More rivers could follow Devon's example and be restored
A multi-million pound climate change project in Devon is underway to prevent homes being flooded by letting nature reclaim land.
Last updated 8th Oct 2021
Around 200 years ago the Lower Otter floodplain in Budleigh Salterton was reduced in size and a new project to restore it is being cited as a best practice example for 70 other rivers across England and France.
The £15m restoration in Devon is part of a €25.7m similar scheme in France's Saâne estuary in Normandy called 'Promoting Adaptation to Changing Coasts'.
A spokesperson said: "The PACCo project is looking at how climate change threatens coastal areas and the adaptation work that will be needed to deal with the threats'.
"Such adaptation will bring with it the possibility of long-term social, environmental and economic benefits, such as improved well-being for residents and visitors, more environmental tourism and a greater variety of wetland birds inhabiting the area."
Project manager for the Environment Agency, Dan Boswell said: “This is an important project demonstrating how countries can work together to find solutions to help tackle climate change.
"It will have huge benefits, not only through the way we adapt to meet the challenge of climate change, but to the people and wildlife that share this area.”
Director of Nature Recovery with Devon Wildlife Trust, Peter Burgess, added: “The Lower Otter Restoration Project is hugely complex and has required a great deal of courage, commitment and sheer hard work to get to this exciting stage.
"Devon Wildlife Trust is following the project very closely and is looking forward to the overwhelming benefits allowing more space for wildlife and natural processes will bring.
"Our estuaries are some of the richest habitats for wildlife anywhere in the country – providing critical nursery areas for fish and billions of creatures at the base of the food chain and vital food for a host of water birds."
The Lower Otter Restoration Project is being carried out in partnership with the Environment Agency, Clinton Devon Estates and the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Trust.