Tackling flood risk in education: BioScapes SuDS planters chosen to support Essex Council’s Climate Resilience Strategy
Tackling flood risk in education: BioScapes SuDS planters chosen to support Essex Council’s Climate Resilience Strategy
Project overview
- 41 SuDS units installed
- 14,350 litres total water attenuation capacity
- Improved on-site surface water drainage across 20 schools
- Curriculum-based engagement sessions hosted
- Increased vegetation cover helping to absorb and slow rainwater
- Boosted biodiversity with native planting and habitat features
- Created new learning environments that complement outdoor education
- Ongoing partnerships with and support for Essex County Council and school leadership teams
Challenge
To address increasing concerns around surface water flooding in school environments, Essex County Council funded the installation of 41 BioScapes Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) units across primary schools and nurseries in the county.
Delivered by BioScapes, this initiative aimed to reduce localised flooding while providing biodiversity benefits and enhancing outdoor learning opportunities. The work formed the first phase of a longer-term programme to use BioScapes SuDS planters across Essex to support the flood mitigation strategy.
Nature-based flood management in action
At the heart of this initiative are BioScapes’ industry-leading SuDS planters, which offer an integrated solution to urban flooding by slowing and storing surface water during storm events. By mimicking natural drainage processes, these planters help manage runoff that would otherwise overwhelm hard surfaces and contribute to flash flooding in school grounds.
Each unit includes:
- A specially engineered interior to store and slowly release stormwater
- Internal water supply to encourage healthy plant growth and soil moisture retention
- Carefully developed soils planting media designed to support high infiltration rates
- Overflow piping to safely divert excess water during peak flow events
Collaboration with Essex County Council
Together with the support of Anglian Water, Essex County Council’s strategic oversight was instrumental for this scheme. The council’s long-term environmental vision includes embedding climate resilience in educational settings, a vision that aligns closely our own aim to enable organisations and communities to achieve measurable environmental impact with ease.
By supporting the deployment of nature-based solutions like BioScapes SuDS planters, the council is:
- Reducing maintenance costs linked to flooded playgrounds and waterlogged grounds
- Meeting local targets for biodiversity support
- Supporting curriculum-linked outdoor learning
One-stop-shop, from planning to delivery
Site Coordination
Working across 20 unique school sites, BioScapes, supported by registered installers The London Lawn Turf Company, managed the full planning and delivery lifecycle – overcoming tight schedules, logistical constraints, and varied site conditions.
Installation process
- Flat-pack units delivered and assembled on site
- Connection to existing downpipes or stormwater channels
- Filling with specialist planting media and native plant species
- Addition of deadwood habitats and soil to support biodiversity
- Final inspection and water management checks
Despite the challenges – varying terrains and a condensed schedule – all installations were delivered on time and are now actively reducing flood risk.
We’re absolutely delighted with the recent installation of the SuDS unit here at Montgomery Primary School. The unit has made a noticeable difference already, helping to reduce surface water and making our play areas safer and more accessible, even after heavy rain. It’s also supporting our broader environmental curriculum, giving us a practical example to tie into lessons on climate change and eco-responsibility. The children have been fascinated watching how the system manages rainwater and learning about sustainability in a real, hands-on way.
A blueprint for climate-resilient education spaces
This project illustrates how simple, scalable infrastructure – like BioScapes’ SuDS planters – can significantly reduce flood risk while enriching school environments. With the support of Essex County Council, we’ve shown how collaborative, nature-based solutions can benefit both communities and ecosystems.
