Park to reopen after flood work
WORK to stop 30 homes flooding and improve the wildlife habitat at the same time have almost been completed at a Green Flag-status Derby park.
In July, work began at the Sunnydale local nature reserve to create new meadow and wetland habitats as part of the Cuttle Brook flood alleviation scheme.
The section of the park where the work has been taking place has been closed, although the allotments have remained accessible.
And Derby City Council says it expects the area to be fully open once again and the contractors offsite by mid-December.
Whilst the key aim of the scheme was to reduce the flood risk to local residents, the scheme also presented an important opportunity to improve and increase biodiversity in the area.
An ecological impact assessment which took place between 2018 and 2020 has shown that there will be a net gain in biodiversity for the area and the scheme has been supported by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and other organisations.
The creation of the wetland habitat is considered high priority for improving biodiversity and residents will see plant species such as water mint, yellow flag iris and lesser pond sedge appear. Animal species that will call the area home include shrews, frogs and toads and bird species like the reed warbler.
In the new lowland meadow area, flowering plants such as meadow buttercup, yarrow and cowslip have been planted alongside other meadow species.
These species are particularly important for pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies.
Preparation work, including the removal of a number of trees took place earlier in the year. But the scheme also included replanting more new trees.
The scheme has been funded by DEFRA Flood Defence Grant In Aid, Local Levy, European Regional Development Fund and Derby City Council Capital budget
A city council spokesman said: “All practical elements of the site have been constructed, including an extension to the pre-existing pond to create essential flood storage and a low earth mound which combine to better protect more than 30 homes from flooding.
“We have also completed two wetland habitat areas, wet woodland, mixed woodland areas, a butterfly mound and areas of wildflower meadow which will all create additional biodiversity and habitat for wildlife.
“We’re installing temporary fencing around some of the new areas to protect the public from potentially unstable soil and to allow grass seed to establish. Once the fencing is installed, we can remove the metal barriers restricting access and people will be able to come into the park again.
“Now that the weather is cooler, the contractor is also able to finish planting trees around the site.
“We notified residents in July that works will continue until midDecember 2021, and we expect the contractor to leave the site by then.”
The site, locally known as Seven Fields, is a linear park which stretches from Blagreaves Lane to Rosamond’s Ride. The site covers 13.2 hectares and consists of a variety of habitats: semi-natural woodland, grassland, has a number of ponds, including a large balancing pond which the Cuttlebrook steam runs into and through.
Sunnydale Park has been awarded Green Flag status. The award recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.
GREEN-FLAG FACILITY HAS A NEW MEADOW AND WETLAND HABITAT