Plans to restore a 24 hectare area of floodplain grazing marsh between Hoylake and Meols will be delivered in 2026.
The project, funded by the Environment Agency’s natural flood management programme, will be delivered through a partnership between Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Wirral Council and is described as “the first step in a vision to restore and enhance biodiversity across the wider New Hall Farm site”.
The partnership says it has already completed baseline habitat surveys, and monitoring on site is ongoing to ensure works can deliver the best outcomes for biodiversity and people.
The project will seek to restore natural processes by reconnecting a canalised section of the river Birket with its floodplain.
The proposals include the creation of a network of shallow scrapes across the land which will promote the spread of water across the floodplain during periods of heavy rainfall, resulting in water being held on site for longer. It slow the flow through the catchment and alleviate some of the impacts associated with flooding caused by extreme weather events downstream.
The newly created wetland habitat features will support wetland birds including black tailed godwit and curlew which travel inland from feeding grounds on the Dee and Mersey Estuaries, providing vital habitats that can be used at high tide.
The area concerned is highlighted in red
Hannah Phillips, Nature Recovery Programme Manager at Cheshire Wildlife Trust, said: “This project will be a really exciting opportunity to demonstrate how nature-based solutions can work in practice, delivering benefits for biodiversity and alleviating the impacts of flooding for our communities in tandem.
“Historically the site was a functioning wetland, previously known as Hoylake Carrs and the proposed restoration will follow historic lines still visible in the ground where the river once flowed called paleochannels.
“The project will aim to turn back time while giving a new lease of life to this important and declining habitat. Holding water on site year-round will make it a haven for waterfowl and wading birds.”
Cllr Liz Grey, Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, said: “We’re thrilled to be working alongside Cheshire Wildlife Trust on this exciting wetland restoration project.
“Not only will this work help to boost biodiversity and tackle the impacts of climate change, but it will also bring real benefits for local people from supporting flood management to enhancing green spaces.
“We’re looking forward to engaging with the community over the coming months and sharing more about this fantastic scheme that will help to shape a greener, more resilient future for Wirral.”
The project will also deliver benefits for local communities through the natural management of floodwater at peak flow in order to alleviate the impacts of flooding downstream.
Works on the site will take place during summer 2026 and take several weeks to complete. The team will be monitoring wildlife on site during this time and after completion of works.
