Mortlake SuDS Project

What is the project and how will it benefit you? 

The Mortlake SuDS Project will improve green spaces and recreational areas along Mortlake High Street and the neighbouring Mortlake Community Hall using Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). These systems revolutionise how cities cope with rainwater and provide a range of benefits for local communities: 

• They Slow the speed of surface water run-off, reducing the risk of a flood
• They reduce the risk of sewer flooding during heavy rainfall
• They reduce water pollution
• They allow the ground to store water to prevent drought
• They preserve wildlife habitats in urban areas
• They create new green spaces for people living in cities

Interested to learn more about SuDS and its benefits? Discover how SuDS can reduce flooding, improve water quality, and create greener spaces for communities!

Want to learn more about types of SuDS, some examples from previous projects and how the area around your community could look like? View the document below.

How would Mortlake benefit from SuDS? 

We have the opportunity to create more attractive green spaces for the local community to enjoy and we need your input to decide what these changes look like. Some of the features could include: 

• Green roofs or walls 
• New plants and flower beds 
• Raised beds to allow further planting and growing by residents (where there is clear and sufficient interest from residents to establish and maintain in the long-term)  

We are hosting several sessions in March 2025 to hear your thoughts about these new spaces and allow you to have your say on what these new features look like: 

• Wednesday 12^th March, 6-7pm, Mortlake Community Hall: This in-person meeting will give residents an overview of the project and allow you to ask questions to shape these changes. 
• Saturday 22^nd March, 10am – 2pm, around Rann House, Craven House, John Dee House, Kindell House, Montgomery House, Avondale House, Ashleigh & Ripley House: We will be hosting a pop-up stall around these propoerties to show the public the different features on offer for their local space. 
• Online survey: You will receive a newsletter inviting you to participate in an online survey about the project. Make sure to have your voice heard by completing the survey before its closing date on Friday 28th March.

Once we are at the design stage of the project, we will invite you to look at the proposed changes and tell us what you think. Implementation is expected to begin December 2025 – January 2026. We aim to complete the project by March 2026. 

Who are the partners? 

Community BlueScapes is a partnership between Richmond Council, WWT and Barnes Common Ltd. The project is funded by DEFRA’s Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme and aims to increase resilience to flooding in the Beverley Brook catchment in Richmond. Community BlueScapes is funding the Mortlake SuDS project, which was proposed by RHP and Mortlake Hall to improve local flood resilience. 

RHP’s purpose is to provide safe, secure, affordable homes – opening the door to life opportunities. RHP owns and manages over 11,000 homes for social rent and shared ownership and operates across the boroughs of Richmond, Hounslow, Kingston, Hillingdon, and Spelthorne.

Mortlake Hall is a community hall for groups run by the Mortlake Community Association, children’s activities and parties, and other local groups.  It is situated near the RHP housing involved in this project. 

Groundwork London is a charity that supports local communities and businesses to build capacity and resilience, which is vital if we are to tackle hardship, achieve a just transition to net-zero and help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to better work and healthier, happier lives.

If you have any feedback or want to request a call back, please contact Ian Morris, Community Programme Manager at ian.morris@groundwork.org.uk