiversity by providing a home for plants and animals.
New trails and walkways will be added to the park, allowing people to explore and enjoy the surroundings.
The Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme adds to the redevelopment of Manor Fields Park
The scheme is being built alongside 148 new homes at Harborough Rise, near Manor Park Avenue.
The Sheffield Housing Company (SHC) will complete works alongside the Council’s Parks and Flood Management teams.
They will collaborate with the Green Estate Community Interest Company, which manages the park. A specialist contractor will be appointed to handle the groundwork.
The site compound is scheduled for completion by August, and the main works will begin in September 2023.
“This is a really exciting project which will have far-reaching benefits – both environmentally and for local people and park users,” said Howard Young, project manager at SHC.
“Inevitably, there will be a period of minor disruption, but we have been working hard to communicate with all those who might be affected, and we will strive to keep this to a minimum,” he added.
Mitigating the risk of flooding in the area
The new sustainable urban drainage system includes a permanent shallow pond. The pond will hold small volumes of water, but during a storm, the water level will rise temporarily.
The water will then be slowly released back into the watercourse. This will alleviate pressure on drains and sewers by accommodating more run-off water from houses, roads, and pathways.
Upstream water storage above discharge points is not typical in new developments.
However, the Three Brooks Flood Project, which is part of the Sheffield Flood Risk Management Plan, believes upstream water storage is more effective in reducing flood risk.
“As well as delivering quality new housing, the Council’s joint venture Sheffield Housing Company is committed to delivering transformational regeneration initiatives across a number of areas within the city,” said Douglas Johnson, chair of the Sheffield City Council’s Housing Policy Committee.
“The new sustainable urban drainage system being built in Manor Fields Park is a fantastic scheme that will add to the diverse habitats within the park, reduce flood risk from run-off and help to offset the environmental impact from the much needed 148 new homes that are being built in the Manor and Manor Park neighbourhoods,” he concluded.
