Narrative: Water
Objective: The ecology, visual amenity, and recreational quality of existing water bodies are enhanced and new, site specific sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) are integrated into the public realm to sensitively manage surface water.
Water is a strong and distinctive feature across Ebbsfleet Garden City and takes a variety of forms in the landscape. The public realm should be designed to enhance the existing qualities of water within the public realm and strengthen it value as both a visual and recreational amenity.
Castle Hill Lake
A summary of potential ways to incorporate the existing presence of water into the public realm are as follows:
The existing hydrology of the site should be taken into account during the siting and design of sustainable urban drainage features.
Care should be taken so that any increases in surface water runoff from new development do not impact the existing qualities of water features.
Views of existing water bodies should be preserved and enhanced to strengthen Ebbsfleet sense of place
Hidden water bodies such as the Ebbsfleet River and Northfleet Harbour should be revealed and opened up to become an integral part of the public realm.
The dynamic nature of the site’s water bodies should be respected and utilised to enhance Ebbsfleet’s biodiversity and ecological health.
Plants should be selected in accordance with the dynamic nature of the site’s water bodies and any planned sustainable urban drainage features.
