The Dorset Rural Run-off Project is now in its second phase, identifying opportunities to reduce rural run-off, soil erosion and flood risk in communities affected by flooding events across Dorset. FWAG Southwest can provide support to communities and work with farmers in the surrounding catchment to facilitate drainage investigations and implement nature-based solutions to reduce runoff and flooding events.
The project is funded by the Dorset Council Local Levy Fund, and was previously supported by the Environment Agency.
Last year we engaged with 30 farmers and over 50 community members. We were able to facilitate the restoration, enhancement and creation of 33.58 ha of habitats.
We aim to engage with farmers who may be contributing to rural runoff, working to provide solutions that benefit the farm business and reduce local flooding incidences. For example, we were able to seek funding from the Farming in Protected Landscape Fund from Dorset National Landscapes to implement a wetland feature at Shipton Gorge. In other areas, Wessex Water Phosphorus Reduction Scheme has funded tree planting, arable reversion, arable buffer strips and hedge planting. Other funding has supported seed for meadow creation, as well as consents and felling licences for large woody debris dams on two landholdings upstream of Motcombe.
At present, we are working in the following areas:
- Winterbourne Abbas
- Bishops Caundle
- Buckland Newton
- Skilling, Bridport
- Winfrith Newburgh
- Holywell
- West Compton
- Motcombe
- Sherborne
- Puddletown
- Stour Row
- Beaminster
- Chideock
- Gillingham
- Pallington
Dorset Council have provided advisers with locations where there are perceived issues with run-off from farmland affecting public highways and residential property. Over the last few years, extreme weather events have resulted in many incidents of highways and residential property flooding.
FWAG SouthWest can provide associated advice and/or assistance to try and resolve any issues identified with the respective farmer(s). This may include advice on agri-environment schemes, such as Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2024, and the most appropriate actions and capital items to help address any issues. There is also scope to secure grant funding for capital works if no alternative funding is available via agri-environment schemes.
If you are a farmer within one of the targeted communities, please get in touch with us.
The project lead is Nicola Hopkins – email: nicola.hopkins@fwagsw.org.uk