Breckland Farmers Landscape Recovery Project

Project summary

Norfolk Rivers Trust is developing river restoration plans for the Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network (BFWN) as part of their Landscape Recovery Project, following a successful bid to Defra.

This ambitious initiative spans 3,552 hectares of the Brecks, aiming to connect and create a mosaic of habitats throughout the productive farmed landscape, thereby protecting high-priority species such as European eels, water voles and turtle doves.

The project is currently in a two-year development phase, during which designs and detailed management plans are being formulated based on the Breckland Biodiversity Audit and walkover surveys. These plans, along with a budget estimate for implementation and annual management, will be submitted to Defra. The goal is to commence the implementation phase in 2025.

Funding for the final project costs is expected to come from both government sources and private investment, supported by initiatives like Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).

Restoring rivers

Norfolk Rivers Trust is developing river restoration plans for 5 to 8 sites across the Black Bourn, Little Ouse, Thet and Wissey rivers. These designs aim to reconnect disconnected chalk streams to their floodplains, enhancing the diversity of riparian habitats for threatened species.

This project builds on and is supported by The National Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF) Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Landscape Partnership Scheme (BFER).