SuDS in London - a guide

Actions and results
• Green roofs were installed to increase
attenuation storage capacity where it
has not been possible to disconnect
downpipes that run internally. The
green roofs were installed on bin stores
and pram sheds; these are visible
at ground level and from above
• A bioretention basin was built to
attenuate rainwater. This flow comes
from surrounding impermeable surfaces
and from the roof of an adjacent building
• Permeable paving has increased the
volume and rate of infiltration into
the subsurface, helping to maintain
the effectiveness of bioretention
and detention basins by limiting
the water flowing to them
• Run off from 900m² of impermeable
surface has been conveyed into a SuDS
• A community growing area of
32m² has been created
Lessons learned
• Engaging residents in the development
of proposals ensured a detailed
understanding of how the streetscape
functioned, thereby maximising
the reach of project benefits
• Despite CAT and radar scans, some
below ground services were not
identified and required designs to
be revised to accommodate them
Paving strip
Benefits
• The works were delivered at the
same cost as conventional landscape
improvement when compared to
other housing estate works
• Landscape has been transformed
into multi-functional space
• 142m² of green roof has been
installed, improving biodiversity
Bioretention basin outside homes
96 5 Case studies