We’ve completed our work to develop flood alleviation strategies at Grade I listed Bateman’s House and its Grade II listed gardens in East Sussex where we were commissioned by the National Trust alongside Thomas Ford and Partners.
The beautiful Jacobean building was originally constructed in 1634, and was home to the author Rudyard Kipling who is known for writing the much beloved Jungle Book and Just So stories. Much of the landscape is relatively unchanged since it was designed and has a well preserved mediaeval landscape pattern. In fact, the river which runs through the site hasn’t changed much since the medieval period either. Part of our strategy was to propose a secondary channel to increase capacity in flooding events instead of widening the existing river channel, which would increase capacity but result in many significant trees and vegetation being removed. We presented five different options all focused around flood alleviation, recreation, and promoting biodiversity. Some of these features include bunds, ponds, and scrapes – which will all aid with collecting pluvial and fluvial flooding away from the house and gardens protecting the site. Although there is a focal point on flood alleviation with this scheme, the designs are still people focused and we have incorporated raised walkways. Routes lead through each character area and there are many stories that can be told as visitors move through the landscape, which can be drawn out as strong themes relating to the evolution of the landscape and house.
