We are officially BALI accredited!
New school SuDS project funding available to you!
With just over a week to go, remember to apply for up to 50% funding for your next school SuDS project.
We can help with your application and support you on your upcoming SuDS project - get in touch with us now and let’s create a more resilient and environmentally friendly school community!
Meristem Design have delivered over 30 school SuDS projects in the two previous funding rounds.
About the funding:
The Department for Education (DfE) is inviting applications for the new SuDS Schools Grant Scheme for 2025/2026. Aimed at reducing surface water flooding across school estates, this initiative helps alleviate pressure on local drainage networks and enhances the school's educational environment.
The DfE can cover up to 50% of total SuDS project costs, from small SuDS planters to large rain gardens and swales, making this a valuable match-funded opportunity!
WHEN DOES THE FUNDING CLOSE?
Closing date is the 4th November so get in touch soon for any assistance.
What can I get funding for?
The DfE will consider grant funding for small, medium and large SuDS projects such as:
Small: a range of small, medium and large SuDS planters.
Medium: a range of planters, small sized rain gardens and tree pits.
Large: a range planters, tree pits, swales/detention basin and a range of medium to large rain gardens.
Are you eligible?
You can apply for the SuDS in Schools grant funding if you are:
A Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA).
A Water Company.
A Non-Profit Organisation.
State Funded School (Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Alternative Provisions) in England.
Want to know more?
Contact us at: enquiries@meristemdesign.co.uk for a chat about your next school SuDS scheme!
How to implement innovative SuDS in schools
We have recently completed an innovative rainwater harvesting project at Mission Grove Primary School on Buxton Road. With the aim of increasing flood resilience and promoting environmental sustainability, Meristem Design integrated innovative SuDS to enhance the school grounds and engage the pupils on the importance of water management and the benefits of connecting with nature and their environment.
Designed by WhatIf, this most recent installation will aid in bolstering the newly planted areas, increasing its chances of success and longevity. Bringing in green into the school grounds will also help with education and awareness, hopefully boosting ownership and engagement, leading to a heightened sense of care and appreciation of the wider scheme.
Innovative Rainwater Harvesting System
Our work at Mission Grove included two key rainwater harvesting systems:
2000L tank at the garden
The first system is located on the outside of the school and collects rainwater from the roof of the school. The tank has been strategically placed near the edible garden which is home to several espaliered apple and pear trees. The harvested water will be a valuable resource for maintaining the planted gardens on the school’s borders and will be accessible for the school to utilise.
The 2000L tank is filled by a converted downpipe in the school, harnessing the water that would otherwise be lost, and also acting as a SuDS intervention.
It's also fitted with a filter inside the school to catch any unwanted items from the roof making their way into the tank.
The downpipe from the roof to this tank is over 24m long. We included a 2.5m clear section along the pipe to provide school pupils the opportunity to observe the rainflow, providing them an engaging and educational experience. We also included planted hoppers packed full of flowering and trailing plants at the far end of the downpipe which will also harness the rainfall by utilising an internal wick system.
By engaging with these systems, school children learn that nature requires care and attention and that their actions can have a positive impact on their environment, helping them to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, not just for their school grounds but for the environment as a whole.
2. 500L tank with corten planter
We've also installed a 500L tank inside the school, with a diversion from an existing downpipe. Once this tank is full, the entirety of the downpipe flows into a 2m diameter corten SuDS planter, planted with a variety of drought tolerant, flowering species.
This planter also boasts a 180-degree, wrap around hard wood bench, providing a space for students to relax and engage with their surroundings whilst also giving them the opportunity to watch the SuDS planter in action. The collected water can then be used to water the planter during dry spells.
Not only is the rainwater used for the plants, but it also helps care for the school’s resident ducks, chickens, and rabbits, who have their own swimming pool. The system ensures a sustainable water supply for these animals, adding another layer of environmental stewardship to the school’s daily routine.
Enhancing Buxton Road and Mission Grove
This latest installation follows on from the earlier greening of Buxton Road gardens, a collaborative project working with St James St Big Local, Waltham Forest’s Highways, What if Projects and the Greater London Authority’s Grow Back Greener Fund. Working hand in hand, the sustainable initiatives are creating a cleaner, greener, more relaxed environment both inside the school and out.
