Central Rivers Area Strategy Update

A report produced by Ashmead Price on behalf of the Central Rivers Initiative Partnership

December 2008 Contents Page

1. Introduction and Methodology 3 1.1 Background to the study 3 1.2 Methodology 5

2. Review of Original Aims and Objectives and Current Position 9

3. Key Themes and Opportunities 19 3.1 Gravel extraction and restoration 19 3.2 Planning and development 23 3.3 Landscape 26 3.4 Biodiversity 29 3.5 Tourism 34 3.6 Access 39 3.7 Sport and recreation 42 3.8 Historic environment 43 3.9 Agriculture 45 3.10 Involving people 46

4. Land Use Strategy 49 4.1 Review of Strategy 49 4.2 Measures of success 54

5. Central Rivers Area in 2020 56

6. Action Plan, Priorities and Programme 59 6.1 Project potentials 59 6.2 Project delivery 65 6.3 Future marketing strategy 66 6.4 Funding opportunities and financial sustainability 67

7. Conclusions 70

Appendices 71

Acknowledgements

The team would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions of those who participated in the various parts of the Strategy Review work. In particular, we are grateful to Guy Corbett-Marshall and Nick Mott from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and the members of the CRI Steering Group for their active support in the completion of the work.

Ashmead Price,16 Bond End, Yoxall, Burton upon Trent DE13 8NH Telephone: 01543 473222

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 2 1. Introduction and Methodology

1.1 Background to the study

The Central Rivers Initiative was established as a partnership in November 1997. It brings together a number of partners and supporters including Staffordshire County Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council, Lichfield District Council, Tamworth Borough Council, Hanson Aggregates, Lafarge, Aggregate Industries, the National Memorial Arboretum, The National Forest Company, Environment Agency, Natural England, Sport England, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, British Waterways, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, and most recently Advantage West Midlands and OnTrent.

A strategy report was produced on behalf of the partners in April 1999 and a project officer was employed to promote the implementation of this strategy between 2001 and 2004. Other landmark achievements of the project to date have included the establishment of web pages linked to the Staffordshire County Council site and the Biodiversity Audit of the Tame and Trent River Valleys in Staffordshire in 2006-7 by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.

In recent years there has been a move away from site-specific biodiversity targets towards a landscape scale ecosystem approach to habitat management and landscape enhancement. The Central Rivers area potentially demonstrates the best of the opportunities for this approach in Staffordshire, and so it was considered to be a good time to review and update the original report.

A project brief for the Update report was developed in April 2008 and a number of key tasks were agreed in order to achieve the stated project aim:

 . .. .  .

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 3 Key tasks were identified in the project brief as follows:

Assess project progress to date – a stocktaking exercise to record achievements, consider recent policies, identify available documents and review information held by adjacent projects/partner organisations. Create a map-based asset register using East Staffordshire, Lichfield & Tamworth Tourism Registers and National Forest information as a starting point. Identify and make recommendations for the most appropriate delivery structure for the initiative (i.e. project offices and lead roles for partners). Consult stakeholders. Update list of stakeholders. Examine and map stakeholder links and additional contacts or projects outside area. Arrange meetings with active estate managers for all quarries in the area (Aggregate Industries and Hanson Lafarge) to secure the latest restoration plans and opportunities to promote revisions which would be in accord with the updated strategy. Arrange meetings with the Environment Agency, the Mineral Planners, Staffordshire Destination Management Partnership and Advantage West Midlands to capture their views on opportunities and practicalities for the creation of a ‘Midlands Water Park’. Undertake a comparison with other ‘water parks’ in the UK, including the Nene Valley in Northamptonshire and the Cotswold Water Park. Identify the processes and protocols which saw the establishment of each of these areas and how they continue to be maintained and funded. Use these findings to help inform recommendations for proposals to designate CRI and the wider Tame-Trent Valleys as a ‘Midlands Water Park’ and its ideal structure. Develop a questionnaire to send out to all interested parties and potential stakeholders (e.g. Parish Councils, Community Groups, ‘Friends of’ Groups, Landowners) to help identify other key priorities and issues. Invite these interested parties and stakeholders to a Forum to be held to launch the new study once it has been completed. Examine CRI boundary validity. Assess initial project boundaries and produce a mapping exercise to determine the most effective boundary (or project) to take forward CRI aims and objectives. Include an assessment of neighbouring counties which link to the CRI area: Derbyshire (‘Transforming

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 4 the Trent Project’), Nottinghamshire (Attenborough Nature Reserve and its surrounding river valley), Warwickshire (Kingsbury Water Park complex and other sites within the Tame Valley Wetlands Project area) and Birmingham/West Midlands. Future CRI objectives and feasibility. Assess the most effective way forward for the CRI Initiative, following the consultation exercise and review of the 1999 strategy. Indicate key future CRI objectives and implementation required. Propose funding opportunities and marketing strategy. Recommend a future financial sustainability model.

1.2 Methodology

The following methodology was adopted based on the brief, and the study was undertaken between September 1st and December 31st 2008.

 A desk review of the 1999 ENTEC strategy was undertaken to extract all relevant document references to the study area from the report. Meetings were held with the SWT project team to list more recent initiatives, plans, strategies and proposals relating to the study area. The references were reviewed to assess their current status and anticipated review times. The documents were collated and hard copies housed at the Wildlife Trust offices as permanent library copies. An electronic version was also collated where available on disc or by listing web links.

  Information was collated to inform an asset register of visitor and tourist attractions relevant to the study area. A map base was marked up on a paper copy provided by SWT and information transferred to GIS by the SWT mapping technician under our supervision. The asset register was also produced in table form and presented in the report. 

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 5  A list of stakeholders was provided by SWT and meetings were arranged with the organisations during the study. A full list of consultees is contained in Appendix 1. A comprehensive questionnaire form was developed for stakeholders to identify priorities and issues in association with the SWT project team. A stakeholders’ directory was agreed with SWT and the survey was e-mailed in early November 2008.

Responses were collated and analysed in order to inform the review of the CRI strategy. The individual comments from the interviews and contacts listed in Appendix 1 have been distilled and incorporated in the report under various sections and we acknowledge their valuable input to the study.

 The key findings and recommendations of the SWT Biodiversity audit were incorporated into the strategy as strategic aims and objectives. Specific targets were included in the Land Use Strategy plan.

 The boundaries of the study area were reviewed with assistance from the project steering group. In the 1999 report, the study area included land beyond the valley bottom and it extended from the Derbyshire County boundary north of Burton upon Trent to the northern edges of Tamworth. Most of the pressures to change and opportunities for landscape enhancement are concentrated in the valley bottom or river terraces where the gravel reserves are being exploited. The Staffordshire County Council landscape character types define these zones very clearly and it was considered that the study area boundary should conform to the landscape types.

The study area was also extended up the valley as far as the Warwickshire boundary through the ‘Tamworth Urban Washlands’ and as far as Middleton Lakes. In this way, the Central Rivers area is defined by a continuous valley bottom landscape following the Tame and Trent through the County, generally in a north to south direction (Figure 1).

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 6  The aims and objectives of the Strategy were reviewed and updated from the 1999 version, with the benefit of the findings of the stakeholder consultation process and data review.

A Land Use Strategy Plan was developed to fulfil the objectives, with the various agencies and organisations identified in a table format. Where practical, timescales and priorities were tabled and future funding opportunities identified in discussion with the partners.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 7 Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 8 2. Review of Original Aims and Objectives and Current Position

 To regenerate the river corridor and improve its quality, in accordance with the Staffordshire landscape guidelines and the National Forest Strategy

 The Staffordshire Landscape Guidelines were adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance for the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Structure Plan 1996-2011 in May 2001. Landscape Policy objectives for the Central Rivers area included landscape restoration, landscape enhancement, and innovative landscape regeneration in the core area between Alrewas and Barton under Needwood.

The National Forest Strategy was reviewed and published in 2004 for the period up to 2014 and the aims and objectives are consistent with the Central Rivers Strategy in the Trent Valley Washlands landscape type. The ‘Trent Valley Water Park’ is defined in the review as a tourism cluster following the A38 and Trent Valley between Alrewas and Burton-upon-Trent.

The pressures to change throughout the Central Rivers area have continued in the last ten years, and there is a well established planning policy framework written in to national planning policy statements, regional spatial strategies for the East and West Midlands, and emerging local development frameworks covering the districts and boroughs relevant to the area.

The Government announced Burton-upon-Trent as a Growth Point in 2007 and a target of 12,000 new houses was estimated up to 2026. A report on Green Infrastructure has been undertaken for East Staffordshire as preparation for allocating land for new development and the Trent Valley corridor is clearly identified as an opportunity for enhancing Green Infrastructure for the existing and projected population in the Borough.

Funding towards Green Infrastructure - linked to the Growth Points - is being provided by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The Central Rivers Area and the National Forest are complementary in this context as a cross regional and local resource for existing and new residents.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 9  To make the National Memorial Arboretum an important local, regional and national tourist attraction

 In recent years, and particularly since the opening of the Armed Forces Memorial by HM Queen and Heads of Government in October 2007, the National Memorial Arboretum has attracted fast growing numbers of visitors. In 2008 the visitors have reached an annual total of 300,000 and, as a result, the Arboretum has firmly established itself as an important local, regional and national tourist attraction.

The Arboretum commissioned a review of the current facilities by consultants Britton McGrath which coincides with this report and the outcome of their study will influence the future direction for the NMA. The benefits of a successful tourist destination at the Arboretum are already being felt as the amount of informal recreation elsewhere in the valley is increasing and the local community of Alrewas is experiencing economic spin offs from the visitors.

There are other opportunities identified in the previous ENTEC study which have not yet come to fruition at or adjacent to the Arboretum and potential for new initiatives to be developed in partnership with the gravel extraction companies and others.

A Landscape Masterplan and an Estate Development Plan will be commissioned by the Arboretum early in 2009 in order to prepare for the launch of a major appeal from Spring 2009.

 To provide opportunities for diversification of farming incomes

 The most significant change during the ten years since the original strategy has been the reform to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The mid term review of the CAP was undertaken in 2003 and this introduced Single Farm Payments (SFP). The CAP reforms have been a move away from subsidies towards a market led approach which encourages diversification for land owners and tenants.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 10 The encouragement of farm diversification appears to be having a significant effect nationally and a recent article in Farmers Weekly (January11th 2007) predicted that income from diversified enterprises could account for more than a quarter of farm business income by 2009. The most popular diversification options were either on- farm activities (26%), tourism (13%) or off-farm employment (13%).

Farming and farm incomes have continued to decline in the last ten years, although commodity prices have seen sharp fluctuations in 2008 including milk, grain, and meat.

There are some local examples of diversification of farming incomes by the redevelopment and conversion of farm buildings to residential and employment uses, for example at Elford Park, Tamhorn, and Middleton Hall.

The emphasis in recent years has been to encourage farmers to join Agri- Environment schemes to benefit the local environment and countryside by appropriate management of semi natural features on farms. This programme is particularly relevant to the Central Rivers area due to the vulnerability of the remaining farmland and the opportunity to link with the large-scale landscape changes being brought about by the gravel extraction process throughout the valley.

 To consider the opportunities for providing facilities for water-based sports and active recreation in response to demand for these activities

 To consider the opportunities for maintaining or relocating the existing microlight facility

 The existing and proposed sand and gravel workings within the Central Rivers area provide the opportunity to develop a wide range of facilities for water based sport and active recreation as the reserves extend well below the river levels and surrounding water table. The uncertain supply of readily available fill materials, such as PFA transported from the nearby coal-fired power stations of the Trent Valley, has meant that it may be more difficult to plan for agricultural land restoration, leaving open water as a major restoration option.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 11 Fortunately, the Central Rivers area is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities for water sports, including angling, sailing, wind surfing, canoeing, water skiing, jet skiing and rowing due to the large urban population living within a short distance and with excellent transport links via existing road and rail networks.

The Central Rivers area has also been able to absorb other land and air sports, such as the microlight facility near Fradley and the flying club at Sittles Farm. These facilities have the flexibility to be able to adapt to progressive gravel extraction and restoration in the valley and are therefore well suited to continue, subject to their impact on neighbours and other users.

The relative remoteness of much of the Central Rivers area and flat topography has made it possible to absorb events and intensive land based activities such as the Bloodstock Music Festival at Catton Hall and other countryside related activities on the estate including fishing, horse riding, mountain biking and game fairs.

 To increase the level of informal recreational use

 Since the last report, there has been a steady increase in the demand for and supply of informal recreation opportunities throughout the Central Rivers area. The National Forest Company has contributed significantly to increasing informal public access by the creation and management of new woodlands for example at Bass Meadow, Burton Mail Centenary Woodland, Barton Marina, Wychnor Bridges and Rylands Lodge.

Long distance footpath routes have been established for example the Way for the Millennium, and the National Forest Company are working on an east/west long distance route crossing the Trent at Walton. The National Cycle Network Route 54 Derby to Birmingham passes close to the study area and has links to Burton-upon- Trent town centre and the National Memorial Arboretum. Circular walks have been published such as the Mythaholme bridge circuit from Alrewas and the Monks and Moorings circuit. The Heart of England way links to the valley south of Tamworth. The Trent Valley Way and Tame Valley Way are both being promoted, although progress is currently limited by the availability of funds.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 12 Lichfield District Council has drawn up a district wide Green Space Strategy and there may be opportunities to develop improved linkages between existing open spaces and the river valleys in a coordinated approach.

The East Staffordshire Green Infrastructure report and vision will also be a valuable tool for creating further opportunities for riverside access and the creation of accessible green space to close to the urban centre of Burton-upon-Trent.

Tamworth Borough Council has worked closely with British Waterways and others to create and maintain a network of cycle tracks and footpaths following the river valleys and canal towpaths throughout the Borough.

 To increase the level of habitat provision in the Study Area (e.g. of wetlands, reedbeds and appropriate woodlands) and specifically to meet habitat and species action plan targets as included within the Staffordshire and National Forest Biodiversity Action Plans

 To create a habitat network throughout the Study Area

 In the last ten years the imperative for meeting biodiversity targets has increased as pressures on habitats and land have become more intense. In 2005 the Tame Valley Wetlands Project was established to promote an integrated approach to the management of the Tame River catchment. A similar project entitled Transforming the Trent Valley is managed by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust carried out a biodiversity audit of the Trent and Tame rivers in the Central Rivers area in 2006-7 (Mott, 2007). The report lists a series of site specific and non site-specific recommendations aimed at promoting measures to enhance biodiversity and to deliver targets in the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan (Revised Edition 2001).

