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'Abundance' of wildlife a year on from river reset

BBC Jack Siviter. He is pictured outdoors in Holnicote Estate. The landscape is out of focus but green fields and trees can be seen behind him. Jack has short dark hair and facial hair. He is wearing a red fleece with a white National Trust logo on the chest. He is looking directly at the camera and smiling BBC
National Trust ranger Jack Siviter says Holnicote Estate is "full of life" one year on

A nature project to reset a river has led to an "abundance" of wildlife and better flood protection for nearby homes, the National Trust says.

Rangers from the trust created wetlands on Holnicote Estate, within Exmoor National Park, to slow the flow of the River Aller as it crosses the site. Work was completed a year ago.

The three-year long project to form seven hectares (17 acres) of waterscapes and wetlands with channels, pools, wetland and marshes is a UK first, according to the conservation charity.

Area ranger, Jack Siviter, said: "Twelve months on it's full of life, it's bright green and there's water and plants everywhere."

The project is a result of the National Trust's multi-million pound Riverlands project, which was announced in 2018.

The Environment Agency partnered with the charity and helped to fund it.

Holnicote Estate. The landscape is green and there are lots of trees in the distance.
The project took three years to complete

A 0.7 mile (1.2km) section of the River Aller was filled in to reconnect the water with the surrounding floodplain on Holnicote Estate.

The result is a slower stream, better maintained water levels during drought spells and a "carbon store".

Researchers from universities in Exeter, Loughborough, Nottingham and Sweden are now helping to monitor the site, tracking the flow of the river, the water quality and changes to animal habitats.

Ben Birchall/PA Media A water vole swimming. It has brown fur, small black eyes and a small nose. Its teeth are sticking out slightly. It is looking directly at the camera Ben Birchall/PA Media
Many animals including water voles are living at the site

Mr Siviter said: "It's completely changed, it's amazing.

"We were a little bit nervous about the approach - we essentially turned it into a building site - but 12 months on, it's full of life, it's bright green and there's water and plants everywhere.

"It's a bit of an oasis now within the middle of the landscape."

A variety of species have been recorded at the site, including water voles, eels and a range of birds.

Although the area is closed to the public, the National Trust team is hoping to offer tours to showcase the work.

It is hoped that similar projects can be carried out at other National Trust locations in the future.

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