Important Freshwater Areas Important Freshwater Landscapes Wetland Opportunity Areas

Boundary Brook Restoration Project

Habitat Project Species Project

This is an ambitious project to restore the Boundary Brook catchment in east Oxford: helping wildlife recover, protecting rare fen habitats and making the area more resilient to flooding and climate change.

Boundary Brook rises in Headington, fed by springs in the upper catchment including the Lye Valley Brook before flowing through Florence Park and on towards the River Thames. Its catchment contains nationally important alkaline fen habitat, including the Lye Valley Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), as well as streams, woodland and other valuable green spaces.

Why does Boundary Brook need our help?

Urban development has covered much of the catchment’s naturally permeable ground with roads, roofs and paving. During heavy rain, water runs rapidly into surface water drains and into the Brook instead of soaking gradually into the ground.

These sudden flows can erode the delicate peat and vegetation of the Lye Valley fens. They may also contribute to flooding around Florence Park while reducing the replenishment of the groundwater-fed springs on which the fen depends.

The upper Boundary Brook has also become deeply incised and heavily shaded in places due to lack of management and loss of grazing. Areas of formerly open alkaline fen have become degraded by invasion from secondary woodland and scrub, while uniform and overshaded sections of channel provide limited habitat for freshwater wildlife.

- Purple Loosestrife and Parsley Water-dropwort at Lye Valley by Tony Gillie

What are we planning?

The project will explore and develop practical ways to restore the upper Boundary Brook catchment. Our plans include:

  • Restoring areas of rare alkaline fen habitat in Lye Valley.
  • Managing bankside trees to bring more light into the channel and improve conditions for species including the endangered Water Vole.
  • Using natural flood management measures to hold back water and slow its journey downstream and reduce flood peaks during storms
  • Working with Universities, hospitals and schools to soften their hard landscaping and increase permeability by installing sustainable drainage planters, subject to permissions and funding.
  • Establishing baseline information about water quality, wildlife and the physical condition of the brook so that future improvements can be properly measured.
  • Working with landowners, local organisations and residents to shape the proposals.

What will the project achieve?

By restoring natural processes across the catchment, the project aims to:

  • Protect and restore approximately one to two hectares of lowland fen.
  • Improve freshwater and bankside habitats.
  • Support the recovery of Water Voles and benefit rare plants associated with the Lye Valley Fens.
  • Trap sediment and reduce diffuse pollution.
  • Slow stormwater flows and helps reduce downstream flood risk.
  • Improve the way water is retained within the landscape.
  • Create opportunities for local people to learn about, monitor and help care for the brook.

The project will contribute to wider plans for restoring nature, improving water quality and managing flood risk across Oxford and the Ock catchment.

Close up of water vole sitting on a branch over water, eating vegetation.

- Water Vole.

Working with the community

Local knowledge will be essential to the project. We plan to work with residents, landowners, large employers, Universities, schools, community groups, Oxford City Council and other local experts and organisations as the proposals develop.

Header photo by Judy Webb.