Sustainable Stormwater Management in the Community

Community Engagement at DEX and South East Wedge

Tim Darlow, SISTech

Peter Wright, Lynda Gairns, Brian D’Arcy, SEPA

Why have Community Engagement?

CommunitySource Control

Safety

Amenity Value

Water Framework Directive

South East Wedge

South East Wedge Development Area

South East Wedge ‘Castlevale’ Project

Proposals drawn up by local children:

“ponds, trees, bushes and flowers that encourage wildlife and make a place more interesting to stay in”

“frogs and fish”

“somewhere to roller blade”

Castlevale Project 1998 CEC/MC

Niddrie Burn Catchment

Footpath/cyclepath Network

SUDS Pond/Wetland

Restored Watercourse

Niddrie Burn Catchment Community Questionnaire

Have you ever walked along the burn?“it’s a bit of state”“No it is very dirty”“The path’s all lumpy for walking and buggies”

What type of Environment would you like to see?“Benches, things for kids, safe paths”“Trees shrubs and long grass”

Community Scoping Questionnaire City Edinburgh Council 2004

AIMS:

1. Promote environmental awareness amongst the local community.

2. Facilitate environmental improvements for benefit of people and wildlife.

4. Encourage the involvement of local community groups and businesses.

5. Liase with local schools to maximise educational benefits of SUDS.

Increase the value of DEX Complex as a ‘Best Practice Site’

DEX Community Engagement Project

Steering GroupSteering Group

Duloch Park Residents & Tenants Association

Scottish Water (Castle House, Dunfermline)

Middlebank & Masterton Residents Association

Taylor Woodrow Developers

Local Office Network, Fife Council

Ironside Farrar Engineering Consultants

Ranger Services, Fife Council Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

Development Services, Fife Council

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)

Education Services, Fife Council University of Abertay

Press Articles

‘DEX Update’ Website

…soon available on

www.sistech.co.uk/dexupdate

Actions to Date

• Articles

• Awareness Raising materials – Leaflets & Newsletter

• Focus Groups

• Website

• Changes to Maintenance Regime

• Biodiversity Surveys

DEX as an Ideal Demonstration Site

Courtesy of RJB Associates

DEX as an Ideal Demonstration Site

Oil Care Campaign

SISTechScottish Institute of Sustainable

Technology

DEX as an Ideal Demonstration Site

• Name signs at all burns and ponds

• Leaflets at supermarkets, libraries etc

• Improved habitats in and around SUDS features

• School Projects

• Involvement of local community groups

• Public awareness and focus groups

The FutureThe Future

DEX Community Engagement Project Officer

Local Business Liaison

Access and Natural Habitat Improvement

Interpretive Signage

Schools Engagement

Oil Care CampaignInformation

Leaflets

Public Awareness Survey

Steering Group

Community Engagement Work Programme 2004 - 06