PLANS by Wessex Water to create two new wetland habitats near Bridgwater have been approved by Sedgemoor District Council.

The scheme will improve water quality and habitats west of Durleigh Water Treatment Works and Reservoir.

Wessex Water will build two sedimentation wetlands upstream of the reservoir that will capture silt and coarse sediment, as well as helping to reduce levels of nutrients reaching the watercourse.

These wetlands will further the work carried out by Wessex Water’s catchment delivery team and farmers to reduce pesticides and silt that flow down to the reservoir.

There are more than 7km of buffer strips installed on farm fields next to the streams and ditches, meanwhile footpath access will be maintained by the installation of two new footbridges.

Wessex Water project manager Sam Richards said: “Creating diverse wetlands will not only improve water quality in the catchment but bring significant benefits to wildlife, especially amphibians and dragonflies as well as wildflowers.”

Councillors approved the Durleigh wetlands scheme subject to pre-start conditions, with work due to begin this summer.

The new wetlands will be based on land off Enmore Road.

To view the full application, visit the planning section of the Sedgemoor District Council website and search for the application number 23/18/00016.