£130,000 nature-based scheme boosts flood protection in Kirklington
A £130,000 project is bringing better flood protection and new wildlife habitats to Kirklington in Newark and Sherwood.
Work is under way on a series of natural flood management measures designed to slow and store water upstream, helping to better protect homes in a village that has experienced repeated flooding.
Funded by Nottinghamshire County Council and the Environment Agency, through its Water Environment Improvement Fund, the scheme was developed with support from local landowners following the October 2023 floods, when 10 homes were flooded internally and many more properties were affected outside.
As well as helping to reduce flood risk, the project will deliver wider benefits for people and nature by tackling environmental pressures and improving the local water environment, supporting the aims of the Environment Agency’s River Basin Management Plan.
The nature-based measures include restoring sections of the river, installing leaky wooden barriers and creating ponds to hold water temporarily. Together, they are intended to slow the flow of water through the catchment, provide extra storage during heavy rainfall and allow sediment to settle rather than being carried downstream.
Riverbanks are also being reshaped to create gentler gradients, increasing the channel’s capacity while providing valuable habitats for plants and wildlife. These changes will also help improve water quality across the surrounding countryside.
The scheme is being delivered in two stages. The first phase is due to be completed this autumn, with the second phase planned for summer 2027.
Councillor Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:
“It’s great to see this scheme taking shape and delivering real benefits for Kirklington.
“By working with the Environment Agency and local landowners, we’re helping to slow and store water before it reaches the village, while creating better habitats for wildlife and improving the local environment.
“This nature-based approach is also a cost-effective way of delivering a range of benefits from a single investment, helping us achieve good value for money for residents.
“Although no single scheme can remove flood risk entirely, these measures will help make the community more resilient to severe weather and better prepared for the future.”
Kira Besh, Catchment Coordinator at the Environment Agency, said:
“This scheme will improve river habitat and water quality, enhance biodiversity, reduce sediment all while increasing resilience to flooding. This project delivers a cost-effective, much needed nature-based solution that provides long-term benefits for communities, wildlife and the water environment.”
