The Letcombe Brook Project

Achievements Report Spring 2003 - Summer 2009

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East Hanney

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WANTAGE

Letcombe k o Regis o r

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A338 Contents

Introduction...... 3 • Letcombe Brook chalk stream

Letcombe Brook Project...... 4 • Organisation Partnership in action

Project report...... 5

Objective 1: Conserve and enhance the biodiversity and landscape of Letcombe Brook...... 5 • Biodiversity and landscape • Public open space improvements • Planning and developments • Species action

Objective 2: Promote environmentally responsible land management practices amongst landowners and land managers...... 12 • Working with landowners to protect the brook • Examples of small scale schemes carried out by residents

Objective 3: Increase awareness of countryside and environmental issues through education and interpretation...... 13

• Education and Interpretation • Environmental Education for schools • Interpretation • Public events and campaigns

Objective 4: Involve all sectors of the community in caring for and appreciating Letcombe Brook...... 15 • Community Action

Water quality and quantity issues...... 16 • Pollution incidents • Augmentation • Flooding 20 July 2007

Funding...... 18 • Project funding • Donations and grants applied for capital projects • Contribution in kind

The coming year...... 19

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009



Introduction

Letcombe Brook chalk stream

The Letcombe Brook is a chalk stream that rises in Letcombe Regis and Letcombe Bassett and flows for 12 kms through Wantage and Grove where its meets the Childrey Brook to the north of East Hanney.

Chalk streams are important habitats, as they are rich in biodiversity and globally rare. The Brook supports a diverse and specialised range of wildlife, some of which are endangered.

Letcombe Brook is a prominent feature running through both urban and rural landscapes in the Vale of the White Horse. People long ago chose to settle along the brook, as it provided a clean and plentiful supply of fresh water and its importance is reflected in local place names. In 1086 there were 10 mills operating on the brook, providing power and prosperity to the area. . The brook would have been intensively managed, unlike today. The brook still provides water for local use today for domestic, industrial and agricultural use. It is an attractive feature much loved by local people.

There are diverse habitats along the its floodplain including farmland, chalk downland, cress beds, reedbeds, small copses, veteran willow trees, urban gardens and amenity grassland. Rivers are vulnerable habitats and it is generally recognised that it is important to safeguard them ie: Oxfordshire Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs), Environment Agency BAPs, Natural England BAPs. The brook contains three County Wildlife Sites, along with protected species such as white-clawed crayfish and watervoles.

The Environment Agency’s ‘River Corridor Survey of 1999’ noted that in places the Letcombe Brook was no longer a chalk stream in character, that there had been much realignment over the years to accommodate housing, industry, roads and the railway, and it had been over-widened and deepened. Aquatic and marginal vegetation was extremely sparse with some stretches devoid of any plants. They noted numerous negative changes including reinforced banks, numerous low weirs and impoundments. It was heavily silt-laden in places and over shaded with trees, with much rubbish in the brook. Other problems included urbanisation of the environment along with over-tidying of banks and grass cutting in gardens and on amenity grassland immediately adjacent to the brook.

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

 Organisation

The Project is co-ordinated by the Letcombe Brook Project Officer which is a part time consultancy position for 12 days a month. The Officer regularly reports to the steering group, Wantage and Grove Joint Environmental Trusts and, at various times, to parish and town councils.

The Project Officer’s role is to Local people clear out 5 skips of rubbish from the brook. identify and resolve issues along the Brook, design and implement Letcombe Brook Project environmental improvements, provide advice to riparian owners on riverside management, raise the The diversity and character of the brook has been shaped and changed by awareness of the public through centuries of human endeavour and changes in land use. Over time, habitats education and interpretation, and the river corridor landscape have deteriorated and been faced with report to partners and the steering many environmental issues and development pressures. committee and to seek funding for projects and the continuation The Letcombe Brook Project was set up in April 2003 to enhance and of the Project Officer’s post. Sally protect the natural beauty of the brook and to help people appreciate Wallington is the current Project and enjoy the environment. By working in partnership with local people, Officer and has held the post since riparian owners, the district, parish and town councils along with 2003. other organisations, the Project has been able to bring about positive environmental benefits for both wildlife and the people that live and work along the brook. For more information contact:

Letcome Brook Project objectives: Sally Wallington 1. To conserve and enhance the biodiversity and landscape of Letcombe Letcombe Brook Project Brook. C/o Vale and Downland Museum 2. To promote environmentally responsible land management practices Church Street amongst landowners and land managers. Wantage 3. To increase awareness of countryside and environmental issues through OXON education and interpretation. OX12 8BL 4. To involve all sectors of the community in caring for and appreciating Tel: 01235 771447 the Letcombe Brook. [email protected]

Partnership in action

The Project is a partnership project funded and supported by the Vale of the White Horse District Council, Environment Agency, Wantage Joint Environmental Trust, Grove Joint Environmental Trust, and Letcombe Regis Parish Council.

