Back in August we were really pleased to let you know that Slow The Flow were supporting Mytholmroyd Community Centre (MCC) trustees in the development of a masterplan to create a sustainable car park at the Centre. Well, the guys at MCC have been busy. They commissioned landscape architects, 2B Landscape Consultancy Ltd, to design the masterplan. 2B has delivered the goods, with a masterplan incorporating a variety of techniques and features designed to mitigate some of the impacts of increased significant rainfall events.
The vision for the car park work is to create an attractive, sustainable outdoor space, at the heart of the community – also providing the required level of convenient car parking. The plan includes:
- Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
- Biodiverse planting
- 250m circular trim trail, with natural play/fitness pathside features
- Riverside picnic tables
- Parking for 100+ cars
The next stage is for MCC to seek funding for the implementation of the masterplan. This will involve detailed design, working with the local authority on the necessary statutory permissions and carrying out the works. The Environment Agency contractors, who currently occupy a section of the site, will leave in early summer 2021. So, the hope is that works will commence shortly after that. STF intends to provide continued support for the project by helping MCC to publicise and interpret the SuDS elements for users, raising awareness of ‘urban NFM’ techniques through this key local site.
Slow The Flow is an educational charity looking to promote the effectiveness of Natural Flood Management techniques in the mitigation of some of the changes in water flows caused by climate change. Facilitating projects such as the MCC car park is a perfect example of how we can support community organisations in developing sustainable solutions to managing their land in a changing world.