The Central Rivers area contains a more diverse mix of semi natural habitats than the Tame Valley Wetlands Project, however the area is currently dominated by arable, improved grassland, poor semi improved grassland and amenity grassland.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 13 The Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan is currently being reviewed to take into account the broader, ecosystem approach to habitat management.

Croxall Lakes has been established as a Nature Reserve since the 1999 report. It is a 104 acre site managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and situated at the confluence of the Tame, Trent and Mease rivers. The site was formerly quarried for sand and gravel and is important for wetland bird species, as well as wading birds.

There are many further opportunities to carry out habitat improvement works in association with the gravel extraction companies throughout the Central Rivers area and to deliver Biodiversity targets on a landscape scale, integrated with other project aims such as flood attenuation, river channel restoration, informal recreation, farm income diversification, and adaptation to climate change. The Living Landscapes programme aims to deliver biodiversity targets on a landscape scale, and the RSPB reserve at Middleton Lakes is a good example of ambitious habitat creation and improvements to achieve these aims.

 To fully utilise the natural resources of the Study Area to the benefit of the local community

 There has been a significant growth in the involvement of local communities in the development and enhancement of natural resources throughout the Central Rivers area in the last ten years. In East Staffordshire, the community parks programme has successfully developed existing open spaces at Wetmore and Upper Mills as valued local parks with ‘Friends of’ groups. The Burton Conservation Volunteers have undertaken numerous tasks and environmental working parties in and adjacent to the Central Rivers area. At Branston Water Park, a programme of guided walks, talks and ranger activities provides a community focus to this popular site.

The National Memorial Arboretum has a well-established network of locally based volunteers helping to run and manage the facility. The volunteers are a significant part of the organisation and are fully integrated into the project.

The Wild About Tamworth project, jointly run by the Borough Council and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, undertakes regular management and improvement works

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 14 in and around the river valley in Tamworth. Six local nature reserves will have been designated by 2009 with the help of the project.

Local environmental groups are able to focus community action and opinion on local issues and the recently formed Whittington Fisherwick Environment Group (WFEG) is a good example, along with Civic Societies such as at Alrewas and Barton under Needwood.

Large-scale development initiatives such as the mixed-use development at Drakelow Park and Lawns Farm, near Burton all involve the local community in extensive consultations prior to submitting planning applications. In this way, the local community can influence change and improve the plans for developments affecting the Central Rivers area.

 To prevent the sterilisation of available mineral resources

 The Staffordshire County Council Minerals Core Strategy is currently being developed and the consultation phase was between September and November 2008. The minerals industry were invited to submit their proposals for strategic sites in September 2007 and the County have the task of matching their proposals with nationally determined targets and maintaining production of minerals.

Twenty-four sand and gravel sites have been submitted throughout the County, of which fourteen are extensions to existing sites. Five of the sites fall within the Central Rivers area and the report takes the prospects into account.

The biodiversity audit identifies a number of opportunities for working gravels in the 30 metre stand off zone adjacent to the river banks. The Environment Agency supports this practice in principle as it offers benefits to achieve river braiding as a flood attenuation and habitat improvement measure. The mineral companies will consider each case for working in the stand off zone on its merits.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 15  To identify opportunities to create additional employment in the Study Area and to complement existing or future economic initiatives developed by the County and District Councils for the Area

 The Centre for Economic and Social Regeneration (CESR) at Staffordshire University undertook a social and economic impact review of the National Forest Initiative in 2004 which demonstrated its positive effects.

Advantage West Midlands has recently invested in innovative information points at key destinations in the National Forest in order to attract more visitors to the area. Reinforcing the destination including the Central Rivers area will help towards the greater economic wealth of the area and further enhance the Forest as an attraction.

The National Memorial Arboretum has created six full time jobs in 2007-8 as a result of the rapid expansion of visitor numbers since the opening of the Armed Forces Memorial.

The commercial development associated with Barton Marina has created thirteen new businesses to date and up to three hundred new jobs associated with these businesses.

The A38 corridor in the Central Rivers Area is strategically located for national distribution and warehousing companies and the resulting employment has had a significant effect on the local economy of Burton-upon-Trent and Lichfield.

Continuing sand and gravel extraction throughout the Central Rivers area will make a significant contribution to the County and sub-regional economy and the County Council has a duty to ensure a continuing supply of the high quality minerals which are found throughout the Central Rivers area.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 16 Other aims: To manage flood risk, and to mitigate and adapt to the emerging climate change effects throughout the study area.

The importance of flood risk management on farmland in river valleys has increased significantly and policies have been developed to respond to this change. Major flood defence works were carried out in Burton-upon-Trent in 1999 and again in 2005. The centre of Fazeley experienced flooding in 2007. The flood storage and flood attenuation aspects of river management are therefore one of the aims of the project. DEFRA's policy is to reduce risks to people, property and the environment from flooding through the provision of defences, flood forecasting and warning systems, increased flood resilience of property, beneficial land management changes and discouragement of inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding.

DEFRA’s joint research and development programme with the Environment Agency and funding of the Environment Agency's flood risk maps, Catchment Flood Management Plans and Public Awareness Campaigns have been part of this response.

A three-year research project entitled ‘Farming Floodplains for the Future’ is in progress elsewhere in the County to understand the hydrological processes at work in relation to farmland and flood attenuation. The recommendations from this project may well have an impact on farmland management and incentives for landowners in the Central Rivers area.

The Department for Communities and Local Government published PPS 25 Development and Flood Risk Practice Guide in June 2008 in order to provide practical guidance for local authorities considering development in or adjacent to floodplains.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has been established since the last report and in October 2008 the Government made important changes to their structure, announcing the creation of a new Department of Energy and Climate Change. The new department brings together much of DEFRA’s existing climate change responsibilities, to focus on solving the challenges of climate change and energy supply.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 17 Local indicators of the effects of Climate Change include a larger than expected number of flood events, for example in November 2000, summer 2007 and most recently in September 2008 causing damage to crops and livestock for farmers in the Tame and Trent floodplains.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 18 3. Key Themes and Opportunities

3.1 Gravel extraction and restoration (see Figure 2)

In July 2008 the County Planning Committee approved the consultation report on the Issues and Options 2 for the Minerals Core Strategy as part of the process of the current review of sites for allocation. The consultation was completed in November 2008.

The vision for minerals sites aims to achieve three broad themes which are: meeting local, regional and national needs; minimising the environmental impacts of mineral operations; and, enhancing the local environment including biodiversity.

Following the collation and review of consultations on the issues and options document, the feedback will be used in refining the vision and assessing the options for the Strategy, including strategic sites. This will then enable the selection or rejection of options to develop a deliverable Strategy for mineral development for the next fifteen years.

Twenty-four Sand and Gravel sites have been submitted for consideration in the Issues and Options 2 report, and these amount to some 153 million tonnes of minerals (Figure 2). Fourteen of the twenty four sites are extensions of existing workings and five sites fall within the Central Rivers area, as demonstrated in Table 1.

Table 1: Sand and Gravel Sites

Site and Parish Extension Area Estimated Expected operator Y/N (ha) resources duration (Million tonnes) (years) Newbold SW Dunstall Y 160 13.5 14 Aggregate Barton Industries Newbold NE Tatenhill Y 43 4.5 6 Aggregate Industries Barton Wychnor Y 87 7 ? Lafarge Barton Alrewas Alrewas & Y 146 7 14 South Fradley Lafarge Fisherwick Fisherwick No 108 5 20 Tarmac Source: Draft Minerals Core Strategy Issues and Options 2

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 19 Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 20 A Flood Risk Assessment has been considered in the scoping report as part of the study for the Minerals and Waste Development Framework (Table 2). The following operational quarries fall within flood zones 2 and 3 according to the Environment Agency information: Hanson Aggregates Barton Quarry Aggregate Industries UK Newbold and Tuckleshome Farm, Barton Lafarge Aggregates Alrewas Gravel Pit Alrewas JPE Holdings Ltd, Home Farm Elford Hanson Aggregates Middleton Hall Drayton Bassett Tamworth

Table 2: Flood zones and probability of flooding

Flood Zone Annual probability of flooding 1 < 1 in 1000 (<0.1%) from river flooding 2 Between 1 in 1000 (0.1%) and 1 in 100 (1%) for river flooding. 3a < 1 in 100 (>1%) for river flooding 3b Functional floodplain Source: Table taken from PPS 25 Table D1

Sand and Gravel deposits are likely to be viewed favourably by district authorities as the creation of floodplain storage would act as a buffer to support other development on or adjacent to the floodplain.

Sand and Gravel is only a temporary development and the options for restoration of workings in terms of minimising and, if possible, mitigating against flood risk, need to be considered at each location. If the current concentration of working in the Trent and Tame Valley is to continue, the Central Rivers and OnTrent Initiatives should be a key point of reference in carrying out a flood risk assessment of restoration opportunities.

As part of the Mineral Core Strategy Review, each site outlined in Table 1 has been described in a standard profile with an accompanying site plan to show the location and site boundaries. The site profile covers general information, mineral development details, environmental constraints and reclamation issues.

Mineral developers are also asked to outline a scheme of working and restoration options. In the case of large sites, such as Newbold Quarry, initial public consultations have been held by presenting restoration options at a series of local

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 21 exhibitions. A full Environmental Impact Assessment would be required at the submission of planning application stage.

Involving local people in the planning, construction phase, restoration proposals and future management of publicly accessible land is the key to the success of mineral companies working in the Central Rivers area.

Table 3 sets out the objectives for a sustainability appraisal of Gravel Sites.

Table 3: Objectives for a sustainability appraisal of Gravel Sites

Objective 1 To promote and increase re-use, recovery and recycling of alternative aggregate 2 To safeguard RIGS and other geographically important sites in Staffordshire and promote identification of new sites where appropriate 3 To ensure an adequate supply of minerals which cater for accepted needs over a long-term horizon 4 To protect our local mineral resource supply from either short-term excavation practices or sterilisation from other developments 5 To avoid net losses of tranquil areas 6 To reduce transportation impacts arising 7 To reduce greenhouse gas emissions 8 To contribute to present and future flood management (through watercourse and flood-plain restoration and the development of flood storage and SUDS) 9 To protect and enhance biodiversity, especially designation sites of ecological importance and BAO priority species and habitats 10 To ensure no reduction in quality and supply of ground and surface water resources 11 To protect and enhance soli resources for the long-term benefit of society 12 To ensure that National Air Quality Standards are met at all points in the County 13 To protect and prevent the loss of important historical buildings, ancient monuments and archaeological features/sites and their associated settings 14 To maintain the supply of local building materials particularly for the repair and maintenance of traditional buildings 15 To ensure that there is no downward trend in Landscape Quality 16 To protect and enhance recreation facilities and accessible greenspace, creating new areas where possible 17 To protect the health, amenity and well-being of the population and reduce inequalities in health Source: Draft Minerals Core Strategy Issues and Options 2

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 22 3.2 Planning and Development (see Figure 3)

Figure 3 sets out the boundaries of the local authorities whose areas are partly encompassed by the CRA initiative.

East Staffordshire Borough Council is in the process of drawing up its Local Development Framework to replace the existing local plan documents. The Core Strategy Issues and Options were consulted on between October 2007 and January 2008. A report was published on the Council website July 2008 (ESBC Core Strategy Issues and Options Report on Response to Consultation).

Burton-upon-Trent has been designated as a Sub Regional Focus for Growth with current estimates of up to 12,000 new homes and the Core Strategy Issues and Options addresses the growth potential. The majority of people consulted wish to see new development on brownfield land within or adjacent to the settlements of Burton-upon-Trent and Uttoxeter. The development along main arterial routes was favoured (A38 and A50), in order to enable easy access and reduce traffic congestion in the towns.

A masterplan has been drawn up and consulted on for land at the former power station at Drakelow Park. The large mixed-use development on brownfield land proposes sustainable regeneration to meet local housing and employment needs. The site is in South Derbyshire District, however the location close to the edge of Burton would mean that residents of East Staffordshire will be equally affected by the potential development. The masterplan includes an employment park, a retirement village, local shops, a local centre, community uses, leisure uses, and open spaces. The plan also includes riverside paths, a riverside park with sports pitches, cycleways, a woodland park and a pedestrian and cycling bridge across the river Trent to Branston. The core of the historic Drakelow Park designed landscape would be integrated with the development. A new link road between the A38 and A444 by- passing Walton village would be an important aspect of the Drakelow Park development.

Burton-upon-Trent is widely recognised as the ‘capital’ of the National Forest and there is support for the promotion of urban forestry to create a high quality environment with well-planned green and open space for housing and employment uses. The National Forest and the Central Rivers area are increasingly

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 23 Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 24 likely to be used as a major recreation resource by people from surrounding towns as well as by local residents. The National Forest Strategy mid point review in 2008 has consulted on the main issues surrounding the planning for growth in the National Forest.

Lichfield District Council is in the process of forming their Local Development Framework to replace the existing local plan documents. The key dates stated on the Council website are as follows:

Commencement of Document: July 2009 Issues and Options: December 2009 Preferred Options: June 2010 Submission to Secretary of State: December 2010 Commencement of Examination: July 2011 Adoption and Publication: January 2012

Housing and employment growth are also being considered by Lichfield District and it is likely that whilst the urban areas of Lichfield and Burntwood will continue to grow, there will also be significant growth in rural settlements. Fradley is likely to be elevated to a key rural settlement, and this would have direct links to the river valley over the A38.

In recent consultations over the emerging core strategy, Fradley was considered by over 40% of respondents to be the most suitable location for a new settlement due to its road network and employment opportunities. However, just under one-quarter disagreed that this was the case. As there is no railway station, it would not meet the general district housing need and would not support the existing key villages as sustainable locations.

Network Rail are currently reviewing their Route Utilisation Strategy and are due to confirm whether the Alrewas/ Wychnor junction part of the network is what is termed a ‘credible gap’ in the rail system. If this is the case, the options for creating a new station in the Central Rivers corridor will commence after March 2009. Funding for the possible station would not however be guaranteed on the basis of identifying a demand.

Tamworth Borough Council is similarly formulating their Local Development Framework and it published their Local Development Scheme in September 2008. In the interim stage, the Local Plan 2001-2011 will continue to have saved policies for

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 25 the Borough. A report to Cabinet in October 2008 summarised the responses to the consultation phase of the Issues and Options for the Core Strategy.

Regional Planning Guidance for the West Midlands was published in June 2004 and is now the Regional Spatial Strategy. It currently identifies Tamworth as a centre for the development of office, retail and leisure related activities. The Borough Council is working with the County Council and the other District Councils in Staffordshire on sub regional issues, particularly with respect to housing, that will inform the partial revision of the RSS.

