Annex A

RIVER KENNET SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST RESTORATION STUDY: EASTRIDGE ESTATE REACHES

FEASIBILITY STUDY

1. General Introduction

Natural England is the government‟s adviser on the natural environment. We provide practical advice, grounded in science, on how best to safeguard England‟s natural wealth for the benefit of everyone.

Our remit is to ensure sustainable stewardship of the land and sea so that people and nature can thrive. It is our responsibility to see that England‟s rich natural environment can adapt and survive intact for future generations to enjoy. We work with farmers and land managers; business and industry; planners and developers; national, regional and local government; interest groups and local communities to help them improve their local environment.

Many river SSSIs, or sections of river SSSIs, have had physical modifications to the channel that affect their optimal functioning as habitats for characteristic wildlife communities. These are recognised as Reasons for „Unfavourable Condition‟ - e.g. inappropriate dredging; inappropriate weirs, dams or other channel structures; and inland flood defence works. Natural England‟s SSSI Remedies programme includes „river restoration projects‟ as a mechanism for achieving „favourable condition‟.

Our objectives for „Favourable Condition‟ in SSSIs designated for river habitat have been set out in Common Standards agreed by the UK conservation agencies. They apply equally to SAC and SSSI designations and relate to the ability of the river (as a representative of its type) to provide favourable habitat conditions for the characteristic biological community, rather than conditions which might favour a particular species.

Natural England (NE) and the Environment Agency (EA) have produced a whole river restoration plan for the River Kennet Site of Special Scientific Interest. This is a catchment wide strategy identifying all those works necessary to restore favourable SSSI condition. Eastridge Estate is one of the reaches that is identified as suffering from poor instream habitat due to inappropriate weirs, dams and structures and historic dredging and land drainage activities.

The requirements of this study are to assess the opportunities for restoration and enhancement, including removal and/or modification of structures to enable fish passage through the entire reach. The results of this work will be used to take forward, in agreement with the landowner, a scheme to significantly improve the physical habitat within the SSSI.

2. Background

2.1 Site Location

The Eastridge Estate study area falls within Unit 1 of the River Kennet SSSI and contains the length of the SSSI that lies between West Lodge, Knighton and Chilton Foliat, near Hungerford, Berkshire. (Approximate Ordnance Survey Grid References SU288712 to SU323702). The study area includes the main channel of the River Kennet as well as several side channels of the River Kennet and drainage channels.

A location plan showing the study area is included as Figure 1 (see attached). For the purposes of this work the whole reach can be split into 4 units:

1 Chilton Foliat roadbridge (SU3228170230) to the Pumphouse (SU3080970493) 2 Pumphouse to Rags Hatches (SU3080970493) 3 Rags Hatches to Knighton Gauging Station (SU2951071023) 4 Knighton Gauging Station to West Lodge weir (SU2895871166)

2.2 Land Tenure and Land Management Details

There is one riparian owner and fishery within the study area. The reaches and adjacent water meadow/ floodplain land are privately owned. The contact details will be discussed with the successful contractor.

The main channel and some of the side channels are managed as an important commercial game trout fishery. A River Keeper is responsible for managing the fisheries.

The adjacent land is a mosaic of meadows, swamp, and scrub/ wet woodland. Part of this area is within the Chilton Foilat Meadows SSSI, and Kennet and Lambourn Floodplain SSSI/ SAC. The land has recently been included within an Environmental Stewardship Higher Level Scheme agri-environment agreement (1 August 2011- AG00361417).

A map showing the wetland SSSI can be found in Figure 2 (see attached).

The wetland meadow/swamp are partly fed by structures off the main river.

2.3 Ecology

The River Kennet is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, designated for its characteristic chalk stream habitats and associated species. Part of the adjacent floodplain is also within the Chilton Foliat Meadows SSSI and Kennet and Lambourn Floodplain SSSI / SAC, which are designated for wet woodland, swamp, fen, wet grassland habitat, breeding waders and Desmoulin‟s whorl snail. A plan showing the stretch of River Kennet SSSI, Chilton Foliat Meadows SSSI and Kennet and Lambourn Floodplain SSSI / SAC within the study area is included as Figure 1. The citations and further information are available from Natural England via the website or local contact.

2.4 Brief Description of Condition

The watercourses within the study area have been identified as generally having poor physical habitat. This varies in quality through the reaches but mostly falls short of the typical chalk stream characteristics for which the river SSSI is designated.

