A stream south of Grantham which is home to rare crayfish, riverfly and other threatened species looks set to be restored.

The Lincolnshire Rivers Trust has applied for planning permission to carry out the restoration works to 1km of Cringle Brook near Skillington.

If approved, the works on the east side of Grantham Road will create a floodplain, reinstate the river and improve biodiversity on the 0.8ha site.

The application to South Kesteven District Council said the area has "known strongholds" of some of the country's most threatened species, where conservation action is required to safeguard or boost their numbers.

This includes the native crayfish "as as well as a substantial array of regionally and nationally rare riverfly, Diptera and beetle species.

"With careful restoration, this area of the catchment could increase its resilience to environmental change and support these species long into the future."

The application continued: "Our project will excavate soil along a 1km stretch of the stream to provide an inset floodplain and use natural materials (eg trees onsite) to reinstate natural river process and improve biodiversity.

"The bottom of the beck will have the soil removed to between 4-5m and a shallow gradient then returning to the height of the field to an absolute maximum of 8m.

"All current crossing points will be maintained and the floodplain areas will return to the current brook to ensure adequate space is available for crossing.

"The 4-5m floodplain areas will have woody material installed as per the River Restoration Centre techniques to deflect the current flow into the newly created area."

It explained: "During normal conditions this will ensure the stream takes on a more meandering path. In times of higher flow this will provide storage of water.

"The area reprofiled and the banked soil will have a barren appearance for several months until they 'settle down' and green up. Local providence plants and

seeds will be used to increase the biodiversity of the plant mix." The application added the site is part of the Easton Estate and is used for a yearly shoot which will continue. South Kesteven District Council has yet to determine the application.