Working with the natural world

Habitat Creation & Wetland
SPECIALISTS

Making a Better COUNTRYSIDE — Your Way

Our Ethos

Building a lasting legacy

More than business — a promise for tomorrow

At the heart of our ethos is a commitment to more than profit alone. We believe every project we deliver should stand as a positive legacy for future generations — helping to protect our natural world and strengthen local communities. By putting long-term benefit above short-term gain, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, fulfilling our responsibility to those who come after us.

Our Responsibility

Committed to conservation

The countryside in which we live is a very precious resource. The flora, fauna and wildlife that live within it remain an unquestionably important part of our environment today.

As the world around us has developed and grown, conservation organisations, along with farmers and landowners, have come together in a bid to ensure that our priceless countryside remains unspoilt and intact for generations to come.

Protecting Natural Habitats

Sustainable Land Management

Balancing Progress With Nature

Our Focus

Protecting and restoring wetlands

Sustainable water management is key to preserving and enhancing natural habitats.

Our expertise in wetland creation, water level control, and habitat restoration helps to protect delicate ecosystems and support biodiversity. Working in rivers, marshes, farmland, and nature reserves, we deliver tailored solutions that promote conservation and long-term environmental resilience.

Practical Solutions

The work we do

We deliver practical, specialist services that help developers, landowners and communities protect, restore and create habitats. Every project supports biodiversity, improves water quality or locks in carbon — leaving a meaningful legacy for the future.

Habitat creation and restoration

We specialise in designing and delivering habitat creation and restoration projects that protect and enhance the natural environment. From small-scale improvements to large wetland schemes, our work helps local wildlife thrive and leaves a lasting positive legacy for future generations.

Biodiversity net gain

We help developers achieve genuine biodiversity net gain. Our team creates and restores habitats such as reedbeds, ponds and wetlands to ensure new developments leave sites richer in wildlife than before — meeting planning conditions and boosting the natural value of the land.

Nutrient neutrality

In sensitive landscapes like the Broads, we provide solutions to help developers achieve nutrient neutrality. By offsetting nutrient inputs — for example, through wetland creation — we reduce the impact of increased sewage and run-off, allowing projects to progress responsibly while protecting water quality.

Pond restoration

We deliver targeted pond restoration, making the most of funding opportunities such as Defra’s current schemes. This service helps landowners and developers unlock extra environmental value at no extra cost — improving water quality, boosting biodiversity and supporting planning aims.

Treatment wetlands

Our treatment wetlands help clean wastewater naturally. By passing effluent through carefully designed wetland systems, we remove phosphate, pharmaceuticals and other pollutants, delivering cost-effective improvements to water quality that benefit both people and wildlife.

River restoration

We restore rivers to improve flow, reconnect habitats and protect chalk streams and other sensitive waterways. From bank re-profiling to re-meandering, our river restoration work supports healthier ecosystems and long-term environmental resilience.

Peatland rewetting

We deliver peat rewetting projects that lock in carbon, boost biodiversity and help fight climate change. By raising water levels in drained peatlands and fens, we protect vital carbon stores while restoring habitats that support unique wildlife.

Our promise

Every project we deliver is driven by our dedication to leave the natural world better than we found it. By focusing on practical solutions with real long-term benefit, we help clients meet their goals responsibly — protecting landscapes and creating a positive legacy for generations to come.

Meet Chris, our Environmental Projects Manager...

Chris Bielby, B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc.

As a highly experienced environmental projects manager, Chris brings deep knowledge and practical understanding to every project. His career includes work with the National Trust, Natural England and as Countryside Manager for the Norfolk Coast and Broads — managing some of the UK’s most important and protected wetland habitats.

Chris has a strong academic background in freshwater ecology and extensive hands-on experience in wetland management — including grazing, cutting, water level control and nutrient management. He is fully familiar with all elements of permissions and permitting, from planning and protected species legislation to abstraction licensing and funder requirements.

Chris is known for delivering major projects, from a £1.5 million lake restoration to leading ecology on a £400 million paper mill development. His approach balances a deep respect for the natural environment with a clear focus on outcomes, timescales and budgets — always mindful of the practicalities, public perception and the wider landscape.

Keeping special places protected — trusted experience with the National Trust and Natural England

Managing some of the country’s most valuable wetland habitats on the Norfolk Coast and Broads

Proven record delivering complex projects and securing permissions to protect nature and support clients

In Print

Looking for more in-depth information?

Take a look at our Environmental & Wetland Specialist Brochure.

A detailed exploration of our eco-friendly practices, sustainable solutions, and successful environmental projects, highlighting our dedication to preserving and enhancing natural resources. Our brochure includes…

See our team at work

Why work with us?

We've undertaken habitat creation projects across the countryside for over 60 years

Our projects

Our work focuses on creating and restoring wetlands, managing water levels, improving countryside access with tracks and footpaths, and enhancing habitats. Each project is designed to promote biodiversity, supporting the growth of rare and endangered species while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.