Letcombe Regis Parish Council

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

 Project report

This report is a snapshot of the Projects’ achievements over the last six years. Local people are at the heart of this project and its success is due to many individuals, partners and organisations that are committed to protecting and enhancing the Letcombe Brook now and for future generations. This report gives a summary of work carried out, with examples given to illustrate the type of outcomes achieved.

Objective 1: Conserve and enhance the biodiversity and landscape of the Letcombe Brook.

Biodiversity and River enhancement and • Rubbish has been removed and landscape management fly-tipping significantly reduced. Previously degraded and in some • Local people are reporting The character of the river, its sections unmanaged, the brook has pollution incidents more readily habitats and the associated wildlife now been improved: to the Environment Agency to have been protected and enhanced • The over-widened silted enable effective action. by: riverbed has been narrowed to • Duck grazing and erosion has • implementing environmental speed up flows and scour out been hugely reduced through a improvement schemes on silt to restore the gravel bed. public awareness campaign. publicly owned land • Numerous low weirs have been • working through the planning removed to restore the natural Local people have reported on how process on development sites flow characteristics. much more cared for and attractive • working with riparian owners • Trees on over-shaded channel the brook looks with more aquatic to identify and implement sections have been pollarded plants such as water crowfoot and schemes or coppiced to introduce light, starwort, an increased number and • undertaking a river survey allowing aquatic and marginal size of wild brown trout and a huge to identify important sites, vegetation to flourish. reduction in litter and fly-tipping. followed by Protected Species • Reinforced and eroded banks Biological sampling of invertebrates Surveys. have been sympathetically at various sites also confirms that restored using coir fibre rolls, the ecology and water quality of providing vegetation for trout the brook appears to be improving. and refuges for water voles.

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

 Public open space improvements

Several projects to improve the habitats and landscapes have been carried out by working with our partners on land in their ownership.

Wantage, VWHDC The brook corridor through Wantage has been transformed in recent years with developments (on Limborough Road) opening up access to the brook along with environmental enhancement schemes carried out by the Project in Willow Walk and at the Wharf in Mill Street.

• Willow Walk (2004)

An over-widened silted riverbank has been narrowed. Dappled shade has been introduced to a previously completely shaded channel. Unmanaged veteran trees have been pollarded, and over- mature willow copse coppiced. New boardwalks and fencing were installed to improve access. Community consultation, guided walks and interpretation boards Wantage JET and local company seat. Rats were regularly seen with have raised awareness. Several Autotype. burrows under planting beds and clean-up events with local residents there was a lot of rubbish on the removed eight skips of rubbish • Mill Green, Mill Street bed of the brook. from the brook. The improvements (2007 – 2009) have been very popular with local This area (otherwise known as the The project proceeded in two people and subsequently they care Wharf) is very prominent in the phases. Firstly the revetment works more for the area and continue town and was very unattractive restored 52m of bank. As the area with litter picking and removing with nearly a hundred ducks is heavily used by people a robust obstructions. The project cost £31, causing severely eroded banks with solution was needed to prevent 666.25 (excl Vat) and the major no vegetation. The grass area was future erosion. Stone filled gabions funder was WREN (Waste Recycling over shaded by trees, which were were used, fronted with coir fibre Environmental based in Norwich) too crowded along with straggly, rolls planted with marginal plants. with contributions from VWHDC, unmanaged planting and a broken Alongside this a duck welfare

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

 • Sharland Close (2006) The banks were eroded by ducks and children accessing the stream and these were repaired using weldmesh panels backed with stone and vegetated with coir fibre rolls. Local residents were consulted and Grove JET funded the works - £4114 (excl Vat).

• Mably Way Enhancements (2006) The Project commissioned specifications and guidelines for the creation and management of a new wildflower meadow alongside the brook at Mably Before After Way using local native flora. Several veteran willow pollards awareness campaign successfully Grove, VWHDC were pollarded along the cycle reduced the number of ducks With less development pressures way. attracted by people feeding them the Project identified schemes to with bread, which had been causing restore eroded banks and enhance Letcombe Regis, Parish Council erosion and pollution. The project biodiversity and the landscape. (2008 - 2009) cost £14,008.97 (excl Vat) primarily funded by WREN and supported by • Village Green (2005) • Millenium Green Wantage JET, and VWHDC. Erosion was occurring at the The Project is working with toe of the bank, and the bank the Parish Council on a small The second phase was aimed at was re-graded and vegetated piece of land next to the Brook. making the area more attractive with marginal plants using coir Improvements include tree by improving the design, layout fibre rolls. Grove JET funded the pollarding, re-fencing the brook, and access and included: the project: £3146 (excl Vat). removal of weir to improve creation of new entrances with natural river flows and planting decorative block paving, installation of native marginal vegetation. of attractive railings to enclose the park and help direct people to safe crossing areas, removal of exotic shrub beds and non-native trees to create more light and reduce overcrowding, re-siting the post box and lamp standard, installing 2 new benches and 3 litter bins. An interpretation board on the history of the area and the ecology of the Letcombe Brook will complete this project. The LBP initiated the Project and applied for funding. The Landscape section at the VWHDC designed and managed the project which cost £30,499.00. It was funded primarily by WREN with contributions from Bill Atkinson, (Bush Buy), VWHDC and Wantage JET.