As with the other districts in the Central Rivers area, the issue of housing growth is being considered; the area known as Warwickshire Moor in the Anker valley is currently earmarked for the development of up to 800 houses. The Central Rivers area will therefore be increasingly used as a recreational resource for Tamworth.

The Tamworth Local Plan 2001-2011 is saved for three years to July 2009 and will be part of the Local Development Framework or until superseded by emerging Development Plan Documents. Proposals to save any of the policies beyond July 2009 have to be submitted to Government Office West Midlands by December 2008.

3.3 Landscape (see Figure 4)

The landscape of the Central Rivers area is undergoing significant change throughout the study area. The pressures to change include continuing urban expansion towards the river valleys; developments associated with the transport infrastructure, such as the four tracking of the West Coast railway line; road widening, by passes and ring roads; continuing gravel extraction and restoration; structural changes to power stations traditionally associated with the Trent Valley; and changes to the farmed landscape including arable intensification, reduction in cattle and sheep grazing, expansion of poor quality horse grazing adjacent to urban and village settlements and conversion of traditional farm buildings to other uses. Changes may appear to be incremental and small scale in themselves, however the cumulative landscape change has been fundamental and far reaching.

The northern section of the study area falls within the National Forest boundary, from the A513 at Alrewas to Burton-upon-Trent. In the National Forest Strategy Review 2004-2014 the landscape is described as the Trent Valley Washlands.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 26 Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 27 The identity of the National Forest is well established in this corridor as there are large signs on the A38 announcing the boundary of the Forest and a custom designed orientation and interpretation point in the layby adjacent to Alrewas for road travellers. The National Forest Company have been successful in establishing appropriate scale new woodlands in the study area, for example at Bass Meadow, Burton Mail Centenary Woodland, Barton Marina, Wychnor Bridges and Rylands Lodge. The forestry design guidance in the current strategy gives practical pointers to the scale of tree planting, the planting type and planting design details.

The National Forest Company acknowledges the constraints to woodland planting in the Trent Valley, such as the impact on flooding and the need to conserve historic and archaeological remains. There are, however, opportunities to attempt to enhance urban development sites using woodland planting and large trees, for example adjacent to the A38 corridor where the scale of the buildings requires a bold approach to planting.

The former, current and allocated gravel extraction sites continue to have a significant visual impact throughout the Central Rivers area, for example the large plant sites at Alrewas and Barton are clearly seen from the A38. Former sites have often been restored or partly restored to agricultural land with few features, such as hedgerows. In other places the partly restored land has an air of neglect and has developed as scrub and ruderal vegetation with patches of open water, reed beds and unmanaged wet woodland.

On sites currently being worked, the long term nature of the extraction and restoration process means that the open quarries, large plant sites, industrial scale buildings, transport infrastructure and haul roads, flooded voids, evidence of landfill and tipping, are all part of the everyday scene throughout the valley. The visual impact of quarry signs, dust covered and locally damaged road verges, quarry vehicles and the apparent randomness of the workings disturbs the otherwise rural tranquil character of the Trent and Tame Valley landscapes.

Land allocated for quarrying often experiences blight and although most of the land continues to be farmed until the extraction commences, there is little incentive to invest in the maintenance and replacement of fences, hedgerows, hedgerow trees, and other features of the agricultural landscape. Land earmarked for gravel

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 28 extraction tends, therefore, to have a more run down appearance in contrast to the surrounding well-maintained farmed landscape.

The low-lying flat nature of the valley floor and terraces has limited views within the study area, except from river crossings, railway bridges, highway overpasses, and canal bridges. As a visitor to the river valley, there is a desire to gain height to achieve a good viewpoint and it may be an intrinsic part of the huge popularity of the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum that it provides a view from some six metres above the floodplain. The long views towards the attractive wooded valley sides around Dunstall, Tatenhill Catton, and Hopwas are in contrast to the enclosed valley bottom.

3.4 Biodiversity (see Figure 5)

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s biodiversity audit of the Tame and Trent river valleys in Staffordshire (2006-7) (Mott, 2007) undertook a Phase 1 habitat survey for the entire study area excluding active quarries. The results are mapped and summarised in the report and it is a valuable position statement for most of the study area being considered in this report.

The semi-natural habitats in the Central Rivers area are fragmented, however some connectivity is provided by the Tame and Trent river corridors, their tributaries and the canal network (Trent and Mersey, Coventry and the Birmingham and Fazeley canals). The area is currently dominated by arable, improved grassland, poor, semi improved grassland and amenity grassland.

The large-scale gravel extraction and subsequent restoration provides opportunities to create significant areas of semi-natural habitats in line with the following targets set out in the Staffordshire and National Forest Biodiversity Action Plans:

 Create at least 60ha (in blocks of over 20ha) within the riparian alluvial lowlands landscape type. Create 50ha (in two large blocks) within the National Forest and Central Rivers area by 2010.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 29  Create 60ha (in blocks of over 20ha) within the riparian alluvial lowlands landscape type; 50 ha of which would be within the National Forest by 2010.   Create 30ha within the riparian alluvial lowlands landscape type; and 50ha within the National Forest area by 2010.

 Reinstate 30% of former channels and backwater features within the riparian alluvial lowlands landscape type.

 Establish 20ha of shallow sinuous pools with islands within the riparian alluvial lowlands landscape type.

Other opportunities for enhancing the biodiversity of the study area include the National Forest Company Woodland Creation Schemes, and Countryside Environmental Stewardship Schemes promoted by DEFRA including the Entry Level Scheme and Higher Level Scheme.

The audit report also identified a severe lack of farm, village and wildlife ponds. These features can often be influenced at a local scale by community and voluntary involvement in nature conservation projects.

The recommendations section of the biodiversity audit report highlights seventeen sites extending from Clay Mills, Egginton and Wetmore in the north to Dosthill and Middleton Lakes in the south, where opportunities exist for large-scale landscape management and habitat creation in association with former and current gravel workings.

The sites are listed below and all, except for Warwickshire Moor (West), are included in the Land Use Strategy plan for the Central Rivers area:

Clay Mills, Egginton and Wetmore Upper Mills Farm Branston and Drakelow Newbold Quarry

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 30 Tucklesholme Quarry Barton Quarry and Catton Hall Wychnor Alrewas Quarry, NMA and Croxall Whitemoor Haye Quarry Elford (north) Fisherwick Woods, Elford (south) and Darnford Brook Comberford Hopwas Hayes Wood Broad Meadow Warwickshire Moor west Tameside Nature Reserve Dosthill and Middleton Lakes

The River Tame enters the Central Rivers area from Warwickshire and the River Trent leaves the study area as it crosses into Derbyshire. Several complementary projects exist in Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire with the aim of enhancing the biodiversity value of the rivers (Figure 5).

Transforming the Trent Valley, and Water for Wildlife are both coordinated by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. The former project is described in outline as follows:

A long-term vision to restore a wildlife corridor along the whole of the Derbyshire Trent Valley, reconnecting the river, floodplain, wildlife and local communities. The aim is to protect and enhance existing wetlands by developing a string of major nature reserves along the valley and building partnerships with aggregate companies, land managers and others to create and restore habitats between these reserves. We will also involve local communities through practical conservation and training, as well as recreational opportunities and a programme of education work with local schools and public awareness events. The project will help deliver the objectives of the OnTrent Initiative.

The Water for Wildlife project is orientated towards the Rivers Dove and Derwent in Derbyshire.

The Tame Valley Wetlands Project Vision is as follows:

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s vision for the Tame Valley is the re-establishment of linked wildlife rich wetland habitats along river floodplains, created by working in partnership with landowners and communities along the river corridor to create and

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 31 restore wetland and floodplain habitats which contribute to the social and economic regeneration of the surrounding communities.

The project officers for the Warwickshire and Derbyshire projects described above are fully aware of the Central Rivers Initiative and are happy to work together with the other partners for the benefit of the river corridors in their regional setting.

Staffordshire Washlands is a floodplain biodiversity project covering the Rivers Sow and Penk in West Staffordshire and the main River Trent corridor from Trentham to Wychnor. Set up in 2003, Washlands is a partnership between the Environment Agency, the Sow & Penk Internal Drainage Board, Natural England, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, OnTrent and Staffordshire County Council and is managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.

This forms part of the Government’s ‘Making Space for Water’ and the aim is to increase flood storage and biodiversity through wetland rehabilitation schemes. Ancillary benefits include increased farm incomes through agri-environment schemes, groundwater recharge, tackling diffuse pollution, green tourism, increased access and enjoyment of wetlands and celebrating our historic environment.

The OnTrent Initiative is a partnership project involving a wide range of public, statutory, voluntary and commercial organisations working to secure a sustainable balance between the natural, cultural and historic environment, agriculture, commercial activity and development along the River Trent. Its aim is to:

Benefit Wildlife, Heritage and People in Parishes along the Trent Valley

The organisations involved in the OnTrent Partnership co-ordinate work, share ideas and information and encourage practical projects in the Trent Valley. OnTrent is delivered by: influencing and contributing to partner policy and strategic plans; raising awareness about OnTrent through training, events and publicity; and delivering projects both by OnTrent and through the partner organisations.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 32 Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 33 3.5 Tourism (see Figure 6)

A tourism asset register is listed in Table 4, showing the wide range of attractions currently on offer for visitors to the Central Rivers Area and an asset plan is set out in Figure 6.

Table 4: Tourism asset register

Name of asset Recreation/ Visitor Nature Pub/restaurant/ activities attractions conservation/ accommodation biodiversity sites West Midlands Water ski centre, Dosthill Dosthill Quarry diving lake Middleton Hall craft and visitor information RSPB Middleton Lakes Cliff Pool Nature reserve Drayton Manor Family Theme Park Drayton Park camp site Fazeley Marina Peels Wharf BW Offices & Info. Bonehill angling lake Tameside Nature reserve Kettlebrook lake Snow Dome Tamworth Castle Pleasure Grounds Tamworth Castle Broad Meadow nature reserve Coventry Canal Hopwas

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 34 Comberford Millennium Green Fisherwick Lakes Angling Whittington canalside pub

Huddlesford canalside pub Elford village pub Sittles Farm flying club Streethay Marina National Memorial Arboretum Croxall Lakes Barton Quarry Catton Hall estate Alrewas village pubs, cafe and accommodation Cow bridge moorings Wychnor riding school Wychnor Park Country Club Willowbrook Farm Camping Fradley Arms Barton Marina The Waterfront Travelodge Barton Drakelow Nature Reserve Branston Water Park Branston Golf & Country Club Burton Mail Centenary Woodlands Upper Mills Community Park and Scrapes Burton Library

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 35 steps and play area Stapenhill Gardens Meadowside Leisure Centre Bass Meadows Sports fields Burton Rowing Club Burton Canoe club Clay Mills Steam Pumping Engines Shobnall Marina Shobnall Leisure Centre Source: Author’s research

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 36 Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 37 The National Forest Company, in association with their local authority partners, produce annual attraction guides to highlight the facilities available in the National Forest. The guides include ‘where to stay’ listings, a map keyed to location of the attractions and descriptions of each attraction with contact details. Each guide is clearly branded with the National Forest logo and gives signposts to Tourist Information Centres administered by the local authorities or other agencies.

The Central Rivers Initiative has to date lacked a clear identity in comparison with the National Forest Company and there are opportunities for promoting the unique character of the valley landscape offering all of the above attractions in a continuous linked geographical area in Staffordshire.

As well as the rivers and wetlands providing attractive settings for recreation, the canals offer a well-established network of water-based recreation following the valley from Burton-upon-Trent in the north to Middleton Lakes in the south. There are opportunities to link the canals more closely with the Central Rivers Initiative as the very successful Barton Marina and Waterfront pub/restaurant/retail area has demonstrated on the edge of Barton under Needwood. Other well established canal marinas are located at Fazeley and Shobnall (Burton-upon-Trent).

The Staffordshire Short Breaks 2008 brochure lists the Staffordshire tourist offer under a series of themed headings: Adventure, Nature and Culture and it lists serviced and self catering accommodation for the County. A number of the assets listed in the County brochure fall within or close to the Central Rivers area and there are opportunities for strengthening the branding and identity of the project through promotion at the key linked attractions, in particular Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth Snow Dome, the National Memorial Arboretum and Tamworth Castle.

A hierarchy of tourism and visitor attractions in the Central Rivers area should be considered, with appropriate branding, marketing and awareness raising efforts injected into each facility, without detracting from their current audiences.

There is an opportunity to widen the audience for the Central Rivers area further, as it is a landscape with the capacity to absorb significant numbers of people without detriment to the natural resources of the river valleys. The main issues to overcome are the lack of visible identity when passing through the area, barriers to crossing

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 38 and following the course of the valley bottom and the ongoing disturbance and unfinished restoration of large areas under the control of gravel companies.

3.6 Access (see Figure 7)

Access to the Central Rivers area by foot, cycle, private car and all forms of public transport is key to the success of the project. The area should provide a welcoming appeal for all visitors, whether they are local residents, day visitors or longer staying tourists. Good and well maintained access will contribute greatly towards health and fitness promotion and the sustainable objective of ‘Countryside for All’.

Currently, the pattern of accessibility is patchy throughout the geographical area following the river corridors. Historically, there are a number of river crossing points at Burton-upon-Trent (two bridges), Walton on Trent, Croxall, Elford, Hopwas, Tamworth and Fazeley, with relatively few opportunities for access to riverside land between the crossing points.

Other barriers to access include the major trunk road of the A38, which separates the communities of Barton under Needwood, Alrewas, Fradley and Lichfield from the river corridor. The Cross City and Derby to Tamworth railway lines follow the valley and further limit access across the area.

Although the gravel extraction process is temporary by nature, the time scales for the larger quarries such as at Newbold Quarry are significant in terms of human lives. Newbold Quarry commenced operations in 1960 and whilst large areas have been restored to date, the nature of the area makes it difficult to encourage or allow public access due to health and safety considerations.

There are however significant examples of successful restoration of gravel workings to areas with improved public access including the Green Flag Award winning public park at Branston Water Park, The Waterfront and Barton Marina, The National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Lakes and Kettlebrook Lakes Tamworth.

The urban washlands at Burton-upon-Trent and Tamworth are excellent examples of well managed integrated publicly owned accessible land serving the needs of the local population, as well as achieving wider aims of nature conservation, landscape

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 39 Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 40 enhancement, and flood storage capacity. Both Burton-upon-Trent and Tamworth have a well established parks and countryside team who promote access by foot, cycle and also cater for people with disabilities throughout the washlands.

