Mansfield Sustainable Flood Resilience Project

The Largest Flood Resilience Scheme in the UK

The Green Estate and Pictorial Meadows have been dedicated to delivering innovative urban nature-based solutions for over two decades. Through our ongoing collaboration with the University of Sheffield’s Department of Landscape Architecture, we have gained the expertise necessary to implement these solutions alongside a suite of products and services to support their widespread adoption.

A Pioneering Initiative

The Mansfield Sustainable Flood Resilience Project is one of our latest SuDs projects. This groundbreaking £76 million initiative aims to mitigate flood risks by incorporating a variety of nature-based solutions such as bioswales, detention basins, rain gardens and permeable pavements.

The project’s three primary objectives are:

Flood Risk Mitigation: Effectively manage surface water runoff to reduce flood risks for 90,000 residents. The plan will manage over 58 million litres of water, significantly alleviating flood risks and generating 390 local jobs.

Urban Biodiversity Enhancement: Increase biodiversity using methods like Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) while improving the aesthetic appeal of public spaces.

Creation of Multifunctional Green Spaces: Design areas that provide not only ecological but also recreational and educational benefits for the community.

An Integrated Approach

The success of this project lies in its integrated approach. As a leader in sustainable urban landscaping and nature-based solutions, we were able to provide a cohesive solution that covered everything from substrate development to planting and ongoing maintenance.

Substrate Development and Supply

We developed a specialist substrate for the SuDS features, crafted from locally-sourced, peat-free, reclaimed and recycled materials. This substrate is engineered to manage water infiltration and retention according to civil engineering standards, while providing optimal growing conditions for a range of ornamental and ecological plants.

Plant Supply

Over 30,000 P9 plants specifically designed for bioswales and rain gardens were specified, sourced and dispatched. Additionally, over 3,000,000 perennial plants are being supplied in peat-free, plastic-free meadow turf mats, enhancing biodiversity and ecological functionality.

Planting

Our horticultural teams are set to plant more than 25,000 square meters of specialist plants between October 2024 and March 2025. This extensive planting schedule will ensure the SuDS features thrive and provide long-term ecological benefits.

Maintenance

To ensure the ongoing success of the SuDS features, a three-year maintenance program following planting will be carried out. This will include irrigation, weed control, cutting, green biomass collection for composting, silt removal, and the replacement of any soil and plant losses. This maintenance phase is critical for establishing the project’s long-term resilience and effectiveness.

Early Results

Though the project is scheduled for completion in 2025, early results have been highly encouraging:

Flood Resilience: Over 20,000 SuDS features have already been installed, including rain gardens, bioswales and permeable paving. These systems successfully managed stormwater during recent storms, significantly reducing flood hotspots.

Environmental and Biodiversity Gains: The project has already improved urban biodiversity, enhanced public spaces and contributed to mitigating the urban heat island effect. It has also led to better air quality, reduced pollution and boosted community wellbeing.

Public Space Revitalisation: Key areas like Mansfield’s historic marketplace have been transformed with vibrant rain gardens that combine ecological function with aesthetic appeal. These revitalised spaces are now greener, more attractive and more enjoyable for residents.

If you’re interested in learning more about our integrated SuDS planting solutions, we offer a comprehensive package that includes substrate supply, plants, meadow turf and skilled labour.

With over 20 years of experience, The Green Estate and Pictorial Meadows continue to create sustainable, resilient urban spaces. Our mission is to integrate nature into urban planning, making cities more liveable and ecologically balanced.

‘Combining functionality with beauty, this project is a true testament to how green infrastructure can create resilient, attractive and ecologically-beneficial urban spaces.’ – Dan Cornwell, Director of Commercial Landscapes