Bloor Homes, Felixstowe
Bloor Homes, Felixstowe
Bloor Homes’ development of 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes in the Suffolk coastal town of Felixstowe – recognised as one of the UK’s best up-and-coming places to live by The Sunday Times in 2023 – have been built to the highest standards by the developer, and sustainability has been at the forefront of decision-making too: not only has a SuDS approach to surface water management been employed, but selected homes feature solar PV panels and EV charging options, while all new builds meet the requirements for A or B EPC ratings.
The estate’s design has embraced innovative nature-based stormwater management strategies, with GreenBlue Urban’s HydroPlanters providing a sustainable and attractive solution for managing surface water runoff. Unlike traditional attenuation methods such as ponds and basins, which can take up valuable land and create unsightly spaces at certain times of year, this raingarden system offers a more aesthetically pleasing and environmentally beneficial alternative.
The HydroPlanter raingardens manage runoff directly from roads, gradually attenuating the water into specialised soil, while also filtering out pollutants. This method is proven to be just as effective as more traditional surface water management solutions, such as attenuation basins, yet with the added advantages of supporting biodiversity and improving the visual and
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Bloor Homes’ development of 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes in the Suffolk coastal town of Felixstowe – recognised as one of the UK’s best up-and-coming places to live by The Sunday Times in 2023 – have been built to the highest standards by the developer, and sustainability has been at the forefront of decision-making too: not only has a SuDS approach to surface water management been employed, but selected homes feature solar PV panels and EV charging options, while all new builds meet the requirements for A or B EPC ratings.
The estate’s design has embraced innovative nature-based stormwater management strategies, with GreenBlue Urban’s HydroPlanters providing a sustainable and attractive solution for managing surface water runoff. Unlike traditional attenuation methods such as ponds and basins, which can take up valuable land and create unsightly spaces at certain times of year, this raingarden system offers a more aesthetically pleasing and environmentally beneficial alternative.
The HydroPlanter raingardens manage runoff directly from roads, gradually attenuating the water into specialised soil, while also filtering out pollutants. This method is proven to be just as effective as more traditional surface water management solutions, such as attenuation basins, yet with the added advantages of supporting biodiversity and improving the visual and
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
"The HydroPlanters have been a game-changer for our Felixstowe development, offering an innovative alternative method to traditional surface water treatment and attenuation features. The plug-and-play system is incredibly efficient, becoming fully operational within just a few hours of starting installation. This has significantly streamlined our project timelines and reduced complexity.”
Buyer appeal and environmental benefits
In contrast to estates that have been designed with an emphasis on tarmac or other types of hard landscaping, the presence of green, landscaped areas provided by the raingardens at the Bloor Homes development softens the aesthetic of the space and creates a more pleasant, natural environment for residents. This not only improves the quality of life for those living in the properties but also increases the attractiveness of the homes to potential buyers, who are increasingly aware of the wellbeing benefits of green space as well as having an immediate sense of the kerb appeal that plants and trees bring with them.
In addition to the aesthetic and community benefits, the HydroPlanters have contributed to biodiversity net gain, enhancing the local ecosystem, providing habitats for wildlife while managing surface water runoff effectively.
Minimal maintenance, maximum efficiency
A key advantage of HydroPlanters over traditional surface water management tactics is their low-maintenance nature. While more traditional systems including gullies often require significant upkeep to ensure debris is cleared and blockages can be avoided, raingardens are self-sustaining and require minimal maintenance over time. The reduced maintenance burden not only saves costs but also ensures that the stormwater management system remains effective without the need for frequent intervention.
"The HydroPlanters have been a game-changer for our Felixstowe development, offering an innovative alternative method to traditional surface water treatment and attenuation features. The plug-and-play system is incredibly efficient, becoming fully operational within just a few hours of starting installation. This has significantly streamlined our project timelines and reduced complexity.”
Buyer appeal and environmental benefits
In contrast to estates that have been designed with an emphasis on tarmac or other types of hard landscaping, the presence of green, landscaped areas provided by the raingardens at the Bloor Homes development softens the aesthetic of the space and creates a more pleasant, natural environment for residents. This not only improves the quality of life for those living in the properties but also increases the attractiveness of the homes to potential buyers, who are increasingly aware of the wellbeing benefits of green space as well as having an immediate sense of the kerb appeal that plants and trees bring with them.
In addition to the aesthetic and community benefits, the HydroPlanters have contributed to biodiversity net gain, enhancing the local ecosystem, providing habitats for wildlife while managing surface water runoff effectively.
Minimal maintenance, maximum efficiency
A key advantage of HydroPlanters over traditional surface water management tactics is their low-maintenance nature. While more traditional systems including gullies often require significant upkeep to ensure debris is cleared and blockages can be avoided, raingardens are self-sustaining and require minimal maintenance over time. The reduced maintenance burden not only saves costs but also ensures that the stormwater management system remains effective without the need for frequent intervention.
A sustainable, cost-effective solution
By reducing the need for land-consuming, hard-to-maintain attenuation basins, and providing a greener, more biodiverse environment, raingardens align with both environmental goals and financial considerations. The system’s ease of installation and efficiency have made it a go-to solution for developers such as Bloor Homes, who are committed to delivering sustainable, eco-friendly communities that also support long-term cost savings.
With their proven performance, environmental benefits, and minimal maintenance requirements, HydroPlanters are quickly becoming an essential component of sustainable urban development – and we look forward to working with Bloor Homes on future projects of this nature, too.
“The HydroPlanters have been a game-changer for our Felixstowe development, offering an innovative alternative method to traditional surface water treatment and attenuation features. The plug-and-play system is incredibly efficient, becoming fully operational within just a few hours of starting installation. This has significantly streamlined our project timelines and reduced complexity.”
Harrison Cockrill, Assistant Engineer at Bloor Homes
A sustainable, cost-effective solution
By reducing the need for land-consuming, hard-to-maintain attenuation basins, and providing a greener, more biodiverse environment, raingardens align with both environmental goals and financial considerations. The system’s ease of installation and efficiency have made it a go-to solution for developers such as Bloor Homes, who are committed to delivering sustainable, eco-friendly communities that also support long-term cost savings.
With their proven performance, environmental benefits, and minimal maintenance requirements, HydroPlanters are quickly becoming an essential component of sustainable urban development – and we look forward to working with Bloor Homes on future projects of this nature, too.
“The HydroPlanters have been a game-changer for our Felixstowe development, offering an innovative alternative method to traditional surface water treatment and attenuation features. The plug-and-play system is incredibly efficient, becoming fully operational within just a few hours of starting installation. This has significantly streamlined our project timelines and reduced complexity.”
Harrison Cockrill, Assistant Engineer at Bloor Homes