The washlands represent the ideal of green infrastructure provision, namely a network of multi functional open spaces at all scales maximising public benefit. The connectivity of the resource into functional networks ensures that the overall value of the network is greater than the sum of its component parts.

The Central Rivers Initiative presents opportunities to improve and enhance the access connections along and across the valley at all scales (Figure 7). These routes pass through the restored minerals sites, National Forest access land and include public footpaths, bridleways, canal towpaths, permissive routes, quiet lanes for cycling, National Cycle Network routes, long distance routes such as the Way for the Millennium and the developing OnTrent and Tame Valley footpaths.

There are many access agencies working towards this goal, including the County Council, District, Borough and Parish Councils, British Waterways, Ramblers Association, Sustrans, The National Forest Company, British Horse Foundation, OnTrent, Wildlife Trusts, Conservation Volunteers, Civic Societies and other voluntary societies.

Public transport bodies should also be engaged in the improvements to accessibility to key facilities. A recent success has been to connect the National Memorial Arboretum to the bus route, thus widening the audience further.

The countryside will be more accessible as a recreational and biodiversity resource through a better connected footpath network and a greater level of informal rural recreation opportunities, particularly in the Tame and Trent Valleys through the Central Rivers area, and by enhancing the canal network that connects urban and rural communities to the countryside.

The Land Use Strategy plan for the Central Rivers area should reflect the range of opportunities for access throughout the area, however it should also respect areas of tranquility in the valley as these resources are becoming increasingly rare as the population expands into the future.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 41 3.7 Sport and Recreation

The issues for active sport and recreation have significant overlap with the accessibility section above, however the Central Rivers area contains a number of new opportunities to develop specialist water based recreation not available elsewhere within the sub region.

The advantages of providing for water sports in the area are that there is a large urban population within half an hour’s travelling distance of the Trent and Tame Valley and the former mineral workings can provide tailor made facilities geared to the national standards set out for each activity.

At Barton Quarry, for example, there is the potential to create a two kilometre length regatta standard open water body, easily accessible from the A38, and with the capacity to absorb significant numbers of people within the wider site. An environmental impact assessment would be required to demonstrate the extent of likely environmental impacts should the water body be used for powered craft, for example.

Other permitted opportunities include the sailing training school at Whitemoor Haye near Alrewas and the canal marina at Barton under Needwood.

Angling is already well established at Barton Quarry, throughout the canals, on the Trent and Tame rivers and on a number of other water bodies throughout the study area e.g. Fisherwick, Newbold, Elford and Barton Marina. Angling is compatible with other water sports and with nature conservation in many situations, and it is often identified as a popular restoration after use in gravel quarries, for example at the Tarmac prospect at Fisherwick.

An option for the restoration of the Newbold SW extension, as submitted to the current Minerals Core Strategy review, would include an additional area of boat moorings off the Trent and Mersey Canal north of Barton under Needwood.

The flat topography of the valley floor lends itself to the creation and maintenance of sports pitches. The proximity of the urban areas and rural villages would allow easy access to the recreation facilities, for example at Wetmore, Branston, Barton under

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 42 Needwood, Drakelow, Walton, Alrewas, Fradley, Elford, Whittington, Tamworth and Fazeley. Initiatives to develop sports pitches would be dependent on local communities’ demand, involving local clubs, and probably with the support of Sport England to create essential infrastructure.

Specialist recreation facilities, for example microlight and light aircraft flying, are well established in the valley between Alrewas and Streethay. These should continue to be part of the mix of facilities subject to appropriate licensing and land owner agreements, as they add to the interest of the countryside without detracting from the quiet enjoyment of the majority of visitors.

Other noisy sports facilities such as go karting, motorsports, model aircraft, moto cross all exist within or adjacent to the Central Rivers area and are subject to normal planning and licensing requirements. New facilities should be considered on their merits, however the Land Use Strategy Plan should determine zones where active sports are appropriate, in contrast to the tranquil areas where quiet recreation only should be considered.

3.8 Historic Environment

The Central Rivers area contains a wealth of features of cultural heritage interest with a broad date range from the Mesolithic period through to the twentieth century. These include standing structures (World War Two Pill boxes, listed buildings) earthworks and sub surface features not visible on the ground. The value of the cultural heritage resource is for its educational interest and for more informal enjoyment as features in the landscape.

Sixteen Scheduled Ancient Monuments occur within the study area and are deemed as being of national importance. There are 120 listed buildings. Most of these are Grade II but 6 are Grade II*.

In addition to scheduled and listed buildings, many features of the canal and river infrastructure are of cultural heritage interest including bridges, locks, weirs, an aqueduct, warehouses and a junction.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 43 Two lengths of the Trent and Mersey Canal are designated as Conservation Areas, as well as an area in Burton upon Trent between Burton Bridge and Stapenhill viaduct.

The continuing large-scale mineral extraction throughout the Trent and Tame Valley may be a threat to the cultural heritage and Table 5 sets out the potential impacts noted under the Minerals Core Strategy Review.

Table 5: Archaeological sites

Site name Archaeological interest Historic building interest within within 500m 500m Newbold NW Enclosure west of Milepost Branston Bridge Trent & Mersey Canal Conservation Area Newbold SW Various sites within area Lower Farm house Listed building Remains of Barrow cemetery 171m Barton Various sites within area Stable and Hayloft listed building 22m (Wychnor) Trent & Mersey Canal Conservation Area Scheduled monument circular enclosures within site Alrewas Various sites within area Roddidge Farmhouse listed building South Scheduled monument adjacent; NE of Sittles Farm settlement and sites Fisherwick Various sites within area Comberford Manor House 167m away Scheduled monument 475m away Source: Draft Minerals Core Strategy Issues and Options 2

A number of surviving historic estates and former parkland exist in and adjacent to the study area including Newton Park, Burton Abbey, Sinai Park, Catton Hall Estate, Walton Hall, Drakelow Park, Dunstall Hall, Wychnor Hall, Croxall Hall, Elford Park and walled garden, Fisherwick Hall and Park, Comberford Manor and Middleton Hall. Although many of the former parklands have been disturbed by mineral extraction (e.g. Fisherwick), large-scale industrial development (e.g. Drakelow Park) or agricultural intensification (e.g. Elford Park) there are numerous identifiable remains in the valley landscape.

At Fisherwick, one of Capability Brown’s most ambitious landscape schemes was undertaken between 1768 to 1782. There was a large-scale landscape and lake, cascade and 100,000 trees planted. A substantial stone ha-ha wall survives around the woodland and two ornamental bridges and a system of dammed pools are still

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 44 visible. A large part of the park was quarried for gravel with the loss of the previous designed landscape.

Heritage features, no matter how small or hidden in the landscape they may be, are important themes in local tourism, and features ‘off the beaten track’ are often valued by visitors.

3.9 Agriculture (see Figure 8)

The quality of agricultural land in the study area varies from Grade 2 (very good quality) down to Grade 4 (poor quality). The limitations to agricultural land within the floodplain are soil wetness and flood risk and the land is typically of medium to low quality (mainly Grade 3b and 4). The best and most versatile agricultural land generally lies outside the floodplain.

The recent Staffordshire Wildlife Trust biodiversity audit confirmed that the study area is dominated by arable, improved grassland, poor semi improved grassland and amenity grassland.

The following is an extract from the DEFRA website to explain the current agri- environment schemes available for landowners in the study area.

(ES) is a new agri-environment scheme which aims to secure widespread environmental benefits. The scheme has three elements: Entry Level Stewardship Organic Entry Level Stewardship Higher Level Stewardship  . (ELS) is a 'whole farm scheme' open to all farmers and other land managers. Acceptance will be guaranteed providing the applicant can meet the scheme requirements. If the applicant has a mix of conventionally and organically farmed land, or if all of the land is farmed organically, they should apply for OELS (see below).  . (OELS) is a 'whole farm scheme' similar to the ELS, open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically and who are not receiving aid under the Organic Aid Scheme (OAS) or the Organic Farming

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 45 Scheme (OFS). If any part of the farm is registered with an Organic Inspection Body, the applicant should apply for OELS rather than ELS. There is a separate OELS application pack, available from Rural Development Service (RDS) offices.  (HLS), which will be combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority situations and areas. HLS is discretionary and concentrates on the more complex types of management where land managers need advice and support and where agreements need to be tailored to local circumstances.

The take up of agri-environment schemes in the study area is illustrated in Figure 8.

3.10 Involving people

Although the mechanisms for involving local communities in land use planning and development issues are well established throughout the local authorities in the Central Rivers area, there are many opportunities for more innovative community involvement.

A recent scheme ‘Get Active in the Forest’ based at Rosliston Forestry Centre offers a programme of outdoor activities for people of all ages and levels of fitness. It was voted as best sports project in the 2008 National Lottery Awards and demonstrates the benefits of volunteer and community involvement in local projects.

The National Memorial Arboretum won the title of Best Heritage Project in the 2008 Awards Ceremony and one of the main strengths of the Arboretum is the dedicated involvement of volunteers and the community in the running of the popular visitor attraction.

The RSPB reserve at Middleton Lakes has over 100 volunteers working with the Charity as guides, wildlife recorders and undertaking practical conservation tasks. The community involvement significantly improves the quality of the experience for visitors to the reserve and the RSPB can demonstrate these benefits when applying for external funding.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 46 Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 47 The Burton Conservation Volunteers are well established and have undertaken valuable volunteer work in the Burton-upon-Trent and Lichfield area.

There is a long established Watch group based at Branston, and the West Midland Bird Group are a respected society throughout Staffordshire with many local members who use the wetland resources in the study area.

There are many opportunities for fitness and health benefits in the Central Rivers area as promoted by Primary Care Trusts and Mental Health Agencies. The more groups and individuals who get involved in the diverse interests and activities the area has to offer, the greater the public benefit for the wider community.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 48 4. Land Use Strategy

4.1 Review of the Strategy

The review of the 1999 Central Rivers Project Strategy has included updating the aims and objectives to reflect the current position, detailed consultation with a wide range of stakeholders in various formats including face-to-face interviews, correspondence and through a comprehensive questionnaire. Issues and opportunities arising from the consultations have been set out in a number of themes, and these have been synthesised into an overarching Vision and Strategy for the Central Rivers Project as follows:

  .  

The Land Use Strategy Plan (Figure 9) defines a number of Zones throughout the study area as follows:

The Core: Barton to Alrewas This area is centred on the established and successful National Memorial Arboretum close to the junction of the A38 and A513 and at the confluence of the Trent and Tame rivers. The core extends northwards to include the planned water sports facility at Barton East Quarry, west to the edge of Alrewas village, and south to the permitted sailing school facilities at Whitemoor Haye. The Marina, Waterside Pub, restaurant and retail outlets at Barton Turns provides the northern entrance to the Core and it represents a significant developing commercial visitor attraction to complement the Arboretum.

The Core also forms a natural gateway to the Central Rivers area and the National Forest where visitors arriving by car, bus train, cycle or on foot can explore the valley landscape to the north and south. The extensive scale of the gravel restoration schemes is able to absorb large numbers of visitors. There are some significant natural and man made barriers to using the area and opportunities to provide new

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 49 green infrastructure links to Alrewas and Barton over the A38 as well as long distance routes following the course of the rivers. The level of community involvement is a key feature at the Arboretum and there is potential for increasing the numbers of volunteers managing and using the assets within the valley.

Burton-upon-Trent and ‘Tamworth Urban Washlands’ In the extended study area, there are two urban washlands at Burton-upon-Trent and Tamworth already providing extensive areas of public open space, managed nature reserves, publicly accessible woodlands, wetlands, all ability access and cycleways, riverside walks and community parks. At Burton-upon-Trent and Tamworth, there are established volunteer organisations which carry out practical management tasks, and the Green Flag park at Branston Water Park encourages community involvement in its management. There may be opportunities to improve the visitor facilities in this area following the development of new housing in Burton-upon-Trent and Tamworth. Green Infrastructure improvements linking the town centres to the riverside will also be important elements as well as long distance valley routes following the canals and river.

Landscape Enhancement, Habitat Creation, and Rural Recreation Areas The remainder of the study area falls within this more general category of land use. However, there are local variations in character from the north to south as follows:

Clay Mills to Burton Bridge This area contains a number of historically worked out and restored gravel pits, typically to poor grade agricultural land using pulverised fuel ash as a fill material. Priorities are landscape and habitat enhancement associated with the river corridor as well as informal access improvements. Opportunities include involving the community in positive environmental management work and using the established volunteer group at Clay Mills Pumping Station. Interpretation, better signage, access improvements and removal of barriers to access over the A38 and railway line are priorities for this area. Initiatives should link to the Transforming the Trent project and Water for Wildlife administered by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

Branston to Barton This is an area of active quarrying with potential large-scale future extensions, to the west and east of the A38. The restoration proposals should place a high priority on habitat creation with community benefits for informal recreation and access. At

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 50 Newbold South West, for example, Aggregate Industries have recently consulted the local communities on a number of restoration options including a Country Park, agriculture, public access routes, woodlands and wetlands in a variety of forms.

There is pressure for development for large-scale employment uses extending from the Burton interchange to the Catholme link and between the A38 and the railway line. The recent development of large sheds has had a significant visual impact and other leisure related developments employing the same or more people may be more appropriate in this corridor. In addition, the potential Lawns Farm land may be subject to large scale mixed use development to satisfy the Burton Growth Point. On the South Derbyshire side of the river at Drakelow Park, another large scale mixed use development is being planned on the site of the former power station. The scheme includes a relief road link between the A38 and A444 adjacent to Walton village and a pedestrian/ cycle bridge over the Trent linked to Branston, with associated riverside walks. National Forest policies and bold landscape enhancement schemes are required to mitigate proposals as they come forward. Involving the local communities in the planning of access routes and green infrastructure is a priority for this area of significant change.

Alrewas to Elford With the exception of the permitted water sports training facility at Whitemoor Haye, this zone is predominantly being restored to agricultural land, with some areas of open water in worked out quarries. The agricultural land supports numbers of breeding corn buntings, yellowhammers, skylarks and partridge. Appropriate agricultural management would improve this habitat further. Specialist recreation activities of microlight training and a small flying club can continue to be absorbed into the tranquil rural setting and opportunities for improved riverside access are relatively limited. The existing quiet lanes passing through the area should be exploited further as part of long distance walking and cycle routes. National Forest style planting both sides of the A513 would enhance the gateway character of this zone and the introduction of hedgerow trees alongside the lanes would further restore the landscape.

