GROUNDWORKS 53 NEW TOWN PLANNING


Chris Adair of Marshalls, explores how developers can embed fl ood resilience into new housing schemes, especially as the UK prepares to deliver over a million homes, including a new generation of towns and communities.


T


he UK Government’s recent announcement of its plan to build up to 100 new towns, with at least 10,000 homes signals a bold new chapter for the housing sector. Renewed investment in affordable housing and the target of 1.5 million new homes across ngland over the net fi ve years further add to a construction pipeline for new build properties that is decidedly full of promise. Yet, as we build for growth and greater housing availability, we must also build for change. Climate change is no longer just a future ris but a present reality ccording to the et ffi ce, fi ve of the s ten wettest years since records began in 1836 have occurred in the 21st century The decade from  to  was also 9% wetter than the 1961-1990 average, with winter rainfall up by  looding is already one of the most costly and disruptive climate-related risks in the UK; therefore, as conditions worsen, fl ood resilience must be designed into these new homes and communities from the outset. The Government’s New Towns Taskforce recognises this, stating one of its goals as being to create environmentally resilient places that support the Government’s net zero agenda through sustainable design, nature enhancement, low-carbon infrastructure and responsible development, including fl ood ris mitigation


TURNING AMBITION INTO ACTION To deliver on this goal, it is imperative that new towns and communities are built with a holistic approach to water management, where sustainable drainage systems uD form a ey part of green infrastructure.


hile chedule  of the lood and


Water Management Act 2010, which would mandate uD in ngland, is still awaiting full implementation, its principles are already being used in practice chedule  focuses on managing water runoff in the most natural way possible, slowing down the release of water. This contrasts with more traditional drainage systems, which concentrate on removing surface water as uicly as possible.


IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT NEW TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES ARE BUILT WITH A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO WATER MANAGEMENT


n addition to reducing fl ood ris, uD can offer broader benefi ts for developments They can create more attractive, usable public spaces and support biodiversity, particularly relevant following the introduction of iodiversity et ain , which became mandatory for most developments in ngland in ebruary  s a result, uD features lie rain gardens, swales and tree pits are being used for both fl ood mitigation and biodiversity enhancements


DESIGNED FOR TODAY’S CHALLENGES Rain gardens, in particular, have increased in popularity amongst housing developers in recent years by using plants and soil to retain and slow the fl ow of rainwater from surrounding hard surfaces ne way to use the rain garden method is by combining it with a kerb, allowing water to fl ow through an inlet, be slowed down by a diffuser fl ag, and remain at the surface level to be absorbed by the soil This supports plant


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