ELA' So-'TVV v^esrv u.cr^ps. S f^cisJkzs local environment agency plan HAMPSHIRE AVON PLAN from April 2000 to March 2005 SALISBURY CHRISTCHURCH En v ir o n m e n t Ag e n c y Additional copies Further copies of this Plan can be obtained from: The LEAP Team Environment Agency Rivers House Sunrise Business Park Higher Shaftesbury Road Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 8ST Tel: 01258 456080 Fax: 01258 455998 General Enquiries For general information about the work of the Environment Agency, or information about a specific matter, please contact our Customer Contact Team at the Blandford Office Tel: 01258 456080 The Internet For general information about the Environment Agency please visit our website at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk Environment Agency Copyright Waiver This report is intended to be used widely, and may be quoted, copied or reproduced in any way, provided that the extracts are not quoted out of context and that due acknowledgement is given to the Environment Agency. Maps are reproduced from Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 scale map by the Environment Agency with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infrinqes Crown Copyriqht and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number GD 031 77G. Published May 2000 Map 1 - Hampshire Avon Plan Area and District and County Boundaries ENVIRONMENT AGENCY 125084 Foreword The Hampshire Avon is the longest river with the largest catchment on the south coast. It is important as a drainage channel, fishery, wildlife conservation resource and recreational amenity. The future management of this, one of Europe's few chalk rivers, will be heavily influenced by the work of the Agency, and this is their plan for the river and its tributaries during the next five years. The Agency is responsible for the quality and quantity of water which flows down the river, for authorising abstraction of water for, among other uses, drinking and irrigation and for discharges into the river from the towns, villages, farms and factories along its course. The management of the important fresh water fishery, the conservation of important species like the native crayfish, otter and water voles, the rich heritage of water meadows and archaeology, these are all matters in which the Agency has a leading role. There are wider issues addressed here as well, climate change, the impacts of soil erosion and farming practices and the future provision of drinking water, for example. Throughout this document though, the emphasis is on partnership, with other statutory bodies, with local authorities, societies and interest groups, but above all, with those who live by, use, visit or just enjoy the area. Dr John Day Chairman, South Wessex Area Environment Group of the Environment Agency Vision Vision The LEAP area contains some of the finest landscape in the country and is home to a magnificent variety of wildlife, in many cases of national and international importance. The central feature is the Hampshire Avon, one of England's most famous rivers immortalised by many in word and picture and a key part of our heritage. Indeed its importance to the landscape and associated wildlife is recognised by its designation as a European Special Area for Conservation and as a Site of Special Scientific Interest over a significant proportion of its length. The unique nature of the area is important to all those who live and work in it, and to those that visit it for enjoyment. However, all these uses must be balanced to allow the area to retain its special character whilst recognising that it is an evolving area which faces the challenges of economic growth. This inevitably places a number of pressures on the environment ranging from the need for drinking water, land required for development, the disposal of waste generated by society, amenity pressures and the effect of emissions to the atmosphere. All these are essential requirements but their impact on the environment and ways to mitigate them must be considered. Following extensive consultation the LEAP Plan recognises those places where there is a great deal of work to be done. In some instances this is to reverse past actions or in other instances to maintain and improve the area. We would like to see the: • development and achievement of suitable targets to maintain the diversity of wildlife in the area • maintenance of ecologically acceptable flows in the Hampshire Avon and its tributaries • maintenance of ecologically acceptable water quality in the Hampshire Avon and its tributaries • use of innovative techniques to ensure that land use does not damage the environment (especially with regard to pollution, the disposal of waste and the risk of flooding) • sustainable and balanced use of