Permit granted for next stage in Hoveton Great Broad restoration

A public consultation took place earlier this year to consider an application by Natural England for a flood risk activity permit, which is required to install the permeable fish barriers.

The Natural England-led project aims to restore Hoveton Great Broad and Hudson’s Bay to clear water by using natural restoration techniques.

For the Broad to return to clear water, the amount of algae needs to be reduced. The project proposes to remove the majority of fish from the broad, which will allow water fleas to thrive, who will then feed on the algae, thereby cleaning the water. This is a well-recognised form of lake restoration called biomanipulation.

The barriers will be in place for up to 10 years, preventing the fish from entering the Broad while the ecology recovers.

After careful consideration of all the evidence and views submitted, the Environment Agency has agreed to grant the permit.

Simon Hawkins, Area Director of the Environment Agency in East Anglia, said: “We have scrutinised 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 into 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.”