Mid and upper Ancholme: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust logo

Upstream of Brigg, the River Ancholme and its tributaries experience rapid flows during heavy rainfall, contributing to a number of well-known flooding hotspots that affect roads, properties and communities, including within Brigg itself. Addressing this challenge requires a catchment-scale approach that slows the flow in upper tributaries while creating additional water storage along the mid-Ancholme floodplain.

A strong pipeline of opportunities is already in development, with seven landholdings at various stages of readiness for habitat creation and natural flood management delivery. Two sites have completed and registered Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs), a third is undertaking modelling to inform its HMMP and is expected to be ready by the end of 2026, while four additional sites are progressing towards delivery in 2027.

Building on this momentum, there is now an opportunity to scale up delivery across the catchment to better protect communities from flooding while creating multifunctional habitats that support wildlife recovery, improve water quality and provide new opportunities for economic diversification. Reducing nutrient inputs to the river will also help tackle excessive aquatic vegetation growth, an issue frequently raised by local people as a barrier to enjoying the river for recreation.

These ambitions align closely with North Lincolnshire Council's vision for the Ancholme Valley as a priority landscape for investment in nature. By enhancing the valley's natural assets and supporting existing community uses of the river, the programme can help attract visitors, encourage inward investment and contribute to a high-quality environment for both residents and local businesses.

Rivers 2040

A Rivers 2040 project is a place-based freshwater restoration initiative that contributes to the long-term recovery of river catchments through nature-based solutions. Projects can range from restoring floodplains and wetlands, improving water quality, reconnecting rivers to their natural processes, creating habitat for wildlife, reducing pollution, increasing access to nature, or helping communities become more resilient to flooding and drought.  

Rivers 2040 aims to bring together multiple environmental, social and economic benefits at a catchment scale, demonstrating how investment in nature can support healthier rivers, thriving wildlife, resilient communities and sustainable economic growth. 

Land ownership

Mixed ownership: project area spans both Wildlife Trust-owned and third-party owned land. 

Delivery approach

Direct delivery: the project delivers change through on-the-ground activity within the project area, implementing interventions that restore, enhance or manage habitats and natural processes. 

Project readiness

Shovel ready: all key approvals, permissions and agreements are in place. The project is ready to move into implementation.    

Partners and funding

Delivery of this project may be supported by a range of partners and funding mechanisms. Funding may already have been secured from multiple sources and at different stages, contributing towards the overall project value and delivery costs. Contact us to explore current funding requirements and how the project could be developed and delivered with your organisation. 

Get in touch

If you're interested in funding this project, please fill in the form below and we will be in touch.

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Project benefits

Swans in Channel
Nature slows the flow

Natural flood management

Natural solutions such as tree planting, reconnecting floodplains and wetland creation, slow the flow of water through catchments, helping to reduce flood risk downstream to homes and businesses. These measures support wildlife, store carbon and improve water quality too.
Beaver Eating - David Parkyn
Bringing back nature’s engineers

Keystone species

Reintroducing keystone species brings back natural processes that improve biodiversity and climate change resilience. Keystone species like beavers and large herbivores are nature’s engineers, shaping their habitats in ways that enhance resilience and help other wildlife thrive.
Split level view of the River Itchen, with aquatic plants: Blunt-fruited Water-starwort (Callitriche obtusangula) Itchen Stoke Mill is visible on the left.
Nature cleans up catchments

Pollution reduction

Healthy rivers and wetlands trap sediment, filter out pollutants, and absorb excess nutrients, helping to improve water quality. These natural processes help the provision of clean and safe water for people and wildlife.
A group of adults and children in a community garden opposite a block of flats. The sign reads 'Forest Garden' and there are bushes and sunflowers, amongst other plants
Nature supports neighbourhoods

Community benefits

Restoring our rivers and surrounding areas helps people access nature-rich spaces, supporting their mental and physical wellbeing, and helping prevent illnesses. It improves air and water quality, and helps communities cope with flooding, drought and extreme heat.
This Rivers 2040 project is hosted on the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts' website on behalf of Wildlife Trusts. Project goals, fundraising totals and other information reflect the latest information available at the point of publication and may be subject to change.