The John Lewis Rain Garden

This rain garden project was planned with the John Lewis Partnership and reflects their environmental and sustainability values.

The John Lewis Rain Garden at 171 Victoria Street, London.

The rain garden, designed by Professor Nigel Dunnett of Sheffield University with The Landscape Agency, replaced an area of 75m² cobbled paving in front of the John Lewis Partnership head office.

The project follows our own guidelines published in 2010 in the Victoria BID Green Infrastructure Audit. The project received support from Natural England as well as the Mayor of London’s Greening the BIDs project, via the Cross River Partnership.

Rain gardens are an attractive way of absorbing rainwater run-off, helping to reduce the amount of water going into the sewers, cutting the impact of heavy rainfall and potential flooding. They form part of a strategy of water sensitive urban design and contribute to greening the area.

The work involved over 20 species of plants selected for their visual attractiveness, environmental tolerance and value to pollinators. They include evergreens, perennials and sarcococca hedges.  Drainage gaps within some of the kerbs allow water to flow into the garden from the road, thus reducing roadside flooding. The scheme was installed by Landform Consultants Ltd.