Grove JET members

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

 Planning and planning decisions on biodiversity being fully considered upfront, developments thereby allowing appropriate mitigation measures to be put in The Project aims to work in place. This protects the existing partnership with the VWHDC biodiversity and enhances the planning department and ecological integrity of the brook, developers to secure long-term both during construction and for benefits for biodiversity, landscaping the future, thereby making sure a and public access via planning positive and sustainable legacy is applications and Section 106 left for future generations. Letcombe Park revetment work Agreements. This role is particularly The Letcombe Brook corridor has important, as the VWHDC does not been subject to rapid recent change • Letcombe Park, Barratt Homes have in-house ecological expertise. and over the years the Project has (2003-2008) In 2004 a Continuing Professional been involved as an advisor in After five years of dealing with Development event on planning assessing 21 developments along the the architects landscaping plans, and ecological issues was held in Brook. These have ranged from small numerous changes in development association with the Environment applications such as change of use staff and VWHDC enforcement Agency this included raising from agriculture to garden through to notices the restoration of the awareness about the opportunities Environmental Impact Assessments Letcombe Brook on this site was that could be taken through the and large housing schemes. planning process. The Project also completed by the Project. The developer’s initial landscaping comments on strategies and policies Examples of outcomes achieved scheme failed due to vandalism, such as the Local Plan and Grove through planning applications: and Wantage Market Health Check. poor implementation due to bad workmanship, incorrect planting Wantage stock and lack of maintenance. The Project welcomes opportunities There have been several significant to work proactively with developers developments particularly in This proved costly in the end for and the planning department Limborough Road including the developer as the initial scheme before planning applications Sainsburys petrol station, Letcombe failed and had to be reinstalled. The are submitted. This ensures that Park, Willow Grange, Sainsburys Project made repeated requests to habitats and species are protected store and car parking. with the potential impact of Barratt Homes who ignored best practice advice on implementing the scheme and on protecting the scheme against vandals and ducks. Vandals dismantled an island, exposed footings on the bridge, damaged revetments and used the stone to build weirs and impound the brook raising levels by 300mm. Ducks ate all the bank side plants from the coir fibre rolls and the scheme at that time had not been fully implemented with regard bank works, wildflower buffer strip and tree management works.

After much negotiation and involvement of a local councillor Barratt Homes paid the Project £32,234.50 to renew and complete the work.

Landscape plans

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

 Grove

• New Barn Elms, Berkeley Homes (2004) The Project was involved in mitigation and restoring the banks of the brook after the contractor damaged the bank. The Project subsequently drew up a new landscaping scheme to include a wildflower buffer strip, tree coppicing and pollarding, re-grading of banks planted with aquatic plants and removal of the developer’s rubbish.

• Grove Airfield, Persimmon Homes, (2006-2007) The Project was initially involved in the pre-application stage, Richmond Care Village– desilting the lake and creating a new channel commented on the Environmental Impact Assessment and attended and new channel. Along with the development public consultations organised by • Creation and long-term site, RCV also owns a County the developer. There were many management of a vegetative Wildlife Site known as the DOW issues of concern regarding the swale for treatment of surface Nature Trail that is an important protection of the existing ecology water run-off whilst also wildlife site much loved by local of the site, including issues on providing a mosaic of wet people. With this in mind it was water supply, sewage and drainage, grassland habitats suitable for important to safeguard this site which ultimately effect the brook. invertebrates. and ensure appropriate use and • Creation and retention of management for the future. Letcombe Regis, Richmond Care trees, hedges, woodland, The Project was instrumental in Village (2005 –2009) and native scrub and long- requesting and coordinating an Richmond Care Village is currently term management for bats, (additional) 20 year Ecological being built to replace the DOW agro invertebrates and other local Management Plan and managing sciences laboratory. This project is a wildlife. a team to oversee that it was fit good example of how, by working • Creation and management of for purpose, as the owners had with planners and developers well wildflower meadows, grassland no experience in managing a in advance, major environmental and buffer strips alongside wildlife site. Finally, the reserve and access improvements can be Letcombe Brook. was initially to be transferred to achieved. • Eradication of the non-native, BBOWT but after several false invasive plant, Japanese starts the Project, with the help To summarise a long process the knotweed. of the local MP, secured a 50- biodiversity, landscape and access • Interpretation Board and year lease. We look forward to improvements achieved through information pack for residents. seeing the transformation of this this project are: • Public access along Letcombe site and the involvement of the • Desilting the lake, taking it Brook and lake along to the local community in managing it. off-line and creating a new nature reserve for the general The area is to be known as the chalk stream channel with public (including those from Letcombe Valley Nature Reserve fish pass and refuges for trout, further afield). Access is limited and will be freely accessible all bullhead, brook lamprey and to the eastern edge to allow year round both to local residents white-clawed crayfish. Creating wildlife on the opposite edge to and visitors from further afield. berms and restoring banks be undisturbed by walkers. providing suitable habitat for •.. 0 year Ecological Management aquatic plants, water voles Plan along with a monitoring and invertebrates. Planting of system 2009 – 2029. marginal vegetation around lake

