Residents reap multiple benefits from sustainable drainage planters 

A sustainable drainage planter system installed at a supported housing complex on the Isle of Wight has been credited not only with reducing the risk of surface water flooding, but with improving the mental and physical wellbeing of residents too, says Alex Stephenson, director, Sudsplanter Ltd.

Surface water management specialist Sudsplanter Ltd has partnered with Southern Water to deliver a sustainable drainage network at a supported housing complex on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England. 

The rainwater planter system has helped reduce the risk of surface water flooding, created valuable habitats for wildlife and enhanced the green environment for residents, even contributing to the site winning a community horticulture award two years in a row. 

Reducing sewer overflows 

Southern Water is implementing a series of nature-based and engineered solutions on the Isle of Wight to divert rainwater away from sewers and reduce storm overflows (CSOs) into surface waters. These initiatives form part of the utility’s wider Pathfinder Project to reduce the volume of rainwater entering the wastewater network, and is led by its Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force. 

As part of Isle of Wight Pathfinder programme, Sudsplanter Ltd was selected as a solutions provider, supplying more than 250 SuDSPlanter® units across strategic sites including nearly 100 schools – along with Bucklers View, a supported home for older people in the seaport town of Cowes. 

SuDSPlanter systems are engineered to capture rainwater run-off from roofs by rerouting downpipes into planters, instead of directly into the drains. Bucklers View was identified as an ideal location due to its position at the upper end of the catchment, large roof area and multiple downpipes that could be disconnected and redirected. 

Networked planters

Working closely with Southern Water engineers, Sudsplanter designed and installed a network of 12 bespoke planters.  The planters act as green infrastructure: slowing the flow of stormwater, filtering sediment and storing excess flows for use during dry spells.  

Their size was determined using hydraulic modelling, calculating the property’s roof area and the volume of rainfall expected to enter the system. In total, the system is capable of diverting 5,300 litres of rainwater away from the sewers during storms, helping prevent the network becoming overloaded.

Sudsplanter’s landscaping experts provided a range of plants to suit the site location and aspect. Specially formulated soil mixes provide the optimum environment for supporting healthy plants and holding water. All units are made from 100% sustainable, recyclable materials.

Benefits beyond drainage 

The new rainwater planter system does not just reduce the risk of localised flooding, it has transformed communal outdoor spaces for residents. By capturing and reusing roof run-off, the planters provide lush greenery, attracting pollinators and wildlife. Elevated units – accessible to those with mobility problems – support physical activity and social connection helping build an inclusive green space residents are proud of. 

This engagement led to Bucklers View entering the 2025 and 2024 Isle of Wight in Bloom garden competition and being named the Best Care Giving Complex Garden for both years. Judges said they were impressed by the planters and praised the care given to the garden by residents.

One resident, Linda, said, “Our garden has truly helped our wellbeing and encouraged us to use gardening as a form of physiotherapy exercise. Our attitude to life has become more positive, overcoming obstacles, it may take three or four of us to achieve one small job by maximising what we can do between us, pulling our different capabilities together. 

“Having our SuDSPlanters has enabled us to make more friends with our neighbouring community, who stop and chat and offer advice along with a few giggles.” 

Jaqueline, another resident said, “We now look forward to getting up in the morning. Our garden, with the support and encouragement from Sudsplanter and Southern Water, with Southern Housing teams, has reignited our passion for gardening. 

“It has given us all the momentum to use our wonderful green outdoor space, enhancing our health and wellbeing.  It’s so lovely to stop a while and embrace our efforts in achieving our award-winning garden. A smile a day keeps our doctors away.”

Bucklers View is managed by social housing provider Southern Housing, whose sustainability engagement lead Jo Butterfield said, “We want our residents to feel proud of where they live, and the rainwater planter project at Bucklers View has delivered so much more than sustainable drainage. It has created a shared green space that encourages community, supports wellbeing, and gives residents a real sense of ownership.” 

Southern Water senior storm overflow engineer Ian Deakin said, “In common with much of the UK, on the Isle of Wight, most sewers are combined, meaning rainwater and wastewater enter the same network. After heavy rain, this can overwhelm the system and lead to storm overflows, with Sandown treatment works, which handles more than 90% of the wastewater treatment for the island, recording the highest number ever in 2020.  

“This project has given us a real opportunity to implement innovative solutions and work closely with local partners such as Southern Housing, Sudsplanter and the residents of Bucklers View, where we were pleased to provide a rainwater planter system. The benefits are multifaceted – reducing flood risk, building climate resilience, improving biodiversity and enhancing community wellbeing.” 

Lorna Davis, Sudsplanter director, said: “Our partnership with Southern Water and Southern Housing has created an accessible garden that is easy to maintain and genuinely enjoyed by the community. I recently revisited Bucklers View for a post-installation follow-up – it was fantastic to see how residents have embraced caring for the planters to ensure all benefits are maximised. “Large-roofed buildings like those in supported housing complexes generate significant surface water run-off, making them ideal locations for sustainable drainage systems. The Bucklers View project has been a huge success, delivering multiple benefits to the residents, those in the wider community, and the environment beyond. This serves as a model that could be easily replicated in similar developments.”