AN environmental project near Halesowen which aims to nature to help reduce flooding is among dozens to receive a share of £25 million from the Government.

The Severn Rivers Trust which will carry out a mixture of natural flood management measures in the headwaters of Illey Brook, thanks to a grant of £149,900 from the Natural Flood Management programme, managed by the Environment Agency.

The works will focus on soil and land management – slowing and storing surface water runoff, while reducing soil erosion and supporting agriculture.

New woodland areas and hedgerows will be created to support wetland complexes and the creation of new habitats.

The project is one of 40 across England to receive grants for natural flood management it was announced today (February 23) by Floods Minister Robbie Moore.

The successful schemes have been chosen from a wide range of applications for using nature and habitat creation to help tackle flooding.

Environment Agency chairman Alan Lovell said: “It’s exciting to see such appetite for natural flood management, recognising its value in providing not only benefits against flood risk but also wider support for nature recovery.

“I’m proud of the role the Environment Agency is playing in leading this pioneering programme.

“We look forward to working with partners to help natural techniques become a mainstream option for flood protection and help create more climate-resilient places.”

Floods minister Robbie Moore said: “It’s vital we use nature as an ally in our work to become ready for climate change, helping to restore the natural environment and protecting homes and businesses.

“That’s why we’re funding the biggest-ever investment in natural flood management – and it’s great to see the huge demand.”

He said the schemes would complement the “traditional bricks-and-mortar” flood defences, as part of the Government’s £5.2 billion flood programme.

The Severn Rivers Trust project will see most of the works focused on soil and land management to slow and store surface water runoff. This in turn would make the soil less compact allowing rainwater to enter it which would lead to less rainwater rushing overland into the Illey Brook.

Farm businesses and landowners will receive funding and advice to help achieve this vision.

Environmental experts expect soil erosion and phosphate water quality issues to reduce, with agricultural outputs improving, as a result of the works.

New woodland areas will supplement this, and hedgerows and buffer strips will act as extra barriers to surface water runoff in fields. The aim is to help improve farmland habitat, while also reducing water pollution. Severn Rivers Trust's proposal also includes the installation of leaky barriers which are often formed of wood and help to slow and store flood water.

The project aims to create wetland complexes designed with nature in mind to provide temporary flood storage and wider ecological benefits.

Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Rivers Trust, said of the project and the grant funding: “We warmly welcome this significant fund which will not only protect people and businesses from flooding, but will also make more space for nature, purify pollutants, recharge groundwater aquifers, lock up organic carbon and create amenity value for communities.”