UK's largest green roof completed in Peacehaven

A grass roof – the biggest of its kind in the country and one of the largest in Europe – is now complete on top of Southern Water’s new wastewater treatment works at Peacehaven, Sussex.

Measuring almost 18,000 square metres – the size of four and a half football pitches – the grass-covered roof is designed to blend in with the natural beauty of the South Downs.

The grass, grown from a special mix of downland grass seeds, has been under cultivation for the past fifteen months in Cambridgeshire.

It is the defining feature of Southern Water’s massive £300 million environmental improvement scheme that will bring cleaner seas to Sussex.

Once complete the wastewater treatment works will treat the 95 million litres a day of wastewater generated by the residents of Peacehaven, Telscombe Cliffs, Saltdean, Rottingdean, Roedean and Brighton and Hove to the latest EU standards.

The project, which also includes 11km of new sewer tunnel, the construction of a new sea outfall and two new pumping stations will be completed by March 2013.

Southern Water’s Programme Manager, Ben Green, said:  “The roof, designed to fit in with the local landscape will be “living” – it responds, it adapts, it evolves with the landscape”.

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