River Restoration Opportunity

Project driver

Amenity (place making), flood reduction and nature/biodiversity

Restoration Type

Habitat enhancement and constructed wetland

Project description

A large-scale NFM project is currently underway in the east section of Beckenham Place Park where the Ravensbourne flows. Only the northern half of the river and its floodplain are included; therefore, an additional NFM project is needed to extend the flood storage benefits to this upstream section of the park. The project could include NFM measures like bank reprofiling, remeandering, creation of online and offline wetland ponds, and the installation of in-channel features. This would replace the expansive semi-natural grassland that is present here. Reduced flood risk would be experienced by the properties north of the park and important busy roads (A21 and Beckenham Hill Road). Flood risk benefits would also likely be experienced further downstream by properties and important infrastructure near Catford Station and Ladywell Fields.