This is partly as a result of past channel modification and management, but also partly due to the current flow management through the operation of existing flow control structures. This affects the flow characteristics within the watercourses and has increased their impounded nature, resulting in reduced flow dependant habitat. As a consequence the watercourses have impoverished ecological value and limited potential.

In particular, the main channel of the SSSI is over wide, over dredged, impounded and silty i.e. is in “unfavourable” condition. As a consequence it is prone to a reduction in flow quantity and velocity, leading to an increase in silt deposition.

There is therefore a need to improve this length of the River Kennet SSSI and move it from “unfavourable” to “favourable” condition, without having an unacceptable impact on the wider environment.

Definitions: Favourable is taken here to mean a naturally functioning and self sustaining chalk stream that supports a full range of habitats characteristic of a chalk stream for the benefit of the whole biological community ( in channel, marginal and riparian flora and fauna).

Unfavourable is taken here to mean not having the conditions characteristic of a chalk stream.

2.5 Issues

Closely associated with the above problem are the following issues:-  Fish passage at flow control structures.  Interaction between the management of the river and adjacent land.

The hydrological needs to maintain or enhance the adjacent SSSI wetland SSSI/SAC habitat must be addressed. The contractor will be required to liaise with the conservation advisors and the relevant estate managers to ensure that proposals for riverine works are compatible and do not conflict with those for the wider floodplain and adjacent land management objectives. The proposals should seek to integrate existing catchment management initiatives where these address geomorphology and/or sediment management and run off where appropriate.

2.6 Study

As part of the overall plan to improve this length of the River Kennet SSSI, it is proposed to carry out a study to investigate the current situation and the measures associated with implementing, where appropriate, future management and restoration, that will address the condition and issues listed above.

This brief details the requirements for the feasibility study. The output from this will enable Natural England in partnership with the Environment Agency to discuss the costed restoration proposals with the landowner.

Further studies and final detailed design work may be necessary in order to implement the agreed restoration proposals. The requirements for this would need to be determined and detailed in a separate implementation project.

3. Statement of Requirement

Unit by unit (as described in section 2.1):

1 Identify those structures where fish (all fish species) passage is not possible or where it could be significantly improved

2 Describe the ecological condition of each reach, noting the possibility of or presence of protected or other important species that may be impacted by the works. Identify other issues and key constraints that are affecting SSSI condition.

3 Identify existing structures that are causing significant ecological impacts – impounding flow and associated impacts, primarily sediment transport and velocity. Propose solutions taking into account the following:

 Potential impacts on associated protected or important river and floodplain habitat and if this impact can be mitigated for and how.  Potential impacts on existing management infrastructure eg stock ponds, weed pits etc, and if this could be mitigated for and how eg alternative feeds, or changes to existing structures e.g lowering cills.

 Any minor tributaries/ channels that may be compromised by a drop in stage level of the river

 Prioritisation, based on ecological value, of which watercourses are the most important to maintain the flow required and provide any mitigation e.g. re-grade profile.

Note: When assessing the structures the principles below should be followed:

 Where structure removal is part of the preferred option and the solution requires a replacement structure, this replacement structure must allow dynamic change i.e. be able to move, modify and diversify over time.

 Structure removal cannot be seen in isolation from habitat improvements upstream and downstream. This must be considered in the overall designs.

 If the structure is itself of significant heritage value then options to bypass the structure should be considered.

4 Identify areas of poor physical habitat and identify restoration techniques most likely to be successful (e.g. channel narrowing, reprofiling, bed raising). Describe and discuss the potential constraints and opportunities to include eg access difficulties, protected species( e.g water vole, otter, Desmoulin‟s whorl snail) and adjacent habitats, potential on-site sourcing of materials. Where significant constraints may exist discuss alternatives.

Produce concept designs for each reach. These will be provided in sufficient detail for the purposes of landowner consultation. Full detailed implementation designs are not required at this stage. The likely benefits of the proposed restoration measures should be clearly described.

5 On a reach by reach basis provide maps identifying all relevant impacts, areas of poor physical habitat, and highlight favoured restoration techniques as well as constraints and opportunities. (To include adjacent floodplain areas where affected by the proposed works.)

6 Provide approximate costs, noting where relevant, if local sourcing of materials will provide cost savings over bring materials in.

