Case studies

Summary

Turning waste into mushrooms and more at our local rooftop farm!

As the owners and managers of Centre Court Shopping Centre, here at Romulus we were looking at ways during lockdown to improve the business. One of the challenges we faced is dealing with food waste, which if not separated properly, can end up in normal refuse bins leading to methane production (a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide).

We discovered that delicious oyster mushrooms (and more!) can be grown off of used coffee grounds. The mycelium from the fungi break down the food waste into compost and fruit into mushrooms that can then be harvested and sold. This both reduces food waste and produces locally grown produce without the need for complex and energy intensive supply chains.

This case study highlights activities that some businesses can do to support the borough’s net zero by 2050 target, by tying into Workstream 1 of Merton Council’s Climate Delivery Plan focussed on sustainable consumption and the low carbon economy.

The challenge

Centre Court are keen to play their part in a more sustainable and community-oriented Merton. We have challenges in dealing with food waste which could be reused but is often just mixed with general waste, ending up on landfill or the local energy recovery facility.

Action taken

We saw an opportunity to create a locally grown, supply chain free, and biodiversity enhancing business to achieve this waste reduction. We use fungi to create a circular economy, turning waste into edible delicacies.

We are currently growing a gourmet mushroom variety called ‘grey oyster’. They grow on a mix of straw and spent coffee grounds sourced from cafés and restaurants local to Centre Court.

Coffee grounds would usually go to landfill or the local energy recovery facility from these businesses after use, so by growing mushrooms, we’re able to repurpose this waste product to grow something new. We add this mix to reusable buckets instead of single use plastic grow bags, meaning there is little to no waste produced during the growth cycle. Once our mushrooms are harvested, we use the spent mushroom compost as mulch on our pots and planters in the rooftop garden. The mushroom compost provides both major nutrients and trace elements for the soil, as well as mushroom mycelium which is essential for a flourishing ecosystem. This allows us to eliminate our waste completely from production and prevents us from needing to source nutrient additives, closing the loop on our farm.

All of our suppliers and customers are hyper-local so our produce has virtually zero food miles and is delivered without single-use plastic packaging.

Result

Reducing local coffee ground waste in the borough. From October to December 2022, we rescued over 200kg of coffee grounds from the bin.

A farm providing locally grown gourmet mushrooms with little to zero food miles.

Eliminating the use of single use plastic in production and distribution.

Focusing on hyper-local suppliers, adding to the green economy of the borough.

Using mushroom farm by-products to increase biodiversity and improve the health of our rooftop garden.

Next steps and call to action

From early 2023, we are expanding our mushroom growing skills to try out other varieties. This includes shiitake mushrooms which also grow on coffee grounds. This will mean we can recover even more coffee waste locally and collect more regularly.

We have re-cycled the Christmas trees that were part of the decorations at Centre Court and inoculated the trunks with a mushroom variety called nameko. This variety takes several months to colonise the tree before producing mushrooms, so the results of this experiment are yet to come.

As we head into spring and summer, we will have more opportunity to expand our food garden and develop the local green infrastructure of the borough. We plan to grow seasonal staples like tomatoes, kale, cucumbers, and strawberries, as well as wildflowers, beer hops and some unusual tubers and squashes. The aim is to grow these off the mushroom compost and compost from other food waste generated as part of the operations of the centre.

Timeline

• May-August 2022. Set up of farm in progress
• September 2022. Started growing and set up relationship with Costa to collect coffee grounds
• October 2021. First flushes grown of grey oyster mushrooms
• November 2022. First sale of mushrooms to a local food box provider
• January 2023. Test of growing nameko mushrooms on Christmas trees

Lessons learnt

There is no shortage of used coffee grounds, but it is important this waste is separated from other coffee waste so it is not contaminated.

Working with partners who have done this before is invaluable. There are great causes and other mushroom farmers who have made all the mistakes already!

Mushrooms don’t like it when it is minus 5 degrees for a week either!

Contact for enquiries

Katie Corrigan

katiec@romulusuk.com

Summary

Merton’s Towards Employment team develop and deliver projects that increase the economic wellbeing of young people. We engage Merton’s young people from marginalised, economically vulnerable cohorts in debate and activity that increases their aware of green agenda.