Elford, Fisherwick and Whittington The popular and attractive villages of Elford and Whittington are separated by a river valley characterised by a complex mosaic of worked out quarries, new gravel prospects and the remnants of the historic farmed estate of Fisherwick. There are

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 51 limited cross-valley links, however the area is well connected to the population centres of Lichfield and Tamworth. Whilst the priority for restoration should be for habitat creation, informal access and fishing, there may be opportunities for pockets of more intensive countryside recreation activities with appropriate high quality facilities offering rural accommodation. Recreation activities should benefit the local economies of the villages. Community involvement in environmental schemes may include the restoration of an historic walled garden at Elford and research of the Capability Brown landscape at Fisherwick.

Fisherwick to Tamworth This is the most remote and tranquil section of the river valley and, whilst there is a potential footpath link between Hopwas and Comberford Hall, the Canal is the main established route following the valley. There are significant gravel extraction prospects in the area and the priority for restoration should include appropriate habitat creation and agricultural restoration with environmental benefits considered throughout. The Tame Valley long distance route should be progressed through this section in association with mineral operators and landowners. The area should complement the locally valued Broad Meadow nature reserve and the important development buffer of Dunstall Farm.

Fazeley to Middleton The Birmingham and Fazeley canal and Tame river corridor follow each other throughout this section and, whilst most of the valley bottom has been worked for gravel, there are ambitious plans by the RSPB to create a flagship nature reserve with extensive diverse wetland habitats at Middleton Lakes. Recreation and access links are predominantly to the western and eastern urban edges and there may be an opportunity to provide a new pedestrian and cycle crossing over the river within the RSPB reserve. Future extensions to the RSPB reserve to the north should also consider the need for flood defence projects upstream of Tamworth. There are clear links from this area to the well-established Kingsbury Water Park in Warwickshire. Initiatives in this zone should all be coordinated with the Tame Valley Wetlands Project.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 52 Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 53 4.2 Measures of success

In order to measure the success of the project, SMART targets should be set against each of the key themes embedded in the vision statement. The targets should therefore be Specific - having a precise definition; Measurable - having units of measurement; Achievable - in real world terms; Relevant - to the aims and objectives; and, Time bound - in terms of project years.

Suggested measures are as follows:

Gravel extraction and restoration: Habitat creation targets reached annually, for example area of restored open water bodies, area of reed bed planting, area of wet grassland, area of wet woodland, number of ponds. Length of river channel restoration achieved in association with the Environment Agency. Area of land where public access agreements have been achieved. Lengths of footpaths, bridleways, cycleways. Numbers of visitors to facilities at restored sites. Numbers of users of water sports facilities. Area of Grade 3 agricultural land restored. Lengths of new hedgerows and areas of woodland planting. Flood defence and flood alleviation targets achieved.

Planning and Development: Areas/numbers of Green Infrastructure projects achieved in the Central Rivers Area. Public transport improvements achieved. Numbers of sustainable housing development within 3km of the area. Employment uses permitted within 3km of the area. Minerals applications granted in the Central Rivers area.

Landscape: Overlap with gravel restoration targets. Overlap with Agriculture environmental targets.

Biodiversity: Overlap with gravel restoration habitat creation targets. Target species recordings of birds, mammals and insects. Lengths of river channel restoration schemes. Numbers of volunteers engaged in conservation management work parties. Educational visits/ talks and related activities.

Tourism: Visitor destinations, numbers of visitors. New signs, interpretation boards. Measure of marketing effort. Number of new facilities offered. Visitor nights in serviced accommodation within 10km of the Central Rivers area.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 54 Visitor nights in non-serviced accommodation. Numbers of canal users at local boat hire sites.

Access: Area of land where public access agreements have been achieved. Lengths of footpaths, bridleways, cycleways. Numbers of visitors to key sites/user counters. Removal of barriers to access such as footbridges. Lengths of long distance routes achieved. Numbers of interpretation, signboards, waymarkers. New public transport improvements.

Sport and Recreation: Facilities provided. Sports pitches created and improved. Clubs and societies formed. Number of people/users. Income from clubs.

Historic Environment: Educational visits/talks and related activities. Recording of archaeological remains. Research on artefacts and articles produced. Improvements to cultural assets.

Agriculture: Take up of agri-environment schemes with DEFRA. Farm diversification schemes. Farm Walks and open days.

Involving People: Numbers of volunteers involved at relevant facilities. Numbers and scope of clubs and societies. Events held and numbers attending. Planning exhibitions held. Consultations and responses gathered. Marketing feedback/satisfaction surveys.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 55 5. The Central Rivers Area in 2020

This section speculates on how, given effective actions, the Central Rivers Area could look in the near future.

It is 2020 and the ‘Midlands Water Park’ has established its reputation as a highly valued and well used river valley wetland landscape.

This reputation is recognised and linked to the thriving National Forest at a national and regional level, and is welcomed by the residential and business community as being one of the main reasons for living in Staffordshire.

The traditional villages and farms are still present and they have prospered through their close association with the Midlands Water Park. Most farms have embraced the Agri-environment schemes in order to restore and enhance landscape and biodiversity, as well as converting to organic food production where possible. Farmers have diversified their businesses to take advantage of the large number of visitors to the area, and the farmhouse and self-catering accommodation capacity has increased significantly to cope with the demand.

The historic environment is much in evidence at Burton upon Trent, Lichfield and Tamworth, and the villages of Barton under Needwood, Walton on Trent, Wychnor, Alrewas, Fradley, Elford, Fisherwick, Whittington, Comberford and Hopwas all have thriving economies where locally distinctive food and products are on sale.

The mineral operators have been working closely with The Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB and other nature conservation organisations for many years in order to fine tune and enhance their ambitious multi-functional restoration proposals. As a result, the Tame and Trent valleys have become one of the most important inland areas for biodiversity. The restoration of gravel workings has provided many opportunities for Green Infrastructure projects around the growing centres of population, and the local communities have a strong sense of ownership to the new areas of diverse attractive countryside they now access freely on foot, cycle or on horseback.

The restored land is managed for the benefit of people and wildlife, and the presence of cattle grazing the margins of the wetlands is a familiar sight. It is now possible to cycle or walk to work and shops by a linked network of well-surfaced waymarked

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 56 tracks including the Tame and Trent Valley Walks, and the busy trunk roads are no longer a significant barrier to reach the Water Park. New water sports facilities with high quality, low environmental impact associated buildings have been carefully sited in the valley, and they have attracted people from the local towns and villages to get involved with healthy outdoor activities. Canoe trails are available along rivers and chain of ponds, backwaters, lagoons, oxbows and lakes past areas of floodplain woodland, swamp, reed beds and river islands.

Visitor Centres have been established in Burton upon Trent and Middleton Lakes in order to provide ambitious education and interpretation programmes for the new and returning visitors to the area. The visitor centres have become a focus for schools and college visits and all sections of the community are actively encouraged and welcomed.

The canals are fully integrated into the Midlands Water Park and as a result the demand for marina facilities has been satisfied by the restoration of adjacent gravel workings. Many more boaters stay in the Midlands Water Park and they are encouraged to moor up and access other local attractions by using the network of linked trails and cycleways.

The National Memorial Arboretum has matured into an inspirational visitor destination with a household name nationally. Each November, the Remembrance Day Ceremony is broadcast from the Arboretum, and throughout the rest of the year, hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive by bus and the new train halt at Alrewas to admire the site and its setting. Many visitors stay on in the Water Park so that they can experience first hand the warm welcome by their Staffordshire hosts. As a result, in addition to promoting local use of local resources and retaining income in the area, external visitor spend has substantially enhanced the local economy.

Underlying all the well co-ordinated marketing and achievements at the Midlands Water Park is the principle of sustainability, with the area now being highlighted as a beacon for demonstrating self-sufficiency in relation to supporting the community and environment through local initiatives. All the new projects are examples of industry leading low carbon technology, and the rivers themselves have been restored so that they can absorb the fluctuating water levels throughout the valley.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 57 Overall the Midlands Water Park has transformed into a distinctive landscape of high environmental value that benefits local residents and people visiting and working in the area and generates a significant economic impact.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 58 6. Action Plan, Priorities and Programme

6.1 Potential projects Table 6 contains a list of potential projects developed from the Land Use Strategy Plan (Figure 9). For each project, the table identifies the likely agency undertaking the work, the priority, reference to project aims and objectives and relevant themes. Priority 1 projects should aim to be achieved between 2009 and 2013, and the actions outlined in the table should be completed as a minimum target. Priority 2 projects would aim to be achieved between 2013 and 2016. Outstanding actions would be reviewed at 2016 and the plan updated to run to 2020.

Table 6: Source: Author’s research. TBC= to be confirmed by mineral core strategy review. Project description Agencies Priority Project Possible responsible for 1 high aims actions by delivery 3 low 1-9 (see 2012 Section 2) The Core Area Projects Barton Marina & ESBC, 1 5,7,9 3 circular Waterfront; gateway, Developer, walks interpretation, circular Parish Council walks in to valley Barton Quarry; Mineral 1 1,4,5,6,7,8,9 Confirm water Restoration for Water Operator, sports uses Sports. Tame Valley Sport England Walk, River restoration, Habitat Creation Potential Employment Private 2 1,6,9 Use land Barton to Developers, Catholme, National ESBC Forest planting, habitat creation Wychnor Meadows, Land owner, 2 1,5,6,7, manage as water DEFRA, SWT meadow Alrewas North; enhance Mineral 2 1,5,6, open water by silt Operator, SWT infilling NMA Alrewas South; Mineral 1 1,2,5,6,7,8,9 Agree potential to integrate Operator, masterplan restoration proposals to ESBC, NMA, allocated sites with Parish Council Arboretum, and Alrewas village. National Forest Gateway on A513

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 59 A38 Pedestrian Over Highways 1 5,7,9 Achieve Bridge; linking Alrewas Agency, ESBC, scheme to Valley design Alrewas Rail Station; Network Rail, 1 5,7,9 Undertake all create new facility on ESBC, LDC feasibility either Cross City or stages Derby – Tamworth line Tucklesholme Quarry; Mineral 2 1,5,6,8, restoration to Operator, SWT biodiversity targets. 1.8km length of river braiding. On Trent path route. Catton Hall Estate; Land owner 2 1,3,6,9 manage for agri- environment schemes, Events programme, river channel improvements at Cherry Holme National Memorial NMA and 1 2,5,7,9 Agree and Arboretum; develop Partners implement first phased masterplan phase of plan Barton (Wychnor) Mineral 1,6,8 Extension; gravel operator, prospect. Potential Staffs County restoration for flood Council, SWT alleviation and storage and biodiversity targets Urban Washlands Sites Burton-upon-Trent Wetmore to Winshill ESBC 1 5 Create circular walk via waymarked footbridge route Burton town centre ESBC 1 1,5,6,9 Deliver 2 GI Area Action Plan; green projects infrastructure improvements to riverside. New Visitor Centre for Joint promotion; 1 1,5,9 Obtain washlands at Upper SWT and planning and Mills Partners funding Canoe Club and Clubs, ESBC 2 4,7,9 Rowing Club audience development Dingle Belle water bus ESBC, Boat 2 4,9 restoration project at Operator Ferry Bridge. Branston Country Club Country Club 2 4,5,6,7,9 audience development for nature conservation. Branston Water Park ESBC 1 5,7,9 4 events per Environmental season

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 60 Education events Tamworth Castle Pleasure Tamworth BC 1 1,5,7,9 Green Flag Grounds Green Flag achieved achieved, and park restored Access improvements Tamworth BC 2 5,9 to cycleways and B.Waterways pedestrian routes in washlands Snow Dome; Dome Operator, 2 9 Interpretation point Tamworth BC Tameside Nature Tamworth BC, 2 6,7 Reserve; Tame Env. Agency, meander re-profiling SWT and lake reed bed creation Coventry Canal British 2 9 aqueduct; interpretation Waterways Landscape Enhancement, Habitat Creation and Rural Recreation Projects Clay Mills to Burton Bridge Trent & Mersey Canal British 2 5,7 towpath improvements Waterways Clay Mills Gateway County 2 5,7,9 Interpretation and Highways Signage ESBC Circular Walks from British 2 5,7 canal, and possible Waterways, crossing restored to ESBC, Land Newton Solney via pipe Owners bridge Clay Mills Pumping Clay Mills Trust, 2 5,6,7,9 Station; audience SWT development for nature conservation Wetmore Hall Farm; Land Owners, 2 6,7 habitat improvements SWT, on former gravel works Environment Agency Branston to Barton Lawns Farm possible Land Owners, 1 1,9 Consultation development; green ESBC on emerging infrastructure development development and proposals access improvements Potential Employment Private 2 1,6,9 Use land adjacent to Developers, A38 Branston to Barton; ESBC National Forest planting, habitat

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 61 creation Drakelow Nature Derbyshire 2 6,7,8 Reserve (DWT); river Wildlife Trust, channel restoration and Environment re-profiling Agency Drakelow Park possible Land Owners, 1 1,5,7,9 Input to development; green South emerging infrastructure Derbyshire. DC, development development including County proposals new footbridge link to Highways, Branston, and riverside ESBC access. Historic landscape restoration to walled gardens. Newbold North East; Mineral TBC 5,6,8 gravel prospect; Operator, Staffs Potential for restoration County Council, to achieve biodiversity ESBC, SWT targets. Buffer for Tatenhill village from future Lawns Farm development. Access improvements to canal and Water Park Newbold Quarry; Mineral 1 1,5,6,7,8 Agree final opportunities to Operator, Staffs restoration influence final County Council, proposals restoration plan to SWT permitted site to favour reed beds and shallow water bodies. Newbold South; Mineral 1 1,5,6,7,8,9 Monitor and permitted site due to be Operator agree restored as mosaic of restoration open water, reed bed, proposals woodland and agriculture by 2013. Newbold South West; Mineral TBC 1,3,5,6,7,8,9 gravel prospect 160 Operator, hectares. Restoration ESBC, Staffs options range from a County Council, Country Park, to a mix SWT, Land of lakes, woodland, wet Restoration grassland, agriculture, Trust, Parish with network of paths Council and cycle routes. Alrewas to Elford Whitemoor Haye; Mineral 1 1,4,5,6,7,8,9 Achieve permitted gravel site Operator, access and being restored to large Facility biodiversity sailing training lake. operator, SWT, opportunities Opportunity for Tame Env. Agency Valley walk, and enhanced biodiversity

