A £2.1m scheme to reduce flood risk and improve wildlife habitats will be unveiled to rural communities next month.

The Weardale Natural Flood Management pilot project will see pioneering natural techniques used across a 100km² area to reduce the risk of flooding to 141 properties.

Environment Agency specialists are carrying out assessments in towns and villages across the dale, including Stanhope, Westgate, Eastgate and Wolsingham. And next month a series of drop-in information sessions will take place for residents to find out what the project means for them and how they can get involved. They will also be able to share their knowledge of local flooding history.

The Environment Agency has teamed up with Natural England, the Forestry Commission, Durham County Council and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership on the project.

Potential measures include integrating small temporary storage areas into the landscape, restoring peatland and creating woodland and grazing marshes.

As well as reducing flood risk, the scheme will create a haven for wildlife.

Environment Agency project manager Kirsty Hardy said: “This is the first step in what is a pioneering project to explore and deliver natural flood management features to reduce flood risk, as well as enrich the landscape and habitat of what is a beautiful area of countryside.

“Until December this year we will be assessing different techniques and our colleagues at the North Pennines AONB Partnership, supported by Wear Rivers Trust, will be speaking with local farmers and landowners before we can then identify any suitable locations for potential delivery of natural flood management features.

“This project is ultimately going to increase our understanding of the impact natural flood management can have on reducing flows along tributaries on the Upper River Wear.”

Rebecca Barrett, biodiversity lead for the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: “It is a pleasure to meet with the people whose land management activities play such an important role in the appearance and function of our landscape and we are looking forward to developing the project in partnership with them.”

The events take place between 2.30pm and 7pm on April 4 at Westgate Village Hall, April 5 at Wearhead Village Hall, April 10 at Cowshill Village Hall, April 11 at Eastgate Village Hall and April 12 at Stanhope Community Centre.

Last March, the Environment Agency announced £15m of funding was available for natural flood management nationally. The Weardale project will allow the gathering of evidence to show the role they can play in reducing flood risk.