Overview
Plymouth City Council, working in partnership with the Environment Agency and South West Water Services Limited, are investigating opportunities to reduce and better manage flood risk in St Levan Park and its surrounding area. We would aim to:
- reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses in the local area by safely storing water in the park during heavy rainfall, enabling the drainage system downstream of the park to cope better
- improve park facilities
- improve biodiversity within the park
Consultation
The public consultation has now closed. Thank you to everyone who came to speak to us at the events and those people who provided comments and completed surveys. Both the BRIC (Building Resilience in Communities) and design teams have now carefully reviewed all of your valuable responses.
People told us that they like St Levan Park because it is an open, tidy and quiet space to access nature for free, and a good place to walk dogs. Also, that it is local, convenient and easily accessible, has a friendly atmosphere, and is a good place to meet people.
Many people expressed aspirations for improvements within the park, including to its seating, pathways, entrances, play facilities and signage. Others suggested that drainage and flood defences, fencing and gates, the football pitch and lighting should be improved, along with general maintenance.
Great suggestions were received about how biodiversity could be improved within the park, including the introduction of wildflowers, flower beds and flowering shrubs, a wildlife pond, bug hotels, bird boxes and stands, and a meadow.
People informed us that St Levan Park floods between 1 and 10 times each year, with the flooding lasting between a few hours and one day, and often over 1m deep in certain areas. Further reports were received about the sewer drain cover in the park being pushed off by the force of water, resulting in sewage being left behind after flooding; something that is very unpleasant and potentially dangerous for park users.
Many people also shared their experiences about flooding within the wider St Levan area. People stated that flooding not only occurs in St Levan Road, but also in other streets, including Ryder Road, St Georges Terrace, Beatrice Avenue, College Road, Ganges Road, Seaton Place and Warleigh Terrace. Blocked drains were attributed as a factor in many of these streets.
About the scheme
To reduce the risk of flooding in St Levan Park and the surrounding roads during times of heavy rainfall, we are seeking to improve the surface water drainage in the streets surrounding the park, so that the flooding in the roads is reduced and the amount of water that ends up in the park is reduced too. This includes the College Road and Warleigh Avenue area.
We also intend to make changes to the park so that water is safely stored there during heavy rainfall, allowing the drainage system downstream of the park to cope better.
We wish to improve the facilities within the park and its biodiversity, making it an even nicer green space for both park users and wildlife.
A survey of the local drainage system will soon be carried out, as well as some ground investigations in the park. This work, together with the public consultation data, historic flood reports and other flood data will be used to develop an outline design, which can then be used to apply for funding for the next phase of the scheme.
Building Resilience in Communities Team
Plymouth City Council’s Building Resilience in Communities (BRIC) team are working with people in the St Levan area to raise flood risk awareness: helping people to prepare for flooding, act quickly during a flood event and recover well after flooding has occurred.
Opportunities to get involved include:
- becoming a member of a newly created community Flood Action Group
- helping to produce a story map to celebrate St Levan Park, the local area and heroes
- attending flood awareness sessions
For more information, contact the BRIC team (bric@plymouth.gov.uk).
Green Minds
Plymouth City Council’s Green Minds project aims to put nature at the heart of its decision-making, recognising its role in shaping a healthy future for all. If you would like to know more about the project, visit our Green Minds webpage.
Flooding and the local area
Why does the St Levan Park area flood?
- During heavy rain, very steep roads funnel surface water down to the low-lying zone around St Levan Park
- The combined foul and surface water sewer system can be overwhelmed by the large amount of surface water entering it
- If heavy rainfall coincides with a high tide, the water exits from the sewer can become ‘tide-locked’, causing a backup in the drainage system
This can often mean that the park turns from:
To:
Why is this flooding an issue?
- It can have a massive impact upon people’s homes and family life, often leading to increased mental health issues
- Fully drying out a home, then repairing and restoring it costs on average £20,000 to £45,000
- Road closures cause disruption to commuters, local residents and local businesses
How might changes improve people’s lives?
- Less likelihood of flooded properties in vulnerable streets, so residents at risk would feel safer
- Roads and pavements less likely to be closed because of flood water
- An improved local park, with a richer habitat for wildlife and more opportunities to connect with nature
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