The project aimed to:

• Create a welcoming and functional park entrance by introducing natural elements that enhance biodiversity and add aesthetic value for the local community and visitors.
• Deliver flood resilience through innovative SuDS by designing a drainage system that mitigates sudden water influxes, prevents localised flooding, and supports long-term water management.

The project focused on the design, construction, and planting of SuDS rain planters at the entrance and car park of Redlees Park. This included integrating sustainable drainage features into the existing landscape using a hybrid approach and ensuring the planting scheme was both resilient and beneficial to pollinators.

Meristem Design developed and installed a series of partially submerged hybrid SuDS planters that capture, store, and slowly release rainwater while supporting a carefully selected planting palette. The planters were sunk 200mm into the ground with Hydrorock at the base, enabling them to capture surface water, attenuate it, and make it available for plants to utilise. The planters were made with powder-coated steel and designed in a vibrant blue to stand out as a distinctive feature.

The Redlees Park Hybrid SuDS Planters represent an innovative approach to sustainable urban drainage. By combining both SuDS Planters and rain gardens, the project has delivered a resilient and multifunctional landscape feature that enhances the community’s connection to the park while reducing flooding.