NEW flood defences at Powick could result in the creation of a wildlife-rich wetland area with wild flowers and ponds.

Large amounts of earth are needed to create the new 280m earth embankment that will protect the village from the kind of damaging floods it experienced in 2007. A planning application by the Environment Agency proposes to use earth taken from farmland near the village..

Around 1400 tonnes or 7000 cubic metres of earth are needed and two possible ‘borrow pits’ have been put forward, one on arable farmland east of the village and one on grazing land north west of the village.

The land around Powick is low lying flood plain and the removal of the earth will make the land unsuitable for farming because of the high water table. In agreement with the landowners the Environment Agency proposes to restore the excavated area by creating a wetland habitat and planting native trees.

The wetland would cover around 10,000 square metres and would include a number of ephemeral ponds managed to encourage wildlife and improve the biodiversity of the site. The ponds will be of varying depth and would fill up and dry out at different rates providing a varied habitat for invertebrates, small mammals and reptiles.

Native shrub planting will provide further habitats and between the ponds a wetland wildflower grassland is proposed. The grassland would be able to survive occasional flooding from the ponds.

Full details about the Environment Agency proposals are available on the Worcestershire County Council website under environment and planning. Malvern Hills District Council is being consulted over the proposals.