Case Studies
ridge carbon capture
Ridge Graham Peatland Restoration Project
Bewcastle, Cumbria
In 2024, Net Zero North successfully delivered a peatland restoration project for Ridge Carbon Capture in Bewcastle, Cumbria. The project involved the restoration of 220 hectares of degraded peatland within the Border Mires Kielder – Butterburn Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The restoration works were specifically designed by Net Zero North to directly benefit the SAC by improving the condition of its qualifying features. In the longer term the restored peatland will capture new carbon as vegetation grows.
Key peatland restoration works included:
- Regrading of peat haggs and steeper sided gullies
- Blocking gullies and drainage grips with peat, coir or stone dams
- Revegetation of bare peat
The peatland restoration project is one of the first of its kind in England, breaking new ground for UK peatland restoration and setting the standard for privately financed peatland restoration projects.
Following delivery of the project, Net Zero North are now providing enhanced monitoring services. This includes using drone technology to track the environmental recovery on the site, creating a real-time picture of nature as it is restored.
The project was Highly Commended at the 2024 Northwest Regional Construction Awards for championing climate action in Bewcastle and for environmental optimisation that will now enable best practice to be repeatable for future projects.
Ribble Rivers Trust
Littlebank and Fields de-culvert and
re-meander project
Near Settle, North Yorkshire
The Net Zero North team undertook a project to de-culvert and re-meander a small watercourse, restoring it to a close-to-nature channel specifically designed to support aquatic ecosystems. The scope of works included constructing a new culvert section, retaining sections of the existing culvert, and installing both access and pedestrian bridges. Protective fencing was erected around parts of the site to exclude livestock and provide a buffer for sensitive water habitats. The project also involved pond creation and stream clearance to establish valuable wetland habitat.
The works have already been shown to create habitat for fish, invertebrates, and macrophytes, while improving surface water drainage. The scheme delivers multiple benefits, including enhanced biodiversity, improved water quality, natural flood management, and increased public amenity.
Ribble Rivers Trust
Rome Farm
de-culvert and ponds
Near Settle, North Yorkshire
The Net Zero North team successfully delivered a restoration project that de-culverted a 320-metre section of watercourse, establishing a natural, open channel that has significantly enhanced habitat for fish, invertebrates and aquatic plants. The restored channel has already been shown to have improved water flow, enhanced surface drainage, and strengthened ecological connectivity, whilst also creating valuable wetland habitats.
As part of the project, three shallow ponds were constructed to further support biodiversity and wetland function. These features contribute to wider environmental benefits including improved water quality and natural flood management. To protect the newly created habitats, 142 metres of new fencing with an electric wire and a 12-foot gate were installed upstream. Additionally, 60 metres of existing fencing downstream were modified to include a pedestrian gate and a stile, ensuring continued access and compatibility with surrounding land use.
Crichton Carbon Centre
Garpel Peatland Restoration Project (Phase 1)
Near Muirkirk, East Ayrshire
Garpel is a drained and degraded peatland located within the Muirkirk Uplands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area (SPA). Restoration works, covering an area of 203 hectares, were undertaken by the Net Zero North team to return the blanket bog to a more natural condition. The project aimed to halt peat erosion, regulate water flow, and raise the water table to support the recovery of this vital habitat.
A wide range of restoration techniques were implemented, including:
- Wave dam and zipping – 27,332m
- Gully blocking and reprofiling – 140m
- Gully reprofiling – 4,176m
- Hag reprofiling – 1,943m
- Peat surface bunding – 637m
The project also involved bare peat erosion works through the installation of timber sediment traps, timber gully baffles, geotextile and coir logs. Additionally, a small area of turving was completed to stabilise exposed peat surfaces and encourage vegetation recovery.
Loch Lomond &
The Trossachs National Park Authority
Carrick Castle Estate Peatland Restoration Project (Phase 2)
Western shore of Loch Goil (Cowal peninsula)
Located 4 km south of Lochgoilhead on the western shore of Loch Goil (Cowal Peninsula), the Carrick Castle Estate encompasses upland terrain within the hill slopes south of Beinn Dubhain and Creag Sgoilte, west of Cnoc na Tri Criche, and flatter ground surrounding Sgùrr a’Choinnich at elevations between 400–600m.
The Net Zero North team delivered a targeted phase of restoration works to improve degraded peatland conditions across the Carrick Castle Estate. Techniques implemented included 43,782m of grip blocking (wave dam and zipping), 2,798 metres of hag re-profiling and bare peat stabilisation to reduce erosion and promote vegetation recovery. These interventions have helped restore hydrological function, minimise carbon loss, and enhance the ecological integrity of the blanket bog habitat.
Caledonian Climate Partners Limited
Kingsbeck Estate Peatland Restoration Project
Near Biggar, South Lanarkshire
The site contained some moderate to heavily eroded hags, gullies, and artificial drains. The project involved the restoration of approximately 132 ha of upland blanket bog at altitudes of between 350-750m. The Net Zero North works were focused on raising the water table within the site to halt further erosion of these features whilst also creating a habitat to enhance the growth of sphagnum which will eventually form new peat. Within the estate 10,147m of hags were restored using hag reprofiling techniques, alongside 3,545m of gullies using gully reprofiling and blocking, and 9,136m of artificial drains using drain block and reprofiling.
R & B DICKIE
Spango Farm Peatland Restoration Project
South Lanarkshire
Spango Farm, located between Sanquar and Abington in South Lanarkshire, was the focus of a peatland restoration project targeting approximately 100 hectares of degraded upland blanket bog. The site, known as Crawick Moss, sits at an altitude of 250 to 300 metres above sea level and had been heavily drained and actively eroding, with peat depths reaching up to 780 cm and a mean depth of 105 cm.
The northern part of Spango Farm lies within a groundwater Drinking Water Protected Area. For this project, protecting water quality and applying Scottish Water’s best practice guidance was central to our approach.
The restoration aimed to return the bog to a more natural hydrological and ecological condition. Works were designed to raise the water table, halt erosion, and reduce carbon loss. The principal restoration techniques employed were wave damming and zipping, and gully blocking and reprofiling, totalling over 41 kilometres of intervention. Additional techniques included hag reprofiling, surface bunding, and microerosion repair, all tailored to stabilise the peatland surface, retain water, and promote vegetation recovery.