Wendling Beck
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“Wendling Beck is a pathfinder project for landscape-scale land use change, leveraging private finance to deliver nature-based solutions in Norfolk.“
“The project is a collaboration between multiple farmers, environmental NGOs, local authorities and Anglian Water. It will deliver biodiversity gain, nutrient mitigation, natural flood management and climate resilience.“
“Wendling Beck aspires to become a best-in-class project and is investing heavily in the monitoring of species diversity, water quality and carbon storage.”
Glenn Anderson, Project Lead, Wendling Beck Environment Project.
This project is one of 24 case studies published in 2024, alongside a report evaluating the process, impact and value for money of NEIRF Rounds 1 and 2.
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Wendling Beck Environment Project is a large-scale habitat creation, biodiversity enhancement and regenerative farming initiative. Starting life in January 2020, it has worked to develop the masterplan and path to market since then. It has evolved alongside a developing policy environment. Many key policies, such as Biodiversity Net Gain, were not in place at project inception.
The project team has completed baselining. The focus is now concentrated on developing a robust monitoring strategy for the area. This strategy will combine novel techniques and new technologies, such as eDNA and bioacoustics.
Wendling Beck plans to complete the majority of habitat creation by 2030 and is on track to remain fully invested.
Revenue Model
Biodiversity Net Gain
Nutrient Mitigation
Natural Flood Management
Eco-tourism
Farm Shop and Cafe
Regenerative Horticulture
Loan or Finance Structure
Circa £1.5m invested in feasibility, design and phase 1 capital works. No external finance.
Public/Grant Funding
Circa £800k grant funding for feasibility and market readiness (BNG Pilot, NRP, NEIRF, ELM T&T).
Legal Arrangements
Single corporate entity (Wendling Beck Op-Co LLP).
Land use change secured via Conservation Covenants or S.106.
Parties Involved
Project delivery: landowners, eNGOs, local authorities, Anglian Water
Long-term private finance/environmental credit sales: Government, developers, infrastructure, corporates, private individuals
Environmental Impact
Biodiversity uplift, water quality improvements, reduced pollution (from farming), carbon sequestration, habitat restoration, flood mitigation, aquifer recharge, air quality.
Social Impact and Engagement
The project is working closely with local communities to improve access to nature, including the installation of a new cycle path. A volunteering program has seen local volunteers, local charities and corporates actively working on parts of project delivery. Education is provided via Gressenhall Workhouse Museum with 15,000+ school-age children able to access areas of the project and use it for educational purposes in collaboration with Norfolk County Council.
It is anticipated the project will deliver an 800% increase in full-time employees from the existing farming systems.
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