Members of a flood prevention scheme in North Herefordshire are calling on local landowners to get involved with the project.

Herefordshire Council is leading the partnership which aims to reduce the risk of flooding to downstream communities by working with natural processes to slow the flow of water.

The Severn Rivers Trust, an independent environmental charity, is one of the partners involved in the project and is looking to speak with landowners in the Brimfield catchment which includes Richards Castle and Orleton.

The charity was established to secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of the rivers, streams, watercourses and water bodies in the Severn catchment.

Hannah Weatherall, the trust’s farm advisor, will be engaging with farmers and landowners, offering free soil testing and detailed farm reports to help advise on best practice.

She will help farmers with useful grant funding available for projects that will not only be useful to them but also contribute towards natural flood management and other environmental priorities.

“Brimfield has a very active flood group who are working with the Severn Rivers Trust, Herefordshire Council and the Environment Agency to help implement some of the community NFM measures and guide this community focused project,” she said.

Natural flood management involves slowing and storing water, increasing soil infiltration and intercepting rainfall.

These mechanisms do not look to stop the flow of water but aim to reduce the peak level of water reaching a settlement at any one time.

The successful implementation of these mechanisms requires a combination of farmers, landowners and local communities working together, all of whom can help deliver small and large measures that can have a significant impact.

If you are a landowner in the area and would like to learn more, or are interested in the project please contact Hannah Weatherall on Hannah.weatherall@severnriverstrust.com or 01886 888394.