The challenge

The canons project was a space that had been redeveloped and a new café had been built. We were contacted by colleagues in the council to help source residents to build the furniture needed for the café.

Colleagues at Vestry hall sourced Solo Wood Recycling to support the project. All furniture was being built from recycled wood.

We advertised this as a work experience opportunity for our Merton Care leavers.

We used a budget of £1800 for time and resources

Action

Work experience opportunity for Merton’s Care Experienced Young People.

Result

The work experience programme was organised to take place during the first two weeks of the summer holidays. All work took place on site and in the outdoor area, Residents were provided with water, rest breaks and lunch. They were also given engagement vouchers for attending.

The young people were able to develop and learn new skills doing carpentry, using tools and built several pieces of furniture from recycled wood.

A grand open day was arranged, with members of the public, the Mayor and several Merton staff members attending.

The young people’s effort and work was very well received, and they received certificates for taking part.

Next steps and call to action

Some of the young people that attended the work experience programme were successful in obtaining a job in the pop up café.

Articles were in the local press about the success of the event.

We intend to build on opportunities such as these. This includes looking at additional funding that we can work in partnership with Solo Wood to create more projects.

Lessons learnt

Timescales for the session were tight, if we had more notice we could of advertised the session to more residents.

Useful links and other information

Canons House Work Experience!! - YouTube

Contact for enquiries

Merton Council Towards Employment Team

Summary

WhoSki.com set up by Merton residents Sally Warren and Nicola Davenport, is an online peer-to-peer marketplace dedicated to pre-owned ski/snowboard clothing. We exist to keep hard-to-recycle snow wear in active usage for as long as possible, helping reduce its carbon footprint, making skiing more affordable and promoting sustainability in the winter sports sector.

WhoSki.com won the Merton Business Innovation award at the 2022 Merton Best Business Awards.

The challenge

Ski clothing is almost impossible to recycle due to its composition from numerous layers of technical fabrics and fixings. It is costly, designed to last, struggles to decompose and is likely to be hanging around for 200+ years. Currently, unwanted ski clothes are among those which end up in landfill, are incinerated and are now even found being exported and dumped in the Global South.

Action

We wanted to keep this clothing in active usage, raise awareness of the issue of textiles waste and support environmental campaigns in the winter sports sector.

That is why we created WhoSki.com as an easy-to-use platform where anyone can quickly and simply sell and buy secondhand ski wear. It’s an easy way to pass on ski clothing which is still in good condition but is no longer needed, as well as recoup some of your investment in those piste pieces.

We also host a #SkiGreen Directory which lists businesses, organisations and resorts which provide sustainable services in the winter sports sector.

Our blog provides advice and information on skiing matters including how to travel, what to pack or wear, sustainability and resort information. Look out too for our tips on how best to buy and sell in the WhoSki.com marketplace.

We are active members of organisations including the international Re-Action Collective and the Ellen Macarthur Foundation community.

Result

A leading outdoor apparel specialist estimated the carbon footprint of a ski jacket to be 72.7kg of CO₂. Most of this occurs during the production and distribution phase. This means the more that we share and reuse, the more carbon we save through a secondhand marketplace.

In addition to reuse, we donate 25% of our commission on sales to Merton’s award-winning teenage mental health charity, stem4. Supporting a local organisation that does vital work with youngsters is a key part of our philosophy and we are proud to be a corporate partner of stem4.

Next steps and call to action

WhoSki.com will continue to build an engaged community of buyers and sellers across the UK who are actively extending the life of winter sports every time they use our platform. Anyone can sign up for free to list their ski clothes and receive alerts when new items drop on the site. Spread the word if you have friends, colleagues or neighbours who may be interested.

We have plans to extend the range offered via WhoSki.com beyond snow wear, helping keep even more secondhand active gear in circulation and out of landfill 365 days / year, this might include kit for a hiking trip, or for taking part in an expedition

Lessons learnt

• Keeping clothing in active usage is the best way to reduce it's impact on the environment. 
• Make sure re-sale items are clean and in good condition. Use a professional local repair shop if your mending skills are not up to scratch
• Be transparent about wear and tear when selling on your clothes - no one wants a nasty surprise
• Price your items realistically
• Provide plenty of information and good photos when listing items for sale
• You're not just doing good for the environment, it's great to be able to say when someone asks where you got your gear ' It's pre-loved and it was only x£!

