Platt’s Eyott Island Banks Stabilisation

The Challenge

Platt’s Eyot, a small island in the Thames, carries a distinctive character shaped by its industrial heritage as a Royal Navy boat-building site and its designation as a conservation area since 1990. Steep riverbanks, cloaked in native woodland, frame the island’s edge, but in recent years sections of these banks have begun to erode, threatening both ecological integrity and public access. 

The challenge was to develop a reinforcement strategy in collaboration with engineers that would stabilise vulnerable areas of the riverbank while respecting the site’s sensitive natural environment and conserving its historic character. 

The Design Solution

A carefully balanced approach combined robust engineering with ecological sensitivity. Critical sections of the waterline were reinforced using a mix of gabion structures and coir rolls, chosen for their durability and compatibility with natural systems. These were integrated with marginal planting to ensure long-term stability while enhancing biodiversity. 

On steeper slopes, particularly those bordering pedestrian paths, additional stability was introduced through the strategic planting of native trees and shrubs. This planting not only strengthens the banks but also enriches habitat value and reinforces the island’s green character. The result is a discreet yet resilient landscape intervention that protects the island’s heritage, safeguards its natural assets, and ensures continued enjoyment by visitors.