Surrey County Council is preparing to implement a Natural Flood Management (NFM) project across the Ash Military Ranges in summer 2026, with the goal of reducing flood risk in Ash and Ash Vale while enhancing the local environment.
Natural Flood Management uses nature-based solutions such as temporary ponds (scrapes), woody leaky barriers, and restored wetlands to slow and store rainwater. These features replicate natural processes to reduce downstream flooding and improve water quality, carbon capture, and biodiversity.
Ash Ranges has been selected for this pilot scheme due to its steep slopes and open woodland, which make it an ideal location for testing NFM techniques. The project will help identify the most effective ways to manage heavy rainfall events in the Blackwater Valley. Local residents who are most directly affected were invited to a public engagement seminar on October 30, 2025, at the Ash Centre to learn more and share their views. At the seminar, the organisers confirmed that community involvement will remain a key part of the project as it moves forward.
By slowing and raising surface water in Ash Ranges, the initiative aims to positively impact flood risk mitigation across Ash and Ash Vale.
Baseline Monitoring Already Underway
Before any physical work begins, environmental experts have started collecting baseline data to capture the current hydrology of the area. This data will be used to measure the effectiveness of NFM interventions over time, ensuring the project delivers meaningful benefits to both people and nature.
At the public engagement event, a map was presented showing opportunity areas where NFM features are planned. Additional zones were highlighted for drainage monitoring, helping experts understand how water currently flows and how it may change once NFM is in place. Residents also shared their knowledge of the land and how drainage has historically flowed.
A Boost for Biodiversity
One of the most exciting aspects of the Ash Ranges NFM project is its potential to increase biodiversity. By creating new habitats and restoring natural water flow, the initiative will support a wider variety of plant and animal species, making Ash Ranges an even more valuable local nature haven.
Who Set Up the NFM Programme?
The Natural Flood Management Programme was launched in September 2023 by the UK Government, through the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Environment Agency. These organisations are responsible for national flood and coastal erosion risk management policy and delivery in England.
The programme is part of the UK’s broader Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy, which aims to make communities more resilient to flooding and climate change by using nature-based solutions.
Why Was It Set Up?
In May 2020, a Research Briefing was published to support the government’s strategy for addressing growing flood risks. The report explored:
- The increasing threat of flooding due to climate change, urban development, and extreme weather.
- The need for sustainable, cost-effective alternatives to traditional engineered flood defences.
- A growing body of evidence showing that working with nature—such as restoring wetlands, planting trees, and reconnecting rivers to floodplains—can slow water flow, store excess rainwater, and reduce flood damage.
The programme also supports the UK Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, which promotes nature recovery, biodiversity enhancement, and climate resilience.
Where Is the Funding Coming From?
The current phase of the NFM Programme is backed by a £25 million investment from the UK Government, announced in September 2023. This funding is managed by the Environment Agency and supports 38 projects across England, including the Ash Ranges initiative.
This is an excelent project, but why have you kept it out of the public awareness? This is the firts time that I have known of the Natural Flood Management being trialed on the Ash Ranges.
I have been walking our dogs over the Ranges since 1988 and have a broad understanding of what happens where.
Kind regards
Charles Stokes
As a Parish Cllr for this ward I only became aware of it this week, I was also disappointed that those who set it up did not more wildly promote this. As soon as I became aware of it I asked the Parish Council to post about it and provided this write up to inform all. I will do my best to keep all informed.
What is the evidence that this is necessary? Where and when has there been flooding – from the Ranges – in the Ash area? This is an area of open and rare heathland – why does it have to trampled down for no apparent purpose? Wouldn’t the money be better spent on housing the 3000 or so homeless people in our area? Just leave this priceless area alone!!!