A £75,000 scheme could see a popular Bradford beauty spot “rewilded” to better reduce the risk of flooding.
Chellow Dene Wetlands, a public green space that surrounds Chellow Dene Beck, was created in 2005 to improve water quality.
But the Aire Rivers Trust says the wetlands “no longer work” – and have proposed a scheme that will see the space altered to boost biodiversity and prevent local homes from flooding.
The group’s project was this week awarded a £41,000 grant towards the total cost from West Yorkshire Combined Authority – with Council bosses recognising how the site could improve water management.
The Trust says a number of factors have come together to make the wetlands ineffective.
The build up of silt and a decision to regularly mow swathes of the site, rather than let the grass grow as a natural wetland has limited the potential of the site.
The group has now submitted a planning application to reverse some of this damage. Work will include the planting of over 1,000 “plug plants” and replacing existing grassland with 300 square metres of enriched wetland meadow.
An artificial barrier isolating fish and invertebrate populations will be removed and a ‘leaky dam’ made of natural materials will be installed, which will still allow water to pass through but at a slower rate.
It is expected that the works will allow the wetlands to hold an extra 183 cubic metres of water during heavy rain, which will protect 18 properties from flooding.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority funding was agreed at a meeting on Thursday.
Councillor Jane Scullion, Environmental Lead on the Combined Authority, said: “I love to see wildlife meadows coming forward – they have a real function in terms of managing water.”
The Aire Rivers Trust has submitted a planning application for the works this week.
The application says: “By renovating Chellow Dene Wetlands we are helping to create a landscape that can absorb and hold water temporarily to protect local homes.
“A new causeway will keep the footpath above floodwater to allow people to use the site all year long.”
The application also says the scheme will improve wildlife, adding: “The UK has lost 97 per cent of its wild meadows since World War II. The new wet meadow will help reverse this loss and provide a burst of Summer colour.”
If the plans are approved, work is expected to start on the site in August and be completed by late October.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel