Thames Landscape Strategy - Hampton to Kew -

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Work begins to make wildlife flourish at the Hampton Court Palace Water Meadows

Thanks to a major funding boost from environmental funder SITA Trust, work has begun to restore floodplain and transform the water meadows at Hampton Court Paddocks into a paradise for all manner of wildlife including water vole, bats and reed warbler.

The £100,000 grant has enabled volunteers and conservation specialists to begin a £270,000 project to restore the historic network of grazed water meadows, creeks and wetlands at this historic royal palace so that the River Thames floodplain can be managed in a traditional way.

Once the ancient ditch network has been restored, the team which comprises workers from Thames Landscape Strategy, independent charity Historic Royal Palaces and volunteers from BTCV will turn its attention to restoring and re-creating reedbeds and wetlands – prime habitat for a whole series of priority species, including the nationally scarce bittern.

Jason Debney, Co-ordinator of the Thames Landscape Strategy explains ‘We’re delighted to work with Historic Royal Palaces at Hampton Court Paddocks as this area is a vital link in the green corridor of wetland habitats that stretch along the Arcadian Thames between Weybridge and the London Wetlands Centre at Barnes.’

Jason continued ‘Although the meadows form part of the floodplain the area has not flooded in over half a century so the historic network of creeks and channels – some dating back to King Henry VIII’s time have fallen into disrepair and silted up. It is anticipated that flooding is going to increase in the coming years making the need to restore a working floodplain very important to move water in and out efficiently. When the scheme is finished the paddocks will be criss-crossed by a network of hedges, ditches and reedbeds – great for horses and a haven for wildlife’.

The Chairman of SITA Trust, Marek Gordon adds ’ When managed sympathetically, ditch systems are valuable for priority species and typically support reedbed – a UK priority habitat in its own right. As climate change causes higher levels and more intense distribution of rainfall over London, areas of Thames floodplain will become increasingly important. SITA Trust was only too pleased to enable such an important project to take place.’

Terry Gough, Head of Gardens & Estates for Historic Royal Palaces responded, “Historic Royal Palaces is committed to encouraging a rich tapestry of biodiversity on this ancient 750 acre estate. As an independent charity receiving no government or Crown funding, we are extremely grateful for the funding and support provided by our partners and volunteers to enable this important work to take place.”

The overall project is likely to cost in excess of £270,000 and Thames Landscape Strategy is still looking for support for some elements of the project.

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