Page 117 - Newham SuDS DESIGN & EVALUATION GUIDE

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Detailed Design 9.9 Biodiversity Biodiversity must be considered at the larger 9.9.3 Key design criteria for biodiversity in the developed landscape Detailed Design

9.9.1 Principles of design for biodiversity
9.9.3.1 Clean water

Clean water is critical as soon as possible for
Connectivity is inherent in the management
Geology and climate are fundamental
train principle but must be considered
catchment scale to create a sympathetic
all open water features in the landscape.
influences on the natural character of the
green / blue infrastructure and also at a local
Clean water is delivered using initial pollution
carefully where one feature links to the next.
landscape and determine the basic habitat
prevention measures to prevent
scale to provide habitat and connectivity
Surface conveyance and overflow routes,
types likely to evolve over time.
Local topography, aspect, soils, landscape
features and further site controls along the
inspection chambers, is helpful in retaining
design and habitat management all affect
management train.
wildlife links.
A biodiversity micro-pool set within a meadow
biodiversity in a developed landscape and linkages within and around development. contaminants reaching water, source control with a minimum use of pipework and
raingarden at St Peters School Gloucester,
can be influenced by SuDS design. Wildflower meadow raingarden. There should be a direct connection between
the SuDS landscape and the blue/green
9.9.3.2 Structural diversity
infrastructure that receives the ‘controlled
Structural diversity both horizontally and flow of clean water’ from the development.
vertically within water features, the landscape
and in vegetation generally provides habitat
variety for wildlife. Structural diversity is 9.9.3.4 Prevent pollution to habitat
inherent in many SuDS features particularly
Permanent vegetation should cover all soil
swales, basins, wetlands and ponds that can
surfaces to prevent silt runoff and planting
easily be enhanced for habitat creation.
should be designed to avoid the use of
Ornamental planting should mimic natural fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides.
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vegetation by developing a complex vertical
structure of trees, shrubs and herbaceous

cover. 9.9.3.5 Maintenance for wildlife
9.9.2 Biodiversity at development scale Sympathetic maintenance enhances

biodiversity but should be compatible with
There is usually a host landscape that habitat wherever this is possible but careful 9.9.3.3 Connectivity
provides an enclosing envelope to the SuDS design can still enhance wildlife value in the aspirations of the local community to
Connectivity between wetland habitat areas ensure acceptance of a more natural
‘management train’. This term describes the ornamental planting by following specific
both within and outside the site encourages landscape character.
landscape not directly affected by SuDS guidance.
colonisation into and throughout the
features and the impact of rainfall
Where SuDS installations are more isolated, development landscape. These connections
management.
for instance in urban retrofit and re- are particularly important both for animals on
This surrounding ‘host landscape’ may development, then SuDS spaces can act as the ground but animals like bats use
include natural habitat or reflect more biodiverse islands, sometimes likened to individual trees and woodland edges to travel
ornamental planting, particularly where it is ‘service stations’, that act as staging posts from one place to the next and use SuDS
close to buildings. and feeding sites for mobile species like wetlands to feed.
birds, insects and other wildlife in an
The wider host landscape should reflect the
otherwise hostile environment.
ecological character of surrounding natural

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