Cambridge City Council is asking for people’s views on proposals to restore some watercourses on Sheep’s Green Local Nature Reserve, allowing water to flow once again from the River Cam into the reserve, along existing seasonally dry channels.

The proposals would mean a further boost for biodiversity at one of the city’s core riverside sites for nature. Increased flow through the restored channels would create many dynamic new habitats for a variety of aquatic plants, insects, and fish, which in turn would provide cover and food for species including Little Egret, Grey Heron, Kingfisher, Eel and Brown Trout.

Another formerly dry watercourse on Sheep’s Green, known as ‘The Rush’ was successfully restored a few years ago.

Under the proposals there would be minimal excavation and soil movement in order to reduce impact on the grassland and ensure the roots of veteran willow pollards are not damaged. Existing surfaced riverside footpaths would be retained and bridges either renovated or replaced to ensure access is not restricted across the common. As part of the project the council would undertake baseline and ongoing monitoring to see how the habitats become established and which species colonise them.

• The public is invited to have a say on the council’s proposals for Sheep’s Green by taking part in an online survey at www.engage.cambridge.gov.uk before 19 October. People can request the survey in another format by emailing communications@cambridge.gov.uk.

The council is consulting at this concept stage to understand if there is a local appetite for these works before embarking on detailed designs and seeking relevant consents for working near rivers and on common land. Responses will be analysed before deciding whether to move forward to detailed design and procurement for work to begin in 2026.

Sheep’s Green is one of 12 local nature reserves managed by Cambridge City Council for the benefit of both people and wildlife. They help to protect some of the city’s best wildlife habitats and geographical features, and let residents and visitors enjoy nature in the city.

The council is committed to improving and enhancing these sites for wildlife and people through our Biodiversity Strategy [PDF, 2.5MB], working in partnership with The Cambridge Nature Network. The proposals for Sheep’s Green also complement the work of the Greater Cambridge Chalk Stream Project.