The new Flood Re Rain Garden makes its debut at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival this week (8-11 May) demonstrating how a small, well-designed urban space can not only bring peace and tranquillity but also play a significant role in reducing the rising threat of flooding already faced by one in four UK properties.
Drawing inspiration from the tranquillity and beauty of traditional Japanese gardens, the Rain Garden, designed by the up-and-coming John Howlett, and built by Outdoor Living Gardens, clearly demonstrates how a traditional, small Victorian urban house, can have a beautiful, reflective open space that also helps mitigate against the devastating impacts of flood.
Set in an 8 x 8 metre yard – typical of a Victorian terrace – the design is ideal for anyone living in a small urban space as it not only collects rainwater and slowly dispenses it back into the ground but provides a peaceful sensory retreat—a calm escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, and a place to sit back and relax.
The garden is sponsored by Flood Re, the joint initiative between the UK government and the insurance industry which exists to promote the affordability and availability of flood insurance for homes across the UK. Its Build Back Better initiative, launched in 2022 - enables qualifying policyholders to benefit from funding of up to £10, 000 towards the installation of flood resilience measures.
The Scheme promotes the uptake of Property Flood Resilience measures by householders both inside and outside of their property. In addition to internal changes, such as the use of specialist plaster, raised electric sockets and tiled floors, changes to outside spaces and gardens can make a huge difference in reducing the impact of, and potential for, flood, and be a vital first line of defence.
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As The Rain Garden demonstrates, the ability to channel, absorb, and store large quantities of water, can help to protect homes. In addition to diverting water, measures that slow the flow of water into a garden can significantly reduce local flooding risks, help divert rainwater away from infrastructure, ease the burden on drainage systems and avoid the need for costly repairs.
The concept of utilising open space to mitigate against the impact of flooding was first demonstrated at the Chelsea Flower Show last year with the inaugural Flood Resilient Garden, and the new Rain Garden builds on that approach with its focus on smaller urban spaces.
Kelly Ostler-Coyle, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement at Flood Re, commented:
“Outside space provides an important first line of defence to flooding. With this garden we’re hoping to inspire more people to think about their flood risk and consider the plants and garden features that will both endure a flood and could also help reduce the physical destruction and psychological distress when a flood strikes. If flood resilient features and water storage capacity were to become a feature of most gardens in a neighbourhood, the positive combined effect would be enormous.”
John Howlett, designer, added:
“The chance to design a beautiful garden that also has a real potential to make a difference to people’s lives by helping manage flood risks is a great privilege. As a new graduate, it will expose people to me and my work and meeting like-minded potential collaborators has been great for future projects.”
After the festival, The Rain Garden will be relocated to Coppermill School in Walthamstow, a site recognised for its strong eco-credentials. The garden will address the school’s flooding issues while providing vital shade for the children. Additionally, the trees and plants will enhance local biodiversity, creating a connection between the surrounding landscape and the nearby Walthamstow Wetlands. It is hoped that the garden will inspire reflection and offer a safe, shaded space for the children to enjoy.