Bank stabilisation using willow spiling on housing development

Erosion control project

Client Cala Homes

2004

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.

Supply and installation of 20 x 1m willow spiling. Due to the residential setting, several varieties of willow were used in the spiling, 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.

Spiling showing growth in second year after installation