As the newly planted areas grow and thrive with the help of rainwater harvested from the school’s roof, these project will stand as a prime example of sustainable design and community collaboration. We are proud to have been part of an initiative that not only enhances flood resilience but also brings nature into the heart of a school, inspiring a new generation to care for their environment.
Derby wheels out new cycle parking
Nine new bike corrals have been installed at sites across the city, making it easier for cyclists to travel around Derby.
Bike corrals are on-street cycle parking hubs that allow cyclists to park and secure their bikes safely. The corrals have been installed in the heart of several communities across the city, giving residents greater choice when deciding how to travel to their local amenities.
Cyclists can find the new corrals in the following locations:
Birchover Way, Allestree
Blagreaves Library, Littleover
Council House, City Centre
Kedleston Road, Darley
Parker Street, Darley
Prince Charles Avenue, Mackworth
Grove Street, Normanton
Cycle parking corrals are also located outside the University of Derby’s Ford Street and Nun Street buildings.
Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Transport, Climate Change and Sustainability said:
It’s really exciting to see these bike corrals installed across our city. We’ve invested a lot into making our city centre as accessible and attractive as possible for cyclists, and now it’s time for us to focus our attention on communities outside the city centre.
We’ve worked hard to make sure that the corrals are in the right locations and I’m looking forward to seeing our citizens use and enjoy them. By making it easier to cycle to local amenities, we hope that this will encourage more people cycle around their communities, reducing congestion on the roads and supporting our climate ambitions.
David MacColl, Co-founder and Operations Director at Meristem Design said:
We're thrilled to be part of this new sustainable scheme with Derby Council to enhance the urban environment while boosting local biodiversity. These new cycle corrals not only offer secure bike parking but also add to the area’s overall aesthetic, creating a more inviting space for everyone to enjoy.
By placing them near amenities such as libraries and shops, we want to encourage people to embrace active travel and spend more time outdoors. The corrals also help declutter the streets, offering residents and visitors a place to rest, sit, or connect with nature, all while making the city greener and more connected!
Funded by the Government’s Future Transport Zones Fund, the corrals have been installed as part of a wider project to create active travel hubs in communities across Derby. Each corral site has been selected because it will bring significant benefits to the local area, as well as being at the heart of a busy community with high footfall.
News from Derby City Council
Meristem Design expands their green fleet
As part of our ongoing sustainability commitments, we are thrilled with the latest addition to our green fleet: our third electric maintenance vehicle. By integrating more EV's into our operations, this will help to further minimise the carbon footprint of our travels and deliveries, ensuring that we are contributing to a greener and cleaner future.
Electric Vehicles in Urban Areas
Electric vehicles are playing a pivotal role in transforming urban transportation and reducing emissions in cities. Powered by electricity rather than traditional fossil fuels like diesel and gasoline, EVs use rechargeable batteries to power an electric motor, resulting in more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly journeys.
Over a year, just one electric car on the roads can save an average of 1.5 million grams of CO2.
That’s the equivalent of four return flights from London to Barcelona.
Urban areas face a number of challenges, with pollution and congestion taking a toll on the environment and people’s quality of life. By incorporating electric vehicles into our fleet of vehicles, we are helping to reduce harmful emissions that contribute to poor air quality and climate change.
Types of electric vehicles
Battery-electric vehicle (BEV)
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)
Extended range electric vehicle (E-REV)
With zero tailpipe emissions, electric vehicles help reduce air pollution and improve air quality, contributing to healthier communities and clearer skies. Electric vehicles are quieter than petrol and diesel cars, helping to reduce noise pollution, leading to more peaceful city areas. Where an EV directly converts electricity into movement, this makes it far more energy efficient than a traditional vehicle. Electric vehicles also have a lower center of gravity, which can lead to better handling and reduced rollovers. They also have better acceleration and crumple zones.
What does the future look like?
The UK government introduced a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate in January 2024 that requires car manufacturers to sell a minimum percentage of zero-emission vehicles. Currently this is the world’s most ambitious national-level decarbonisation framework of its kind and the largest carbon-saving measure across government.
