Trials taking place for innovative peatland restoration

The North Pennines National Landscape team is trialling new, more environmentally-friendly peatland restoration techniques which could help to reduce carbon emissions released into the atmosphere.

These trials are taking place on Dufton Fell in the North Pennines and will be monitored until August 2028. The work will test a range of alternative materials to see how they can contribute to the extensive peatland restoration in the North Pennines. The materials that are being trialled are all biodegradable and consist of wool rolls, hemp bales and potato starch lattices. The wool rolls and hemp bales will be used to slow the flow of water which is causing erosion and sediment movement, while the potato starch lattices will be used to help revegetate areas of bare peat.

Coir rolls are used by the team for peatland restoration but they are typically imported from Sri Lanka or India. Wool rolls and hemp bales could be greener replacements.

The wool rolls will be made from ‘Truewool’, produced by Wool Insulation Wales Limited. Truewool is a 100% British sheep wool product, which is usually used for building insulation. The wool is netted together with more wool. In previous trials of hand-packed wool rolls, which were netted together with coir, the material degraded quickly but it is hoped that looking at three different densities of wool will determine the best method for the high, wet uplands of the North Pennines.

Hemp was chosen by the team because it is a strong natural fibre grown in the UK. The hemp bales for the trials are made by East Yorkshire Hemp.

The potato starch lattices have been used to restore a variety of ecosystems such as mussel beds, mangroves, riverbanks, and salt marshes. The team decided to try them on areas of bare peat that are too steep to re-profile or revegetate with moss-rich plant material. It can also be difficult for the team to source enough moss-rich material from the same site at which the restoration work is happening. The lattices are interconnecting 3D structures made from potato starch, providing a stable place for vegetation to establish and slow down erosion. These structures will biodegrade in two to four years as the natural vegetation takes over.

The new restoration techniques will rewet and revegetate the peatland and consequently fewer carbon emissions will be released. The area will also have a greater diversity of wildlife. Water supplies for reservoirs will be improved and the risk of wildfires will be reduced. The risk of flooding will decrease because hemp bales and wool rolls directly slow surface runoff and the lattices indirectly slow surface runoff, by enabling revegetation.

Senior Field Officer, Alistair Lockett, from the North Pennines National Landscape team said: “It is important to try new methods to improve our restoration work. Potato starch lattices could help stabilise sediment, retain seeds and offer shelter for young plants to grow. Biodiversity will be enhanced because the hemp bales and wool rolls will form small pools of water, encouraging invertebrates, which in turn will encourage a rise in bird life. And the flooding risk is reduced, as the flow of water in upland catchments will be slowed. We look forward to seeing the results.”

Peatland Programme Manager, Paul Leadbitter said: “We have been restoring peatlands since 2006 and have been continuously developing. This is a great example of us exploring new ways of doing things. This innovation is a major step forward for peatland restoration and provides an opportunity to support the UK rural economy.”

Ruth-Marie from Wool Insulation Wales Limited said: “We are absolutely delighted that Truewool is being used in this peatland project. We have high hopes that our local British wool will be able to contribute to the preservation and restoration of these incredible landscapes.”

The restoration materials were airlifted and installed on the restoration site in early 2025. The team will monitor the restoration work to establish how successful the interventions have been and annual reports will be produced to show the results and key findings. Positive outcomes would mean the use of these restoration techniques on a much larger scale in the North Pennines by replacing or supporting current interventions.

These trials have been supported with funding from Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Contact Sarah Hudspeth, Communications Lead from the North Pennines National Landscape team for further information – communications@northpennines.org.uk Phone: 01388 528801 / 07768 123247

Images from the Dufton trials site are attached. For alternative images please contact Sarah, Kate or Jane on communications@northpennines.org.uk

The North Pennines National Landscape is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. The purpose of this nationally recognised designation is the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the area.

At almost 2,000 sq. kilometres the North Pennines is the second largest of the 46 National Landscapes (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and is one of the most peaceful and unspoilt places in England. Visit www.landscapesforlife.org.uk for information about the National Landscapes family.

The North Pennines lies between the National Parks of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and Northumberland with the urban centres of County Durham away to the east. Parts of the National Landscape are within the boundaries of four local authorities; Cumberland Council, Durham County Council, Northumberland County Council, and Westmorland & Furness Council.

The North Pennines National Landscape Partnership is an alliance of public, statutory and voluntary sector bodies with an interest in the future of the North Pennines. The work of the Partnership is carried out by the National Landscape team which takes action to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, to raise awareness of its special qualities and to improve the quality of life for local people.land & Furness Council.

UNESCO Global Geopark – As well as being a National Landscape, the North Pennines is a UNESCO Global Geopark. This puts the area’s Geopark status in the same UNESCO family as World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. UNESCO Global Geoparks are places with outstanding geology where special effort is made to make the most of geological heritage to support community and economy. Locally this includes producing geo-trails, developing projects with school and community groups, producing displays for visitor attractions and holding geology festivals and events.