Natural Flood Management Annoucment
Channel: Peter Smith Rewilding
Date: 2024-04-06

New project to help save residents from flooding

Thanks to a grant from the Environment Agency we are investing £350,000 into a new Natural Flood Management (NFM) project benefiting the residents of Pett Level and the Marsham Valley near Fairlight, Hastings.
Using nature-based solutions, Natural Flood Management allows us to increase flood resilience while providing wider benefits to the environment, nature and society.  
The 3 year project will be led by The Future Landscape Trust in partnership with a range of organisations, including the Marsham Brook residents association, RSPCA, Southern Water, Environment Agency, local Parish Councils, High Weald National Landscape, and South East Rivers Trust.
Around 5.5 million homes and businesses in England are at risk of flooding and climate change is only increasing the dangers. It is clear we are already seeing the impacts of the climate crisis around the world and in the UK through wetter winters and hotter, drier summers.
Planning ahead to mitigate the impacts of flooding is essential. Crucially, taking steps to prepare for flooding can reduce the damage to your home and possessions by around 40%, research shows.
The project aims to look at how natural flood management can help local communities and prevent peak water levels for farmers, local residents, land managers, organisations and businesses at risk of flooding
The aim is to hold water in the valley sides during peak rain and then release it slowly, lowering the height of floods. This will be done in two ways
1. Improve ground cover to allow woodlands and grasslands to absorb more water on the steep north facing sides. 
2. Create mini 'leaky dams' that hold back water during torrential rain events and release it slowly
The project's first step is to gather extensive evidence to give a scientifically valid baseline in how to assess if the project can succeed.
The project partners are forming a charity: the 'Future Landscapes Trust' that would like to hear the views of our neighbours and local community as the project takes place. A programme of talks and seminars will be help to gather the view of local people and stakeholders. 
This year we will be taking water measurements and installing scientific monitoring equipment to help how the project will unfold.