Nottingham City Council’s Flood Risk Management Team has worked in partnership with the Environment Agency and independent businesses at Sneinton Market to deliver six Sustainable Drainage (SuDS) planters.
SuDS planters or ‘downpipe rain planters’ collect and store up to 350 litres of rainwater from the roof. This slows down rainfall to the sewer network, which improves the quality of water that enters our rivers and can reduce the impact of flooding.
The planters provide homes for bees and other insects and slot right next to the buildings at The Avenue, adding biodiversity and beauty whilst improving the area’s resilience to climate change. The project supports both the Environment Agency and Nottingham City Council’s key objectives to manage flood risk and to improve the health of the city’s rivers.
Kira Besh, Environment Agency Catchment Coordinator, said: “Ensuring people and wildlife have clean and plentiful water is one of the biggest challenges we face. We are all connected to rivers through the water that flows from our houses and streets, often carrying pollutants with it. This project is a positive example of how the city’s grey, urban spaces can be transformed to respond to climate change and support healthier rivers.”
Nottingham City Council is keen to lead by example to encourage communities, householders and tenants, businesses and other organisations to improve the permeability of Nottingham’s urban area, greening the grey, supporting the city’s soon to be published Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.
The project was funded by the Environment Agency (£15k) and was completed at the end of March 2025, working with Bioscapes and Jack Kent Services. The council has also been heavily supported by the local tenants and is driving a vision to “green” the area.
Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport, said: “As a city with 330,000 people in a small urban area, it’s important that we work to mitigate flood risk and pressure on our sewer systems. These new planters will add biodiversity, colour and attractive planting while also managing flood risk and improving water quality. Thank you to the Environment Agency, whose funding made this scheme possible.”
Nottingham City Council has various statutory responsibilities as the Lead Local Flood Authority under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (FWMA) to manage the risk of flooding. To learn more about this please visit this page.
The Project has been supported by local business tenants – Avenue Representatives from Curios? And Minor Oak Working pictured above.
