Garden With Dan Pearson :)

What a wonderfully inspiring programme and an absolute joy to listen to.

We have recently moved to North Devon and have a 4 acre field which is very wet and reedy in the centre. We have plans to construct a lake and natural habitat and woodland around it. Can anyone give us some advice of where to start ie do we require planning permission of any kind and are there any books that could be of help in constructing a lake.

Hi lynd,

The programme you were watching is quite old and the property has now been sold on - as a matter of interest.

As for digging out a pond - yes you would require planning permission - it is a building operation on, in or under land - and as far as I am aware there are no permitted development rights to construct one - so consult your local friendly planning department.

Oh what a lovely area to move to I am green with envy

I would suggest that you contact someone from the nature conservation department at the council who will be able to give you information about this. There are also grants to be had and stewardship payments might be available if you create and maintain a special habitate.

All the best to you for this great endeavour...

Angela