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

 Ongoing development issues species surveys. See West Berkshire • White clawed crayfish Council, Development Control White-clawed crayfish are native The Project has been persistent Biodiversity Planning advice. to Britain and are a protected in monitoring and ensuring Biodiversity Action Plan species. that developers implement • Quality environmental They are rare with very few and successfully establish their improvements can be achieved populations left in the South East. consented landscape schemes. when the development is discussed The aim for this species is to protect The Project has requested VWHDC well in advance of an application them from Signal crayfish which enforcement action of conditions being submitted and relevant carry a plague that can kill our on Sainsburys and David Wilson statutory advisors are fully involved British White-clawed crayfish and Homes, as their schemes are still such as Environment Agency and to improve their habitat thereby to be completed and successfully Natural England. increasing their numbers. established. • Landscaping should be detailed upfront and incorporated Survey (2003/2004) Recommendations to Planning initially and not left as a Following the Project’s Department to improve the reserved matter. The work confirmation of White-clawed protection of biodiversity and is of a specialist nature so it crayfish at Letcombe Regis and landscape is important that landscape Locks Lane, Wantage, the Letcombe architects with experience of Brook was surveyed in a catchment After dealing with many biodiversity and river ecology survey undertaken by Thames applications the Project are engaged. Valley Ecological Record Centre puts forward the following for the Environment Agency. The recommendations to the Vale • Schemes are successfully survey revealed good populations of the White Horse DC Planning established when an and their report concluded that ‘… Department to ensure the experienced landscape architect the Letcombe Brook population is protection and enhancement of the who drew up the plans then probably one of the most important natural environment. oversees the implementation of in the Thames catchment generally their design, otherwise corners and as such every effort should be • Employing a VWHDC ecologist are cut, unskilled contractors made to protect it’. to ensure that any development unused to river work are used and the existing ecology can be and schemes fail due to poor 2007 A further survey was assessed properly, and to make quality work or materials. commissioned at the six sites sure that the biodiversity is fully known to be populated with native protected and enhanced by the • Approved plans should be crayfish. Unfortunately no live planning and development process, monitored to see that plans crayfish were found but burrows both during and post construction. are fully implemented and were present. No dead were found successfully established on either and no Signal crayfish have • Drawing up planning policy the ground. Where necessary, been found or reported on the guidance for developers such as effective enforcement should Brook. The result was therefore West Berkshire Council’s ‘A Guide be enacted by the VWHDC and inconclusive. to developers Rivers Kennet and Environment Agency. Lambourn’, Wycombe District Disappearance of the native Councils ‘The River Wye - A Species action species of crayfish is a national Riverside Development Advice phenomenon and is not restricted Note’. to the brook. There is no obvious reason for the decline and other • Draw up planning guidance local watercourses have reported note on biodiversity. The current similar declines. Several of the planning application form and locations on the brook where they guidance note does not assist the were have not changed and have planning department in identify not been disturbed. It is not certain existing important habitats on site. whether pollution or the flood Specific guidance should be given event in 2007 have had any effect. helping developers initially assess No dead crayfish have been found their site and provide information White clawed crayfish so it is not possible to do any tests. on when to undertake habitat and This example of wildlife decline

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

10 highlights very clearly why it is no conclusive signs of recent water Mink trapping necessary to protect, monitor and vole activity (but there were many As a result of the above surveys ten manage the environment and old burrows). There were two mink traps were purchased and wildlife. With further surveys we indications at Kingfishers Road in several training events were held hope to reassess the situation and Grove and at Locks Lane Mill in with landowners. The whole of the if the results are similar try and find Wantage. Manor stream, a tributary brook is covered with mink traps an explanation for the apparent of the Brook in Wantage, was placed every 1km along the brook. disappearance so that we can take surveyed in 2005 with no signs. This Twelve mink have been caught steps to improve conditions and section is particularly wooded and along the brook, eight females and the habitat to ensure the survival of shaded with no suitable marginal four males. native crayfish on the brook. vegetation for water voles.

• Water voles Letcombe Regis and Letcombe The encouraging increase and The water vole is Britain’s fastest Bassett spread in population in the upper declining mammal. It is a Protected The villages were surveyed in 2006 reaches demonstrates that with Species under the Wildlife and with a tiny population found at the the correct management and Countryside Act 1981. Following headsprings in Bassett. This area implementation, the Letcombe nation wide surveys numbers of was resurveyed in 2008 and there Brook can once again become a water voles are believed to have was an increase in the number of haven for wildlife. However, these declined by 90% in the last 20 years. positive signs found, with three improvements take time to have sites confirmed with water voles an impact and the positive results Locally the picture on the Letcombe along this section of the brook. are achieved only with constant, Brook bears this out. The cause consistent management and effort. of this decline is due to changes in land use and management along with predation by mink (an introduced predator). The Letcombe Brook Project is working with landowners and developers to create and manage habitats suitable for water voles. Alongside this the Project is also undertaking a trapping programme for mink, which are voracious predators and endangering our native wildlife. Surveys are conducted with BBOWT through the Water Vole Recovery Project.

