A Better Way of Managing Storm Water for St Mary’s

Scottish Water, NatureScot and SEPA are working with Dundee City Council to develop an exciting and innovative project to improve the way storm water is managed and reduce flood risk in the St Mary’s area of Dundee.

We want to engage the community in shaping plans which could bring significant benefits for the area by transforming a landscape corridor running from St Leonards and St Fergus Church on Macalpine Road to Baldragon Academy on Harestane Road, including St Leonard Park as well as part of Balgowan Avenue Park.

A graphic showing what St Leonards Park could look like with nature-based drainage
Storm water flooding on St Leonard Place affects residents, the road and part of the park area
Much of St Leonard Park today is dominated by relatively featureless grass
A sketch plan indicating some early ideas and opportunities for St Leonard Park
An artist's impression showing what a wildlife-friendly storm water retention basin could look like
A montage showing what part of St Leonard Park could look like with the Back Burn reinstated
Map of St Leonard park with ideas written on post-it notes

St Leonard Park - present and future?

The park as it is today, regularly affected by flooding, and some early ideas for the future

What We Are Doing

We want to engage the local community about an exciting opportunity to reduce the risk of flooding locally, while also making wider positive changes to the park. The reopening of the historic Back Burn, which was culverted over 50 years ago, could restore a natural watercourse with potential to include a variety of other features. We also want to explore opportunities to create a new pathway system that will improve connections and support more walking and cycling; a more attractive planting structure with new spaces, areas for growing and increased wildlife; and areas for active use such as outdoor gyms or improved play opportunities.

Why We Are Doing This

The aim is to reduce flood risk, and at the same time improve these green spaces for the benefit of everyone. They could offer much more and provide multiple benefits for recreation, wildlife, active travel and activities for the people who live and work in and around St Mary's.

Update - June 2022

A feasibility study and outline design for the first phase of the St Leonard Park sustainable drainage project is now finalised and available to view (see below), following extensive consultation with landscape architects, engineers and the local community. The work has been commissioned by a partnership of organisations including Scottish Water, Dundee City Council, and NatureScot.

 

Project documents

Title Type Size Download
St Marys feasibility study June 22

PDF 22 MB Download