The Challenge
Why Derringham needed protecting
Over 100,000 homes across Hull and the East Riding are at risk of surface water flooding – and Derringham has felt that risk acutely. The area was among the most severely affected during the catastrophic floods of June 2007, when properties were inundated and families faced months of disruption and heartbreak.
Surface water flooding happens when heavy rain falls faster than drains can cope. Instead of soaking away, water lies on or flows across roads, gardens and into homes. With 95% of Hull sitting below the highest tide levels and rainfall becoming more intense due to climate change, the city cannot rely on traditional pipes and sewers alone.
In Derringham, low-lying green spaces meant floodwater collected quickly during peak rainfall, posing a serious and recurring threat to the surrounding streets and properties.
Derringham was identified as a priority for Living With Water because of its flood history and the genuine opportunity to use existing green spaces as part of the solution – not just the problem.
The Solution
A nature-based answer to a very real problem
The scheme installed six new aquagreens across Derringham, carefully reshaping green spaces that act as temporary storage basins during heavy or prolonged rainfall. In dry conditions they function as ordinary, usable green spaces. When it rains heavily, they quietly absorb and hold excess water, releasing it slowly back into the sewer network once it has capacity. This dramatically reduces the speed and volume of water entering the drainage system.
The six completed aquagreens are located at:
- Louis Drive
- Danube Road
- Hunsley Avenue
- Moorhouse Road
- Coventry Street
- Manor Road
Sustainability specialists Stantec developed the long-term blue/green masterplan for Hull that shaped this work, and contract partners Mott MacDonald Bentley delivered construction across two phases, beginning in November 2023. Throughout the process, the Living With Water team held regular drop-in sessions and community surgeries, giving residents the chance to shape the look and feel of the scheme and stay informed at every stage.
6
new aquagreens installed across the area
£8.4m
total investment in the scheme
4
aquagreens equipped with live monitoring technology
£0
cost to local residents – fully partnership-funded
Gallery
The Solution
What's changed for people living in Derringham
The completed scheme significantly reduces the risk of surface water flooding across Derringham. Green spaces that once amplified flood risk during heavy rain now quietly manage it, storing excess water and releasing it at a rate the drainage network can handle.
Beyond flood protection, the aquagreens create new urban habitats that support biodiversity and provide improved green space for the local community. They also help filter pollutants from surface water runoff, improving water quality before it re-enters the drainage system.
Four of the aquagreens are fitted with telemetry and monitoring equipment that feeds data into the University of Hull's SuDSlab research project. This helps to improve the design and performance of sustainable drainage schemes nationally.
The Derringham scheme is part of a wider blueprint. Living With Water has already delivered schemes at Rosmead Street, Bilton, Orchard Park and several local schools, and the partnership has further flood resilience projects in development for 2025-2030.
"This scheme offers flood benefits for communities whilst creating the habitat and ecology that nature needs and enables Hull and its residents to adapt. It's a great example of the scale of what can be achieved by working in partnership."
Cllr Charles Quinn, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Hull City Council
The Derringham scheme is part of a wider blueprint. Living With Water has already delivered schemes at Rosmead Street, Bilton, Orchard Park and several local schools, and the partnership has further flood resilience projects in development for 2025–2030.
"Our investment for Hull and East Riding into sustainable drainage schemes aims to act as a blueprint for wider partnership work when it comes to flood resilience. Not only does this type of infrastructure help mitigate flood risk, but it also works closely with nature and communities to enhance the local area."
Emma Brown, Partnership Manager, Yorkshire Water & Living With Water General Manager
Derringham is a landmark moment in Hull's 25-year Blue-Green Plan – a strategy targeting £1.6 billion of flood resilience investment by 2080 for a city where 100,000 homes remain at risk.
