2022-23 Tales from an East Anglian Riverbank - Portfolio - Page 18
Spains hall estate - beavers & NFM phase 2
INTEGRATING NFM
& WFD
Working with:
Spains Hall Estate
Essex County Council
Anglian Water
Essex & Su昀昀olk Water
EA Lead:
Ma琀琀 Butcher
£1,280,000 Total Project Value
£180,000
EA Funding includes FCRM
funding
£1,100,000 Partnership Funding
Finching昀椀eld is a picturesque village at risk of
nooding and where engineered solu}ons are
not cost bene昀椀cial and would compromise
local heritage. A昀琀er the success of the 4hectare pilot project in crea}ng wetland
habitat, reducing nood peaks and holding
water in the landscape, we upscaled to 40
hectares on a much larger watercourse. This
should create a signi昀椀cant area of complex
wetland habitat as well as having measurable
bene昀椀t to nood risk, water resources and
water quality.
Outputs:
40 ha of riparian land moved away from
arable use to wetland habitat
Restora}on of 600 m of former river
channel
8 watercourse crossings and 5.5 km of
beaver-proof fencing
2 new pairs of Eurasian Beaver introduced
Outcomes:
Increased biodiversity and reduced nood
risk
Local and na}onal engagement
opportuni}es including TV, radio and print
Community support and interest
Signi昀椀cant research and monitoring
undertaken
Beaver-proof fencing under construc}on—Credit: Spains Hall Estate
One of the secure watercourse crossing
points—Credit: Spains Hall Estate
Beavers released into their new home
Finching昀椀eld Brook and the North enclosure—Credit: Ali Moseley, EA drone pilot
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