quangos and others for pond renovation?

[Pondmaker]

Greetings Ponders

I am in the process of restoring a large natural pond - currently minimal wildlife, no plants, masses of willow debris, and a two foot mire of duck poo. The intention is to create a wildlife pond (no fish).

Should I be looking to get any biodiversity/environmental/here's-a-grant/trust bodies involved or would doing suchlike involve handing over control of how the pond is renovated? Do you have any recommendations?

I am quite well read on wildlife ponds, having created them in the past (and have been lucky to have great crested newts), but not on the wisdom of having organisations involved.

Thanks for any ideas.
Pondmaker

[lol geoff]

I would think you would probably have to waive the rights to the management of the pond too. As for who would be interested I suppose it would depend on whose land it was and wether it would become a public amenity after the restoration.

[Pondmaker]

Thank you for that lol geoff. I guess I should steer clear. It's on my land and is private.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Pondmaker

Thank you for that lol geoff. I guess I should steer clear. It's on my land and is private.

you can still get grants for the work if it is of wildlife benefit , without handing over any management rights or giving public access.

For starters i'd consult the pond conservation trust/pondlife for advice, as for funding that would depend on how much and what you want to do - landfil tax, awards for all, and the British ecological society are three that come to mind off the top of my head.

also if you are a farmer it would be worth looking at stewardship - either ELS or HLS as you may be able to build the pond work into one or the other stands of your farm envirnment plan - contact Natural England for advice on this.

[LawtonWoods]

I'm also in the process of restoring a large natural pond (60m x 45m), and I haven't yet come across anyone offering any funding for ponds on private land. If it is within woodland, you could perhaps get a woodland improvement grant, where certain works - felling some trees to open the pond to sunlight, for example - could be funded. This is provided on biodiversity grounds, with no requirement for public access. You can do the work yourself, and still claim the grant.
I have spoken to the BTCV, who did offer to help, but so far they haven't arranged anything (after about 9 months). But even then you have to pay travelling costs, as well as an administrative fee.
I'll keep a watch on your thread, in case anyone else comes up with an idea!

[eeyore]

info on pond funding here Pond Conservation | Advice | Funding for your pond project

note that not all will be available to private landowners but some are.

[Pondmaker]

Thank you for the replies eeyore and LawtonWoods. I had a look at the web pages mentioned - looks as though there are lots of conditions to be met before being considered for a grant.

I'll push on with the work - very satisfying really