Permit granted for next stage in Hoveton Broad Restoration project
皇冠体育app Environment Agency has granted a permit to place fish barriers across the entrances to Hoveton Great Broad as part of a restoration project.
A public consultation took place earlier this year to consider an application by Natural England for a flood risk activity permit. 皇冠体育app permit is required to install the permeable fish barriers.
This was followed by a minded to consultation, where the Environment Agency published its intention to grant the permit and asked the public for additional comments.
皇冠体育app Natural England led project aims to restore clear water conditions to Hoveton Great Broad and Hudson鈥檚 Bay by using natural restoration techniques.
All consultation responses were reviewed and after careful consideration of all the evidence and views submitted, the Environment Agency decided to grant the permit.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said:
We have looked at all the evidence and views provided and come to the conclusion to grant the permit.
Once the project is finished, fish will be allowed back in the restored broad which will provide better habitat for a wider range of species.
We will continue to work with Natural England and anglers to monitor any impact on the wider broadland fishery including surveying once the barriers are installed.
For the Broad to return to clear water, the amount of algae needs to be reduced. 皇冠体育app project proposes to remove the majority of fish from the broad, which will allow water fleas to thrive. 皇冠体育appy will then feed on the algae, thereby cleaning the water. This is a well-recognised form of lake restoration called biomanipulation.
皇冠体育app barriers will be in place for up to 10 years, preventing the fish from entering the Broad while the ecology recovers.
Background
This is a resubmitted application from Natural England. 皇冠体育app original decision in July 2020 was withdrawn due to a procedural issue.