NFM In Action: Penvale Park, East Hunsbury

CASE STUDY: Flood Mitigation and Resilience at Penvale Park, East Hunsbury

Penvale Park is an open green space nestled in East Hunsbury, which serves as a hub for recreation as well as leisure activities such as outdoor yoga, tai chi, and dog walking. However, it was overshadowed by a persistent problem – flooding.

Caroline Holgate, Clerk to East Hunsbury Parish Council, recounts how the park, with a brook running through its centre and houses lining either side, would become a flooding hotspot following heavy rain.

“Following a heavy downpour, surface water would become an issue and has been known to flood into neighbouring gardens and some homes,” Caroline explained. “Following a recent flood event, we were aware that some homeowners couldn’t use their kitchens for months, and we were keen to identify a solution to help put residents’ minds at rest.”

In the last 20 years, internal flooding was reported at least three times, leaving residents on tenterhooks every time rain was forecast. The emotional toll meant some members of the neighbouring community were worried that their homes would be inundated again. As the new owners of the park, following its transfer from Northampton Borough Council, the parish council felt a responsibility to take action.

Partnering with RAIN and Nene Rivers Trust

It was at this stage East Hunsbury Parish Council become aware of the RAIN Project, which is part of Defra’s £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, and managed by the Environment Agency.

They initially met with Tristan Baxter-Smith, land manager of the Nene Rivers Trust and Natural Flood Management (NFM) project lead for the RAIN Project. Together, they identified funding opportunities, specifically through the LENS programme as well as through project partner Anglian Water, to implement natural flood mitigation methods that would offer a solution.

Continues Caroline: “The first priority was to change part of the land to protect nearby homes. Originally, we were just looking at creating a bund, which would physically block water from flowing towards the properties, however after modelling the land and consulting a civil engineer, the project evolved to include not only the bund, but also reprofiling the land, installing new drainage, moving an existing footpath, and installing leaky dams to slow the water flow when needed.”

These measures aimed to manage and hold back water in the park, allowing it to drain more effectively into the brook and reduce the risk of flooding nearby properties.

Impact on Residents and Community Feedback

Throughout the project, the parish council kept local residents informed, offering updates and explaining how the changes would help manage flood risk. According to Caroline, the community was supportive and appreciative of the proactive approach.

“Residents were really pleased to see we were doing something tangible to help them. It’s been amazing to see how the system works. After a heavy rainfall last weekend, I went to check, and it was reassuring to see no water flooding the gardens or homes and the water was being retained in a holding area.  It’s brilliant to see it doing what it was designed to do.”

The results have been overwhelmingly positive, with the bund, drainage and natural flood management methods performing as intended. The community now feels more confident that the flood risk has been mitigated, though residents are reminded that Penvale Park will always be a natural collection point for surface water in times of exceptionally wet conditions.

Sustainable Flood Management: A Collaborative Effort

One of the key benefits of this project has been its sustainability. The bund was carefully designed and modelled to be the right size for the area, ensuring it would work effectively alongside the drainage without taking up excessive space, as Caroline confirms:

“We were surprised at the size of the bund – it’s not big, but it’s done its job. It’s great to know we can maintain it going forward. It gives everyone locally a lot of reassurance.”

The partnership with the RAIN Project and Nene Rivers Trust has also proven valuable beyond the physical flood mitigation measures. The RAIN team has actively engaged with the community to help educate residents on flood resilience and promote greater responsibility in managing flood risks. Their presence at local events, such as a Floodmobile Event, as well as East Hunsbury’s Green Day where they showcased their digital interactive sandbox, has helped spark interest and understanding among locals.

Looking Ahead: The “Butterfly Bund” and Planting Festival

Looking to the future, Caroline and the parish council are excited to continue working with RAIN on further enhancements. In February 2025, they plan to host a “butterfly bund build” and planting festival, where local schools and volunteers will be welcomed to contribute to planting native plants and wildflowers to support local biodiversity.

Explain Caroline: “We’re really excited about the butterfly bund. It’s another way to bring the community together, and RAIN is helping us make it happen. It’s about flood resilience, but it’s also about making Penvale Park an even more valuable asset for our residents.”

A Model of Community-Led Flood Resilience

For residents of East Hunsbury, the RAIN Project has provided much-needed peace of mind. While Penvale Park will continue to be a natural flood catchment area, the new bund and flood management measures have reduced the risk to nearby homes.

The community’s partnership with RAIN and Nene Rivers Trust stands as a testament to just what’s possible with innovative, natural flood management solutions, and demonstrates what can be achieved through sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Concludes Caroline: “The natural flood management has worked just as we’d hoped, and we’re pleased to know that residents no longer live in fear of the next heavy rainfall. It’s been a long journey, but with RAIN’s help, we’ve been able to make Penvale Park more resilient for everyone.”

Share