WTF186 FOR INFORMATION WARD(S): TOWN

WINCHESTER TOWN FORUM

13 MARCH 2013

A WATER VOLE TRAIL TO WINNALL MOORS

REPORT OF HEAD OF LANDSCAPE AND OPEN SPACES

Contact Officer: DAMIAN OFFER Tel No: 01962 848 419

RECENT REFERENCES:

CAB1711 – River Itchen Improvements - 18 Nov 2008

PHD461 – River Itchen Maintenance – 29 Jan 2013

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Winnall Moors Restoration Project is a five year £1.3m partnership project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Now in its fifth year, the project has undertaken an ambitious programme of habitat restoration, access improvements and public engagement, which have achieved national recognition and acclaim.

The southern part of the reserve, which has open public access, is leased by the Council to the & IOW Wildlife Trust, who undertake all management, public engagement and education activities. This area is accessed through the wooden arch from Durngate Place and a footbridge from North Walls Recreation Ground. Hosting rich and internationally important wildlife & habitats, the reserve is a valuable natural green-space and is quite unique given its close proximity to a busy city centre. It is regularly publicised as a ‘wildlife oasis in the heart of the city’.

Despite receiving notable footfall from visitors, the reserve lacks a physical and publicly recognised link with the city centre. The inherent natural and cultural link between the city, the River Itchen and former water meadow landscape at Winnall Moors provides a significant opportunity for education and quiet recreation. The reserve’s proximity to the ward of Winnall also provides this part of the city with a sense of place and connection with the city. The Heritage lottery Fund has agreed that the Wildlife Trust may allocate c. £40k from the Winnall Moors Restoration Project for the development of a circular interpretative trail between Abbey Gardens and Winnall Moors. The trail would provide a high quality interpretative, artistic and activity based theme to direct people to Winnall Moors, building recognition and ownership of the reserve and river environment through the city while widening the visiting audience. The trail would help to expand wider activities and public attractions in Winchester with an emphasis on protection and enjoyment of the natural environment.

This report will be accompanied by a presentation from Martin de Retuerto, Winnall Moors Project Officer from Hampshire and Wildlife Trust, which will provide further details of the project.

RECOMMENDATION:

That Town Forum notes the proposals in this report and confirms its support for the Water Vole Trail Project.

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WINCHESTER TOWN FORUM

21 March 2013

A WATER VOLE TRAIL TO WINNALL MOORS

REPORT OF HEAD OF LANDSCAPE AND OPEN SPACES

DETAIL:

1.1 Trail Concept - A series of interpretative, sensory and artistic installations leading from Abbey Gardens, passing via the National Trust’s City Mill, Water Lane and Friarsgate to Winnall Moors Nature Reserve. The trail would be multi-functional, acting as it own feature of interest centred on the river environment, while leading visitors to Winnall Moors. The entire route would follow the river, directing visitors into the reserve and completing the trail at a viewing point along Red Hole Stream (prime water vole spotting location; the subject for a BBC Countryfile feature in 2011). The trail would be carefully developed to ensure that all installations, waymarkers and interpretation were clearly linked and consistent with the trail, as well as being consistent with the special character and qualities of Winchester.

1.2 Audiences – Families with young children & school groups, such as Winnall Primary School who already partake in a range of activities with the Trust. The interpretive element would appeal to a range of adults, particularly external visitors or tourists seeking something different and more creative. The Tourist Information Centre, located next to Abbey Gardens would be perfectly placed to promote the trail, and direct visitors. The Centre could also hold associated literature and family activity packs. The trail and nature reserve is suitable for low mobility users and should be promoted accordingly given the limited opportunities for such users to connect with the natural environment.

1.3 Educational – Through the HLF project family ‘tracker’ packs are under development. These provide fun and interesting activities for families to do while visiting the nature reserve. Water Vole Trail tracker packs would be linked to progression along the trail. For example, rubbings and sensory elements would provide as field sign markers, which, along with more traditional interpretation, would help to focus attention on the river and its special qualities. The Tourist information Centre and/or City Mill are ideal depositories for this resources.

1.4 Partner Projects – Urban channel enhancements – Running parallel with this proposal, the Council’s Access & Infrastructure Dept have commissioned Wessex Land & Water to undertake an innovative channel habitat enhancement scheme along the river reaches at Abbey Gardens & Friarsgate (CAB1711 and PHD461 refer). These enhancements will seek to improve the visual aesthetics of the modified and degraded channels and enhance their

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ecological/wildlife potential. Such channels form an important feature and backdrop to the urban environment and can greatly improve the general public’s appreciation and connection with the local natural environment. Past flood defence and town planning policies have failed to value such features and have contributed much to the degraded characteristics observed. The timing and relevance of the Water Vole Trail to the Councils channel enhancement proposal is significant, the projects offering added value and in- kind contributions to each other. The Water Vole Trail would be used as a platform to engage the public and promote physical channel (habitat) enhancements as part of the wider trail. Given the clear synergies between both projects, the Trust has been asked to manage the delivery of river enhancement project on behalf of the Council.

1.5 Quality of living – As well as promoting a theme of healthy living, the trail passes through residential areas at Water Lane & Friarsgate. The trail has great potential to enhance the aesthetic value of the river in these areas and promote the river as an asset to the community alongside. There is scope for developing the trail further beyond the HLF project to maximise the link with the trail and use of urban spaces within.

1.6 Business – The Trail provides an innovative platform with which local businesses cab associate themselves and promote the special qualities of Winchester’s natural river heritage. Notably, this applies to businesses over Bridge Street and at Durngate Place; areas that may arguably be limited by current footfall of visitors, tourists etc. Such establishments include several restaurants, pubs and cafes, which are well positioned to promote the theme of sustainability through their respective links with the trail.

PROPOSALS

1.7 The development of a ‘Water Vole Trail’ leading to Winnall Moors from Abbey Gardens, providing a high quality interpretive, artistic and activity based theme to direct people to Winnall Moors, building recognition of the reserve and river environment through the city and widening the visiting audience.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

2 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY AND CHANGE PLANS (RELEVANCE TO):

2.1 The proposed dedication of these five fields will contribute to securing the following Community Strategy outcomes:

Active Communities

Theme 1 - People play an active role in their community and help shape how resources are used to deliver local services.

Theme 5 - Reduce health inequalities which exist between different communities, and provide opportunities for everyone to become more

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active through organised sport, walking, cycling and other recreational activities

High Quality Environment

Theme 2 - Protect and enhance the District’s rich biodiversity and habitats

Theme 3 - Protect and improve our landscapes and townscapes

3 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS:

3.1 Other than officer time in the project steering group, there are no resource implications for the Council.

3.2 The Heritage Lottery Fund will provide £40k for the delivery of this project.

4 RISK MANAGEMENT ISSUES

4.1 There are no significant risks for the Council associated with this project.

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:

None

APPENDICES:

None