SuDS+ Autumn Update

It’s been a busy summer for SuDS+! Read on for news of our new Community Fund, see how the sites have been getting on, and more.

As always, get in touch if you have any questions or want to get involved: contactus@stanleysuds.co.uk

SuDS+ Community Fund Applications Now Open

SuDS+ has created a grant fund for local groups to apply for projects between £1,000 and £5,000. Projects must be completed by March 2027 and link to at least one of the SuDS+ Vision Statements;

Create a Sense of Pride and Ownership Over the Local Environment
Create Beautiful, Vibrant and Diverse Public Spaces Accessible to All
Strengthen Local Community-Led Networks, Groups and Services
Provide Training and Education for the Workplaces of the Future
Help Create Local Job Opportunities and Support Organisations
Support Affordable Living Costs and Improve the Quality of Housing
Enhance Community Resilience to Flooding

Support is available to help complete applications either online or in person. The timetable for applications is below, workshops can be booked via the link below. Our team can help anyone who has not applied for a community fund before – we would love to hear from you.

The Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund welcomes local ideas that make Stanley greener, stronger and more connected. The closing date is 2^nd October.

Grants of £1,000 to £5,000 are available for local groups, schools, charities and organisations with community-led projects in South Moor, Quaking Houses, South Stanley, East Stanley and Craghead & The Middles.

Apply Now 👉 Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund – Groundwork

Site Updates

Cleveland/Cheviot Terrace

Site Overview Community Benefit: Over the Summer the site has coped well with the dry weather, trees and plants have continued to grow.

Volunteers did a pond dip, pollinator survey and bug count on the site in August. https://stanleysuds.co.uk/volunteer-pond-dip-proves-new-installation-is-healthy. In the next few months we hope to have the QR trail in the woodland installed which will complete the scheme. The play park, and other equipment, is well used by local children. Following on from our WhatsApp study to learn more about the development our team will be out soon to ask residents what they think of the site and will be carrying out some mapping activities.

Site Overview Sustainable Drainage: Rain water from the house roofs above the site are channelled through the swales (ditches) on the site. This changes the direction of the water from vertical to horizontal slowing down the speed of the flow. Two ponds slow the water further and the whole site is designed to prevent flooding problems further down Durham Road. The greenery has done a great job of soaking up water when we’ve had the short downpours, and the pond has grown some lovely colourful plants.

South Moor Memorial Park

Site Overview Community Benefit: Entrance gates have been repainted and a pedestrian footway created to access the park and increase safety. Paths within the park have been improved and resurfaced. Two areas were planted with wildflowers but the dry weather restricted their growth – next year we hope to seem them bloom further and add colour to the space. Steps and other entrances were repaired and barriers created to reduce motorbike/quad access. A play park is to be installed in the next few months to complete the scheme.

Our team will be out again this autumn to find out what local residents think to the improvement works and will be carrying out some mapping activities. Come and say Hi if you spot us!

Site Overview Sustainable Drainage: Three leaky dams have been installed in the river in the park and are designed to slow down high volumes of water during severe storms. These dams will not be in use most of the time but will hold water in the park when needed preventing it from causing problems further downstream. Paths within the park have had additional drainage channels introduced to store rain water.

Craghead Millennium Green

Agreement has been reached to improve a leaking pipe which is causing waterlogging on the Millennium Green. This will be accompanied by maintenance and repairs to the site to make it more accessible starting with replacement fencing. More updates will be available over the next few months. Updates will also be posted on our website here: https://stanleysuds.co.uk/news.

Lenin Terrace/Durham Road

Our mini SuDS+ project has continued to be developed https://stanleysuds.co.uk/lenin. Last year we installed two small soil bunds to slow down water running through the site. Grass has been allowed to grow this year, and volunteers are introducing wild flowers and bulbs this Autumn. Sign up to take part in our next session (bulb planting) which will take place on 8^th October 10am-12:30pm: https://wear-rivers-trust.teamkinetic.co.uk/volunteers/opportunity/10305155 or contact us directly to add your name to the list.

We now have almost two years of moisture data from the site, covering a wet winter and two dry summers. This gives us a useful comparison: last year the grass was mowed, whereas this year we’ve used a selective cutting regime, allowing longer growth and wild plants to establish. This data will be analysed to work out whether the longer grass is helping the site store more water. An area around the seating has also been cleared to make it more usable,

University students gain work experience

we’ve really enjoyed having various university students helping us out over the past year. They have gained experience whilst sharing their ideas and enthusiasm with the team. If you are looking for experience, and would like to take part in our fieldwork activities, email us!

Data Art: Meaningful Messages

We’ve commissioned two exciting art projects to help bring our project data to life. One is using stop motion and digital drawing to create an immersive “rain room,” while the other is working with traditional art and banners to convey key messages. Both have run test events and developed their methods, with some work already shown to the public at the Karbon Homes food market on Stanley Front Street. The artists are working closely with the community, with plenty of workshops still to come — so there will be lots of chances to get involved. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for details.