Greening the High Street: Biodiverse Parklets for Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan
Client
Vale of Glamorgan Council
Location
Sectors
Products & Services
Project overview
As part of a placemaking initiative in the Vale of Glamorgan, six innovative on-street parklets were installed in Penarth, South Wales. These parklets bring greenery, shelter, and social value to the local high street, offering residents and visitors an inviting and biodiverse public realm. Each unit features a sedum green roof, toughened glass sides, and timber decking, creating weather-protected, multifunctional outdoor seating.
Goal
To revitalise high street public space with attractive, weather-resilient parklets that encourage outdoor socialising, increase biodiversity, and support local businesses both during the day and into the evening.
Scope
-
Design, build, and installation of 6 custom parklets on Penarth’s high street
-
Integration of green roof technology and bespoke drainage
-
Provision for evening activation through lighting supplied by adjacent businesses
-
Collaboration with local authority and high street stakeholders
Solutions
We implemented a flexible, multifunctional and modular design combining innovative green infrastructure and high street usability.
Sedum Roof Canopies
Green roofs reduce runoff, attract wildlife, and offer visual appeal from surrounding buildings.
Toughened Glass Sides
Provide partial enclosure for comfort while maintaining openness and visibility.
Planter-Linked Drainage
Roof runoff is directed into integrated planters, supporting healthy planting and reducing waste.
Future Lighting Options
Infrastructure in place for evening lighting powered from adjacent businesses via overhead cables.
Impact
This unique feature of the Parklets not only provides rain protection, but the sedum green roof also provides an excellent home for biodiversity, attracting pollinating insects and wildlife.
Rainwater Resilience
Green roofs absorb up to 80% of rainfall from a typical shower, easing pressure on drainage networks
Urban Biodiversity
Sedum roofs and integrated planters offer habitat and forage for pollinators and other wildlife
Attractive Public Realm
Parklets double as mini gardens when viewed from above, improving visual appeal of the high street
Support for Local Business
Sheltered, illuminated seating encourages longer dwell times and supports alfresco dining and evening trade
View gallery
Featured products, landscapes & services
Green Roofs
Green roofs, also known as living roofs, bring nature to the rooftops of our cities. They offer an effective and beautiful way to manage rainfall, save energy, boost biodiversity and improve air quality.
Custom Planters
Combining functionality with a style that fits any aesthetic, each planter is crafted with care to suit your location and enhance the space. Helping to add greenery to both indoor and outdoor areas, planters create welcoming spaces that benefit people, businesses and the environment.
Parklets
Parklets help transform our streets from car dominated environments to community hubs. Providing space for people to sit and relax, parklets boost biodiversity, support businesses and encourages active travel.
Maintenance
We offer a full range of maintenance services to keep your green space looking healthy and vibrant. Tailored to the unique needs of your project, our horticultural team will provide specialised plant care and maintenance from a one-off basis to a customised schedule.
Design
We specialise in designing beautiful, sustainable urban greening solutions and products that bring nature into public, commercial and residential spaces. From concept to final design, we work closely with clients to ensure that every element is crafted to meet their unique needs, aesthetic preferences, and sustainability goals.
Fabrication
We provide high-quality, in-house fabrication services tailored to the needs of urban greening projects. Composed of skilled welders and carpenters, our fabrication team brings each project from concept to completion using precision and exceptional craftsmanship.
Get in touch
If you like what you've seen in our case study and want to learn more about how this could work in your setting, please get in touch.
"*" indicates required fields