Experimental Ecology In South Stanley

On Wednesday 15th October volunteers from the Wear Rivers Trust and SuDS+ staff took part in a volunteering activity in South Stanley. Earlier in 2025 two bunds (soil walls) were created in a grassed area beside Durham Road. Modelling predicts over 750 litres of water will be held up during a storm rainfall incident. The two bunds are 10cm high and designed so any overflowing water from the first installation spills into the second bund to retain the water. There are three moisture sensors in the ground to quantify the impact of the bunds over the next few years.

This “experimental ecology” has been delayed by the lack of rain over the Summer months with the re-enforcing of the bunds delayed until October and water loving plants have yet to be planted. Planting should enhance the area and brighten with colour during the summer months. Re-enforcement work comprised of creating mud (soil and water) and rubbing this into gaps between each section to seal them and create a render over the whole installation.

As an experimental, low cost project staff and volunteers are excited to see the impact which can be made for a couple of thousand pounds and how this could be replicated in other areas to help slow water and prevent flooding downstream. An unused parcel of land which was previously waterlogged and unloved could be key to this in South Stanley.

Directly below the site is a Sewer Strom Overflow which spilled sewage into the Stanley Burn 61 times last year for 309 hours. Reducing the amount of surface water entering the combined sewer at the bottom of Durham Road through micro level schemes like this would be a fantastic outcome. The YouTube video below shows an aerial view captured by volunteer Martin Evans.

We will have further updates on this project and volunteering opportunities over the next few months.