Funding announced for flood resilience projects using nature

Environment minister Rebecca Pow has announced £25 million will be invested in projects that use nature to protect communities from flooding.

The funding is being provided by the Government and the Environment Agency and will support natural flood management schemes across England that use techniques such as planting trees and creating wetlands to slow and store water to reduce the risk of flooding.

It is hoped the schemes will also improve air and water quality, provide habitats for wildlife and create green spaces for communities.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: "Nature is an essential weapon in our armoury against flooding. Enhancing the natural landscape to slow rivers and hold flood water works hand-in-hand with the bricks and mortar protection we are building with our £5.2 billion flood programme.

"That is why we are driving investment to harness the power of nature. This approach not only reduces flood risk and helps tackle climate change, it can also benefit water quality, restore habitats and boost biodiversity. Natural flood management is a win-win-win.

Environment Agency chair Alan Lovell said: "In the face of a changing climate, and with the frequency and severity of flooding only likely to get worse, we need to act now.

"The pioneers who already work with nature-based solutions to achieve greater flood resilience give me hope. I am delighted this new Natural Flood Management Programme will be open to environmental groups, catchment partnerships, farmers, landowners, and local authorities to speed up more investment in natural flood management.

"Natural flood management gives us so many wider benefits and I look forward to seeing projects coming forward that also help to create habitats for wildlife, support better river quality, and sequester carbon."