£4,000 grant approved by Affinity Water to restore Wymondley Wood Pond

Affinity Water funding will help revive a valued woodland habitat and improve water management

Wymondley, Hertfordshire — 19 August 2026: A project to restore Wymondley Wood Pond will move forward after Affinity Water approved a £4,000 grant to commence the work.

The spring-fed pond, located in woodland near Wymondley Road and the local Scout Centre, is approximately 1.5 metres deep but currently holds only around five centimetres of water because of accumulated silt. Specialist equipment funded by the grant will be used to remove the silt and begin restoring the pond as a healthy natural feature.

Restoration of the 176-square-metre pond will improve its water-holding capacity, create consistent muddy margins and help trap sediment before water enters the Purwell River. This river is a chalk stream, and while a much-loved part of the Hertfordshire landscape, chalk streams are a globally rare habitat. The work will also support the recovery of historic woodland flora and create better conditions for wildlife.

The surrounding woodland is a well-loved and accessible public space. Community engagement will form an important part of the project, with opportunities for local people to learn about the restoration and its benefits.

Work is expected to commence in autumn 2026. Progress will be documented through before-and-after photography during 2026 and 2027, alongside ongoing botanical and wildlife surveys, including monitoring for newts and bats.

The project supports local nature recovery aims, in line with Hertfordshire's Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Match funding from existing tree, woodland management, and nature & wellbeing budgets will support associated woodland improvements and new on-site information. The wider project will monitor water retention, pond margins, plants and wildlife through 2026 and 2027.