Bank reinstatement in private garden in Cheltenham

Erosion control project

Client Private individual

2008

A 20m length of bank immediately adjacent to the client's house had washed away in the flooding of 2007. The client was concerned that the encroachment would continue. Using stone-filled gabions would have cost in excess of £50,000 and involved the use of heavy machinery over their drive and front garden. The area was unshaded and eminently suitable to the installation of willow spiling. We suggested building in 3 tiers to reflect the existing bank profile.

JPR Environmental drew up plans for the works proposed and applied for and gained consent from the Environment Agency for the works affecting watercourses.
We cleared the affected area and installed the spiling in 3 tiers of up to 1m high. The area behind each tier was backfilled to allow the willow to root.
The work was undertaken for about 20% of the cost of gabions and there was no damage to the client's drive or garden during installation.

Willow spiling following installation in April 2008

Willow spiling after 2 month's growth in July