Useful links and other information

WhoSki.com

@WeWhoSki / facebook.com/whoskiLLP

Contact for enquiries

info@whoski.com 

An insight into the vastly different energy efficiency levels for homes completed in 2022.

Summary

In 2022, two large dwellings were completed on Marryat Road in Wimbledon and the EPCs issued in September. Both achieved a rating of B with a score only 3 points apart. However, in terms of the ambition to build a future-proof decarbonised residential building, the two approaches could not be more different. One maximised solar and installed an expensive ground source heat pump, considered one of the most ecological heating systems. The other installed gas heating and zero solar. The latter consumes nearly double the amount of primary energy per square metre than the other.

Challenge

The weaknesses of the current EPC system – which attaches a greater importance to energy costs - in assessing environmental performance are readily apparent.

Compared to what is achievable, both houses represent a missed opportunity in the able-to-pay market to build a state-of-the-art ecologically optimised home in the Borough. Is this due to a lack of information on the part of the owners, architects and contractors? It is hard to imagine that at this level of the high-end market, additional costs to improve thermal transmittance and air permeability would have represented a significant challenge to overcome.

Completed in 2022, a 35-unit residential development, the ’Zero SW20’ in Raynes Park – designed at a much lower cost per unit - achieved a superior average thermal wall transmittance result compared to both houses (0.12 W/m2K versus 0.17 and 0.16 respectively).

However, what can be achieved today is highlighted at least on paper. Completed in 2022, 28 Lauriston Road is the current best in class home in Merton, achieving the highest EPC ever recorded in the borough. This house is estimated to achieve negative primary energy consumption on an annual basis.

Source: EPC certificates

The ‘not quite’ Passivhaus

Number 54, represents the complete reconstruction of an Arts & Crafts house, doubling the size to 738 m², but with the original ambition to reach close to Passivhaus standards.

The building has a ground-source heat pump and a large solar array consisting of 32 panels with an output of 12.8kWp. The structure is timber frame with concrete block outer walls.

• Walls Average thermal transmittance 0.17 W/m²K * Very good
• Roof Average thermal transmittance 0.15 W/m²K ** Good
• Floor Average thermal transmittance 0.12 W/m²K *** Very good
• Windows High performance glazing Very good
• Air permeability measured at 4.5 m³/h.m²**** Good
• Heating Ground source heat pump Poor
• Secondary heating Gas fire N/A

The primary energy use for this property per year is 38 kWh per square metre (kWh/m2).

Primary energy use is a measure of the energy required for lighting, heating and hot water in a property. The calculation includes:

• the efficiency of the property’s heating system
• power station efficiency for electricity
• the energy used to produce the fuel and deliver it to the property

Passivhaus standard:

• Walls 0.11
• Roof 0.11
• Floor 0.09
• Air Permeability 0.6 m³

According to the Sustainability report, the dwelling has achieved a 71.9% reduction in CO2 emissions against Part L1A 2010 of the Building Regulations. This meets and exceeds the minimum target of 25% set in Condition 11.

Sustainability Statement

Energy Strategy Report

The Energy Rating is B (86 points) with a potential of B (86 points). The date of assessment was 13 September 2022.

Energy performance certificate (EPC) - 54 Marryat Road

The conventional newbuild

Number 50 represents a more conventional newbuild (649 m²) with high quality fabric, but with gas boilers, air conditioning units and no solar PV.

The estimated primary energy consumption per square metre is nearly double the level of number 54.

• Walls Average thermal transmittance 0.16 W/m²K Very good
• Roof Average thermal transmittance 0.11 W/m²K Very good
• Floor Average thermal transmittance 0.12 W/m²K Very good
• Windows High performance glazing Very good
• Air permeability measured at 3.6 m³/h.m² Good
• Heating Gas boiler Good

The primary energy use for this property per year is 73 kWh per square metre (kWh/m2).

The Energy Rating is B (83 points) with a potential of B (85 points with a recommended installation of 2.5 kWp of solar PV). The date of assessment was 4 September 2022.

