One of the stated purposes of the country park in the Local Plan is to play a role in flood alleviation. True to its name, the country park includes a river – the Tach Brook. The geography of the land also includes a valley with existing wetland areas along the Tach Brook. Without these ponds we would expect to see increased flooding in the country park as a result of the increased water run-off from new areas of development.

The ponds in the country park are called Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs). They are effectively part of the engineering of the area for the new housing. The SuDS ponds act as places to capture rainwater, which drain off roads and rooves and allow it to recede slowly and safely, without causing emergencies or damage to the wider area at times of high rainfall.

The ponds provide the opportunity to create spaces that are more than just functional. We have worked with housing developers to include as much space for nature as possible within their design. Over time new planting around the SuDS ponds will mature and this will give them a more naturalistic feel and attract wildlife.

Levels of water within the SuDS ponds vary and may disappear altogether during prolonged dry spells. This is normal and will depend upon recent rainfall and weather.