A new wetland project is set to transform parts of the Countess of Chester Country Park, creating wildlife habitats and making footpaths easier to use.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has approved plans to improve around 23 hectares with treatment wetlands, shallow pools, lowered riverbanks, and native tree and shrub planting.

The Chester Wetland Centre project is located off Parkgate Road and Parsons Lane, between the Shropshire Union Canal and Finchett's Gutter. It stretches either side of Knolls Bridge, from the Knolls Bridge Flood Storage Reservoir in the north to the Countess of Chester Country Park in the south.

The planning application lists the project's main goals as "habitat creation" and "water quality improvements" within Finchett's Gutter.

It adds: "The rural character of the space will be retained and enhanced through naturalisation of Finchett's Gutter and improvements to species diversity within the site's varied habitats."

Part of the project will replace a section of Finchett's Gutter with a new winding channel, and two treatment wetlands will be created to clean water from the river and nearby drains.

Trees and shrubs will be planted along the riverbanks, and small pools and log features will provide new homes for wildlife.

Existing trees, including poplars, will be thinned and interplanted with native species, whilst new wet woodland areas will be created to expand habitats.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

South of Knolls Bridge, the river will be moved into a new channel through wet meadows. Flood-prone footpaths will be raised and widened to make them easier to use.

Public access will be maintained along Parsons Lane, canal towpaths, and nearby roads, with maintenance vehicle access via Parkgate Road and the Ranger Cabin kept in place.

You can find the full application here.