Wantage and Grove During 2003 a water vole and habitat survey was carried out on 7 kms through Wantage to Grove. The survey found that there were Mink raft

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

11 Objective 2: Promote environmentally responsible land management practices amongst landowners and land managers.

Green revetments to bank and island

Working with 2005 Riparian Owners Meeting, Grove Civic Hall, Wantage Five projects covering: enhancing landowners to protect 112 in attendance; discussed the banks with native vegetation, the brook Rights and Responsibilities of coir fibre rolls, pollarding willow riparian owners, highlighted trees, planting small section of The Brook is owned by over 170 issues and solutions along with hedge, green revetments at mill. A riparian landowners including local green-engineering options. Free Countryside Stewardship agreement residents, businesses, parish and information packs were provided. with creation and management of town councils and VWHDC. The wildflower meadows (a Biodiversity Project promotes environmentally Examples of small scale schemes Action Plan habitat), pollarding responsible land management carried out by local residents of willow trees, planting new and practices amongst landowners and restoring overgrown hedges and land managers. This is achieved Wantage tree planting. by undertaking free visits and Seven projects including: bank giving advice on managing land works to increase velocity and scour Letcombe Regis alongside the river and in-stream. out silt, planting of yellow flag iris to Eight projects to: create natural The Project works closely with the hide unsightly concrete bags in Mill banks by removing concrete and Environment Agency and river Street, removal of two concrete weirs planting native vegetation, removal engineers such as Chris Booth, to improve natural flows at Autotype, of two dams to restore water Riparian Revetments. Landowners restoration of collapsing bank with flow, removal of silt to restore the are given advice on, their legal rolls and gabions to save private car beds and managing trees to allow obligations and responsibilities park from falling into the brook, leat light into the brook, translocating with regards the Brook, the consent improvements in Betjeman Park with cuttings to establish water crowfoot. process, and habitat management. restoration of brick work to include Enhancement schemes are then air bricks as habitat refuges for native implemented by the landowner crayfish, managing trees to allow using approved contractors. light into the brook. Landowner events, such as below, have helped to promote the Project and raise awareness of key issues along the Brook:

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

12 Objective 3: Increase awareness of countryside and environmental issues through education and interpretation.

Education and interpretation

Raising awareness of countryside and environmental issues is an important role of the Project. This has been achieved through education and interpretation.

Environmental education for schools

The Letcombe Brook offers a rich resource for studying the environment and our relationship to it. The Project promotes the Letcombe Brook as the focus for Milbrook Primary School schools’ local river studies. Projects are designed to allow children to underwater world of the brook see what is happening to their local feeding ducks and how to tackle discovering caddis flies, bullheads, environment and how they can the issue. Geography, history, fresh water shrimps and with this positively influence it. As part of an and environmental issues on the information assess the health of the increasingly urban population it is brook were also discussed in the river system. vital that children experience the classroom. natural world and raising awareness King Alfred’s Community and of the brook is key to conserving Milbrook Primary School, Grove Sports College - River Revival and protecting its future. The study (2006–2009) Project (2007) of rivers and the local environment 28 sessions held with 240 pupils The Project worked with pupils is a compulsory part of the National aged 8-9 years on Letcombe Brook from the ‘Action Elective’ Duke of Curriculum. looking at geography, biodiversity and the history of the brook as part Edinburgh group in planning a clean-up event of the Edgehill/ • The Project has organised a of the National Curriculum on local Manor Road stream, a tributary total of 35 sessions with 970 rivers. They included classroom of the Letcombe Brook that runs pupils, aged 8-14, in Wantage activities such as investigating the through the sports playing field. and Grove including practical food chain, before a field visit, river The students were involved projects, field visits, river dipping and measuring in the brook in: planning the whole event, dipping, classroom activities and on the Village Green. Children studying chalk stream ecology, assemblies. Schools included are able to explore the fascinating project management of clean up, Milbrook Primary and Wantage logistics, health and safety, funding Primary Schools and King for equipment. As a result 22 Alfred’s Community and Sports volunteers including pupils, parents College. and teachers turned out on the day to fill 3 skips donated by companies Wantage Primary School Assvogel and Charlton, with litter- (2004-2006) picking equipment supplied from 176 pupils, key stage 2, aged 10- VWHDC. The project was also 11yrs, visited the brook in Willow supported by Wantage Football Walk and undertook activities on Club and Oxfordshire County environmental issues. Children Council. made a presentation to Wantage JET on the problems caused by River dipping in Grove