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 62 including river channel restoration and wet grassland. Whitemoor Haye West Mineral 2, TBC 1,3,7,8 (Alrewas South); partly Operator, permitted gravel site Microlight Club with an extension in prospect to make total 146 hectares. Potential restoration to agriculture, with microlight facility reinstated. Elford North; former Birmingham City 2 1,2,5,6,7 quarry restored as wet Council, City & grassland, open water St James reed swamp, and Properties, Park arable land. Opportunity Farm, SWT, to convert arable land Env. Agency, to wet grassland. Natural England Historic walled garden landscape feature; community restoration project. Elford, Fisherwick and Whittington Elford South; former JPE, 1 1,3,5,6,7,9 Agree final quarry part filled, part Birmingham City restoration. open water. Restoration Council. Land Consultation plan to be agreed. Owner, Lichfield on planning Potential for enabling District Council applications development including chalet style holiday accommodation, water recreation and community facilities. Access improvements; County 2 5 cross- valley route and Highways, Env. Tame Valley walk. Agency Lichfield recreational Lichfield District 1 5,7 Create 3 routes; green Council, Parish waymarked infrastructure links from Councils routes Lichfield to river valley. Fisherwick to Tamworth Fisherwick; gravel Mineral TBC 1,5,6,7,8 prospect 108 hectares. Operator, Staffs Opportunity to develop County Council, restoration plan to fit Environment biodiversity action plan Agency, SWT, targets and river County channel restoration. Highways Tame Valley Walk. Possible footbridge

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 63 crossing river from Comberford Comberford; Parish Council 2 5,7 Interpretation at Millennium Green. Tame Valley Walk via new railway footbridge crossing. Hopwas canal corridor; British 2 5,7 Gateway signage and Waterways interpretation Lichfield DC opportunity. Broad Meadow SBI; Tamworth BC, 1 6,7 Complete management plan to SWT, County management create local nature Highways (?) plan reserve. Access improvements over flood relief channel. Dunstall Farm; potential Land Owner, 2 3,6 HLS Agri-environment DEFRA scheme as a buffer to development on edge of Tamworth. Fazeley to Middleton Fazeley Junction; British 2 5 Gateway signage and Waterways, interpretation Tamworth BC opportunity Birmingham and British 2 5 Fazeley Canal Waterways, Towpath; access Tamworth BC improvements, interpretation, Tame Valley Walk Drayton Manor Park Land Owners, 2 9 and Caravan Site; Tamworth BC opportunities for joint marketing and interpretation. Middleton Lakes RSPB RSPB, WWT, 1 1,5,6,7,8,9 Promote Reserve; Habitat Env. Agency scheme improvements, Tame design for new footbridge crossing, crossing Tame Valley Walk. Middleton Lakes Visitor RSPB, WWT, 1 1,5,7,9 Obtain Centre; new build County planning opportunity Councils, AWM permission and funding. Dosthill Park; Gateway, Tamworth BC, 2 5,7 signage and Env. Agency, interpretation. Access improvements; Cycle routes and Tame Valley Walk

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 64 6.2 Project Delivery

Table 6 identifies a wide range of potential projects over the whole Central Rivers area. Each project would be driven by the agencies listed, however, there is a need for a coordinating and project-managing role independent of individual interests. Between 1999 and 2004, a Project Officer was employed at Lichfield District Council to undertake this coordinating role. Unfortunately, the officer in post was not retained and, in retrospect, the post was not senior enough to make a difference in a project of this magnitude.

The principle of the Partnership employing a Senior Programme Manager to coordinate, raise awareness, and promote the project with the wide range of Stakeholders identified above is appropriate. The Programme Office base could be perhaps more centrally located in the Central Rivers area, for example at the Arboretum Site.

The Programme Steering Group would be responsible for overseeing the post and for producing an annual report to be sent to all interested parties. Day to day management would be delegated to one steering group member and this could be the Wildlife Trust as an independent body.

An annual conference or series of workshops would also help to focus attention on the Initiative and could be used to demonstrate measurable progress on various fronts.

The intention would be for the identity of the Central Rivers Initiative to strengthen over time, with the ultimate aim of becoming known as the ‘Midlands Water Park’ or similar title. The model brand of The National Forest is already well established, and there is some overlap in the Trent Valley north of Alrewas. The Midlands Water Park would however complement The National Forest rather than compete against it and the audiences are complementary.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 65 6.3 Future Marketing Strategy

The unique selling point (USP) of the Central Rivers area will be its resource of water, especially open water. This will be a welcome substitute for the coast, in a part of England further from the sea than any other (it has been suggested that Coton-in-the-Elms is the most landlocked village in the country).

Water, therefore, needs to be at the forefront of the ‘brand’, hence the suggestion made of a new marketing name for the Central Rivers Area as the ‘Midlands Water Park’. Similar brands can be listed such as Kingsbury and Cotswold, the latter the most potent and most aligned in aims to Central Rivers.

The presence of the National Forest, the longer established identity, is recognised and celebrated and of course covers the northern half of the Central Rivers area. Where the two overlap, use of a description such as ‘National Forest and Midlands Water Park’ ranks the destination nationally and then regionally, whilst also conveying simple imagery of woods and water.

With no intention of boundary expansion, however, the southern half of Central Rivers needs an identity and could carry the Midlands Water Park name as a stand- alone.

Marketing in the future could be done as a joint venture with the National Forest, picking up on the latter’s existing philosophy of promoting: ‘The National Forest and beyond’. Indeed, the critical mass of things to do will expand markedly, further adding to the attractiveness of the combined area as a place to live, work, visit and invest.

The National Forest will offer a massive learning resource and partnership capability, as it has built up a brand with national penetration in just ten years. This has been built, particularly in its early days, as a destination offering much potential for the future as a mature and comprehensive variety of existing, attractive locations.

In a similar way, Central Rivers will grow. The National Forest’s trees are growing, and so, as quarrying ceases, will the Central Rivers’ water bodies and infrastructure.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 66 This report summarises the range of current attractions and many more will come forward. The strong attractions today market themselves as stand-alone features, the concept of promoting them under a new, umbrella-title will need careful consideration and will need to form a key component of a full marketing strategy that should be commissioned before 2012.

In summary:

Central Rivers will need to create a clear identity around its unique selling point (USP) of water and will need to do this in close co-operation with the National Forest; The National Forest offers an ideal model around which to work up a marketing strategy for Central Rivers; Timing for the introduction of the new brand will be vital and must be supported by all stakeholders;

As a minimum, a marketing strategy needs to have emerged by 2012.

6.4 Funding Opportunities and Financial Sustainability

Since its inception report in 1999, Central Rivers has had both good and bad times financially. Over the last decade, the funds employed by partners that might be rightly considered to have assisted Central Rivers’ general mission have run into several millions of pounds, however it has not been attributed to the overall project unlike at the National Forest.

From 2001 to 2004, partner contributions were sufficient to employ a full-time member of staff, but when these dried up, momentum was lost.

Since 2004, occasional income has been secured in order to undertake one-off projects, such as the 2006 biodiversity audit, but in general terms, until the second half of 2008, little flowed in to support co-ordinated effort.

The arrival of funding from Advantage West Midlands under its Natural Assets programme in the second half of 2008 provided a real, as well as a symbolic, stimulus for the Central Rivers Area, which for the first time in years has the potential to plan ahead, initially for a three-year period.

Partner contributions were being sought at the end of 2008 to match AWM’s in- principle pledge to pay for Central Rivers’ core costs to March 2012, but with a

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 67 clarion call to ensure that between 2009 and 2012 significant progress will have been evidenced on the ground to justify those financial inputs.

Key to securing contributions from any organisation beyond 2012 will be the need to have shown an ability to deliver, so it is reassuring to note that in late-2008 many sources of funds exist to support individual projects, as well as those that might benefit the whole area. This non-exhaustive list tries to illustrate the range available:

This European funding could support an entire programme of work to help biodiversity across the whole project area.  The European Commission is keen to promote the sharing of best practice across Europe, and it may be useful for key partners to join a bid and learn from other, similar schemes elsewhere.  Accessed via AWM, this mix of European and UK funding might be useful for tourism bids (and some other themes) that cannot be accommodated within Natural Assets below: bids can be made for both large-scale and smaller schemes.  AWM has indicated in-principle interest in a small number of projects that will come forward from within the Central Rivers portfolio as long as they deliver good value and meet AWM’s priorities: as AWM’s own, designated fund, an exceptional project might be aided to £100,000, but it would be more realistic to consider less than £50,000. . A fund that is suitable to be considered for a project that benefits the whole Central Rivers Area, this source is helping a similar area downstream along the Trent in Nottinghamshire. Grants of up to £1m or more are possible; only one scheme is currently ‘on the books’ under this category in the West Midlands. . This is a massively reduced source. Competition is very high and grants of over £100,000 will be hard to secure for the foreseeable future. Very suitable for single-site projects; Burton is an under-bid area and a target for support. . Suitable for smaller, single-site projects by larger bidders, or equally accessible to well-established, volunteer-led groups. Grant ceiling is £50,000 and has had periods of being under-bid. . Administered by Natural England, this time-limited source was keen to receive bids from the OnTrent area earlier this year, so making Central Rivers eligible. Some improvement works are possible, but the theme is particularly around bringing people who have not experienced it before, closer to wildlife. Grants are in two bands, up to £50,000 and up to £300,000. .. Respectively exclusively, or ideally, set up to benefit small groups, the funding can still be quite high, peaking at £50,000 for Community Spaces, administered by Groundwork. Could support a number of local improvements. .. Central Rivers is the single most relevant part of Staffordshire to benefit from this source of grant-aid, both for ‘programme’ bids, or single-site bids. ALSF will help

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 68 with site improvements for people and wildlife, all aimed at compensating the area for the effects of gravel extraction. Large-scale bids can be expressed, but the tranche to 2011 may have been allocated before 1st April 2009. . Local version of ALSF, will look at ‘mini’ versions of ALSF-style projects, the entire source being £210,000pa to 2011. Like Community Spaces, a good source for local groups.  Not time-limited like SALGS, ‘Landfill Tax’ is distributed by a variety of Environmental Bodies (Trusts) and can help both single-site projects and programmes of work, particularly for biodiversity. Many funds recommend bids of no more than £50,000 (for example, Staffordshire Environmental Fund, Veolia Environmental Trust, St Modwens Environmental Trust), but there are some annual funds, such as Grantscape and Biffaward Flagship, that welcome ‘big ideas’ where successful applicants could win up to £300,000.  During the current downturn in the economy it is not the ideal time to be looking for these, but none should be written off, at either a local level, or for funds for the overall Central Rivers Area.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 69 7. Conclusions

The aims and objectives of the Central Rivers Initiative Strategy produced in 1999 are still very relevant to the current situation, and in many cases they have been strengthened by the events and progress made in the intervening years.

The review of the Strategy is very well timed to coincide with the County Council Minerals Core Strategy Review and the process of Local Development Framework Planning at East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Tamworth Authorities. There will be an increasing number of residents living within easy distance of the Central Rivers Area and the forecast needs for recreation, access and green infrastructure could be largely satisfied by achieving the range of projects identified in this review. As an additional benefit, pressure for recreation could be relieved from the more sensitive landscapes of Cannock Chase AONB and, to some extent, the Peak District National Park.

The Central Rivers Initiative has the potential to develop steadily over a period of 15- 20 years as the mineral resources are worked and restored throughout the valley. At the end of this period, the vision of a well-managed network of sites forming a ‘Midlands Water Park’ is a realistic aim, providing that the planning stages are well coordinated by all the stakeholders.

The role of individuals and communities is not to be underestimated throughout the process and the economic benefits of the Initiative will inevitably be felt at all scales from the region to the individual householder.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 70 Appendices

Appendix 1: List of consultees

Appendix 2: Questionnaire responses and analysis

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 71 Appendix 1: List of consultees

Name (s) Organisation Garry Jones RSPB Middleton Lakes Robin Neilson Catton Hall owner Jeff Sim On Trent project Paul Ansell Lichfield District Council John Penny, Tim Claxton Aggregate Industries Newbold David Beuzeval, Ruth Potter Land Restoration Trust Chris Bailey British Waterways Fazeley Alex Fox, Jeanette McGarry East Staffs Borough Council Charlie Bagot-Jewitt National Memorial Arboretum Alrewas Matt Griffen Staffs County Council Minerals Andrew Crawford, Kathryn Edwards Environment Agency Mark Pearce, Ray Flynn Advantage West Midlands Simon Evans The National Forest Company Sarah McGrandle, Graham Peake (SWT) Tamworth Borough Council Stephen Dean Staffs County Council History David Southgate Hanson Aggregates Philip Somerfield ESBC Planning Nick Mott Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Ross Halley Lafarge Roger Bradshaw Staffordshire County Council

Frances Beatty Rural Hub Roger Hailwood Ref circular walks Alrewas Nigel Oliver Birmingham City Council Graham Walker Natural England Grahame Fyles Tarmac Louise Sutherland Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Jo Brown Derbyshire Wildlife Trust John Hale JPE Holdings

Nene Valley Regional Park Independent visit Cotswolds Water Park Visit with John Hale

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 72 Appendix 2: Consultation analysis

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 73 Central Rivers Initiative Strategy Review: Stakeholders Consultation Analysis

Context

This report is based on a consultation exercise in support of the process of updating and refreshing the Central Rivers Initiative Strategy that dates from April 1999. As part of the work, the review team have gathered stakeholder views on key issues, partly through focused questionnaire work with a selection of agencies and organisations.

Survey approach

The approach adopted was to test reactions to a series of forty-four statements covering the future extent of the Central Rivers area, gravel extraction and restoration, planning and development, landscape, biodiversity, tourism development, access, sport and reaction, historic environment, agriculture, and the involvement of people and communities. In the following section, each aspect is set out with survey results, with the array of results summarised in Table A1, Appendix 1 and any comments in Appendix 2.

Reactions and responses

1. The extent of the Central Rivers Area

In the 1999 report, the study area included land beyond the valley bottom, and it extended from north of Burton to the edges of Tamworth. In the current study, we are suggesting a concentration of effort in the valley bottom where the mineral operators are working, whilst acknowledging the importance of the canal corridors and connections to settlements. We are also proposing to extend the study area as far as the neighbouring Warwickshire boundary near Middleton to allow a continuous ‘water park’ through the County of Staffordshire, coordinated with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust river programmes.

Some support with an average score of 2.30

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 74 2. Gravel extraction and restoration

The emerging Minerals Core Strategy (Staffordshire County Council) for the next 15 years has identified possible extensions to existing quarry sites, as well as new self-contained sites in the Trent and Tame Valleys. What do you consider to be the main issues and opportunities for the continuing gravel extraction in the valley?

