Sustainable Drainage Systems Maximising the Potential for People and Wildlife
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The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for 978-1-905601-41-7 birds and wildlife, helping to create a better world for us all. Our Conservation Management Advice team works to improve the conservation status of priority habitats and species by promoting best- practice advice to land managers. www.rspb.org.uk The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is one of the world’s largest and most respected wetland conservation organisations working globally to safeguard and improve wetlands for wildlife and people. Founded in 1946 by the late Sir Peter Scott, WWT also operates a unique UK-wide network of specialist wetland centres that protect over 2,600 hectares of important wetland habitat and inspire people to connect with and value wetlands and their wildlife. All of our work is supported by a much valued membership base of over 200,000 people. WWT’s mission is to save wetlands for wildlife and for people and we will achieve this through: • Inspiring people to connect with and value wetlands and their wildlife. • Demonstrating and promoting the importance and benefits of wetlands. • Countering threats to wetlands. • Creating and restoring wetlands and protecting key wetland sites. • Saving threatened wetland species. www.wwt.org.uk Supported by: Sustainable drainage systems Maximising the potential for people and wildlife A guide for local authorities and developers The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England & Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654 The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Limited is a charity (1030884 England and Wales, SC039410 Scotland) and a company limited by guarantee (2882729 England). VAT number 618368028. Andy Graham, John Day, Bob Bray and Sally Mackenzie Contents Foreword.................................................................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................................... iv Introduction............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Part.1..Background.to.sustainable.drainage.systems.(SuDS) What.are.SuDS.and.why.do.we.need.them?....................................................................................................... 2 Legislation................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Delivering.multiple.benefits.through.SuDS....................................................................................................... 6 Sustainable development and liveability .......................................................................................................6 . Biodiversity – National biodiversity strategies and Local BAPs ....................................................................6 Green Infrastructure and blue corridors ..........................................................................................................7 Adapting to a changing climate – how SuDS can help...................................................................................7 Community involvement and participation ....................................................................................................8 Leading the way in multi-value SuDS ...............................................................................................................8 SuDS.in.the.built.environment.............................................................................................................................. 9 Part.2..Designing.SuDS.for.people.and.wildlife Key.design.principles............................................................................................................................................ 11 Hard.landscaping.................................................................................................................................................. 11 Soft.landscaping.................................................................................................................................................... 11 Considerations.for.wildlife................................................................................................................................... 12 The.SuDS.management.train.............................................................................................................................. 13 Source.control........................................................................................................................................................ 15 . Green roofs ........................................................................................................................................................15 Living walls......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Rain gardens .....................................................................................................................................................18 Permeable surfaces ..........................................................................................................................................19 Filter strips .........................................................................................................................................................20 Bioretention areas ............................................................................................................................................21 Site.control..............................................................................................................................................................22 Detention basins ...............................................................................................................................................23 Regional.control.....................................................................................................................................................24 Retention basins and associated wetlands ...................................................................................................24 Conveyance.features............................................................................................................................................. 27 Swales ................................................................................................................................................................28 Cover: Springhill Cohousing, Stroud, Gloucestershire. Photo: Bob Bray 1 Part.3..Creating,.enhancing.and.managing.SuDS.for.wildlife Managing.SuDS.for.wildlife.................................................................................................................................29 Management.principles.......................................................................................................................................30 Grassland................................................................................................................................................................30. Benefits for wildlife ...........................................................................................................................................30 General management recommendations .....................................................................................................31 Creating and managing flower-rich grassland .............................................................................................31 Creating and managing wet grassland and rush management .................................................................32 Creating and managing reedbeds ..................................................................................................................32 Grazing ..............................................................................................................................................................33 Trees.and.shrubs....................................................................................................................................................33. Benefits to wildlife ............................................................................................................................................33 Planting ............................................................................................................................................................ 34 Managing trees and shrubs ............................................................................................................................ 34 Dead and decaying wood ................................................................................................................................35 Specific.planting.recommendations.for.SuDS.................................................................................................35. Aims ....................................................................................................................................................................35 General requirements ......................................................................................................................................35.