80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain will now be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035.
(Note: this was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government)
Taking green steps forward
We at Meristem Design are continually trying to find new innovative ways to reduce emissions and minimise our environmental impact and carbon footprint.
This initiative not only aligns with our mission to contribute to a greener and cleaner future but also brings us closer to our goal of achieving B-corp status.
B-corp certification represents the highest standards of social and environmental performance, and achieving this designation is a major priority for us. The addition of EVs to our fleet is just one of the many steps we are taking to meet these standards and demonstrate our commitment to creating a positive impact on both people and the planet.
At Meristem Design, we are proud to be at the forefront of the movement towards sustainable urban transportation, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of our efforts in the communities we serve.
Revitalising the Historic Memorial Hospital
Memorial Hospital archive: thamesfacingeast
Meristem Design is proud to announce the completion of a new revitalisation project at the historic Memorial Hospital, located atop Shooters Hill in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The landmark hospital was built in 1927 and is surrounded by seven hectares of greenery adjacent to Oxleas Woods, a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The recent enhancements focus on the hospital’s internal courtyard, an area that was previously unmanaged and underutilised, to create a more sustainable environment for the wellbeing of both patients and staff.
Turning the Grey Green
To help transform the courtyard into a vibrant and green space, we focused on elements that would boost biodiversity, support wellbeing and increase sustainability. These elements included:
Installation of SuDS planters: Designed to manage surface water, the planters will collect rooftop runoff which will be absorbed by the soil and plants, reducing flood risk. Not only that, the SuDS planters also improves water quality and supports urban biodiversity. Plants placed in the planters include:
Erigeron, Mehlenbeckia, Sarcococca, Heuchera, Miscanthus
Re-planting and relocation: Existing planters were re-planted to help rejuvenate the area with lush plants, providing rich habitats for wildlife. Meristem also helped relocate one planter to the car park, supporting the extension of the green space beyond the courtyard.
Pond revitalisation: Revitalising the pond creates a tranquil water feature for the space, also serving as a habitat for local wildlife. After a thorough clean, Meristem Design enhanced the pond through the addition of new aquatic plants including:
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Common Water Crowfoot, Willow Moss (Fontinalis Antipyretica), Hornwort (Ceratophyllum dermersum), Brandy bottle (Nuphar Luteum) and Alba water lily (Nymphaea alba)
The Hospital’s commitment to the environment
Memorial Hospital is home to a number of ornamental trees, creating a green and vibrant outlook for staff and patients. The hospital also runs a number of sustainability programmes, including a ‘no-mow’ area to keep the grass onsite longer to benefits pollinators and other local wildlife.
site of historic and environmental significance
Hall of Remembrance within the hospital: Photo Credit: Secretlondon
History of the hospital
Today run by the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, the hospital was previously conceived as a war memorial for those who served in the First World War, with the Woolwich and District Hospital Association acquiring the site in 1920. Opened in 1927, the hospital officially began receiving patients in 1928 and has since played a crucial role in community healthcare.
By 1930 the hospital was known as the Woolwich and District War Memorial Hospital, until 1931 when it became the Woolwich and District Hospital Association War Memorial Hospital. In 1938 it was known simply as the Memorial Hospital. During WW2 the Hospital became a military hospital, providing back-up facilities. In 1948 it joined the NHS as a general hospital.
Information taken from ‘Lost Hospitals of London’.
Local environment
Nestled next to the ancient Oxleas Woodlands SSSI, the hospital is part of a vibrant landscape full of biodiversity. The woodlands which are at least 8000 years old are full of oak, silver birch, hornbeam and coppice hazel trees, covering over 80 hectares.
Part of the Green Chain Walk, a route which spans fields, parks and woodlands across 50 miles, the woodlands provide a stunning and unique backdrop to enhance the hospital’s natural setting.
The Memorial Hospital’s courtyard revitalisation is a testament to the potential of green design to transform urban spaces. The project not only enhances the hospital’s environment and improves patient and staff wellbeing, but also contributes positively to the surrounding Oxleas Woodlands ecosystem, reinforcing the historic hospital’s role as a sustainable community cornerstone.
