Works to boost wildlife habitats at a York green space have been approved despite flooding fears.
Plans to re-profile the watercourse of Tang Hall Beck, in Heworth Holme between Burnholme Drive and Tang Hall Lane, have been approved by York Council.
Applicants St Nicks stated the works would enable the establishment of diverse vegetation suitable for animals including invertebrates, amphibians, birds and mammals while providing the public with new access opportunities.
But seven objections were lodged claiming the works could increase the risk of flooding along the beck and elsewhere.
Council planning officers stated they and the Environment Agency found there would be no increased risk of flooding due to the works which would improve biodiversity.
Environmental charity St Nicks’ plans, which were lodged in 2024, include the removal of wood and steel bank protection using a 14-tonne digger.
Heworth Holme, York
Protection is set to be removed when water levels are low, with St Nicks staff monitoring the works.
The banks of the beck are set to be re-profiled with the grading changed.
More bends will be created in the watercourse and the beck’s capacity would also be increased.
St Nicks is planning to work with the York Consortium of Drainage Boards (YCDB) and York St John University to put wood debris and brash berms in the stream.
Coarse substrate will also be placed in selected locations in the bed of the beck.
Riparian plants, those which naturally grow along the banks of rivers and streams, are also set to be seeded by St Nicks staff and volunteers.
Plans stated weather and beck levels are set to be monitored throughout the works which would be postponed if conditions become unsafe.
But objectors to the plans, including Osbaldwick and Derwent’s Restore UK councillor Mark Warters, said previous works on the beck in 2017 had raised concerns about flooding locally.
They pointed to flooding in the nearby Osbaldwick Beck in January 2025 which resulted in it bursting its banks in Hull Road Park.
Tang Hall Beck is in a Flood Zone Three which is deemed the most at risk.
Council planning officers stated the intention of the scheme was to improve water quality and biodiversity which was consistent with its local policies.
Officers stated: “The application has been supported by a site-specific flood risk assessment.
“The works include measures to increase capacity of the watercourse, by reprofiling the banks, in addition to altering the profile of the watercourse.
“Overall the assessment concludes there would be no loss of capacity and no increased flood risk, either locally or elsewhere.”
