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Retrofitting Kent

Illman Young were appointed by Kent County Council to combine our SuDS and urban design skills for their ‘Resilient High Street’ project. Sittingbourne High Street in Kent was identified as a pilot study for retro fitting opportunities within urban streets to prevent flooding problems downstream and assist in regeneration of the town centre. Working with EPG engineers, Illman Young undertook

• Existing flow routes were examined, and suitable locations for interventions identified

• Different SuDS components suggested to suit the urban setting and spaces available ranging from raised rainwater planters at down spouts, bioretention planters at existing kerb lines and tree pits with built in attenuation

• Typical construction details produced to explain how existing kerb lines could be retained with minimal interference

• Existing Plaza area identified as key location for larger attenuation features that also provided significant additional planting and improved public amenity space

• Type of planting key consideration to provide capacity for water attenuation as well as biodiversity and amenity benefits and provide community involvement projects