Dam restoration and wetland enhancement Blackhanger Farm

Blackhanger Farm applied for £32,465.42 to restore a damaged dam and its earth bank, enabling the reopening of a section of bridleway and the recovery of a partially drained pond. The dam had been severely damaged during a storm in 2023, leading to the emergency closure of part of Bridleway 105. This project involved repairing and reinforcing the dam so the bridleway could be safely reinstated and reopened to the public. 

In addition to the dam repairs, the project delivered wider environmental benefits. Leaky dams were installed upstream to provide natural flood management, helping to slow water flow during periods of heavy rainfall. The pond was restored through silt removal and the clearance of overgrown islands, creating a more attractive and diverse habitat for wildlife. Together, these measures increase the site’s capacity to hold water during high rainfall, reducing flood risk downstream and protecting the newly reinforced dam. 

Plans also included the creation of wetland scrapes to further enhance biodiversity within the pond and surrounding wetland area. Due to challenging winter conditions, machinery could not access the site, but the scrapes will be created once ground conditions improve.