Creating a nature-positive wetland in urban West Yorkshire

Hough Side Integrated Constructed Wetland

Yorkshire Water wanted to increase the resilience and improve the water quality of the Pudsey Beck in West Yorkshire. They sought a more nature-positive solution instead of a conventional stormwater storage tank, which would have faced constructability challenges due to topography and created issues for the local community with odor and visibility of the structure. They reached out to our team to help.

Our wider multidisciplinary team developed an outline design for new screens in the storm overflow and pumped recirculation system, integrated constructed wetland, and demolition and removal of the old treatment works assets still on site. Our wetland design and landscape architects shaped the aesthetic, amenity, and recreational elements to blend within the local context, including proposed changes to public rights of way.

The £20 million project required close collaboration with the Environment Agency through regulatory discussions. Here we used our experience to support Yorkshire Water and demonstrate how the nature-based solution would meet regulatory targets, while providing a host of benefits.

Construction is expected to start in 2024. When complete, the integrated constructed wetland will blend into the natural environment and use plants to naturally improve the water quality of the Pudsey Beck, providing social value to the local community.