Bank stabilisation using willow spiling on housing development

Erosion control project

Client: Cala Homes

2004

Project outline


The recent conversion of a mill into flats and houses had left a small section of earth bank
supporting an access road to the development, susceptible to erosion. Two previous attempts
to stabilise the bank using concrete and stone had failed.

Services Provided

Supply and installation of 20 x 1m willow spilling. Due to the residential setting, several varieties
of willow were used in the spilling, each chosen for their aesthetic appeal and moderate growth
rate. These provide interesting foliage in the summer and plenty of colour from the different
coloured stems in winter without over-growing the mill race. Existing willow plants were removed
and replanted after spiling work had finished. Spiling was back-filled with compost soil and then
new bank profiled and planted.