The Cockshut Restoration project realigned the Cockshut chalk stream and created 6 hectares of wetland in 2023.
Delivered as a joint partnership between Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust and Lewes District Council, in collaboration with the Lewes Railway Land Wildlife Trust and South Downs National Park Authority, high quality engineering, design and construction has realigned the course of the Cockshut Stream (a rare chalk stream) and created 6 ha of wetland providing environmental and community resilience to the future impacts of climate change.
The new chalk stream and wetland environment CBEC designed provided exceptional habitat for a range of freshwater species as well as over-wintering birds, which are declining as a result of the impact of coastal squeeze. The design enabled a spoil-neutral development with no arisings imported or exported from the site. This was achieved in part through the construction of a circular walk around the wetland environment, facilitated by a raised earth walkway, which encourages community interaction and engagement with nature and their local environment.
The work was delivered by Ebsford Environmental, who are specialists in river and wetland creation, with expertise in working within protected landscapes and mitigating invasive non-native species. Works were undertaken between July and September 2023, keeping to a tight schedule to avoid unnecessary impact from adverse weather conditions, and, where necessary, low-impact machinery was employed to limit compaction. A wetland wildflower mix was applied to the land following the works, which will enhance the meadow from being rye grass dominated to one of nectar-rich flowers, providing a range of habitat for pollinators as well as freshwater species.
The local community will benefit from this scheme, and local feedback has been immensely positive. The new circular footpath enables high-quality interaction with nature, and the well-being benefits of such opportunities are well documented. Interpretation panels highlight the importance of chalk stream habitats within the South Downs, along with a plotted history of the landscape over the past 5,000 years, connecting people with their local natural and cultural heritage.
In summary, the Cockshut Restoration project stands as a model for collaborative, environmentally conscious initiatives that balance conservation, community engagement, and climate resilience within the context of the South Downs National Park.