Energy performance certificate (EPC) - 50 Marryat Road

The real Passsivhaus – negative primary energy consumption

Also completed late last year, this 348 m² Wimbledon dwelling achieved an EPC rating of A with 123 points (date of assessment: 2 November 2022). This appears to the be the highest level ever recorded in Merton. The estimated primary energy use per year is negative.

• Walls Average thermal transmittance 0.17 W/m²K Very good
• Roof Average thermal transmittance 0.06 W/m²K Very good
• Floor Average thermal transmittance 0.11 W/m²K Very good
• Windows High performance glazing Very good
• Air permeability measured at 0.5 m³/h.m² Very good
• Heating ASHP with underfloor heating Very good

Including the roof-top solar system, this house’s energy use per year is -112 kWh per square metre (kWh/m2).

According to the surveyor survey the EPC assessment was conducted based on information provided by the builder and using the SAP standards in force when building regulation approval was received. Under the newer standards, the rating would be lower. However, the same can probably be said for the Marryat Road houses.

Energy performance certificate (EPC) - 28 Lauriston Road

NOTE: This brief analysis is based on published EPC data. We are unable to verify whether these surveys have been correctly and consistently carried out.

Contact for enquiries

James Stettler – Volunteer Community Lead for Merton’s Climate Action Group.

cag.buildings@gmail.com

Image

Summary

Having insulated our 5-bedroom 1907 semi-detached home, upgraded to energy efficient appliances and lighting as well as mounted solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, we took the plunge in 2021 to go all electric, installing an air-source heat pump.

The challenge

There are many misconceptions, which worried us e.g., heat pumps do not work in old homes, they are complex, expensive to run and noisy.

Action

Following a somewhat challenging one-week installation process, upgrading most of our radiators to larger units and swapping our gas to an electric induction hob, we were able to officially disconnect from the gas network (for which Southern Gas Networks wanted to charge over £1,000) and now only have to pay for electricity.

Result

Has it worked? Using a heat pump requires a change in behaviour as the unit is more efficient when constantly running. Radiators are lukewarm as opposed to hot, but our home stayed warm over the past two winters. No-one has complained about the noise from the outside compressor and our total energy costs are down around 9%*. Our gross annual electricity consumption of around 6,800 kWh comprises a very high demand in December and January. This balances out with how efficient the heat pump is during summer months in providing us with hot water.

Our total electricity bill – before taking into account the benefits from our solar panels – was roughly in line with the price cap for the average UK household of £2,500 last year. This is despite the fact that our home has uninsulated solid brick walls.

* Based on September 2022 energy costs and actual consumption figures for 2022 (the first year of all-electric data) and for 2020, the last full year of combined gas and electric data. 2022 was a relatively cold winter. This is important, as weather plays a significant role in the efficiency and costs.

Lessons learnt

Positives:

• Our overall energy bill is down
• Only one energy bill to pay. Annual gas standing charge of around £100 avoided
• Our home emits no carbon and toxic NOx emissions.
• Our indoor air quality has improved with the switch away from gas to electric cooking

Negatives:

• There are still too few installers which understand heat pumps
• Upgrade of most radiators required
• Heat pumps do not provide instant heat as do gas boilers
• The upfront costs remain high and it may only make sense for those needing to replace their gas boiler and while the £5,000 government grant is available (https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme/what-you-can-get).

Useful information

Annual electricity demand data (kWh) for 2022 – The first year of all electric data.

• January: 1328 (peak energy consumption)
• February: 820
• March: 611
• April: 309
• May: 143
• June: 96
• July: 65 (lowest energy consumption)
• August: 73
• September: 122
• October: 255
• November: 651
• December: 1313

Contact for enquiries

James Stettler – Volunteer Community Lead for Merton’s Climate Action Group.cag.buildings@gmail.com

Energy Matters empowers schools to take climate action and save energy. Supported by Merton Council and Merton’s Climate Action Group the program equips school children to become 'energy champions.’

Through interactive workshops and comprehensive education resources, primary schools in Merton are fostering a sense of responsibility in young students to protect the planet, make a positive impact and take those lessons home to their families.