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

13 Interpretation cases portraying various ecological, The campaign included: geological and historical aspects of the brook and Letcombe Brook • Installation of ‘Please don’t feed Project. Interactive displays on chalk the ducks’ vandal-proof signs at and aquifers, a wish-tree for visitors’ hot spots in Wantage. comments and ‘Use Water Wisely’ • 10,000 duck welfare leaflets information from Thames Water produced and distributed along were available to take away. The the Letcombe Brook corridor. exhibition was loaned to Pendon • Awareness session at Milbrook Museum in Oxfordshire and is Primary School assembly to 500 available to external groups to school children on the perils of display. feeding the ducks. A short play. in duck costumes, about ducks Grove interpretation board Daffy and Dilly on their holidays Public events and and finding out what happens Information boards when they eat junk food. The Brook is rich in history and campaigns Woven in with school lesson ecology and several interpretation plans on ‘healthy lunch boxes, boards are now placed in public Walks and talks programme five a day, no crisp Friday’. This open spaces to help raise awareness Guided walks, talks and river was written and performed by on environmental issues and to dipping events for all ages prove Margaret Bateman (drama tutor involve the local community in very popular and are run for local from Friday Night Stage School, caring for the brook: people to a variety of audiences Wantage). such as the general public, WI • Press campaign in local press • Four information boards on groups, parish and town council and on VWHDC website. ecology, history and how to help AGMs, CPRE, Grove Horticultural • Environmental Health, VWHDC the brook, one at Willow Walk, Club, New Barn Elms (Grove) installed new rat poison Wantage, three at Village and Residents’ Group, Wantage Field distributors. Mary Green, Mably Way, Grove Club and Wantage Open Access • Vale and Downland Museum • Six exhibitions have been held Group. hosted two duck days – a drama, promoting the work of the along with creative fun activities Project and its partners • 12 river dipping events for for all ages including duck ditty • ‘Go with the Flow – The Story of adults and children during writing, story time, spot the the Letcombe Brook’ exhibition school holidays. difference etc. launched with reception with 65 • 7 walks on topics such as river • The Letcombe Brook Project riparian owners and partners in management and wildflowers, ‘Duck Welfare’ leaflet is being attendance (2006) ‘Majors walk’ through Wantage promoted nationally by •.. .talks delivered by the Project the Environment Agency. Exhibits and displays assisted by organisations such Organisations such as Coventry Several exhibitions have been as BBOWT on a range of subjects City Council are currently held promoting the work of the including the brook, water voles, using it in their environmental Project and its partners at Grove and bats. promotions. Library, and the Vale and Downland Museum. The interactive ‘Gone Fishing Game’ encourages local Duck Welfare campaign (2006) people to explore the wildlife of The aim was to reduce the large the river and has proved extremely amount of duck feeding in Wantage popular. and Grove along the brook. Large numbers of ducks were causing A successful exhibition with our environmental problems such as partners, Vale and Downland bank side erosion, attracting rats, Museum, was launched with an water pollution and also creating evening reception. ‘Go with the unnatural behaviour in ducks with, Flow – The story of the Letcombe overcrowding, disease and poor Brook’ exhibition consists of 7 nutrition. mobile panels along with display

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

14 Objective 4: Involve all sectors of the community in caring for and appreciating the Letcombe Brook

King Alfred’s Community and Sports College

Community Action planting and managing marginal sacks and collect the rubbish. Local vegetation such as yellow flag iris, people now undertake regular ‘Friends of the Letcombe Brook’ and by carrying out wildlife surveys sessions and up to date 160 sacks a It is essential to engage with the and helping with administration. year are being collected. local community to inspire and involve local people in valuing 2003 – 2007 Four major river 2007 - 2008 King Alfred’s and caring for their local river. The cleanup events in Willow Walk in Community and Sports College, ‘Friends of the Letcombe Brook’ was Wantage, with 76 volunteers, eight Edgehill Springs Clean Up. Two set up to enable local people to skips donated by Assvogel and a events held with 22 volunteers and volunteer and get involved with the contractor Oakleaf who volunteered 3 skips provided free by skip hire project. It is affiliated to the British time and a tractor. VWHDC supplied companies Charlton and Assvogel. Trust for Conservation Volunteers litter-picking equipment. (BTCV), which enables volunteers to 2009 Grove Green Flood Group be fully insured whilst helping out. 2004 - 2009 A ‘Litter Wardens’ pilot given waders and tools to keep Volunteers help out with practical project was set up in Wantage. Local brook clear of obstructions to tasks such as major litter clean-ups residents undertake litter picking alleviate flooding after catastrophic and restoring banks of the brook by in the brook and VWHDC provide flooding event of summer 2007.

