The challenge

Delivering retrofit SuDS across a live urban environment demanded more than engineering skill. It called for agility, trust, and deep community connection.

The team faced tight delivery windows, evolving site conditions and the need to balance technical ambition with local priorities. Several interventions were descoped during final design, driven by time constraints and resident concerns. But the goal stayed firm: deliver meaningful, community-backed outcomes that last.

Our role

WSP led the design and delivery of 75 SuDS packages across Mansfield. The approach was strategic, responsive, and rooted in collaboration:

• Standardised designs and specifications were applied to accelerate delivery and reduce costs, ensuring quality was never compromised.
• Close working relationships with local councils and highway authorities helped secure planning support and enabled seamless integration with existing infrastructure.
• Stakeholder engagement was led by sharing lessons from previous SuDS schemes and adapting designs in response to community feedback, especially around parking and access needs.
• Flexibility was embedded into the design process, allowing for real-time adjustments based on site conditions and resident input.

Collaboration in action

This was a true partnership. WSP worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Severn Trent Water, Galliford Try, local councils and highway authorities.

From day one, we prioritised early engagement sharing insights, building trust and aligning priorities. This collaborative approach helped align priorities, unlock delivery barriers and maintain momentum throughout the programme.

Innovation that drives progress

By bringing clarity, adaptability and a relentless drive to improve, WSP delivered meaningful impact across every stage of the project:

• Streamlined delivery through standardised design approaches, reducing duplication and accelerating progress.
• Surfaced and resolved community concerns early, preventing potential blockers.
• Identified the need for earlier site investigations—an insight now shaping future SuDS planning across the region.
• Delivered flood resilience while raising the bar: accelerating timelines, sharpening delivery, and enabling more inclusive outcomes.