The Challenge

Children in the UK (United Kingdom) are rightfully worried about climate change. A survey by environmental charity Global Action Plan revealed 3/4 of students say that thinking about climate change makes them anxious. However, 1/2 of teachers feel ill-equipped to deal with student anxiety around climate change.

Schools are entrusted with the task of preparing students for the future they will inherit, ensuring they understand the consequences of climate change and are empowered to take meaningful action. But schools are also grappling with the practical challenge of managing running costs, particularly during a period when energy prices are volatile and fuel poverty is a growing concern. This delicate balance between sustainability, education, and affordability requires innovative solutions.

Action Taken

This is where the Energy Matters programme comes in! Energy Matters is being delivered by the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), a national energy charity, with support from Merton Council and Merton’s Climate Action Group. The goal of Energy Matters is to support schools so that staff and pupils can become ‘energy champions’ - someone who can support their family, friends and the wider community with energy saving tips and help them to reduce their energy bills and cut carbon emissions.

By delivering a series of interactive workshops and providing comprehensive educational resources, CSE has been working closely with teachers and students to build climate awareness, energy-saving habits, and sustainable practices.

The workshops and resources have been specifically designed with teachers to engage students at an age-appropriate level, making complex climate issues accessible and inspiring them to act. Pupils are encouraged to explore the importance of energy conservation, renewable energy sources, and ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Through hands-on activities and thought-provoking discussions, the program helps students connect with environmental issues on a personal level.

Furthermore, Energy Matters has collaborated closely with school staff, offering tailored training on topics like fuel poverty, climate anxiety, and strategies to integrate climate education into the curriculum. By supporting teachers, the program ensures that climate-related discussions are constructive, empowering, and well-equipped to address students' concerns.

Result

Energy Matters has made significant strides in engaging with schools and students across Merton. To date, over 1000 pupils aged 5-11, and more than 100 school staff have benefited from the program.

This includes:

BeDifferent ‘Eco-Warriors Conference’

25 eco-warriors from multiple primary schools actively participated in creating climate action slogans and posters, the project has ignited a sense of enthusiasm and commitment to effect change within their schools and communities.

Climate adaptation workshop at Perseid Upper School:

The workshop helped pupils to understand more about climate change and the many ways in which we can adapt our areas through changing our energy and transport systems as well as how we can look after wildlife and create more access to green spaces.

“What a wonderful learning experience for them all! And they are excited to share their new knowledge with their peers soon.” Louise Tidley, Careers Leader at Perseid school

Energy workshops and assemblies with Malmesbury and Hillcross Primary Schools:

CSE reached over 600 pupils through a series of workshops specifically on energy to the Year 4 classes at Malmesbury Primary and to Nursery and Year 1 classes at Hillcross Primary.

Workshops and training for school staff:

“We are SO grateful for your support and inset day session a couple of weeks ago, it has really helped us to plan out how we want to start implementing more sustainability teaching across the curriculum. We would highly recommend your support to any schools looking to have a whole school approach in sustainability. Again, thank you for all of your ongoing support, it is really making a difference to our school.”- Almaz Ennis Morris, Nursery Teams Teacher and Eco-Schools Lead, Hillcross Primary

Next Steps and Calls to Action

Building on its successes, the Council, Merton’s Climate Action Group and CSE want to extend the reach of Energy Matters to benefit even more schools in Merton. Schools are encouraged to embrace this opportunity. Not only will it be easier to embed sustainability into their curriculum, but it will inspire a sense of environmental responsibility in their students. It will also aid schools in achieving a Green Flag Award for the school’s positive environmental commitments.

Timeline

After a successful pilot phase in 2022, Energy Matters is looking to engage with more schools across the borough. In preparation for the next academic year starting in September 2023, CSE have been onboarding schools, delivering workshops, activities and assemblies for pupils and staff, readying them to develop an implementation plan for the new and improved energy education modules.

Lessons Learnt

The Energy Matters project has taught valuable lessons about the significance of empowering students to address climate change and providing comprehensive support to teachers when discussing climate-related topics. It has also highlighted the importance of building sustainability within schools and fostering partnerships with families and communities.