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

15 Water quality and quantity issues

Augmentation pipe at headwater lake in Letcombe Regis

Pollution incidents Augmentation 2007 – 2009 The EA has undertaken a strategic review There have been several incidents At present the West Berkshire of water resources including the and issues over the years from Groundwater Scheme (WBGS), Letcombe Brook augmentation leakage of heating oil, collapse of managed and run by the EA, is and what affect it is having on septic tanks, discharge of sewage used to augment the Letcombe other catchments especially the from Thames Water’s foul water Brook at times when water levels in River Lambourn (SAC and SSSI). system, algal blooms in Letcombe the aquifer becomes low causing The Project is liasing with the Regis, discharge of large amounts the natural springs that feed the Environment Agency on the future of silt, road and agricultural run- brook to switch off. Levels in the and operation of the scheme off, and several incidents reported aquifer (and consequently the and the possibility of reducing during the construction of Letcombe Brook) are affected by the amount of Thames Waters developments. the abstraction by Thames Water at abstraction through the licensing Childrey Warren and Manor Road. process. Local people contacted the The situation is made worse when Environment Agency’s Pollution drought conditions prevail. When The Project also, wherever Hotline on 0800 80 70 60 which flows are low, water is pumped possible, raises awareness about elicited a quick response, thereby across the downs via the WBGS the need for everyone to conserve averting more severe problems. to the headsprings at Highwell in water. Locally we use water that Letcombe Regis and Delamere in is directly abstracted (through A persistent problem occurs at Letcombe Bassett. boreholes) from the source of Locks Lane, Wantage. Since 1982, the Letcombe Brook. This water local people have reported that the The system is used infrequently and would otherwise naturally feed Thames Water sewer discharges only to supplement low flows. The the brook and support the rich into the brook during heavy last augmentations were in 2006 and biodiversity associated with a downpours – on average 2-3 times October 2008 (testing the system). chalk stream. Global warming and a year. This has since increased to 4- • Augmentation is around 2ML an increase in demand caused by 5 times and occurs throughout the (mega litres) a day. a growing population signifies year including the summer when • Abstractions in 1998 were that pressures on water can only there are low flows. This has been a around 2.35ML a day, 850ML per increase, therefore it is up to us all long-standing problem, which we annum. to reduce our consumption of this are actively pursuing with Thames • Abstractions in 2007 were at vital resource. Water and the local MP to resolve. 4.11ML, 1500ML per annum, an increase of 75% Source: Thames Water

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

16 Flooding 20 July 2007 The Project has identified several short and long term projects to alleviate future flooding with An unusually wet May and June engineer Chris Booth from Riparian with rainfall up to 195% of the long Revetments. Permissions and term average combined with an consents have been given by the exceptional level of rainfall on 19/20 Environment Agency. The Project is July, created unprecedented levels currently working on the short-term of flow in the Letcombe Brook and projects. the wider land drainage system. Water levels and flows exceeded the Six projects in Grove include capacity of watercourses, culverts removing obstructions such as and bridges, forcing floodwater Wantage flood alleviation works trees and encroaching vegetation over and/or around structures, to increase the capacity of the into roads and residential areas. Practical solutions included the use brook, removal of a small unused This caused widespread flooding footbridge with subsequent repairs across the catchment, which was of a neighbourhood watch type approach of flood protection eg to the banks in Kingfishers Road, worsened by surface and foul water removal of gravel depositions under flooding. It is estimated that the flood gates for individual properties at risk with the possibility of getting Denchworth Road bridge, lowering equivalent of 650 olympic sized of ground surface to allow overflow swimming pools of water fell on the residents to do a bulk order to reduce costs, local use and storage into the brook along with removal catchment. Over 137 properties in of glyceria vegetation blocking Letcombe Regis, Wantage, Grove of sandbags, neighbourhood flood alert system, traffic management the culvert on Village Green. The and East Hanney were flooded and balancing ponds on Mary Green by two to three feet in places. (with cooperation from the Highways authority), helping are ineffective and unmanaged; the vulnerable neighbours etc. Project is pursuing Thames Water as Flood Meeting October 2007 owners to maintain them. The Project organised a Letcombe Within the five areas, two groups Brook Flood meeting with speakers In Wantage behind the mill in Mill and representatives from the formed. Grove Green Flood Group is active with the group helping to Street, 100m of the river is to be Environment Agency, VWHDC, narrowed with groynes, and silt and Oxfordshire County Council, Thames clear obstructions using waders and tools donated by the Project. They gravel depositions removed under Water and the local MP. Over 133 the bridge and for 6m downstream. residents attended the event. are also looking at longer-term alleviation with local landowners. Projects are also being undertaken Grove projects will cost £8,550 (ex The Project then worked closely Vat) to implement and Wantage with the EA, VWHDC emergency with Wantage Flood Group in the Mill Street. £10,741.36 (ex VAT). Funding planning and land drainage has been obtained from the departments, local councillors VWHDC £11,577.52, Environment and town and parish councils, on Agency £5000.00, Oxfordshire assessing the impact and causes County Council £1,713.84 along of flooding around the Letcombe with landowner contributions of Brook corridor. £1,000.00 (for Mill Street). Local Flood Groups

Several meetings were held in Letcombe Regis, Wantage and Grove with the objective of encouraging the formation of local flood groups along the Letcombe Brook corridor to enable them to protect their homes and Grove Green Flood Group tackle communities. overgrown vegetation

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

17 Funding

The Vale of the White Horse District Council, Forward Planning section administers the post on behalf of the partners and acts a treasurer with funds held in a designated account. One of the key responsibilities of the Project Officer’s role is to apply for revenue and capital funding. Partners provide revenue funding and the majority of the capital funding has been gained through grant applications to outside bodies thereby providing good value for money for local residents and partners.

