Combs Moss

Project Summary

Combs Moss is a privately owned upland blanket bog above the town of Buxton in the Peak District. It forms part of the wider landscape where the Moors for the Future Partnership (MFFP) delivers peatland restoration. Working with public and private partners, MFFP is using the site to test how blended finance can accelerate restoration, enhance natural flood management (NFM) and secure long‑term environmental benefits.

The revenue model combines Environment Agency payments for natural flood management with corporate support from Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK (NW&PB) and Severn Trent Water, primarily for water stewardship outcomes and biodiversity uplift, with potential peatland carbon units to be retained by the landowner. Each partner has provided upfront capital in line with their priorities. Since the late 2010s, the site has undergone intensive planning and implementation, with major works completed in 2025 and monitoring continuing for at least five years. 80% of the project’s funding has come from private finance, with the remaining 20% from the Environment Agency.