Two Winchester beauty spots set for environmental makeover
Two popular sites in Winchester will have significant biodiversity enhancements thanks to the Durngate Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Nuns Walk and Clausentum Fen will benefit from a joint project which will help improve biodiversity and ensure both spots continue to thrive for years to come.
The project is supported by Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council and Sparsholt College, whose students will be getting involved in the scheme to gain direct practical experience of environmental enhancement.
At Nuns Walk in Abbots Barton there will be river bank restoration, improvement to river flows to desilt areas and improvements that will support vegetation in creating self-sustaining habitats for a variety of invertebrates and spawning fish. There will also be dipping areas provided for the public to help protect banks and control erosion.
A designated site of importance for Nature Conservation, Clausentum Fen in St Cross will benefit from increasing light levels to the watercourses and the restoration of wet soils that have become depleted. There will also improvements to help improve flows, silt deposition and bank management to create better conditions for a wide range of flora and fauna.
The funding has come from the Durngate Flood Alleviation Scheme which is jointly supported by the city council and the Environment Agency.
Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Cllr Lynda Murphy, said:
“Both of these sites are popular with residents and are incredibly important for biodiversity and wildlife. I am delighted to see they’ll be getting much-needed improvements to ensure they’re in the best possible shape going forward.
“As a council, looking after the environment is a major focus and these improvements come as we launch our Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) which sets out how we will protect, enhance and restore biodiversity across the district.”
Work is expected to start in December in both areas.