Wicken Fen project faces 'challenging timescales'

At least 70,000 people visit Wicken Fen visitors annually, with the trust hoping many more will take part in the reserve's celebrations marking 125 years

The National Trust says it is facing "challenging timescales" to complete an “essential” new £1.8m project.

The conservation charity has received funding from the government for a peatland restoration project at Wicken Fen nature reserve in Cambridgeshire.

But it said it only had a "realistic construction window" of a few months to complete the work.

The charity said the project is an "essential component" of its plans to tackle climate change.

The organisation has asked Conservative-controlled East Cambridgeshire District Council for planning permission to undertake the work needed for the project, which it hopes will create a "dynamic wetland habitat”.

Wicken Fen is one of just four undrained fens left in Cambridgeshire and provides a habitat for rare and unusual plants, birds and insects

The authority will need to grant its approval for the plans before the work on the project can get under way.

The National Trust plans to restore 531 acres (215ha) of peat - a vital carbon store - at the site to retain rainwater and manage water tables to create saturated, healthy peat.

The charity acquired two acres (0.8ha) of land at Wicken Fen in 1899 and it now extends across more than 2,000 acres (830ha).

'Showcase'

But it said it only had a “realistic construction window” of between mid August to November 1, this year to complete the work.

In a report, it said the the timescales were influenced by grant funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and ground conditions in the area.

It said: “The works are expected to act as a showcase for river restoration techniques for the local area and will hopefully act as a catalyst for similar projects.”

The trust said healthy peatlands had several roles, including storing carbon, helping to control flooding, reducing the risk of wildfires and drought and providing a habitat for rare and unusual plants, birds and insects.

Nearly 9,500 species have been recorded at Wicken Fen, including 2,072 species of flies, 1,775 species of beetles and 1,252 species of moths.