We massively welcome the new legislation that Mini wetlands in all new developments will have to have Mini wetlands in all new developments, such as ponds and rain gardens, designed within them to help with flooding.
We believe that all residential gardens should contain some element of a rain garden, which is a garden planted with plants that can cope with excess stormwater and help absorb it.
Known as SuDS (sustainable drainage systems), these small wetland areas capture and slow down heavy rainwater. Instead of pooling and overflowing the sewer system, it is designed to be naturally absorbed into the ponds or rain gardens.
This also gives the chance for specific wetland biodiversity to flourish in areas where previously it wouldn’t be able to.
It’s predicted that these measures will save £3bn in reduced flood damages, and will provide a natural resource for people’s mental wellbeing by putting blue and green space in urban areas directly where people live and work.
Much of the garden designs by WM Design already include measures, such as rain gardens and mini wetland areas, to prevent flooding. This is something we have been conscious of for a long time, especially with our changing climate, and we welcome these measures from the Government.
Our gold award winning RHS Tatton garden in 2017 (pictured above) was set in the future where we see extremes of dry and wet weather, and included a rain garden area, with hardy plants that could withstand long periods of both drought and wet weather.
More information: www.wwt.org.uk/news-and-stories/news/wwt-welcomes-government-decision-that-will-put-mini-wetlands-in-towns-and-cities-across-england
Take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird Watch
With one in four garden birds in serious decline, the RSPB asks bird-lovers every year to submit a bird count from their gardens or local areas.
This year’s event takes place over the weekend of 27 – 29 January, and you are asked to spend just one hour recording the species of birds that you can see and then submitting them via the website.
This is a great activity to do with kids and it’s great to see what the local bird population is up to at this time of year.
For more information: www.rspb.org.uk
What am I reading?
“Cities should not just build green transport but actively dismantle car infrastructure”
This is a fascinating read about how to reduce road congestion within cities – and I found the above quote really interesting.
