South West Water Nature Recovery Fund | Pond & Wetland Grants in Devon & Cornwall
South West Water Nature Recovery Fund – Funding for Ponds, Wetlands and Nature Projects in Devon and Cornwall
If you are a landowner, farmer, parish council or community group in Devon or Cornwall, there is currently a major funding opportunity that could help deliver wildlife ponds, wetlands and nature recovery projects on the ground.
South West Water has launched its Nature Recovery Fund, a £2 million grant programme designed to support community‑led projects that improve biodiversity, water quality and natural water management across the South West. Applications will be open from 7th November 2025 to 31st January 2026
At SAS Aquatics, we work throughout Devon and Cornwall designing and building wildlife ponds, wetlands and nature‑based water solutions. We are sharing details of this fund to help raise awareness and support local projects that may benefit from it.
What Is the South West Water Nature Recovery Fund?
The South West Water Nature Recovery Fund forms part of a wider environmental investment programme and is specifically intended to deliver tangible, measurable improvements for nature and water quality.
The fund is available across:
- Devon
- Cornwall
- Isles of Scilly
- Parts of Dorset and Somerset
Two grant levels are available:
- Small grants – up to £10,000 (projects up to 24 months)
- Large grants – up to £250,000 (projects to be completed by March 2030)
Large grants require an Expression of Interest followed by a full application if shortlisted.
What Types of Projects Can Be Funded?
The fund prioritises projects that deliver clear benefits for nature, water and people. In particular, it strongly supports:
Wildlife ponds and wetlands
- Creation of new wildlife ponds
- Restoration of existing ponds
- Wetlands and seasonal water features that support biodiversity
Natural water management and water quality
- Rainwater capture and shared storage systems
- Natural drainage and flow management
- Features that slow, spread and store water in the landscape, reducing runoff and pressure on sewer networks
Habitat and biodiversity enhancement
- Wet grassland and woodland edge habitats
- Catchment‑based nature recovery projects
- Schemes aligned with Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) and catchment plans
Projects that combine biodiversity gains with improved water management score particularly well.
Who Can Apply?
The fund is aimed primarily at community‑led organisations, including:
- Registered charities and not‑for‑profit organisations
- Constituted community groups and clubs
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Local groups such as parish councils, allotment groups or community land projects
Important for landowners and farmers
Farms and private landowners are eligible, even though they are profit‑making, provided the project demonstrates a clear community working model. This might include working with a parish council, local environmental group or catchment partnership.
This makes the fund particularly relevant for farms and rural landowners in Devon and Cornwall who are interested in wildlife ponds, wetlands or water management features.
What Costs Can the Fund Cover?
The Nature Recovery Fund can cover a wide range of practical delivery costs, including:
- Equipment hire or purchase
- Training and skills development
- Staff time directly related to the project
- Professional fees, including:
- Groundworks and landscaping contractors
- Pond and wetland construction
- Ecological consultants
- Design and technical services
Importantly, match funding is not required. Projects can apply for up to 100% of their costs, making this fund more accessible than many other environmental grants.
How Projects Are Assessed
Applications are scored against clear criteria:
- 40% – Benefits to nature and biodiversity
- 40% – Water quality and water management benefits
- 15% – Community and people benefits
- 5% – Value for money
Projects aligned with Devon or Cornwall Local Nature Recovery Strategies and local catchment plans are prioritised.
How SAS Aquatics Can Support Funded Projects
SAS Aquatics regularly works alongside community groups, landowners and councils to deliver fund‑ready pond and wetland projects.
We can support Nature Recovery Fund projects by:
- Helping shape a strong, fundable project concept
- Providing site assessments and technical input
- Designing wildlife ponds, wetlands and water management features
- Acting as the delivery contractor for construction and groundworks
- Supporting community‑led delivery on farms and rural land
If you have land, an idea, or a community partnership in place but are unsure how to proceed, we are happy to offer informal guidance.
Why This Matters for Devon and Cornwall
Ponds, wetlands and natural drainage features play a vital role in:
- Supporting wildlife and biodiversity
- Improving water quality
- Managing runoff, erosion and flooding
- Increasing resilience to drought and heavy rainfall
This fund provides a rare opportunity to turn well‑planned ideas into real, built projects that benefit both people and nature.
Interested in Exploring a Funded Project?
If you are based in Devon or Cornwall and would like to explore a wildlife pond, wetland or nature recovery project using the South West Water Nature Recovery Fund, feel free to get in touch.
📧 info@sasaquatics.com
08000371125
Can farmers apply to the South West Water Nature Recovery Fund?
Yes. Farms are eligible to apply even though they are profit-making businesses, provided the project demonstrates a clear community working model. This could include involvement from a parish council, local environmental group, catchment partnership or other community organisation.
Can private landowners apply for funding?
Private landowners can be involved in funded projects, but applications must be community-led. In practice this often means partnering with a parish council, charity, CIC or local group, with the project delivering wider public and environmental benefits.
Can the grant pay for pond and wetland construction?
Yes. The fund can cover professional fees and delivery costs, including groundworks, pond and wetland construction, landscaping, ecological consultancy and technical design, as long as these costs are clearly linked to the project outcomes.
Is match funding required?
No. Match funding is not required, and projects can apply for up to 100% of eligible costs under the South West Water Nature Recovery Fund.
What size grants are available?
There are two grant levels:
Small grants of up to £10,000
Large grants of up to £250,000 (via an Expression of Interest stage)
What types of projects score well?
Projects that deliver both biodiversity benefits and water quality or water management improvements score particularly highly. Wildlife ponds, wetlands, rainwater storage, natural drainage and catchment-based nature recovery projects are all strong fits.
Does the project need to align with local plans?
Yes. Projects aligned with Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) and local catchment plans in Devon or Cornwall are prioritised and generally score more strongly during assessment.
Can funding be used for surveys or design work?
The fund prioritises delivery, but feasibility, surveys and design work can be funded where they clearly lead to tangible on-the-ground outcomes.
Where must the project be located?
Projects must be located within South West Water’s wastewater service area, which includes Devon, Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Dorset and Somerset.
How can SAS Aquatics help?
SAS Aquatics can support funded projects by shaping fundable ideas, providing technical input, designing wildlife ponds and wetlands, and acting as the delivery contractor for construction and groundworks.