the area for quiet enjoyment and recreational uses consistent with the internationally important status of the area • dissemination of environmental information to inform and educate all sectors about the area • development of existing and new partnerships with interested groups Some of the actions we will undertake are required of us by statute. In addition we would like to undertake others if our resources permit. Although the LEAP is not a statutory document it aims to influence other decision-makers and reinforce the Agency message to all those with an interest and a say in environmental management. The LEAP also promotes partnership activities. Working together will help us to achieve the required targets in a sustainable way for the benefit of all those who use this very special area. HAMPSHIRE AVON LEAP Contents Contents 1. In troduction 1 1.1 The Environment Agency 1 1.2 Local Environment Agency Plans 2 1.3 The Area Environment Group 2 2. Description of the Plan Area 3 3. Activity Tables 5 3.1 Enhancing biodiversity 6 3.2 Securing future water supplies 17 3.3 Impact of public water supply abstractions on the Hampshire Avon 19 3.4 Constraints on fish populations 21 3.5 Loss and decline in the value of the floodplain habitat 25 3.6 The potential impact of development on the environment 29 3.7 Developing strategies for sustainable waste management 30 3.8 Illegal waste disposal 33 ^ 3 .9 Impact of sewage and sewerage on water quality 33 ^^3.10 The effect of nutrients on the catchment 34 *k3.11 Impact of land use on water quality 37 ^ 3.12 Impact of unknown causes on water quality 40 3.1 3 Emergency response to fluvial and tidal flooding 40 3.14 Need to protect features of archaeological interest 41 3.15 Lack of recreational opportunity within the area 42 3.16 Dealing with the potential effects of climate change on the environment 43 4. A Better Environment through Partnership 45 4.1 Working with regional government 45 4.2 Working with local planning authorities 45 4.3 Coastal zone management plans 47 4.4 Shoreline management plans 48 4.5 Working with the water industry 48 4.6 Local Agenda 21 50 4.7 Working with the Ministry of Defence 50 4.8 Working with farmers and landowners 50 4.9 Working with business 51 4.10 Conservation 52 4.11 Development of recreation 52 4.12 Education 52 4.13 Make a difference environmental improvement projects 52 4.14 Public registers and access to environmental information 53 5. Summary of public consultation 54 5.1 General comments 54 5.2 Managing our water resources 55 5.3 Managing our freshwater fisheries 57 5.4 Enhancing biodiversity 59 5.5 Conserving the land • * 59 5.6 Managing waste 61 5.7 Delivering integrated river-basin management 61 5.8 Improving air quality 63 B IH M HAMPSHIRE AVON LEAP Contents 6. Appendices 64 6.1 Duties, powers and interests of the Environment Agency 64 6.2 Guide to the Consultation Draft and LEAP Plan 68 6.3 Biodiversity in the LEAP Area 69 6.4 EC Habitats and EC Birds Directive 71 6.5 Draft biodiversity targets for the lower Avon Valley 74 6.6 The setting and maintenance of water quality targets 75 7. Glossary 78 8. References 82 HAMPSHIRE AVON LEAP III HAMPSHIRE AVON LEAP 1. Introduction 1.1 The Environment Agency Our vision is: • a better environment in England and Wales for present and future generations Our aims are: • to achieve major and continuous improvements in the quality of air, land and water • to encourage the conservation of natural resources, animals and plants • to make the most of pollution control and river-basin management • to provide effective defence and warning systems to protect people and property against flooding from rivers and the sea • to reduce the amount of waste by encouraging people to re-use and recycle their waste • to improve standards of waste disposal • to manage water resources to achieve the proper balance between the country's needs and the environment • to work with other organisations to reclaim contaminated land • to improve and develop salmon and freshwater fisheries • to conserve and improve river navigation • to tell people about environmental issues by educating and informing • to set priorities and work out solutions that society can afford We will do this by: • being open and consulting others about our work • basing our decisions around sound science and research • valuing and developing our employees • being efficient and businesslike in all we do The Environment Agency has a wide range of duties and powers relating to different aspects of environmental management. These duties are described in more detail in Appendix 6.1. While many of these interests are supported by statutory duties, much of the Agency's work is advisory, with the relevant powers resting with other bodies such as local planning authorities.