23-04-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Hundreds of trees planted in Powys for flood management
Around 400 woodland trees have been planted in the Guilsfield area to help manage flooding and serve as a wildlife habitat.
Hundreds of mixed native woodland trees have bene planted by volunteers at Tirnewydd Farm, Guilsfield, through the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS) demonstrator programme.
The new woodland was planted on the site of a previous ancient woodland in the area and should serve as a wildlife habitat and natural flood management solution, as trees intercept overland flow from rainfall and direct water through their root systems to underlying soil, slowing down the transfer of rainfall in the valley.
The Severn Rivers Trust, which is delivering the SVWMS project to use nature-based solutions to help a new water management strategy for the upper Severn, collaborated with staff from Shrewsbury firm SuperByte to plant the woodland.
SuperByte's director and founder, Simon Russell, said: 'SuperByte's health and well-being environmental volunteering day went really well and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
'There was some real pride in our effort knowing the woodland we helped to create will grow a valuable wildlife habitat and natural flood management solution.'
The new woodland at Tirnewydd Farm was planted as part of one of the SVWMS' eight demonstrator projects, managed by Shropshire Council.
The project is using natural flood management to reduce flood risk to a number of homes as well as the B4392 and A490 roads, as well as providing information on the economic benefits of soil and water management on rural land.
The programme added that it has with landowners as part of the initiative to provide learning and information on the potential value of future environmental management within farm businesses.
Severn Rivers Trust catchment officer Dewi Morris and catchment assistant Charlotte Davies oversaw the planting.
Dewi said: 'SuperByte's staff had a great day out and quickly and efficiently planted a wonderful woodland fuelled by their enthusiasm, teamwork, and the hot drinks and loads of homemade cake.'
Shropshire Council added that the results and learnings from the project will help develop the wider SVWMS, which will incorporate catchment-based approaches to reduce flood risk for up to 3,000 properties and 1,000 businesses across the upper and middle Severn
