Halliwick Recreation Ground - Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme (SuDS) consultation

We asked

We asked you about your views on the proposed Sustainable Drainage Scheme (SuDS) / flood storage detention basin in the north-eastern corner of Halliwick Recreation Ground which aims to store storm water during heavy rain reducing the risk of flooding to nearby properties and highways. We also asked local residents to inform us of their past flooding experiences. The aim was to capture early feedback from residents to inform the detailed design of the scheme ahead of detailed design and construction.

You said

There were 17 responses to the online questionnaire. You told us the road locations and addresses that have experienced flooding and provided details about which areas of your properties have been affected.

Results of the survey showed us that support for the SuDS proposals was high at 94% (56% strongly support the scheme and 38% tending to support the scheme).

The majority of respondents agreed that the proposal will bring benefits to properties and infrastructure, the environment and local community. Several respondents asked for further engagement and education to understand the benefits fully.

We did

The survey has enabled the project team to consider feedback from the community and gather preliminary data about:

• How respondents are connected to the local area – living or working in the area and duration.
• Frequency of property flooding from rainfall runoff and extent of flooding.
• Specific locations where flooding is taking place.
• Local knowledge regarding sewage, access to key infrastructure and ability of highway gullies to cope with heavy rainfall.
• People’s views on the SuDS scheme and levels of support.
• Demographic data of those affected.

We have taken on board your feedback and will use this when developing the final designs for the SuDS. We will also be delivering several consultation sessions across Winter 2022/2023 at Halliwick Recreation Ground to continue engage with local residents and provide further information about the scheme. These sessions will be promoted locally.

A full summary of the survey results can be found here.

We asked

A review of previous consultation showed that although respondents to the Halliwick Rec SuDS questionnaire stated they generally supported the scheme, some felt they needed further engagement and education to understand the benefits fully.

In summer 2023, we engaged a specialist to work alongside the project team and consult with the local residents about the scheme. In September 2022, over 1000 educational flyers were distributed to houses locally as well as to shops and businesses along Colney Hatch Lane with posters erected at the park entrances. Further to this a series of engagement and consultation sessions were delivered at Halliwick Rec Ground and St Peter Le Poer Church between October 2022 and January 2023 to increase awareness and understanding of the local flood risk and the scheme itself. During the sessions, designs and images were on display and the local community were given the opportunity to have their say during the design process, ahead of construction of the scheme.

We asked for your opinions on the concept design and for you to engage with us to inform the design development from concept design through to the final detailed scheme.

You said

Across the three dates between October 2022 and January 2023, 267 people engaged with the designs for the Halliwick Rec SuDS and joined in the activities.

The consultation process proved invaluable in raising awareness of the scheme and improving understanding of the need for flood risk management and the wider benefits that the project will deliver. It also enabled the those who attended the sessions an opportunity to help shape the final detailed design so that it met the needs of the local community.

The general consensus from the consultation process is that the wetland is welcomed, along with a new central footpath, the resurfacing of existing footpaths, and the new landscaping including the mounding, tree planting and informal children’s play.

Some concerns were raised during the consultation sessions in relation to maintenance, health and safety and privacy. These have been addressed in the design process and in consultation with the Council’s Parks and Flood Risk Management teams.

We did

Suggestions made by the local community throughout the process have been taken on board and designs have been amended accordingly.

A summary of the outcomes of the engagement sessions and comments made can be found here.

Key amendments to the designs as a direct consequence of the consultation outcomes have included the reshaping of the mounds, the inclusion of a viewing platform as opposed to an imposing boardwalk, the number and location of tree planting and additional wetland edged planting. Much of the highly desired wider park landscaping and infrastructure improvements have also been incorporated into the scheme including new seating and bins, the creation of a new central footpath and resurfacing of the existing footpaths following the securement of additional funding by the Council and the Friends of Halliwick Rec.

The scheme has been carefully designed to reduce the flood risk to nearby properties and highways and to increase the amenity and biodiversity. Designs have been shaped in accordance with the outcomes of consultation delivered between June 2022 and January 2023 and in line with available budgets. The final designs for the SuDS at Halliwick Rec Ground were presented during the sessions on 29 January 2023 and can be viewed here.

Construction is set to commence on site in the Spring/Summer 2023 with completion anticipated by the end of 2023.