On Friday (28 February 2025), the Environmental Secretary announced that the release of native Eurasian beavers back into English waterways is to be permitted for the first time in centuries.
Sheffield City Council was recently awarded £96,725 to look at the possibility of reintroducing beavers into Sheffield or surrounding areas.
The funding, secured from the Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, is enabling the Council to work with neighbouring local authorities and agencies such as Natural England and The Environment Agency to gain a greater understanding of the benefits that beavers have on local landscapes.
The funded feasibility study is now investigating how beaver engineering (such as the building of dams) could benefit us here in South Yorkshire by improving water quality and reducing flooding by ‘slowing the flow’ of water at peak times. Habitats created by beavers positively impact on a multitude of wildlife which would help to tackle our nature and climate emergencies.
Last week, the Government announced that nature groups will now be able to apply for a licence for the release of this native species back into English waterways. The first releases under this announcement could happen in Autumn 2025.
There are already some wild beavers living once again in England, such as along the River Otter in Devon. Detailed learning from the study of them has informed this decision. There are also a wide number of UK projects where beavers have been released within enclosures.
The news is welcomed by the team carrying out beaver feasibility work here in Sheffield, who are exploring the benefits of both reintroduction with enclosures or wild release.
“It is crucial that we think outside of the box and look at innovative ways to help us support our ambitions to tackle environmental challenges we face.
“We’ve seen the results of beaver introduction in other areas of the UK and the evidence shows how their natural skills can support our environment, our wildlife, and communities.
“Our beaver reintroduction feasibility study is underway here in Sheffield and the team will be taking into account this policy change from Government.
“We are looking forward to being able to bring you the latest updates from the experts as soon as we have them.”
Councillor Kurtis Crossland, Chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee at Sheffield City Council
“We really welcome the Government's decision to allow licensed reintroductions of beavers into the wild.
“The Wildlife Trusts have worked tirelessly in campaigning for this and have built a compelling evidence base from work undertaken on the ground. We look forward to discussing this policy change with local partners on what this means for the reintroduction of the species in South Yorkshire.
“Hopefully this brings the prospect of seeing beavers locally a step closer!”
Roy Mosley, Head of Nature Recovery at Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust
Eurasian Beaver experts from The Beaver Trust have been leading the investigations in South Yorkshire into the feasibility of reintroduction. They are currently looking into several potential locations and are also assessing the benefits and any challenges of beavers once again living in our landscape. This work will help the team understand where there could be the greatest benefits, from a wildlife perspective through to flood mitigation.
"Modelling work that our team has undertaken shows that a significant amount of high-quality beaver habitat exists around Sheffield, with most habitats around flowing waterways supporting beaver territories and, subsequently, benefitting from the multiple ecosystem services that beavers can deliver.
“A fieldwork campaign in collaboration with The Beaver Trust will shortly commence to ground-truth the models and establish a strong list of candidate sites where beavers could thrive, in line with the recent announcement by DEFRA, which supports beaver populations."
Professor Richard Brazier, Professor of Earth Surface Processes at the University of Exeter
The Council is also working with Sheffield Hallam University, who’s BA Hons Film and TV Production students have made a documentary about reintroducing beavers into Sheffield and South Yorkshire, which they are now showing in some schools, and they will be working with us to host a number of showings in community settings over the coming months.