RGA Denver Complex Visioning Study
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Denver Complex Visioning Study RICHARD GLEN RGA ASSOCIATES July 2015 ‘All rights reserved. Copyright Richard Glen Associates 2015’ Richard Glen Associates has prepared this report in accordance with the instructions of their clients, the Environment Agency, IRUWKHLUVROHDQGVSHFL¿FXVH$Q\RWKHUSHUVRQVZKRXVHDQ\ information contained herein do so at their own risk.’ Denver Complex Visioning Study On behalf of July 2015 Prepared by Summary of Visioning Study for Denver Complex Contents 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Key Objectives 1 1.2 Study Area 1 1.3 A Brief Description of the Denver Complex 1 1.4 Methodology 2 ,QFHSWLRQ0HHWLQJ %ULH¿QJ 2 1.4.2 Site Visits, data Collection & Analysis 2 1.4.3 Document Research & Project Integration 3 1.4.4 Development of Draft Proposals 3 1.5 Sustainable Approach 3 2.0 Phase 1 Proposals 4 3.0 Phase 2 Proposals 6 4.0 Phase 3 Proposals 8 5.0 Phase 4 Proposals 9 6.0 Stakeholder Mangement & Consultation 10 6.1 Stages of Consultation 10 6.1.1 Phase 1: 10 6.1.2 Phase 2: 11 6.1.3 Phase 3: 11 6.1.4 Phase 4: 11 7.0 Main Points from the Consultation Exercise 11 7.1 Environment Agency Staff Seminar 11 7.2 Stakeholder Workshop 12 7.3 Open Drop in Exhibition 12 8.0 Summary of Main Recommendations 14 9.0 Next Steps 14 10.0 Potential Funding Sources 15 11.0 Indicative Costings 20 Summary of Visioning Study for Denver Complex 1.0 Introduction 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Key Objectives 1.3 A brief description of the Denver Complex The Environment Agency (EA) is a partner in the Ouse The key objectives of the Visioning Study are: The role of Denver in drainage and flood protection Washes Landscape Partnership (OWLP), a Heritage • Integrate where possible existing land and water uses stretches back to the mid Seventeenth Century when the Lottery Fund project managed by Cambridgeshire ACRE. within future proposals, paying particular attention Dutch engineer Vermuyden began large-scale drainage of The OWLP works with a wide range of partners to promote to the Denver Complex’s crucial operational roles the Fens, including the construction of the New Bedford the Ouse Washes landscape as a destination whilst in flood protection, drainage, navigation and water (Hundred Foot) River. The main Denver Sluice was maintaining the valuable natural and cultural heritage supply. rebuilt and improved in the eighteenth and nineteenth of this unique working landscape. In December 2014 centuries and a navigation lock added. Over the years • Capitalise on the Complex as a sustainable the Environment Agency commissioned Richard Glen further sluices have been constructed to control water in recreation, tourism and transport resource and Associates to prepare a Visioning Study for the Denver the Ouse Washes landscape resulting in what is probably identify further physical heritage and environmental Complex as part of the EA’s contribution to the Ouse one of the largest sluice complexes in the UK. improvements, which can provide and sustain new Washes Landscape Partnership. jobs and economic opportunities. There are important stories to be told about the history The Visioning Study is one of twenty-five themed projects • Develop the Complex as a hub site for recreation, and gradual development and re-modelling of the Denver which aim to raise awareness of the Ouse Washes heritage interpretation, navigation and community Complex over the centuries. These stories include what landscape area and encourage an active participation in facilities. the original Fenland landscape was like prior to drainage, celebrating and enhancing its heritage, both by involving what it was like to live there, and the impacts of drainage local people and by encouraging more people to visit. The 1.2 The Study Area on local communities and the landscape. What were the Visioning Study aims to help the EA, its key stakeholders The area of study centres on Denver Complex and priorities of those who initiated the drainage and those and partners to deliver sustainable regeneration of the considers its wider context within the Ouse Washes who opposed it, for example, the Fen Tigers who did Denver Complex and its surroundings, to become a landscape. The Study has regard to nearby land uses, not wish to see their way of life change and who took tourist hub and northern gateway to the Ouse Washes local transport routes and links with access routes such advantage of the confusion during the English Civil War landscape. as a National Cycle Route, bridleways and footpaths. to sabotage the drainage systems. These stories all It encompasses local settlements, particularly Denver contribute to the considerable heritage of the Complex village and Downham Market, and links with other local and its surrounding area. attractions and local businesses. The 1920s saw Denver Sluice itself enlarged and improved and begin to take its present shape. There have always been problems with siltation in the Tidal River Great Ouse which impacts on