New wetland to be created in Somerset

The Environment Agency and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) have worked closely with the local community to develop plans for an innovative flood defence and habitat creation project.

Over the next two years 400 hectares of the Steart Peninsula will be turned into wildlife rich habitats, including saltmarsh and freshwater wetland. The habitat will provide feeding and breeding grounds for wading birds and wildfowl as well as homes for animals such as water voles and great crested newts.

In addition to boosting wildlife, the scheme will provide better protection for Steart village against flooding from the River Parrett. Stert Drove, the only road linking Steart village with surrounding communities, will also enjoy improved protection.

Between 300 and 600 hectares of wetland habitat needs to be created in the Severn Estuary over the next 20 years to compensate for the loss of existing saltmarsh and mudflats through rising sea levels and the construction of new coastal flood defences.

The UK government has an obligation to meet these targets and could face legal proceedings if it fails to create enough new coastal wetlands. The habitat creation at Steart will go a long way to meeting the target for the Severn Estuary.

Construction of the new habitats and flood defences is due to start in the summer of 2012. The site will be owned by the Environment Agency and managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT).