Beavers have not lived wild in this part of England for over four hundred years. Now they are back, and busy on the Otterhead Estate, a free nature reserve in Somerset open to visitors all year round. Every night, the beavers dam the historic leat (an artificial watercourse) that feeds the estate’s micro hydro-electric system. This is a welcome sign of returning wildlife. However, it has created a real problem for the people who rely on the power it generates.
The Trust’s roots go back nearly twenty years. Nigel Griffiths, a sustainable building consultant, recognised the heritage value of the derelict coach house and the land around it. He worked with local partners to restore the building to serve the community again. This led to a long-term partnership with a Forest School, which now uses the site. Since then, volunteers and trustees have steadily improved the estate, restoring footpaths and car parking, while building towards a self-sufficient future.
A Zero-Carbon Power Solution
In 2023, the Trust installed a small hydro-electric system, replacing a noisy diesel generator with clean, constant power from a restored medieval leat. The scheme supplies electricity to the coach house and Forest School, which supports disadvantaged children with complex needs. It also benefits other reserve users, and features on guided tours. As a result, it now offers a valuable resource for local people, providing a long-term benefit to the environment with a sutainable and clean power supply. It also provides long term benefits to local people by keeping this valuable commuity resource open.
Living Alongside Beavers
The leat is now dammed in up to five places most nights. Because of this, staff cannot keep up with daily clearance, and power supplies are increasingly unreliable. The Trust has designed a practical solution: a protected pipe that will carry water past the section that is most often dammed, with a secure intake and trash guard. This will restore the system as the long-term low-maintenance solution it was intended to be. Funding from John Good Group will help cover this work, alongside support already committed by others. Once complete, staff will no longer need to spend time addressing beaver activity. The Trust will also be able to share what it learns with other historic hydro schemes facing similar challenges.
“We are delighted to be shortlisted for funding from the John Good Group. Otterhead provides a place for the public to enjoy nature, free of charge, walking in the woods, by the river and the lakes, and lets Forest School continue its valuable work with young people who face complex educational and emotional challenges. This funding would relieve the maintenance burden created by the uncontrolled release of beavers, and would let us keep using the zero-carbon electricity supply we have worked so hard to achieve.”
“Nigel brings genuine technical expertise and steady, hands-on leadership to The Otterhead Estate Trust, turning a once-derelict location into a thriving, community-rooted nature reserve. His partnership with the Forest School shows real commitment to supporting young people who face complex challenges, while the Trust’s hydro scheme reflects a deep, practical understanding of sustainable, off-grid living. This project will protect that hard-won infrastructure and ease the pressure on an already stretched team of volunteers. We are confident this funding will help secure the Trust’s long-term vision, and we look forward to watching the estate continue to grow.”
Latest Project Updates
June 2026
Grants for Good Finalist
The Otterhead Estate has become one of the top five finalists in the latest Grants for Good round, funded by the John Good Group, and will receive a grant between £2000 and £5000 after employees at the John Good Group have voted on their favourite causes.