Natural flood defence scheme reaching £1m of grants

A funding scheme encouraging landowners to create natural flood management measures on their land has provided almost £1m since it started.

Calderdale Council and the Environment Agency fund the project, which has reached its sixth round of funding and has seen 60 landowners involved so far.

The local authority said the measures are inspired by natural processes and support the temporary storage of water in the landscape.

A spokesperson added: "It is a cost-effective approach which will deliver long-term protection while enriching the natural environment."

In 2015, when Storm Eva hit, the Calder Valley was among the areas worst affected, with water cascading off hills and turning roads into rivers in towns like Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd.

Landowner Stuart Bradshaw said he had introduced measures including planting 200 trees, creating contour hedgerows and building two ponds to collect stormwater.

"An attenuation pond is just an engineered depression with a drain," he said.

"It stores water temporarily and flattens the flood wave so towns below are less likely to flood."

Hedgerows help by slowing rainwater and improving soil over time, he said, while ponds can also support wildlife.

"The benefits are huge and for very small outlays," Bradshaw added.

The project aims to reduce flood risk, improve soil health and create wildlife habitats as part of Calderdale's wider flood action plan.

Applications for funding closes on 15 January, with successful applicants having 11 months to deliver their individual projects.

Councillor Scott Patient, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action and housing, said: "It's now just over 10 years since Storm Eva caused disastrous flooding on Boxing Day 2015, affecting communities across Calderdale.

"Since that time, an enormous amount of work has taken place to mitigate the impacts of flooding in the borough and help tackle the climate crisis."

Cover  photo:  Farmers and other landowners are being offered funding for natural flood management measures in Calderdale