Pond restoration EDG Matthews & Sons

In collaboration with the Surrey County Council (SCC) Flood and Resilience Team, Manor Farm applied for funding to deliver a further natural flood management (NFM) project on their land. This work forms part of a wider, strategic NFM scheme across the Pipp Brook catchment, designed to reduce flood risk downstream while enhancing the local environment.

The project involved the de-silting of three existing ponds to restore their water-holding capacity and improve habitat quality for a range of wildlife species. To protect these restored habitats, the ponds were fenced to prevent livestock access, and an alternative water supply was installed for cattle.

A key objective of the project was to capture, slow, and store water upstream of Dorking, an area that has experienced repeated flooding events in recent years. By holding water higher in the catchment during periods of heavy rainfall, the scheme helps to reduce peak flows and alleviate pressure on downstream communities.

This project, together with the previously FiPL-funded works delivered in 2025, will significantly increase flood management capacity upstream. Importantly, it achieves these benefits without the loss of valuable arable land, ensuring the long-term productivity and resilience of the farm while delivering wider public and environmental benefits.

In addition to the natural flood management works, the project also included the installation of fencing to discourage public access into sensitive woodland areas on the farm. This helps to reduce disturbance to wildlife caused by walkers and dogs, allowing habitats to recover and function more effectively while still maintaining appropriate access along designated routes.