the efficient operation of the sluices and on navigation. A major desilting exercise took place in 2008 and a jetting system has been installed on the Sluice gates. Options for managing the Tidal River over the next 100 years are regularly reviewed. Summary of Visioning Study for Denver Complex 1 1.0 Introduction 1.4 Methodology There are a number of major drainage systems which The Complex is manned 24 hours a day and 365 days In developing the Visioning Study the main elements were: converge on Denver, including the New Bedford River, of the year by two full-time staff who live on site. They ,QFHSWLRQ0HHWLQJ %ULH¿QJ the Ely Ouse, the Old Bedford River, the Ouse Washes monitor water levels and adjust sluices to manage the The Environment Agency had already established Reservoir, the Tidal River leading to the Wash and the levels and the Essex Water Transfer scheme. D 3URMHFW 0DQDJHPHQW *URXS MRLQWO\ ZLWK RI¿FHUV open sea, the Cut-off Channel and the Flood Relief The Ouse Washes landscape stretches for 30km from from EA teams and Ouse Washes Landscape &KDQQHO 'HQYHU &RPSOH[ FRQWUROV WKH ÀRZ IURP WKH Earith in the south west to the John Martin Sluice at Partnership staff, to direct its involvement with OWLP. non-tidal Ely Ouse into the tidal section of the Great Welmore Lake, 2.5 km south west of Denver. The (Staff attended from the following EA departments: Ouse at the point where the New Bedford River joins the &RPSOH[LVVXUURXQGHGE\WKUHHÀRRGVWRUDJHUHVHUYRLUV Waterways, Operations, Asset Performance, Estates, Tidal River Great Ouse. It also prevents the tide from which were constructed in the late 1940’s. The Ouse Catchment Management, Fisheries & Biodiversity). WUDYHOOLQJ XS WKH (O\ 2XVH DQG ÀRRGLQJ ODQG PXFK RI Washes are internationally designated as an important An Inception Meeting was held to clarify the Study’s which is below sea level. habitat for birds, and there is a legal obligation under objectives. This provided a source of information Navigation is possible on many of these waterways; European law to keep them in ‘favourable condition’. They about opportunities and issues including operational access to and from the Tidal River Great Ouse to the are home to a number of nature reserves, managed by matters, which gave an understanding of the wider Ely Ouse is via the navigation lock in Denver Sluice. RSPB in the south of the Washes, and the Wildlife and context of the Ouse Washes landscape. The Project Additionally the lock at Salters Lode allows navigation Wetland Trust at Welney. Management Group continued to act as the client from the Tidal River into Well Creek and the Middle Level The operation of the system at Denver therefore affects group throughout the Study. System. At Standground Lock, the Middle Level System PDQ\ LQWHUHVWV LQFOXGLQJ ÀRRG SUHYHQWLRQ UHFUHDWLRQ 1.4.2 Site Visits, Data Collection & Analysis joins the River Nene and connects with the UK’s main heritage tourism, conservation, navigation, watersports, waterway network. A number of visits were made to the Complex and ¿VKHULHV ,QWHUQDO 'UDLQDJH %RDUGV ZDWHU DEVWUDFWLRQ other key local sites to conduct a visual analysis and The Ely Ouse gives access to the River Lark, Little Ouse, and local residents. Achieving the right balance between a strategic review of the study area. The range of Wissey and Cam navigations. A lock was built into the these interests is a requirement of managing the Complex. waterways and landscapes were assessed together Relief Channel at the Complex in 2001 which connects It can be seen that the word ‘complex’ is well-used in its with their existing and potential uses. Visits with the the Ely Ouse to the Flood Relief Channel and permits application to Denver! The complexity of its functions, client team helped to gain an understanding of the non-tidal navigation to Downham Market and as far as its large and impressive engineering structures, the opportunities and constraints presented. the Tail Sluice at Saddlebow near Kings Lynn. complicated system of waterways and the fascinating 1.4.3 Document Research & Project Integration In addition, a Water Transfer Scheme was constructed account of how it all works in its essential role in protecting Desktop study analysed documents and websites in the 1970s to take surplus water from the Ely Ouse WKH)HQODQGODQGVFDSHIURPÀRRGLQJPDNHVWKH'HQYHU relating to the Complex, the Ouse Washes Landscape ZKLFKZRXOGRWKHUZLVHÀRZLQWR7KH:DVKWRUHVHUYRLUV Complex a unique place to visit. Partnership, strategic plans, tourism and heritage in Essex. information etc, setting the Visioning Study in its local and strategic contexts. 2 Summary of Visioning Study for Denver Complex 1.0 Introduction 1.4.4 Development of Draft Proposals 6WDNHKROGHU(QJDJHPHQW 6XVWDLQDEOH$SSURDFK Draft proposals were prepared and discussed initially Results of previous consultations regarding Denver A holistic approach was taken to the Complex’s ZLWK($RI¿FHUVSULRUWRSUHVHQWDWLRQWRZLGHUVWDNHKROGHU Complex itself and the wider Ouse Washes landscape multi-functional role, its context and its operational groups.