Dunsbury Park River Restoration

Prior to development, Dunsbury Park was a greenfield site featuring open ground and ancient woodland with the Hermitage Stream running through it. Care has been taken to minimise environmental impact in the business park and link road design, but our client was looking to restore a 135-metre reach of the stream.

Our team was appointed by Portsmouth City Council to restore previous links between zones of woodland and enhance the stream’s ecological diversity. To respond to environmental sensitivity and space-related constraints, we recommended the use of marginal planting, erosion protection matting, and a stainless-steel anchored gabion wall. We also designed a reinforced vegetated geomodular retaining wall which allowed the engineering structure to blend into its surroundings and form a fully vegetated face. Early engagement with the Environment Agency was essential to see that the proposed improvements were compatible with the stream’s wider ecological enhancement strategy.

Through collaboration, we were able to finalise the design promptly and secure the Flood Defence Consent. The re-invigorated Hermitage Stream will serve as a wildlife corridor bridging the two sides of Dunsbury Park to establish a diverse habitat sympathetic to native flora and fauna.