Work to create rain gardens to alleviate the threat of flooding to thousands of homes and businesses in Mansfield is under way.

Severn Trent’s £76m project to create similar sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) — nature-based aolutions — will transform the town and eventually protect 90,000 homes.

The company has already been working with Mansfield District Council around the Old Town Hall to install sustainable drainage in a new memorial garden.

Also, work in the Market Place outside The Court House pub (top) is the first of hundreds of Severn Trent’s independent rain gardens.

Other areas of Mansfield are set to benefit from the investment as thousands of SuDS are planned with the next phase of work due to be in Ravensdale later this year.

Adam Boucher, programme lead in Mansfield said: “This is a really pivotal moment of the project, as this is our first rain garden and intervention that we’re installing.

“This project will see us using innovative nature-based solutions to help reduce flooding, and what’s really exciting is that nothing on this scale has been seen before in the UK, so it’s a huge moment for Mansfield.

“It means not only will those living here or visiting benefit from reduced flood risk, but they can enjoy new green spaces, which is also great for biodiversity and wildlife, as well as wider benefits to the environment and rivers.”

Severn Trent say the project will create around five hectares of biodiversity rich habitat, while reducing the risk of flooding for around 90,000 people.

When complete in 2025, the new SuDS in Mansfield will be able to store more than 58 million litres of surface water — about 23 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The company will be installing a variety of drainage systems, including rain gardens, street planters, and detention basins, with the support of various partners, including Nottinghamshire County Council and Mansfield District Council.

“We’re aiming for these new rain gardens to be complete by the end of November.

“We’re then really looking forward to work starting outside the town centre, where we can transform more areas of Mansfield, reducing flooding and helping to boost biodiversity and wellbeing for those living there.”

Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “There has been a massive increase in hard surfacing over the last couple of decades as lawns and verges have been replaced.

“The Memorial Rain Garden and the Market Place projects will transform the feel of the town centre, making it an even more welcoming place for our residents and visitors, and it will help regenerate business in the town centre.”