A major nature restoration project is set to get underway at Ford Green Brook later this month, with plans to create new habitats for wildlife and enhance the area for visitors.

Weather permitting, work will begin on Monday 24 August and is expected to take around five to six weeks to complete. The project, led by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust alongside specialist environmental contractors, aims to improve the brook and surrounding floodplain while ensuring there is no increased flood risk to nearby homes.

Before construction starts, teams will carry out a series of final checks, including wildlife surveys and a fish rescue operation to safely relocate fish from affected areas.

The restoration will see new ponds created, sections of the brook widened and parts of the channel reshaped to allow water to flow more naturally. The changes will create a variety of habitats, including slower-moving and faster-flowing sections of water, helping a wider range of species to feed, breed and shelter.

New riffles - shallow, stony areas that increase oxygen levels in the water - will also be introduced to improve conditions for fish and aquatic insects.

Work will begin at the northern end of the brook before moving south, helping to manage water flow and minimise disruption to wildlife throughout the project.

Some trees will need to be removed to allow machinery access, with work potentially beginning from the week commencing 10 August. However, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust says as many trees as possible will be retained, while any removed will be repurposed to create habitats for wildlife. Ecologists will also carry out checks for protected species, including birds and bats, before any work takes place.

Victoria Bunter, Living Floodplains Manager at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, said the project would bring significant benefits to both wildlife and the local community.

She said: “By creating a range of natural habitats, we’re making space for wildlife to thrive. It will also make the area a more interesting and enjoyable place for local people to visit and enjoy nature.”

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has also backed the scheme, describing it as an important investment in the area's natural environment that will help create a richer and more resilient space for wildlife and visitors alike.

Once completed, the project is expected to leave Ford Green Brook with a greater diversity of wetland habitats and improved conditions for a wide range of plants and animals, helping the site flourish for years to come.

For more information about the project, visit staffs-wildlife.org.uk/trent-renew.