Work to start on £1.1m natural flood defence scheme

A project looking to work with nature rather than tame it is about to begin

Natural defences will be built built as part of a million-pound flood management programme.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust said its plans include planting trees and creating wetlands to slow the flow of water around Worksop and nearby Shirebrook in Derbyshire in a new style of managing water which also aim to encourage wildlife.

The trust said the wider area around the River Ryton had seen excessive flooding in recent years.

Erin McDaid, of the trust, said: "It's a question of how we can adapt and work with nature and see if we can utilise natural features to play a key role."

Mr McDaid said: "We've tried to tame nature - that's becoming increasingly difficult with climate change and extreme weather events."

He added that costs of traditional flood defence schemes had risen in recent years.

It is hoped initial works on some sites will commence later this year.

Flash flooding has hit Worksop in previous years

The project will see farmers and other landowners allowing the creation of ponds and wetlands which can trap and store water, the planting of trees and creation of landscapes which slow the movement of water, and "in-stream" features such as beaver-like dams from wood which allow water through but at a slower rate.

Mr McDaid said: "When water levels are high, that water will make it back out into the natural systems at a slower rate, but all the time creating great new habitat for wildlife."

The work will create habitats for species such as water voles as well as native fish and amphibians, said the trust.

Conservationists say numbers of water voles have declined by 90% in the past 30 years

Jennifer Kril, living rivers officer at the trust, said: "By creating space for water and wildlife, we're not only helping protect communities but also building a wilder, more resilient landscape for the future."

The £1.1m Saving Shireoaks & Worksop through Natural Flood Management (NFM) project has been funded by the Environment Agency and is being delivered by wildlife trusts in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham Trent University.

It forms part of a £25m nationwide government scheme to boost flood resilience along rivers and coasts through NFM.

Project manager Ian Higginson hoped work on sites should begin in the coming months: "We are very pleased and encouraged by the response of everyone so far.

"With the support of landowners in the catchment we hope to be able to store and slowly release enough floodwater to fill over 30 Olympic sized swimming pools."