Support with an average score of 2.30

The minerals core strategy should favour extensions to the existing operations rather than commencing new workings with other operators.

Some support with an average score of 2.44

Existing and proposed gravel workings have a significant environmental impact on the Central Rivers Area.

Support with an average score of 2.20

The restoration of gravel workings should be coordinated to maximise the benefits of the restored sites for the whole community and the local economy.

Strong support with an average score of 1.30

The restoration of gravel workings should aim to reduce flooding in the Trent and Tame valleys by working closely with the Environment Agency.

Strong support with an average score of 1.40

3. Planning and development

Burton-on-Trent has been identified as a growth point, and the settlements of Lichfield and Tamworth are also likely to experience significant growth for housing and employment uses, in and adjacent to the Central Rivers Area.

The Central Rivers Area could be used to provide much of the ‘green infrastructure’ (parks, public access, sports and recreation) for the expanding local populations.

Strong support with an average score of 1.70

Large scale distribution warehouse developments adjacent to the A38 corridor are an appropriate land use in and adjacent to the central rivers area.

Strong disagreement with an average score of 3.78

Large scale mixed use developments could contribute significantly to appropriate access and recreation projects in the river valleys.

Support with an average score of 2.75

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 75 4. Landscape

The valley bottom landscape of the Trent and Tame has undergone major changes, and will continue to change in the next fifteen years of the mineral plan.

The ‘new’ restored landscape of open water, reed beds and wet woodlands is more attractive than the farmed landscape it has replaced.

Support with an average score of 2.11

The valley bottom landscape acts as a valuable buffer to contain the expansion of adjacent settlements.

Support with an average score of 2.11

The Trent valley landscape is closely identified with the National Forest between Alrewas and Burton.

A closely balanced mix of disagreement and support with an average score of 2.89

There are few opportunities to view the river valley landscape due to the lack of topography.

Strong disagreement with an average score of 3.33

5. Biodiversity

The recent Staffordshire Wildlife Trust report on Biodiversity highlights the current condition of the Central Rivers habitats including wet woodland, open water and reed beds.

The gravel workings are providing important habitats for a wide variety of wildlife.

Strong support with an average score of 1.70

The wildlife of the Trent and Tame valley is increasing due to the continuing development throughout the Central Rivers Area.

Support with an average score of 2.00

The loss of productive agricultural land leads to a loss of habitat.

Strong disagreement with an average score of 3.33

6. Tourism Development

The success of the National Memorial Arboretum, The National Forest and other attractions throughout the valley has established tourism in the Central Rivers Area.

The National Forest is a well established ‘brand’, however the public are unaware of the Central Rivers Area at present.

Strong support with an average score of 1.70

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 76 There needs to be a wide range of tourist and visitor destinations in the Central Rivers Area in order to encourage new local employment and skills.

Support with an average score of 2.00

There is sufficient serviced accommodation (such as hotels or B&B’s) in the Central Rivers Area.

Strong disagreement with an average score of 3.71

There is sufficient non-serviced accommodation (camp sites, self catering etc) in the Central Rivers Area.

Strong disagreement with an average score of 3.88

The canals and canal tourism should be fully integrated into the strategy as they follow the valleys from Middleton in the south through to Burton in the north.

Strong support with an average score of 1.60

Links to nearby settlements from tourist facilities need to be strengthened.

Strong support with an average score of 1.80

7. Access

The river valleys have traditionally lacked public access beyond the road and public footpath network apart from on the urban washlands in Burton and Tamworth.

The A38 represents a significant barrier to access within the Central Rivers Area.

Some support with an average score of 2.56

The Trent and Tame rivers are barriers to access and there are few cross valley links.

Some support with an average score of 2.56

There is a demand for the development of linked paths, trails, circular walks and cycleways throughout the Central Rivers Area.

Strong support with an average score of 1.80

Former minerals sites should be used to provide access links to local communities.

Strong support with an average score of 1.80

Canals are an under-used resource in the Central Rivers Area.

Support with an average score of 2.12

Public transport does not serve the Central Rivers corridor from existing bus and train routes.

Some support with an average score of 2.50

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 77 8. Sport and recreation

The restoration of minerals sites to open water has provided many opportunities for water based recreation in the Central Rivers Area.

The mineral operators should be encouraged to develop restored sites for a wide range of water sports activities.

Support with an average score of 2.30

The valley should also be used to develop new land and air based sport and recreation activities.

Some support with an average score of 2.80

Noisy sports and recreation activities should be accommodated in the river valleys.

A closely balanced mix of disagreement and support with an average score of 2.90

Sports and active recreation add significantly to the tourism potential and identity of the Central Rivers Area.

Strong support with an average score of 1.80

9. Historic Environment

The Staffordshire County Council Historic Environment Records (HERs) has mapped a diverse range of historic, cultural and archaeological interests in the Trent and Tame valleys.

Continuing gravel extraction will seriously erode the existing historic environment of the Trent and Tame valleys.

Some support with an average score of 2.56

There are opportunities to interpret, present and actively promote the historical assets of the river valley.

Strong support with an average score of 1.89

The restoration and management of historic parklands should be encouraged in the Central Rivers Area.

Strong support with an average score of 1.70

The Central Rivers Strategy should build on work undertaken by the LANDshapes project in the National Forest in order to increase the understanding of the historic environment.

Strong support with an average score of 1.75

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 78 10. Agriculture

The importance of agriculture in the economy is in decline in the Trent and Tame valleys. Recent changes in farming practices and the threat to livestock from flooding incidents has further affected the farmed landscape.

Grazing of livestock could be introduced as a management tool on restored gravel workings.

Strong support with an average score of 1.60

Strong disagreement with an average score of 3.90

Agri-environment schemes should be encouraged throughout the valley in order to maximise the environmental benefits of farm land.

Strong support with an average score of 1.30

Farmers should be encouraged to diversify their activities to provide more facilities available to the public.

Strong support with an average score of 1.80

11. Involving people and communities

There are many good local examples of involving people in the creation and management of land based projects throughout the Central Rivers Area.

Volunteer organisations such as the National Memorial Arboretum, the Wildlife Trust, RSPB, and others should be encouraged to draw on local people to get involved in the Central Rivers project.

Strong support with an average score of 1.50

User groups and Friends groups could be developed further to support new and existing facilities and access opportunities throughout the Central Rivers Area.

Strong support with an average score of 1.60

Effective marketing and publicity for events, facilities and access should be coordinated so as to maximise the benefit for local communities and businesses in the Central Rivers Area.

Strong support with an average score of 1.90

Healthy living programmes (walking, growing vegetables, arts initiatives) and Environmental education (guided walks, visits, talks, events) should be encouraged and promoted through the Central Rivers project.

Strongly supported with an average score of 1.56

Identifying areas of strong support and disagreement

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 79 Analysis of scores enables us to identify issues where there is either strong support or strong disagreement. These are indicated in Table 1.

Strong support is registered for suggestions involving the coordination of restoration activities with regard to gravel workings and close working with the Environment Agency, the use of the CRA as a provider of green infrastructure, the important habitat benefits of gravel workings, the low awareness of the CRA ‘brand’, the integration of canal tourism into the strategy and the need for stronger links to the tourist facilities in nearby settlements, the demand for path and trail provision, the use of former minerals sites for enhancing community access, the significance of sports and recreation in the area’s tourism potential, the reality of opportunities to mobilise use of the historic assets of the river valley, the need to encourage the restoration of historic parklands in the CRA as well as a better understanding of the historic environment, the introduction of grazing as a management tool on restored gravel workings sites, the encouragement of farm diversification, the value of the volunteer route in fostering local involvement, the value of developing user and friends groups, and the value in encouraging and promoting healthy living programmes through the CRI.

Strong disagreement is recorded in a noticeably smaller of cases, for the suggestions that large scale distribution activity is appropriate, the lack of opportunities to view the valley landscape because of topography, the links between lost productive agricultural land, gravel workings and habitat losses, the adequacy of accommodation – service or non-serviced – in the CRA, and the need to prioritise the restoration of gravel workings to productive agricultural land.

Issues with a dispersion of reactions – in other words stakeholders where there is at least one in agreement or support and one in disagreement or resistance – can be isolated. These are indicated in Table 1. Standard deviations of above approximately 1.0 confirm this conclusion.

On this basis, the areas of variability relate to the extent of the CRA area, its value as a provider of green infrastructure, the value of large-scale mixed use developments, the identification of the CRA with the National Forest, the claim that topography is restricting, the habitat effects of losses of agricultural land through gravel workings, the significance of the A38 barrier, the barriers to access with the Trent and Tame rivers, public transport service levels, the use of the valleys for sport and recreation, the negativities of gravel extraction on the historic environment, and the degree to which restoration to agricultural land should be a priority.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 80 Conclusions

The survey provides an illuminating array of findings in terms of key CRI issues. On the basis of stakeholder views we are able to conclude that there are many areas of consensus, in some cases strong, and some areas of sensitivity. Together with other issues where there is a wide range of alternative reactions and views, this provides a solid basis for progressing the CRI strategy development.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 81 Appendix 2 Survey Results

Table A1 Stakeholder reactions

Issue statement Average score 2.30

2.30

The minerals core strategy should favour extensions to the existing operations rather than 2.44 commencing new workings with other operators. Existing and proposed gravel workings have a significant environmental impact on the 2.20 Central Rivers Area. The restoration of gravel workings should be coordinated to maximise the benefits of the 1.30 restored sites for the whole community and the local economy. The restoration of gravel workings should aim to reduce flooding in the Trent and Tame 1.40 valleys by working closely with the Environment Agency. The Central Rivers Area could be used to provide much of the ‘green infrastructure’ (parks, 1.70 public access, sports and recreation) for the expanding local populations. Large scale distribution warehouse developments adjacent to the A38 corridor are an 3.78 appropriate land use in and adjacent to the central rivers area. Large scale mixed use developments could contribute significantly to appropriate access and 2.75 recreation projects in the river valleys. The ‘new’ restored landscape of open water, reed beds and wet woodlands is more 2.11 attractive than the farmed landscape it has replaced. The valley bottom landscape acts as a valuable buffer to contain the expansion of adjacent 2.11 settlements. The Trent valley landscape is closely identified with the National Forest between Alrewas 2.89 and Burton. There are few opportunities to view the river valley landscape due to the lack of 3.40 topography. The gravel workings are providing important habitats for a wide variety of wildlife. 1.50 The wildlife of the Trent and Tame valley is increasing due to the continuing development 2.00 throughout the Central Rivers Area. The loss of productive agricultural land leads to a loss of habitat. 3.33 The National Forest is a well established ‘brand’, however the public are unaware of the 1.70 Central Rivers Area at present. There needs to be a wide range of tourist and visitor destinations in the Central Rivers Area 2.00 in order to encourage new local employment and skills. There is sufficient serviced accommodation (such as hotels or B&B’s) in the Central Rivers 3.71 Area. There is sufficient non-serviced accommodation (camp sites, self catering etc) in the Central 3.88 Rivers Area. The canals and canal tourism should be fully integrated into the strategy as they follow the 1.60 valleys from Middleton in the south through to Burton in the north. Links to nearby settlements from tourist facilities need to be strengthened. 1.80 The A38 represents a significant barrier to access within the Central Rivers Area. 2.56 The Trent and Tame rivers are barriers to access and there are few cross valley links. 2.56 There is a demand for the development of linked paths, trails, circular walks and cycleways 1.80 throughout the Central Rivers Area. Former minerals sites should be used to provide access links to local communities. 1.60 Canals are an under-used resource in the Central Rivers Area. 2.12 Public transport does not serve the Central Rivers corridor from existing bus and train 2.50 routes.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 82 The mineral operators should be encouraged to develop restored sites for a wide range of 2.30 water sports activities. The valley should also be used to develop new land and air based sport and recreation 2.80 activities. Noisy sports and recreation activities should be accommodated in the river valleys. 2.90 Sports and active recreation add significantly to the tourism potential and identity of the 1.80 Central Rivers Area. Continuing gravel extraction will seriously erode the existing historic environment of the 2.56 Trent and Tame valleys. There are opportunities to interpret, present and actively promote the historical assets of 1.89 the river valley. The restoration and management of historic parklands should be encouraged in the Central 1.70 Rivers Area. The Central Rivers Strategy should build on work undertaken by the LANDshapes project in 1.75 the National Forest in order to increase the understanding of the historic environment. Grazing of livestock could be introduced as a management tool on restored gravel workings. 1.60 3.90

Agri-environment schemes should be encouraged throughout the valley in order to 1.30 maximise the environmental benefits of farm land. Farmers should be encouraged to diversify their activities to provide more facilities available 1.80 to the public. Volunteer organisations such as the National Memorial Arboretum, the Wildlife Trust, RSPB, 1.50 and others should be encouraged to draw on local people to get involved in the Central Rivers project. User groups and Friends groups could be developed further to support new and existing 1.60 facilities and access opportunities throughout the Central Rivers Area. Effective marketing and publicity for events, facilities and access should be coordinated so 1.90 as to maximise the benefit for local communities and businesses in the Central Rivers Area. Healthy living programmes (walking, growing vegetables, arts initiatives) and Environmental 1.56 education (guided walks, visits, talks, events) should be encouraged and promoted through the Central Rivers project.

Note: average scores are based on the ten stakeholder responses received where 1 = strong agreement, 2 = agreement, 3 = neither agreement nor disagreement, 4 = disagreement, 5 = strong disagreement; strong support (less than 1.9) and strong disagreement (more than 3.25) is indicated by differentiating scores in either green or red. Scores shown in bold relate to issues where there was wide range of reactions with at least one stakeholder in agreement and one in disagreement.

Source: Stakeholders Survey, 2008

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 83 Appendix 2 Stakeholder Comments

This appendix sets outs any additional comments made by stakeholders as part of the survey.

1. The extent of the Central Rivers Area The question is perhaps misleading and should qualify the reference to the length of the Trent Valley as that part from Alrewas to Burton. CRI was never meant to go to Biddulph Moor. For example, the Staffordshire Washlands Project is an established partnership project that covers the River Trent from south of Stoke-on-Trent to the A38 east of Alrewas, where it meets the CRI.

Mineral extraction areas are the major focus for the CRI project, but not the only one. There are still significant opportunities from farmland, recreational areas and urban areas to complement the potential gains from appropriate after-use of minerals sites.

Should include canal corridors as these represent a ready made area of green open space in otherwise urban settings.

Priority habitats should also be included such as River Mease SSSI.

The mineral extraction sites will form an important part of the delivery of CRI aims and objectives but none of the mineral sites should contribute strongly to the overall strategy of what we want to deliver and the character of the landscape we want to see in this area.

