It has been suggested that beavers could be introduced to Reading to help prevent flooding in the area.
Beavers were hunted to extinction in Great Britain around 400 years ago, as they were valued for their pelts, which were used to make hats and other clothing items.
Now the idea has been floated that beavers could be introduced to the wetlands around Reading, as the dams they make can help slow water flow, theoretically reducing the risk of sudden floods.
The suggestion was made by councillor Kathryn McCann (Green, Redlands) at a meeting earlier this month.
She highlighted the work of Adrian Lawson, a former council officer, who is exploring improving wetlands, with beavers being a potential solution to flooding woes.
Cllr McCann said: “More recently, he’s found a grassroots group called the Marshians of people to help out with all of that, it would be fantastic if the council could work together both with them and the other landowners for that area to try and work collaboratively to not only relieve the flood issue but potentially maximise the value of that area for absorbing carbon and providing habitat, potentially even for beavers which could help the ways the water flows in the future and make a real massive impact.
“It’s just something that would be really good to explore as part of this.”
In England, beavers were legally reintroduced into the wild for the first time at Purbeck Heath, Dorset this month.
The rodents can be released into the wild with a licence, according to information provided by Rewilding Britain.
Beavers are classed as a native species and enjoy European Protected Species status, making it illegal to harass, capture, harm or kill them.
The suggestion was put forward at a meeting of the council’s strategic environment, planning and transport committee on Wednesday, March 12.
During the meeting, members discussed measures to build resilience against flooding following the January 2024 flood event.
Cllr McCann also welcomed council officers’ work to explore the potential for ‘rewetting’ the Kennet Meadows to deliver multifunctional benefits for biodiversity, flood risk management, public access and other benefits.
She encouraged council officers to collaborate with Mr Lawson and ‘the Marshians’ to fulfil this goal.
Mr Lawson served as an open spaces development manager from 1988 to 2016.
The work of the Marshians’ is recorded on his blog ‘Rural Reading’ where guest poster ‘Raven Wilderness’ expressed hope that willows planted in the meadows near Coley and Southcote could one day become beaver food.
The committee agreed to note the council’s progress on its flood defence initiatives at the meeting.
