Pond Restoration

About this service

Exclusive offer: farmland pond restoration

Norfolk FWAG is a delivery body for Natural England’s District Level Licensing Scheme (DLL), which is a landscape-scale approach designed to compensate for the impacts of development on great crested newt habitat. The scheme pays for the restoration of overgrown and neglected ponds as well as the creation of new ponds.

Norfolk FWAG are actively seeking landowners in the county who are looking to restore and/or create ponds on their land. In most cases, we can provide 100% funding for eligible ponds and we will oversee the process with very little paperwork involved for landowners. Ponds entered into the scheme will also be eligible for funding to carry out periodic maintenance and monitoring over the next 25 years.

How to qualify

Pond restoration guidance

In order to qualify for the funding, ponds restored or created should deliver high-quality breeding habitat for great crested newt. This includes excellent water quality, well connected to suitable terrestrial habitat, and minimal disturbance from livestock, dogs, waterfowl and humans.

You can view the full set of criteria below. If you think you have suitable ponds, please get in touch with one of our advisers who will take you though the next steps.

Free advice

Our support

Whilst the focus of the DLL funding is for great crested newt, a healthy farmland pond is an extremely valuable resource for a whole host of wildlife and perhaps one of the most important habitats within the farmed landscape.

We recognise that many ponds will fall outside of the criteria for District Level Licensing, but they can be equally as important. Norfolk FWAG can also support with alternative funding streams for pond restoration and management through the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss other funding streams for ponds or considering becoming a member to access to our free telephone advice.

Contact Us

Who do I need to speak to?

Evan is an experienced ecologist with a breadth of knowledge in pond restoration. Evan manages our fully funded pond restoration programme, and can provide advice on how the funding works.

He will also be able to provide advice with ongoing management of existing ponds. If you have a pond you think would be eligible, speak to Evan to run through the eligibility criteria, and to discuss funding options.

Testimonials

What people say about Norfolk FWAG

Marta of Norfolk FWAG successfully and efficiently acquired for Roydon Hall Farms Limited a forestry felling (thinning) license. This involved dealing with the complexities of the forestry commissions processes for about 10 Woodland blocks ranging in size from one hectare to 15 ha. This was achieved by Marta having a thorough knowledge of the processes involved in dealing with the forestry commission and an understanding of what we were trying to achieve.

Norfolk FWAG have been extremely helpful in helping the West Norfolk Nature Network build its Landscape Recovery application. From assisting with LandApp mapping through to proof reading and provision of much needed capacity during the enrollment phase, the team have been great.

I really could not have done this without the incredible knowledge and support and availability and willingness from FWAG’S Henry and Charlie. They were so helpful. The phone advice really was so appreciated to gain insight and help us move to the next stages. And we finally and proudly have a farm that is giving back to wildlife. I hope and endeavour to grow the possibilities for wildlife on our farm with the continued help and advice from FWAG. Thanks no end.

NFWAG have extensive knowledge on the management of wet grassland and grazing marshes. They gathered the information needed for the Higher Tier Scheme and put the application in. It was successful. They are fully up to date and aware of environmental regulations, prescriptions and opportunities

Case studies

What we've been up to

Deepdale Farm: Responsible Deer Management Balanced with Farming, Nature, and People

Site overview Deepdale Farm was one of the first farms to become involved in the work of Norfolk FWAG’s Norfolk Deer Strategy (NDS), back in July 2025, when Anna and Fiona invited us along to see how the farm was evolving into a haven for nature and people on the

Norfolk FWAG Nature-Based Solutions Case Study: Kirby Cane Hall Farms

Site and event overview Norfolk FWAG held a Nature-based Solutions (NbS) workshop and farm visit on 10 December 2025, based at the Jubilee Hall in Bungay, followed by a visit to Kirby Cane Hall Farms. The event brought together farmers, landowners and representatives from several River Trusts, providing an opportunity

Peatland restoration, Chestnut Farm

Peatlands in the broads: Healthy peatlands are a haven for wildlife, they store carbon in their soils as well as cleaning and storing water in the landscape. The Broads contains a significant amount of England’s lowland peatlands, however approximately one quarter of them are drained for agriculture. When peat is