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Chellow Dene urban wetland

The Chellow Dene Urban Wetland project has reduced flood risk and improved local biodiversity in Allerton, West Bradford.

Completed

What is the Chellow Dene urban wetland project?

Chellow Dene is located in Allerton (West Bradford) where an urban artificial wetland was created in 2005. 18 properties in the area, many of them sheltered housing, were located in potential flood zones. Since 2005, two flood events have been recorded in the area.

This project aimed to lower the risk of flooding to these properties while also improving biodiversity and making the beck an enjoyable place for local people and wildlife. The project involved increasing the wetland’s capacity, restoring the waterway, and engaging local volunteers.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority worked with the Aire Rivers Trust and local partners to deliver this project. Work on this project was carried out between 6 May 2024 and 30 June 2024.

This project is part of our wider flood alleviation programme.

What was achieved?

Work on the project included:

  • Excavating 185 cubic metres to increase the capacity of the wetlands.
  • Creating a wild meadow covering 300 square metres, increasing biodiversity.
  • Reducing bankside erosion and the amount of sediment entering the water by using fascines and woven mesh.
  • Removing a weir and creating a new meander. This increases capacity, slows the flow of water, and allows fish to pass freely within the beck.
  • Engaging with local scout troops who helped plant trees and learned about natural flood management.
  • Engaging local volunteers to help carry out the work.

How was this project funded?

This project was funded with:

  • £41,000 from Devolution Gainshare (Climate and Environment Plan: Wave 1)
  • £26.5k of match funding from Britvic
  • £8k from Environment Agency's Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF)
  • £2,050 from City of Bradford District Council

What is the flood alleviation programme?

The Chellow Dene urban wetland project is part of our wider flood alleviation programme, a £20 million initiative to reduce flood risk across West Yorkshire.

Since the Boxing Day floods of 2015, the Combined Authority has invested £20 million from the Leeds City Region Growth Deal, alongside over £170 million of partner match funding, into schemes across the Leeds City Region to safeguard up to 1,385 businesses and at least 11,100 jobs from the risk of flood.

We are also investing £2.6 million in the Wyke Beck flood alleviation scheme in East Leeds, £3.9 million in phase two of the Leeds flood alleviation scheme and £1.7 million in natural flood management schemes in the Colne, Calder and Upper Aire catchment areas.

In February 2020, £1.9 million was approved by Combined Authority’s Investment Committee to help start a £27.2 million scheme in Hebden Bridge being led by the Environment Agency which will reduce the risk of flooding from a 20% risk to a 2% risk in any given year.

Find out more

The Aire River’s Trust have created a video showcasing the work carried out at Chellow Dene. Watch the video.

For more information, please email our team.

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