Wessex Water is supporting an ambitious new partnership project to improve biodiversity and create accessible green spaces in North East Somerset.
Somer Valley Rediscovered is a strategic green infrastructure project which is also being led by Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council and working in partnership with B&NES Public Health, Natural England, Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership and many other local partners.
The project area includes Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Westfield, Paulton, Peasedown St John and the surrounding countryside. More than £900,000 has been awarded from the West of England Combined Authority Green Recovery Fund to help move the project forward.
This funding will be used for nature recovery projects such as grassland restoration and the management of woodlands and watercourses. These activities will benefit a whole host of wildlife – including insect pollinators, bats and wild orchids.
Wessex Water will play a key part in helping to improve local rivers and streams and it is currently piloting a social prescribing project in the area, with the aim of reducing levels of pharmaceuticals in watercourses. This involves working with public health authorities to identify groups and outdoor activities where patients can be signposted as an alternative to prescribed medicine.
Natural England have funded an officer to work specifically on the sub-project within the wider Somer Valley Rediscovered context.
