Somerset Levels dredged silt to be stored on farmland

Large amounts of silt dredged from the rivers Parrett and Tone are set to be stored on farmland on the Somerset Levels if planning consent is obtained.

The Environment Agency has put in three applications to Taunton Deane Borough Council to store silt for up to a year.

Some 8,300 cubic feet (235,000 cubic metres) will be dredged between April and October.

The plan is to re-use it the following year for spreading on fields or shoring up land when needed.

It will be stored in stockpiles 6ft (2m) high and sealed in black plastic in the Burrowbridge area.