Key design considerations - Flood, ecology, lighting and noise

The flood strategy advised by the Environment Agency is to maintain the status quo. In terms of ecology, light and noise there is opportunity for betterment.

Flood

The two x-sections opposite show the River Avon at its normal level, and at a time of significant flood when the Recreation Ground is used to store floodwater.

The Recreation Ground is a functional floodplain and the design has been carefully managed to maintain the status quo as advised by the Environment Agency. The stands are designed to allow free passage of water through most areas, and together with maintaining the existing flood defence bund this ensures there is no change in flood risk to third parties in the area.

Any change to the levels, such as the minor raising of the pitch by 0.4m, will be compensated across the site. Flood resilient construction will minimise damage in a flood event, as well as allowing for a quick clean up process to enable the stadium to be available for use within a short period after a flood event.

Ecology and lighting

The scheme is guided by the principles set out within the Waterspace Design Guidance prepared by Bath and North East Somerset Council (2018).

The design proposals retain almost all riverside trees, providing a buffer against any potential light spill to the river corridor. There are five trees impacted by the design proposals, including dead trees and a dead stump. At least seven replacement trees will be planted.

There are significant opportunities to enhance the biodiversity by:

• Tree replacement and additional planting;
• Biodiverse and riparian habitat planting;
• Night scented planting for bat foraging habitat.

The primary floodlights will be located under the leading edge of the West and East stand roofs, with secondary lighting further on the roof undersides and on the South stand. The lighting strategy has been developed with specialist Musco and will use hooded energy efficient LED lights to optimise pitch lighting and minimise light spill. This provides significant betterment from the current position.

The riverside lighting strategy follows the Waterspace Design Guidance to protect the river corridor habitat. Low level and carefully directed lighting minimises lux levels, with retained trees providing further shielding of the river corridor.

Noise

Our acoustician specialist has assessed current and future potential noise spill as part of the design process and details will be included within the planning application.

The provision of stand roofs and a much enhanced new PA system will help contain noise within the stadium.