County Council launches drive to boost nature recovery in West Sussex

Tuesday, 18 November 2025 06:00

A new natural flood management scheme in Upper Beeding has become the first project to receive funding from West Sussex County Council, as part of a wider £ 2.5 million plan to boost nature recovery.

The Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust will receive £100,000 over the next five years for the Adur Adaptation Project – a ten-year partnership aimed at improving the River Adur and reducing flood risk.

The scheme is expected to help communities in the Adur Valley cope with the growing effects of climate change.

Councillor Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Many areas of the county have experienced firsthand the destruction and inconvenience flooding can cause. The Upper Beeding and Bramber area is at risk of flooding regularly unless action is taken to slow down and store more water.

“Our contribution towards this nature-based scheme will help with the creation of wetland habitat and floodplain woodland to create water storage in the landscape. This will protect the environment by making the area more resilient against climate change, enhancing biodiversity and improving water quality.”

WATCH Deborah speaking about the project.

Councillor Paul Marshall said: “Protecting the environment underpins everything we do as a county council, and we take seriously the commitments made in Our Council Plan and Climate Change Strategy.

“This investment is the first of many initiatives we plan to support through our ongoing work with key local partners. Through this series of investments, we aim to help the county mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change by using the natural environment around us.” 

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