Ousewem is thrilled to announce the commencement of its first major project, with spades officially hitting the ground at Smaden Head Farm.
This groundbreaking initiative is part of Ousewem’s broader mission to implement nature-based solutions and natural flood management (NFM) across the Swale, Ure, Nidd, and Ouse catchments. An additional project will break ground in August with further projects in the planning stages.
Ousewem is a local partnership project lead by City of York Council and funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme, which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programme will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.
The project is at Smaden Head Farm, located in the Skell Valley which is near Ripon, part of Nidderdale National Landscape. Developed and delivered by Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust and Natural England, the National Trust and Nidderdale National Landscape, the project will improve flood resilience by slowing the flow of water from Smaden Head Dike into the River Skell. It involves installing hedgerows, leaky barriers, and woodland. These interventions will reduce flood risk to downstream communities. They will also reduce erosion and sediment input into the watercourse, provide new habitats for wildlife, and store carbon.
Victoria Murray, Innovative Flood Resilience Project Manager, City of York Council, said:
We are delighted to see our first Ousewem project come to life. This marks a significant step in our journey to manage flood risk through sustainable, nature-based solutions. The collaboration and support from Smaden Head and partners has been incredible.
The Learoyd family, owners of Smaden Head Farm, expressed their enthusiasm for the project:
Partnering with Ousewem has been a fantastic opportunity for us.
"The new hedgerows and leaky barriers not only help manage flood risk but also improve the land. This project has opened my eyes to the benefits of NFM and sustainable farming practices.”
The National Trust is also a key collaborator in this initiative, working towards aligning the project's goals with the Skell Valley Project’s objectives.
Gabby Crisp from the National Trust said:
The Skell Valley project aims to enhance biodiversity and reduce silt entering Fountains Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"This partnership with Ousewem allows us to achieve these goals while supporting local farmers. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
The interventions funded by Ousewem include leaky wooden barriers along the watercourse, and new hedgerows to connect existing habitats and intercept surface water flow pathways. Nidderdale National Landscapes has created the woodland design and arranged for 1.9 hectares of new riparian woodland, supported by funding via the Woodland Trust. New fences and gates around the hedges and woodland allow the landowner to continue to manage their land and allow the new planting to get established and protect it from grazing.
This collaborative effort brings together various stakeholders, including the National Trust and Nidderdale National Landscape, and local landowners. It exemplifies the power of partnership in achieving sustainable environmental solutions.