Trainer gets Forestry Commission grant to create nine-acre Shropshire wood to stop floods
Up to 8,000 trees will be planted in the Shropshire countryside to create a new area of woodland in a bid to prevent flooding.
Horse trainer John Groucott has been given almost £30,000 by the Forestry Commission to create nine acres of woodland on his land at Hunter's View in Stanton Long, near Much Wenlock.
It is hoped the trees will help the land to recover after heavy downpours, which currently cause severe flooding.
Surplus water currently flows into two brooks leading to the River Corve nearby, causing both brooks to swell and leaving the pastureland underwater.
The Forestry Commission has been carrying out research into using trees to slow down the rate of floodwater running into streams and rivers.
Mr Groucott, 54, said was keen to leave a lasting legacy on the landscape and planned to build a house and eventually move to Hunter's View – land he inherited from his parents.
He said: "Trees have been planted in curves and they look absolutely fantastic. We had very little tree cover in the valley bottom and have had a tremendous lot of rain in recent years.
Flooding is a real problem and a nearby road is often badly affected. I always wanted to create something of lasting value."
Nick Smith, from the Forestry Commission, said the money had been allocated through a 'woods for water' grant scheme. He said:?"Trees will produce many other benefits, especially for wildlife, and we are keen to talk with other landowners to see if they might qualify for support from this ground-breaking scheme."
For grant details visit www.forestry.gov.uk/ewgs or call (01524) 565800.
