Wessex Water Environment Fund

Projects should be checked to evaluate whether they could affect protected sites or species.

• If you are clearing scrub, consider the impact on nesting birds and small mammals.
• If you are working in ponds, consider the impact on great crested newts. These are protected by law. To avoid impact on all amphibians, avoid undertaking works on ponds during spring and summer – the best months to undertake pond work are September and October.
• If you are working in rivers, consider the impact on water voles, otters or beavers.
• All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law, so you should avoid cutting back scrub, hedges and trees between 1 March and 31 July. Find out more about wild birds: protection and licences.
• To see protected species records visit a County Environmental Records centre – you can find the relevant record centre using LERC-finder. Or you can use the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas, which is the UK’s largest collection of biodiversity information.

Find out more about how to avoid harming protected areas and species during development work.

Please bear in mind that other permissions or working methods may be required before you carry out practical works.

• When creating ponds or similar features, check whether planning or other permission is required. Learn more about how to create a pond.
• If you plan on carrying out work in a river or stream, check if you need permission beforehand. Find out how to check if you need permission to do work on a river.
• You should check for invasive species before carrying out work. Discover how to check for non-native species.
• If your project could impact historic features (eg, scheduled monuments, listed buildings and conservation areas), please view Historical England’s Identification and Designation of Heritage Assets guidance.
• If your work could affect existing trees is planned, check if permissions are needed. Please view the Arboricultural Association’s guide to legislation for trees for more information.

The Freshwater Habitats Trust has a Pond Creation Toolkit which contains a range of information on how to locate, design and maintain ponds.

More information about pond creation can be found at:

• Wiltshire Wildlife Trust | How to build a pond.
• RHS Gardening | How to build a wildlife pond
• RSPB | How to make a wildlife pond

The creation of functional wetlands for a specific purpose, such as improving water quality or trapping sediment, is a much more detailed and site/project-specific issue and specialist advice may be required. Basic advice can be found in the Constructed Wetland Hub.

When planting trees, several issues need to be considered.

• You shouldn’t damage or destroy existing important habitats by planting in the wrong place. For example, planting trees on chalk or species-rich meadows or other rare habitats is likely to be less beneficial to the environment than planting on improved grassland. Equally, some protected landscapes may have guidance about where tree planting is suitable (eg, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty famed for their open rolling landscapes may be less suitable planting areas in some cases).
• Make sure you select the right tree for the soil/land and general environmental conditions of your planting site (eg, if you are planting in areas with wetter ground, select species that will thrive in such conditions rather than those preferring drier soils).
• Check that the planting will not affect any existing or proposed infrastructure. Trees should not be planted below power cables, above or close to water/gas pipes or electrical cables, or in close proximity to above-ground infrastructure (eg, pumping stations or electrical transformers).
• Think about the future – trees are long-term investments and grow to a considerable size. Management may be needed if they are close to roads, railways buildings or footpaths to reduce risks in the future. Also, consider the potential climactic changes and impact on invasive species, which may make certain tree species less suitable.

Further guidance on tree planting and management can be found at:

• GOV.UK | Tree planting and woodland creation resources
• Woodland Trust | Tree planting advice
• The Tree Council | Tree planting guidance
• Forest Research | Urban Tree Manual
• Somerset Wildlife Trust | Planting the right tree in the right place
• Woodland Trust | How to care for your trees
• The Arboricultural Association | Managing your trees
• Woodland Wildlife Toolkit

Information about the sea, rivers and bathing waters can be found at:

• Environment Agency | Catchment Data Explorer
• Environment Agency | Bathing water quality
• GOV.UK | Check for flooding
• DEFRA | Hydrology Data Explorer
• DEFRA | Interactive map of the natural environment
• GOV.UK | River basin planning   

This information is provided for general reference purposes only. Wessex Water does not warrant, nor accept any responsibility or liability for, the accuracy or completeness of the content or for any loss or damage which may arise from reliance on this information. No user should act or refrain from acting on this information without first verifying it. The links provided in this information relate entirely to external sources and Wessex Water has not independently reviewed or verified the material and guidance that they contain.