Sycamore Farm, Maugesbury
Project at a glance
Completed September 2026
An existing brook was returned to the paleochannel to increase its capacity and create space for wildlife.
Project status
CompleteArea of focus
Background to Bledington Brook
Bledington Brook arises near Maugesbury, just south of Stow on the Wold. Bledington has faced and continues to face serious and regular flooding.
The creation of the Banbury and Cheltenham Direct Railway, in the 1850s, has resulted in a large proportion of the brook being culverted and diverted. This is the case at Sycamore farm, with over 300 m of the brook being diverted into a ditch along the railway embankment.
Straightening the watercourses into ditches decreases biodiversity and speeds the flow of the water, resulting in flooding downstream. It is important to hold back water at the top of the catchment to help reduce the flooding further downstream.
Objectives
To re-meander and naturalise an upper section of the Bledington brook, taking it out of the ditch and returning it to its paleochannel and increase the storage capacity of the brook.
Outcomes
300m of a brook returned to its paleochannel
Connection of a brook to its floodplain
Create space for wildlife
Increase water storage capacity of the brook
Project Highlights
Seeing the brook return to the paleochannel!
Funding
Funded by The Water Restoration Fund (UK Government) for £10,741.26.