A popular borough beauty spot has been earmarked for development as part of a £16m scheme to improve peatlands.

The Holcombe Moor project will receive a share of £16m of funding to help restore peatlands across the UK.

The project aims to improve 135 hectares of peatland using innovative techniques to raise the water levels on blanket bog which has degraded due to industrial pollution, overgrazing and wildfire.

The location of the site will provide opportunities for people to take part in guided walks and connect with nature on their doorsteps.

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It follows a project by the Radcliffe and Redvales Flood Risk Management Scheme, which began in 2021 to help slow the flow of flood water to areas around the moor and reduce the risk of flooding. 

Over the years, moorland fires, erosion and localised overgrazing have all damaged the peat surface.

Bury North MP James Daly, praised the project, saying it will help to reduce the risk of flooding in the area and assist with carbon capture from the atmosphere.

He said: “Holcombe Moor is an incredibly beautiful and special place. This project is critical for protecting a really important habitat but also restores the ability of the moor to capture carbon from the atmosphere.

“The restoration will also allow rainwater to be held on the moor for longer which will reduce the chance of flooding in places across our area.

"This is a really brilliant scheme and it is great to see the government making this investment which will benefit our area.”

The government is investing more than £50m in peat restoration, building on its pledge to restore approximately 35,000 hectares of peatland in England by the end of this Parliament, and leave the environment in a better state for future generations.

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Peatlands are an iconic feature of England’s landscape - often referred to as “our national rainforest”.

They contain over half of the country’s terrestrial carbon stores and provide a haven for wildlife, as well as supporting better water quality and natural flood management.

However, 87 per cent of England’s peatlands, including lowland peatlands are degraded, damaged and dried out, emitting tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

The funding from government will help restore these environments, in turn helping protect wildlife and restore their critical ability to manage water quality and reduce the risk of flooding.