Church Lane Rain Gardens

The London Borough of Waltham Forest was successful in securing Central Government funding to upgrade planting in Church Lane. This work responds to feedback from Leytonstone residents who have requested more greening in the town centre to create a more welcoming space.

We’ve replaced the existing planted barrels and stone features with three permanent rain gardens. The plants chosen for the rain gardens include a range of different pollinators to increase the biodiversity of the area and attract insects, helping to create a thriving ecosystem. We reused the existing feature stones in the new rain gardens and, if possible, will replant the existing plants.

As this is an area at medium risk of surface water flooding, the new rain gardens will play a crucial role in managing stormwater. They will collect the rainwater runoff from the road and pavement, reducing flood risk by increasing the capacity of the drainage system and reducing the amount of hard landscaping. The planters then release the water slowly back into the subsoil and the sewers. 

The barrels were originally introduced in December 2020 across six parking bays. At the time, these bays were not formally removed. As part of the planting upgrades, we will finalise the removal of these bays, which were out of use for many years.

Statutory consultation took place in December 2024 and January 2025. As no objections were received, a decision was made to progress the scheme.

Construction work in Church Lane has been completed. Planting will take place in the coming months. 

Church Lane rain gardens: statutory consultation leaflet December 2024

If staff members are unavailable for any reason at 020 8496 3000, you may leave a telephone message requesting a call back from the Enjoy Waltham Forest Team.