Contact

CSE are continuing to support primary schools in Merton into the academic year 2023/24, if you work in a school and would like support from this project, or you would like your child’s school to participate, please get in touch tess.rushton@cse.org.uk

Summary

Are solar panels worthwhile? With the upfront cost, temporary disruption from scaffolding and changing electricity prices, it might be hard to determine. But the savings really can speak for themselves. This anonymised, but real-life example from a local resident shows just how much money solar panels can save you on your energy bills.

The Challenge

Before Mrs Smith’s 12 solar panels (a 3.6kw system) were installed, her semi-detached home was using approximately 5000kWh* of electricity in a typical year. This cost around £750 at the time.

Action taken

Mrs Smith’s solar panel system was installed in 2018, at a cost of £4000 from the Greater London Authority’s Solar Together Scheme. A group buying scheme that helped participants reduce the cost of solar installations**. The equivalent cost as of January 2024 would be approximately £5,300.

The whole installation included the solar panels, the inverter, cabling connection to the consumer unit or fuseboard, scaffolding, admin costs, and the installer’s profit.

The installation was complete within a couple of weeks. A day for the scaffolding to go up, then after a few days the panels were fitted and connect, then the scaffolding was taken down.

Result

Since being installed, the 12 panels have generated approximately 3,500 kWh of electricity each year, which meant that she only had to pay her electricity supplier for 1,500 kWh of her yearly usage. In the first year alone, this cut her bills from £750 to £250, saving her £500. This meant the payback period (the time it would take to recoup the costs of the original installation) was about 8 years.

She is also likely to make a significant profit. Solar panels have a claimed life of at least 20 years. If electricity prices remained static, she would be making a profit of around £500 a year from year 9 to year 20. That’s more than £5000, which she might consider putting towards the cost of battery storage, a heat pump, or other fabric measures to increase the energy efficiency of her home.

However, since the solar panels were installed, electricity prices have almost doubled. In 2018 she was paying around 15p*** for each kWh. At the end of 2023 the cost was around 27p per kWh. This means that over the course of 2023 alone, she saved almost £1000 on her energy bills, significantly reducing the payback period.

Next steps and call to action

Speaking with her neighbour, Mrs Jones, the savings became clear. Mrs Jones lives in an identical property with a very similar energy use of about 5000 kWh****. Her electricity bill for 2023 was approximately £1350. In contrast, Mrs Smith’s electricity bill was just over £400 (at 27p per kWh).

Although different size properties and lifestyles will alter the energy used and costs, it’s clear that solar can do a good job at reducing your demand on the national grid and your energy bills.

Lessons Learnt

Solar panels need to face towards the sun to get the maximum amount of energy; ideally this means facing as close as possible to southeast, south, or southwest with no shading from trees or buildings.

Some roofs will not be able to accommodate solar panels. This could be for several reasons such as: building orientation, complex roof shapes, shading by trees or other buildings, structural strength, or the historical/architectural sensitivity associated with the building.

The design and manufacture of solar panels has evolved since 2018, with new and improved slimline and low-profile products on the market offering more discreet options.

The installation of solar panels and equipment on residential buildings and land may be 'permitted development' with no need to apply to us for planning permission. There are, however, important limits and conditions, detailed on the Planning Portal, which must be met to benefit from these permitted development rights.

* A kWh is a measure of one unit of energy usage.

**The solar together scheme is no longer being offered by the Greater London Authority, but such group-buying schemes may be worth investigating if they become available.

*** The price per kWh mentioned in this case study does not include the standing charge, which is set by your supplier and added to your energy bill. You are charged this cost every day, regardless of the amount of electricity you use. Currently this is around £120 per year.

****Although Mrs Smith and Mrs Jones’ homes use approximately 5,000kWh of electricity each year, the average for the 86,000 dwellings in Merton is lower, at around 3,500 kWh. For London as a whole, the figure is around 3,350kWh.

Summary

This case study focuses on reducing the risk of surface water flooding in Raynes Park. The proposed solution involved the installation of a Green Infrastructure Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) along the roadside. The SuDS - in the form of a large rain garden - aims to capture and hold surface water runoff from hard surfacing, reducing the risk of flooding and discharging water back into the local sewer network at a controlled reduced rate.

