Flood Mitigation –Proposed works in Penvale Park

Rainfall patterns are changing, and surface water flooding is becoming more frequent in East Hunsbury.

The area around Penvale (Penn Valley) Park is particularly affected due to the topography of the land around it, with some properties in this area being flooded more than once over the years, the last significant incident occurring in 2018. The devastating impact flood water in a home, puts residents on high alert any time there is significant rainfall.

East Hunsbury Parish Council have been working with RAIN –Resilience and Innovation Northants – and have secured some funding to develop a Natural Flood Management plan for Penvale Park, to slow the flow and hold surface water during flood events, reducing the impact on people’s homes.

The plan includes the creation of a low earth bund and reprofiling of the land at the Hilldrop Road end of the park, leaky dams in the brook to slow the flow when the water is at its highest, and tree planting to support the soil structure along the bank.

We have engaged experts to develop the flood management scheme, and to ensure that we can carry out the works with limited damage to existing trees. A planning application for the works has been submitted to West Northamptonshire Council, and you can review this in more detail on the Planning Portal - www.northampton.gov.uk/planning

The plan includes making the bund into a butterfly bank to encourage pollinators into the park. We may call out for some helping hands when the main scope of the works have been completed to do some planting and seed sowing.

We will also be looking at funding to reinstate the bog garden in the park which was an original feature.

We need your help with this – if you have any photos of how this used to look, please send them to us! Any historical information could help with the design and work in this area.

West Northamptonshire Council have a wealth of information available to householders in their Flood Toolkit and through the RAIN project will actively engage with residents at risk to help them prepare and protect themselves and their property.

Information on the progress of the flood mitigation works will be updated regularly on our website, and via social media, or drop us an email if you have specific questions about the plans.

East Hunsbury Parish Councilwww.easthunsburyparishcouncil.gov.uk

RAIN – www.rainnorthants.co.uk

West Northants Flood Toolkit - www.floodtoolkit.com

Butterfly Conservationwww.butterfly-conservation.org