Restoring the Soar

Restoring the Soar is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we are developing a river restoration project. A new partnership project called Restoring the Soar has been put together to develop plans for enhancing the river corridor from West Bridge, near the centre of Leicester, out to the county boundary and in to Watermead Park. 

This project is in partnership with Leicester City Council, Canal and River Trust, and Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, and we are joining forces to improve this urban stretch of the river. Together, we will be combining expertise in waterway and habitat management, landscape design, and community engagement to look for new ways to involve everyone in making the area a better place for all.  

The project will aim to: 

Enhance wildlife habitats   

Create accessible and enjoyable environments to spend time in  

Engage Leicester's diverse communities and encourage more people to use and enjoy the rivers rich heritage, nature, and surrounding areas  

Reduce pollution and litter in the river 

1. Development phase (2024 – mid- 2026). This phase is now underway after receiving a funding boost of more than £500,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The aim of the development phase is to draw up all the plans and proposals for phase 2 (delivery) and submit a further funding bid of around £3m.
2. Delivery phase (2027-2029) – If the funding bid is successful, the delivery stage will see the creation of new wetlands, woodlands and grasslands, features to attract butterflies, bats and other beneficial wildlife, whilst also improving the area for visitors and the local community. 

The initial development funding will be used to draw up extensive plans for improvements to the river and its neighbouring habitats, as well as exploring ideas to help preserve some of the built heritage along the river and making improvements to the public realm. 

During the development phase, the project team will be talking to local people and river users to ask for their views about long-standing issues such as access, litter in the river, and how these issues affect both people and wildlife. The final plans will include opportunities for volunteers and local groups to get involved and take part in the project. 

Tell us how you use the river here.  

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. 

Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. 

To find out more about the project contact - nature.conservation@leicester.gov.uk