Strongly support the extension of project to the limit of adjacent landscape projects (Transforming the Trent Valley in Derbyshire, and the Tame Valley Project, Warwickshire and the Staffordshire Washlands Project in Staffordshire).

OnTrent acts as an overarching strategic project, to develop and support landscape scale delivery projects along the Trent. We seek to work closely with all such projects, to deliver OnTrent aims throughout the valley.

The southern extension to the study area will include much of RSPB Middleton Lakes nature reserve, which seems logical. Further south, the wetlands of Kingsbury Water Park and EA’s Coton Lakes are also very significant wildfowl refuges and part of the same ecological unit. The project boundary is therefore drawn primarily along administrative lines and does not define an ecological unit.

There are also a number of major visitor attractions just south of the study area, including Drayton Manor, Kingsbury Water Park, Dosthill Waterski Lake and The Belfry – which need to be considered in any strategic tourism development plan. RSPB also plans to develop a major people-focused nature reserve at Middleton Lakes, right on the southern boundary, which they would like to see included as part of the project area (the visitor facilities being developed are mostly just over the county boundary in technically in Warwickshire).

2. Gravel extraction and restoration

In suitable situations, gravel extraction can be viewed as more beneficial for biodiversity, landscape and recreational opportunities than the previous land-use, but it does have an irreparable impact on the historical landscape and topography.

Impossible to give an answer about the environmental implications of a project without detailed project description. Mineral extraction may have a positive impact on the river corridor or may be extremely damaging depending on the way the work is undertaken.

Flooding which affects urban areas should be addressed; flooding of grassland areas is of benefit to breading waders.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 84 At present mineral workings do not have appositive impact on the environment, but obviously in the future, restoration plans will ensure that this is the case. It is important to get away from the case by case restoration if individual sites and have an overall strategy.

We are concerned that all gravel quarries are restored to high quality sites, for nature conservation, access and communities, whilst preserving as much historic environment as possible. There should be a balance of after use across the project area, and after use linked into the Trent valley more widely.

Site selection for extensions and new quarry sites should seek to avoid any particularly sensitive sites, whilst seeking areas where high quality restorations can be achieved.

Would like to see CRI act as a pilot, to develop effective mechanisms to achieve a balance of restoration needs across a large river based landscaped area. Working with planners, operators, specialists, interest groups and local communities.

The EA in the Trent Catchment Flood Management Plan has highlighted the Tame and Trent within the CRI area to have the potential to alleviate flood risk downstream, through a range of mechanisms, one being appropriate restoration of sand and gravel sites. It would be very useful for CRI to explore this in more detail.

Where gravel pit restoration has been carried out with BAP targets in mind there have been some significant gains, for example reedbed creation (though still small scale). There are one or two great examples of river restoration, for example at Middleton Lakes, by Hanson. Often though, the restoration is to low wildlife value farmland and assorted lakes - some of which have become important wildfowl refuges, which is great but not a BAP priority. There have also been attempts to create wet woodland but we have yet to see a really good example.

The RSPB would like to see priority given to proposals that can and will deliver large scale priority BAP habitats, particularly wet reebed, fen, wet woodland and wet grassland.

Opportunities to build in flood mitigation have been missed. Inert fill has been permitted at several sites which could have been developed as flood storage ‘washlands’.

3. Planning and development

This project area is an existing asset for local communities, towns and the region. It should not be viewed simply as a green lung to compensate for future developments.

Widespread development within the flood plane is heading for disaster. The flood plane is an integral part of the riverine system and must be protected. If this does not happen, at best it will lead to expensive damage of property and infrastructure, at worst, loss of life.

Large scale developments adjacent to the CR area should contribute to projects in the area, but development in the CR area would be inappropriate.

The CRI should focus on the sand and gravel industry, in terms of steering future development in the CRI area.

I am concerned that previously the CRI remit was too wide, and this compromised the delivery by the project officer. Whilst there are many useful things that could be done, and would be worthwhile, it is vital the CRI prioritises its work carefully, to items that will make a noticeable difference on the ground. A tight list of priorities and a work plan will make this easier to achieve.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 85 Development on the perimeter of the floodplain and within the CRI area is of interest to CRI partners as it provides the backdrop for the landscape, and there have been many inappropriate developments in recent years. A CRI policy to ensure sensitive development would be useful for the planning authorities to signup to, but I think this would be better done by the partnership more widely somehow, than for a project officer to develop (maybe through OnTrent even, we are working on a LDF policy at the moment!). Opportunities are available and possible for significant planning gain through general mixed-use development, but my preference would be for a project officer to seek planning gain through the mineral industry and the mineral plan directly, and keep other developers involvement to a minimum.

I am very sceptical of being able to influence planning authorities about general mixed development to any major degree, the mineral companies are much better positioned to deliver CRI objectives.

4. Landscape

It is subjective and different for each case, but improved arable farmland will generally be less attractive than wetlands.

The valley bottom shouldn’t merely be seen as a buffer, perhaps the entire catchments should.

The topography is quite flat, which hinders viewpoints.

As the farmed landscape has declined, with deterioration of hedgerows, canalisation of river etc., part of the CRI could therefore to be to improve floodplain farmland to “original” character, which many would find more attractive than restored gravel workings. We want a balance rather than one or the other.

There is not a strong link with the National Forest in this area. This is something the NF needs to develop in its engagement with the CRI.

Some areas are viewed from surrounding elevated locations and sometimes filtered views across the flat landscape are particularly important in establishing the visual character.

The statement implies that the valley bottom is a reason to stop development, rather than an asset to preserve and promote in its own right. Ideally, there should be a margin around the edge of the floodplain to buffer/protect it from adjacent development/inappropriate land use.

Viewpoints of the landscape are scarce, but they are along much of the Trent Valley, it is intrinsic to its character of being a large lowland river. I recall good views from the Catton Park estate in Derbyshire over the CRI area. A viewing tower in the long term would be a good visitor attraction.

There are great views of the Middleton lakes wetland form adjoining Dosthill.

5. Biodiversity

The biodiversity issues can only be assessed on a site-by-site basis, which depends on the condition of the land before extraction and that after restoration. Greater monitoring of sites over extended periods that include ‘before and after’ surveys would help to provide a more factual assessment. In the interim, a mid-point response is given.

Impossible to answer loss of habitat question as depends on type of agricultural practice undertaken pre extraction and site restoration post mineral extraction. In general loss of intensive agricultural land will be beneficial to biodiversity

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 86 There may be important habitats associated with productive agricultural land such as hedgerows, ponds and arable field margins that are lost, but restoration to wetland habitats may outweigh this loss.

The improved farming landscape of the area during the 70’s to 90’s was in general pretty poor for wildlife, as so much habitat removed/destroyed, particularly with respect to traditional floodplains habitats/wetlands. As far as I am aware, the diversity of habitats has increased, due mainly to gravel extraction. However, the nature conservation value is not as good as it could be, due to the very large size and depth of some of the pits with steep banks. The biodiversity value is highest in the margins, and the islands etc, so these should be maximised where possible. A compromise needs to be struck however, as need to ensure gravel remains viable/profitable.

Productive agricultural land can provide valuable habitat, if managed correctly, under for example a higher level stewardship agreement.

Gravel workings offer huge potential for the creation of BAP priority habitats, especially reedbed and wet woodland. There is also potential for wet grassland restoration although this generally requires considerable inert fill and very careful soil restoration.

There is important farmland wildlife in the area, and it is important to retain areas of farmland adjacent to the wetlands as many species use both habitats at different times of year or for different purposes. Lapwings for example, might breed on an arable field but take their chicks into the wetland.

6. Tourism Development

Although development of the permitted hotel at Barton Turns has not yet started, even prior to the Recession, the National Forest’s research has found that accommodation, particularly higher grade, is lacking in the area. The success of the overall development at Barton Turns, though, suggests that there is a demand to visit the area, if facilities exist. If there is a critical mass of attractions that makes a trip to the area worthwhile as a discrete destination, then overnight stays may well blossom and will need the supply of space. (Alton Towers extended its range of facilities and has become a ‘resort’, serviced by a major hotel development).

Canals must be included. Ready made green corridors.

Central Rivers provides a unique opportunity to create a linear water park which if carefully planned could be the catalyst for enhanced and new visitor facilities/attractions. If this happens it has the potential to become a visitor destination of regional significance which in turn will provide economic and social benefits to the settlements of Lichfield, Tamworth and Burton. The key message should be to create an attractive, diverse and interesting countryside that the public will want to visit, both local communities and people who will want to travel there. We would not support the creation of a huge visitor attraction throughout the area (Cotswold Water park for example), more a landscape that has a small network of sites of interest, with a certain amount of low key infrastructure (such as cafes, car parks, bird hides, accommodation). The canal could provide part of a walking circuit, using the tow path.

The area will be visited in the main by the local community, so good walking links and signposting are essential.

Central Rivers is certainly not a brand and never will be. I’m not sure the National Forest helps as quite a lot of the CRI area is outside the Forest. There might be some sort of thematic tourist brand that can be applied, but the key thing will be to establish the locale as a visitor destination with the right mix of attractions to appeal to people in the region and

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 87 beyond. We believe a quality restored landscape and wildlife rich habitats are an essential element of this more tourism-based economy.

Excellent green infrastructure is needed to get people from the transport arrival points and into the key sites. A green transport planning initiative would be very helpful.

7. Access

Train options are limited, even though a main line runs right through the area. Development of a passenger service between Burton & Lichfield, with a halt at Alrewas, could make rail more viable; currently, the only stations are at Burton and Tamworth.

The new NMA service has helped boost bus provision.

Careful planning of mineral restorations could provide a wide range of local and long distance green travel routes to complement existing options such as the National Cycleway and the Way for the Millennium.

Canals themselves are not underused, but as indicated earlier, there is not a link made to the CRI and therefore users are not aware of the Initiative. This will only come about as the Strategy delivers visitor interest in the area

The Trent Valley Way (TVW) is currently being finalised but will follow the Trent from Alrewas, over/under the A38 through the NMA then north on the west bank of the Trent up to Burton. A feasibility study is underway to consider the economic potential of this as a long distance walking route (contact for this work is Richard Weston - 07815 163035). It is being planned as a spine, to which a range of sites will be linked to circular routes and spurs to sites of interest for example (including canal, see above). A route off down the Tame, within the CRI would link with the TVW very well. Access under the A38 has been identified as a very hazardous black spot; we will be looking for ways to cross it safely during 2009.

As a general principal, we would support the involvement of communities at every stage, so they can benefit from the area in the long term. Access managed however, to maintain safety and restrict access to sensitive archaeological/ecological areas. Good quality interpretation required throughout, to tell people what they are looking at, how it got there and how it is managed.

8. Sport and recreation

Sports and recreation have a place within the project area, but should be appropriately zoned - and not entirely at the expense of biodiversity interests.

The original statement in this section indicates that there are a lot of recreation developments in the area. Is this correct? The point of the Strategy has been to coordinate recreational and ecological restoration. Noisy sports only as part of the strategy if appropriate for the area or site in question. Significance of sports and recreation depends on location

Sports based recreation using water is important, but the location and management has to be carefully selected and considered so that any areas of significant biodiversity interest are protected. There is demand in the Trent Valley more widely for motorised water sports, and I think it would be fair for one site to be selected and put forward as such. However, this should not necessarily be within the CRI area. A recreation audit of water-based sports within the valley has been considered, but it has not happened as yet due to funding issues. CRI could again assist with a pilot (in conjunction with OnTrent perhaps), looking at the demand for increased use in the Midlands.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 88 There is pressure for a water ski lake on all possible restorations. If one were selected, that would take the pressure off discussion for the others. I am aware of past discussions about water-skiing at Catholme I think, but don’t know what happened.

All activities need to be designed to consider the wildlife and landscape qualities of the area, and be promoted and managed accordingly.

It is important that the location for noisy activities and other sports and recreation are located away from the primary wildlife conservation zones as these activities can have considerable impact. Consideration also needs to be made for the provision of quiet relaxation away from noise and stress – which complements the wildlife conservation after-use well.

Air based sports can cause damaging disturbance to waterbirds.

9. Historic Environment

Caution needs to be taken as what is appropriate for different locations and that there is an appropriate balance for the uses.

A lot of archaeology is/has been destroyed/masked or hidden or un-interpretable, but there are opportunities for interpretation and presentation. Restoration lakes bear no resemblance to broad historic landscapes. There should therefore be additional focus on restoration back to represented in historical mapping. There are opportunities here such as flood meadows and sustainable farming in floodplains.

New book out by Tim Cooper ‘Laying the Foundations’. Looks at the history of the gravel industry of the River Trent, a good read! A great example of how the history of the gravel industry can be turned into something of relevance and interest to the general public.

10. Agriculture

Grazing is a useful tool if it’s the right grazing in the right place.

Mixed farming practice is not necessarily bad. Intensive agriculture should be avoided. Farmland forms an important part of a working landscape, and should be incorporated into the CRI vision. It brakes up the landscape, and should include habitats that link onto neighbouring land and gravel restorations, hedges, woodlands, streams, ditches etc.

In some parts of the Trent, in Nottinghamshire, the landscape is described as being one lake after another. We need to ensure this does not happen in the CRI and that a range of land uses, ie diverse restorations and farming create a diverse and attractive place to visit.

All land where possible should be managed under an agri-envionment scheme, to ensure habitats are managed sensitively, and to reduce the environmental impact of farming.

11. Involving people and communities

This is “fundamental to the project”.

I am unsure of the ‘marketable value’ of the name ‘Central Rivers’. I do not think promoting activity in the Central Rivers will necessarily attract people to visit. The National Forest marketing has been successful, as everyone knows where that is. I am not sure that would be so successful with the current name.

It might be better promoted under the Staffordshire County Council Tourism site, or another, or perhaps there should be a name change?

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 89 Additional comments

OnTrent acts as an umbrella/strategic project to promote sustainable management in the Trent Valley and it’s floodplain. We actively support and encourage local delivery projects at the local scale, of which the CRI is one.

Once the CRI is again established, there will be a series of delivery projects delivering landscape/access/biodiversity/access enhancements along almost the entire Trent Valley. OnTrent has committed to contributing to the CRI through the management/steering group, and by bringing expertise and external partner contribution/support when appropriate. OnTrent may also be able to work directly with CRI in some areas on specific projects if appropriate.

As mentioned before, the remit has the potential to be very wide. It is important that the scope of work for anyone employed is extremely tight, with specific actions and outputs identified. OnTrent can assist if required.

Central Rivers Area Strategy Update, December 2008 90