Landowners offered help to reduce flooding (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Landowners offered help to reduce flooding

4:15pm Wednesday 5th August 2009 in News

FARMERS and landowners are being offered cash help to help reduce the risk of flooding.

Funding has been secured from the Evironment Agency for a grant scheme to carry out work on land in the Ripon river catchment area.

The Ripon Multi Objective Project has been set up specifically to help reduce the risk of flooding in Ripon.

The project area falls mainly within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, covering some 140 sq km of land to the west of the city which drains into the River Skell, River Laver, Kex Beck and their tributaries.

The aim of the project is to slow down water run-off from the land through land management projects. It should also help prevent soil and nutrient loss and create new habitats to improve biodiversity.

The AONB’s farm conservation adviser, Marian Wilby, said, "Some examples of projects that can be grant aided are woodland creation, fencing existing woodland from livestock, hedge planting, wetland and pond creation and riverbank management - including fencing riverbanks and creating buffer strips."

Free farm visits can be arranged to discuss potential projects. For further details or advice contact Marian Wilby on 01423-712950 or 07713 333187. Alternatively a farm walk is being held on August 10 at Park Field Farm Buildings, South Park, Kirkby Malzeard, HG4 3RX. The event runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and information and advice will be available.

To book a place contact 0113 230 3753 or email farmevents@naturalengland.org.uk quoting event reference YHFW180.

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