This initiative not only mitigates flood risk but also enhances biodiversity, improves water quality and amenity within the local area, showcasing a well-rounded sustainable urban water management system.

Challenge

There are many areas of the borough prone to various sources of flooding, such as river, sewer, groundwater or surface water flooding. Near Raynes Park railway underbridge at the junction of Pepys Road and Wyke Road (north of the Skew Arch Subway and Raynes Park Bridge), is one such area. The risk of flooding under the railway bridge is high. High-risk areas are predicted to have a 3.3% chance of flooding each year (a 1 in 30-year flood). So, what can we do about it?

Actions Taken

The existing highway drainage system is served by conventional road gullies. Drainage from under the bridge has to be pumped from a pumping station in Approach Road into the sewer network due to the low-lying level of the underbridge crossing. The topographical survey (the survey of the land) indicated that the existing gullies were strategically positioned at low points along the carriageway. The flooding that has occurred in Raynes Park Town Centre is significant. Under the railway the flood depths have exceeded 1m during heavy rainfall events. To help reduce the volume and rate of surface water flow coming down Pepys Rd and Wyke Rd towards the railway underbridge and to enhance water management through an overall reduction in hard surfacing, the Council constructed a large Green Infrastructure Rain Garden.

What is a Rain Garden?

Rain gardens are shallow landscaped depressions designed to hold (attenuate) or infiltrate surface water runoff rather than discharging flows directly into the sewer network. Rain gardens help improve water quality, improve amenity value of the public realm, increase biodiversity and reduce the effects of pollution. They are used to increase the drainage network's capacity by capturing and retaining rainfall, enabling it to permeate into the soil or be gradually reintroduced into the sewer network. An overflow is incorporated into the raingarden to help take extreme flows in very heavy storms and to increase resilience.

Results

The rain garden in Raynes Park took three weeks to install and covers a total area of 25.4m², with a large catchment area taking flows from the Pepys Rd highway. During intense rainfall, it can store up to 4m³ of water (about 25 baths worth) in the voids and space created below ground in the raingarden sub-base.

The design of the rain garden incorporates a 450mm deep drainage layer with a void ratio of 30% (the porous parts that allow water to drain through), topped by a 450mm layer of nutrient-rich topsoil. To ensure a reduced flow out of the rain garden into the main pipework, an orifice plate (a plate with a hole in the middle or a weir plate) with a minimum discharge rate of 2 litres per second was implemented.

Notably, the rain garden is about more than just flood risk reduction, serving as a multi-functional support for biodiversity and overall environmental and public realm improvement. By placing the rain garden in this urban setting and reducing the amount of hard grey surfacing, it functions as an ecological haven, fostering biodiversity and supporting local flora and fauna. The incorporation of 30 different plants aids in water absorption and filtration and contributes to the creation of a healthier and more resilient urban environment.

Beyond its ecological contributions, the rain garden enhances the local amenity, creating a "liveable" urban space. The integration of green spaces within the urban fabric improves the overall quality of life and underscores the importance of sustainable infrastructure in fostering vibrant, resilient communities.

The rain garden at Raynes Park highlights how good design can have multiple co-benefits, addressing surface water flooding challenges whilst simultaneously prioritising biodiversity enhancement and amenity improvement.

Summary

On 28 October 2023, Merton’s BAME Voice delivered their annual Black History Month celebration with a twist. A unique partnership saw Merton’s Climate Action Group co-deliver the event – bringing together the interconnected issues of racial equality and climate change.

The Challenge

The Race Equality Foundation has found that people from ethnic minority communities in low-income households are more likely to be living in housing poorly adapted to our changing climate (e.g. overheating and flood risks), and more likely to be disproportionately affected by air pollution, as well as being less likely to have access to green spaces that help to keep homes cooler.

Those in urban areas are particularly vulnerable. Although these groups may benefit from policies to improve insulation in some housing types and from low emission zones, they may not have benefited as much from subsidies for electric vehicles and solar panels.

There is a growing need to address the interconnected issues of racial equality and climate change together.

Action

Held at the brilliant Wimbledon Quarter with support from Romulus, BAME Voice brought together important talks, engaging discussions and creativity in recognising Black History Month, in addition to interactive stalls that allowed local residents to access energy advice among other things.

The space was full of attendees with all the diversity that Merton has to offer, ranging from the Mayor of Merton and Merton Cabinet Members to faith groups and local families.

Vibrant live performances from Ricards Lodge School as well as Richard Ntege & Music Group brought energy to the hall. Whilst a string of empowering talks from organisations such as May Project Gardens, the South London Partnership, University of West of England and Merton Council demonstrated how the climate crisis affects Merton as well as the action residents can take to move forward.

Result

Here are 4 key learnings gathered from BAME Voice’s Black History Month celebration that brought into focus the impact of climate change on Merton’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Communities.

1. Merton is thriving with ideas and solutions for building more inclusive community that re-connects with nature.

“If we want to get Merton to net-zero by 2050, it will have to include people from diverse backgrounds…Combining Black History Month and climate change shows how we can present our own stories through environmentalism” Ian Soloman-Kawall, May Project Gardens.

Research from The Active Wellbeing Society sets out that BAME people are less likely to be within a 5-minute walk of a green space compared with people that identify as white. However, Merton’s Ian Soloman-Kawall, Founder May Project Gardens is on a mission to tackle this. Ian captivated the audience with an engaging talk about his unique community hub, set within a natural building classroom, that creates a safe space for people to reconnect with nature for personal, social and economic transformations.

In addition, May Project Gardens run a Hip-Hop Garden programme that aims to engage young people in nature – building a stronger connection between communities and green spaces, whilst expanding access to nature for all communities. Integral to this is ensuring that young people from diverse communities have consistent access to green skills opportunities, something that the Hip-Hop Garden seeks to achieve.

2. Merton Council are leading to empower local people to act on climate change

Councilor Natasha Irons, Cabinet Member for Local Environment, Green Spaces and Climate Change at Merton Council, provided a detailed run through of the Merton Council Climate Action Plan, that sets out how the local authority is utilising a local response to the climate crisis to support skills development for future green careers and tackle social issues such as health and equity, in addition to reducing carbon emissions.

Cllr Irons also discussed key highlights for the council over the past year – including a new Community Climate Action Fund, a Tree Strategy for 2023-2029 and partnering with Thinking Works to provide energy saving support to residents in the borough. To keep up to date with Merton Council’s climate activities you can sign up to their newsletter here.

3. Green Jobs and Skills opportunities exist and young BAME residents are taking them up. However, more far-reaching engagement is needed and a shift within senior roles.

University of the West of England’s Xavier Baker and Hannah Nuttall demonstrated exciting employment opportunities that exist within the green sector for BAME residents as they talked through their Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship programme, a presentation that you can view here.

South London Partnership’s Mo Hussain also spoke at the event and described a ‘green job’ as one that has a direct, positive impact on the planet. He referred to a recent Green Economy report that stated that BAME people make up 17% of the workforce within green occupations, compared with 12% of the overall workforce. BAME people are also more likely to be self-employed with the green economy. A key issue however is that BAME groups are still significantly underrepresented within senior roles in the green economy, and this requires urgent attention. The South London Partnership’s Green Skills Academy hosts a range of events, courses and job opportunities for local residents interested in finding out more.

4. Health and wellbeing in Merton is intrinsically linked to climate change – and it disproportionately affects BAME Communities

“Climate action is everyone’s problem and we need to work in partnership to protect Merton. Leadership in climate change must start at home…We need to raise awareness of the wonderful green spaces that we do have in Merton The Actively Merton Programme is a great example of how we have come together to make the best use of these green spaces to create more active lifestyles” Dr. Ganesaratnam GP.

A key public health report published by Dr Sayanthan Ganesaratnam, GP Clinical Director for East Merton Primary Care Network, sets out the link of the impacts of climate change and poor air quality to the health and wellbeing of local residents. The report sets out how climate change will exacerbate existing inequalities in Merton, for example with heat-stress more likely to occur in East Merton compared with West and areas of greater deprivation within Merton being further away from green spaces.

However, what remains clear from Dr. Ganesaratnam’s is that by taking climate action, Merton residents can benefit from significant boosts to their health through more active lifestyles, healthier diets, better mental health wellbeing and cleaner air.