Halesowen project among 40 to get share of £25m to curb flooding
The projects are receiving grants ranging from £40,000 to £2.1 million for natural flood management.
Dozens of projects using nature as an "ally" to reduce flooding, from tree planting to creating wetlands, are receiving a share of £25 million from the Government.
The Environment Department (Defra) said 40 projects across England are receiving grants ranging from £40,000 to £2.1 million for natural flood management, including schemes run by nature charities, community groups and local authorities.
Among the projects is one by Severn Rivers Trust in the headwaters of Illey Brook, near Halesowen in the West Midlands, to slow and store surface water runoff, while reducing soil erosion and supporting agriculture, including new woodland areas, hedgerows and wetlands.
The Ribble Rivers Trust is receiving funding for projects focused on slowing river flows across the Ribble catchment in Lancashire.
They include ponds, sunken channels known as swales and leaky barriers across streams to slow and store floodwater in the upper reaches of the River Darwen catchment in Lancashire, while greenery and new woodland will catch water as it runs downhill to reduce runoff and store more water in the soil.
The successful schemes have been chosen from a wide range of applications for using nature and habitat creation to help tackle flooding.
Environment Agency chairman Alan Lovell said: "It's exciting to see such appetite for natural flood management, recognising its value in providing not only benefits against flood risk but also wider support for nature recovery.
"I'm proud of the role the Environment Agency is playing in leading this pioneering programme.
"We look forward to working with partners to help natural techniques become a mainstream option for flood protection and help create more climate-resilient places."
Floods minister Robbie Moore said: "It's vital we use nature as an ally in our work to become ready for climate change, helping to restore the natural environment and protecting homes and businesses.
"That's why we're funding the biggest-ever investment in natural flood management - and it's great to see the huge demand."
He said the schemes would complement the "traditional bricks-and-mortar" flood defences, as part of the Government's £5.2 billion flood programme.
Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Rivers Trust, said: "We warmly welcome this significant fund which will not only protect people and businesses from flooding, but will also make more space for nature, purify pollutants, recharge groundwater aquifers, lock up organic carbon and create amenity value for communities."