Norfolk seeks £30m investment in nature-based water solutions

A new fund has been created to attract £30m of investment to scale up nature-based approaches to Norfolk’s water challenges.

Through a business case published last week, the Norfolk Water Fund is seeking diverse investment – including from public, private and philanthropic sources – in natural solutions to the county’s water scarcity, water quality and flood risk management challenges. 

The business case suggests every £1 invested would yield a £6.70 benefit, including in water resources and water quality, enhanced habitats for wildlife, and the ability to unlock housing growth while protecting the environment.

Landowners who would be interested to host projects and organisations who could support delivery are also sought.

The proposed £30m portfolio of projects focuses on reducing, slowing and infiltrating the runoff of water from land, by changing land use in priority areas through interventions including leaky ponds, buffer strips and soil management measures.

The Norfolk Water Fund – a partnership between Norfolk County Council, Anglian Water, The Nature Conservancy and Water Resources East – also aims to showcase the county as an international exemplar of collaborative and integrated water management.