Our clients

We partner with some of the most respected conservation organisations, including the RSPB, Natural England, and multiple Wildlife Trusts. Dedicated to preserving and enhancing natural landscapes, we are passionate about delivering projects that make a lasting environmental impact.

Project process

Complete solutions
from concept to completion

We take your project from vision to reality with a clear, structured approach. Our team carries out detailed surveys, provides transparent proposals, and ensures smooth, timely delivery while respecting environmental constraints.

Preliminary meeting

We work closely with our client to fully understand project detail and timelines. This allows costs to be agreed and the project to move forwards.

Agreement of works

Using the latestGPS technology and mapping software, we carry out detailed surveys to gather accurate topographical and field data.

Planning

We plan each project in minute detail, preparing risk assessments, method statements, timelines, and resource allocation to support safe and lasting delivery.

Project delivery

We deliver projects in partnership with landowners, trusts, charities, and private companies. This ensures smooth delivery and shared understanding.

Client Testimonials

What Our Clients Say...

William Morfoot Ltd have recently constructed a new wetland on our land adjoining the River Yare. The project has introduced new water flows to an area of low lying ground adjoining the river with a series of shallow pools now also present. The project has created a dynamic new wildlife habitat which has quickly filled with bird and wildlife. Morfoot’s delivered a first class project and we are delighted with the results.

Lord & Lady Dannatt, Norfolk

We contracted William Morfoot to deliver nearly 60 hectares of peatland restoration at our West Norfolk site, High Fen Wildland. Chris and his team were fantastic throughout: responsive, professional and cost-effective. They delivered all the work to a high standard and we hope to work with them again in the future.

Matthew Hay - Natural Capital Project Manager - Nattergal

William Morfoot Ltd has worked on the Estate for many years, delivering a range of land, water, and environmental solutions. Over this time, they have successfully completed several large-scale projects, including land drainage, trackway construction, and wetland development. Their team has consistently demonstrated professionalism, technical expertise, and a strong understanding of agricultural needs. They have always been very accommodating with scheduling, ensuring minimal disruption to our farming operations. We highly value our longstanding relationship with William Morfoot Ltd and would confidently recommend them to others seeking high-quality rural contracting services.

Adrian Howes - Sennowe Estate.

William Morfoot Ltd conducted their work in a professional, safe, and efficient manner. The team collaborated well with archaeologists, adapting working methods to accommodate pre-works investigations. A good sign of restoration works is the sense that it isn’t constructed and there is a sense of immediate naturalness. William Morfoot have achieved this with subtle design tweaks (dressing bunds) and creation of irregular finished profiles. The Cranes have already moved in!

Ellis Selway MCIEEM, National Trust Peatland Project Manager.

William Morfoot played a key role in delivering Anglian Water’s first treatment wetland at Everton, Cambs. The project was completed on time, to budget, and with a clear commitment to safety and compliance throughout. Their professionalism and collaborative approach make them a contractor I would strongly recommend.

Adriano Staffieri, Project Delivery Manager: Anglian Water @one Alliance

William Morfoot Ltd impressed me from day one of the contract. The staff are professional, highly knowledgeable and very helpful. Having a good contractor on site, especially when the site is an important National Nature Reserve, instils confidence, and you know that the job will be completed to a high standard.

S. Henderson, Conservation Manager at Holkham National Nature Reserve

A proven track record

Where we work

Projects take place across rivers, coasts, farmland, countryside, wetlands, marshes, nature reserves, and conservation areas, restoring and enhancing natural environments to support biodiversity, water management, and long-term sustainability.

Rivers and coastal locations

We manage water flow, prevent erosion, and restore natural habitats to support biodiversity.

Farmland and countryside

We enhance biodiversity, improve drainage, and create sustainable land management solutions.

Wetlands and marshes

We restore wetland habitats, improve water quality, and support climate resilience efforts.

Nature reserves & conservation areas

We protect fragile ecosystems, create habitats, and work to safeguard endangered species.

Shaping LANDSCAPES, restoring BALANCE
creating THRIVING WETLANDS

We specialise in creating and restoring wetlands, managing water levels, and constructing essential water control features such as sluices and weirs. Our expertise includes building ponds, lagoons, and lakes, as well as shaping wetland scrapes and channels to enhance biodiversity. We carry out ditch construction, maintenance, and re-profiling, alongside installing culverts and undertaking large-scale earthworks. In addition, we develop access tracks, footpaths, and public access routes to improve land usability. Our services also cover underground utilities installation and topographical surveys, ensuring precise design and effective project execution.

Let's discuss your next
Environmental & Wetlands project...

Discover how our expertise can help you create thriving wetlands and sustainable landscapes. With William Morfoot, you gain a trusted partner dedicated to enhancing biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and delivering long-term environmental benefits.

Or to speak to a member of our team right now, please telephone:

+44 (0)1362 820 371