Project funding Income for core funding Environment Agency – £8,500.00 Wantage Joint Environmental Trust – £6,048.00 Grove Joint Environmental Trust – £6,048.00 Letcombe Regis Parish Council – £600.00 Total £21,196.00 Expenditure Salary – £19,932.00 Rent for Vale and Downland Museum – £264.00 Expenses of post holder including mileage, stationery, telephone, computer – £1,000.00 Total £21,196.00

Donations and grants applied for capital projects Over the last six years the Letcombe Brook Project has raised an additional £140,860.08 through donations and grant applications for capital works and enhancements. Donations •.. 005 £1200 – Downland Housing Association for Willow Walk tree management •.. 007 £1500 – Tanner Trust river dipping equipment and interpretation board •.. 008 £200 – Pendon Museum for loan of exhibition panels. Total £2900.00 Grants for Environmental Improvements •.. 004 Willow walk, Wantage – Total £31, 666.25 (ex Vat). WREN £20,000, VWHDC £6000, Autotype £400, LBP £450. 11% Wantage JET third party funding to lever funds. •.. 005 Village Green, Grove – Erosion repairs, total £3,146.00 (excl Vat) Grove JET. •.. 006 Sharland Close, Grove – Revetment works total £4,114.00 (excl Vat) Grove JET •.. 007 Mill Green, Wantage – Phase 1 improvement scheme Total £ 14,008.97 (ex Vat). WREN £8,997, . VWHDC – £2,011.97. 11% Wantage JET third party funding to lever funds. •.. 008 Mill Green, Wantage – Phase 2 improvement scheme – Total £30,499.00 (ex Vat). WREN £21,999, . Bush Bye £5,000, VWHDC £2,000, LBP £1,500. 11% Wantage JET third party funding to lever funds. •.. 008 Letcombe Park, Wantage. Barratt Homes revetment works – £32,234.50 •.. 008 Grove interpretation boards – £3,000.00 •.. 009 Flood Alleviation projects – Total £19,291.36. Grove projects £8,550 (ex Vat) and Wantage £10,741.36 (ex Vat). Contributions from VWHDC £11,577.52, Environment Agency £5,000, Oxfordshire County Council £1,713.84 along with landowner contribution of £1,000. Total £137,960.08

Contributions in kind • The Project in indebted to many individuals who have volunteered their free time on practical conservation tasks, surveys and administration work. • 11 skips provided by Assvogel and also Charlton skips – £1540.00 • Oakleaf, a local tree surgeon contractors supported the Willow Walk work providing free time and equipment.

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

18 The year ahead 2010 - 2011

The coming year will see a number of innovative and important projects implemented. But it is important to be aware that the future of the Project is reliant on its partners for its core funding and without the support of the partners it is unlikely that this work would continue. The Project provides excellent value for money, both for the partners and the local community at large. The partners provide a total of £21,000 p.a. and in return have received grants and funding to the value of £140,860.08. Added to this we are very grateful to the time (hundreds of hours) and energy contributed by volunteers.

It should be noted that before the Project was set up, that in many sections the Letcombe Brook was degraded and unmanaged. However, the partners’ vision and commitment has restored many stretches to an attractive chalk- stream which is enjoyed by thousands of local people. In addition, it has become a vital resource for local schools learning about the brook as a part of the National Curriculum local rivers study. The sense of enjoyment and pride that the brook now engenders in the local community would be completely lost if the project’s environmental worked ceased.

In a wider sense, the environment in general, and specifically demand for water, is under enormous pressure and the project will continue to work towards protecting and enhancing biodiversity and the river landscape, reducing pollution and improving water quality. Education and raising awareness through schools and general public has been at the heart of this project and popular events such as river dipping will encourage local people to get out and learn about the river so that they take more care of it in the future.

Specific projects for 2010-2011:

• Advising on planning applications • Implementation of Wantage and Grove flood alleviation projects • Grove river enhancement study and implementation • Education pack for local schools • Resolution of sewage issues in Wantage • Permanent museum display on the Letcombe Brook • Practical Conservation work with the ‘Friends of the Letcombe Brook’ • Riparian workshops • Public open space improvements on the Letcombe Brook • Veteran willow management • White clawed crayfish leaflet and landowner advice • Wantage – Letcombe Brook trail

Bullhead Watervole

The Letcombe Brook Project: Achievements report. Spring 2003 – Summer 2009

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