7 Provide an appropriate and sensible outline programme of works.

8 Quantify the predicted reduction in impounding effect along length (in metres) and height of rivers (in centimetres) at their maximum. Quantify and map the overall habitat improvement – number of features that would be created and length of river improved. Produce a tabulated “balance sheet” of loss and gain for the each unit and the overall length. This should clearly demonstrate overall gain from the selected option. The table should also quantify, where possible, and describe other ecosystem benefits gained i.e. amenity, fishing, flood risk reduction etc and what success criteria could be used against which to judge the scheme. 9 If necessary identify any extra work that may be required, prior to final detailed specification design, to assess any potential impacts eg flow/hydrological modelling to ensure no associated protected habitats are affected by the proposed works.

4. Information

In carrying out the feasibility study, the chosen supplier should make reference to and take into account existing information as well as the new information collected.

The following existing information is available from the Natural England or Environment Agency contact:  Location plan - see Figure 1.  SSSI /SAC boundaries - see Figure 2.  SSSI / SAC information  Whole river restoration plan for the River Kennet and River Lambourn SSSI, Environment Agency, 2011  “Water Level Management Plan for The River Kennet SSSI”, Environment Agency, November 1999.  “Conservation Site Database”, Environment Agency, latest version, (continuously being updated).  “River Kennet Nature Conservation Objectives”, English Nature, latest version.  Chilton Foliat Meadows SSSI Water level management plans  National guidelines for the restoration of physical and geomorphological favourable condition on River SSSI‟s in England (Nov 2010)

5. Outputs

A technical written report detailing the ecological and physical assessment undertaken, existing management, restoration proposals and costs etc as set out in Section 3. The report should include clear maps, tables, diagrams, illustrations and photographs to aid interpretation of the findings and description of the proposals.

Two hard copies of the final agreed report are required in addition to electronic format.

6. Timescale

It is intended that this study will commence as soon as possible following contract award by early December 2011. The draft report should be provided by 10 February 2012 and the final report by 29 February2012.

The timescale should be reflected in the project management programme. Final timescales for elements of work shall be agreed at the inception meeting with Natural England and Environment Agency.

7. Health and Safety Requirements

The contractor will be required to operate safe systems of work at all times in the context of an appropriate Health and Safety Policy Statement, appropriate risk assessments and working procedures to a standard no less than Natural England operates for its own staff. Health and safety procedures must be in place, especially where surveyors are working alone.

Safe working procedures must have been discussed and provided to the project officer before commencement of the contract. Please note that this contract involves working near or in water. Risk assessments covering the terrain of the SSSI will be issued to the successful contractor. You should enclose your own risk assessments for the work being done with your offer.

Contractors are also required to submit the following:

 Copy of Environmental Policy Statement  Copy of Health and Safety Policy  Risk assessment for each task

8. Sustainability and Environmental Considerations

Natural England is committed to incorporating sustainability in the heart of its procurement operations, in contribution to meeting its Strategic Direction targets and ensuring we spend taxpayers' money efficiently and sustainably.

The contractor will at all times consider the environmental impact of their work and that of any supplies and should bear in mind the need for ecological alternatives, where appropriate and ensure compliance with Natural England standards. Account should be taken at all times of the site status, and measures taken to keep the environmental impact of all operations to a minimum.

The methods of transport used to undertake this contract should be stated; this will be considered at the evaluation of the contract.

In your offer, please state what initiatives you have implemented to ensure that as a consultant/company you are doing everything possible to be environmentally friendly and reduce the carbon footprint.

Enclose with your offer a copy of your Environmental Policy Statement.

9. Payment

After satisfactory completion of the contract an invoice, quoting the purchase order number, shall be submitted to Natural England, DFSSD Accounts Payable, PO Box 92, Lion House, Willowburn Ind. Estate, ALNWICK. NE66 9AR.

10. Project management

The Nominated Officer for the project is: Xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx, Land Management and Conservation Lead Adviser, Wiltshire and Cranborne Chase Land Management Team, Natural England, First Floor, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, BRISTOL BS1 6EB,

Tel:xxxxxxxxxxxxx, Mobile xxxxxxxxxxxxx, email:xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx

Environment Agency Contact

Xxxxxx xxxxx, Conservation Officer, Environment Agency, Red Kite House, Howberry Park, Wallingford,OXON, OX10 8BD, Tel:xxxxxxxxxx. Email: xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx @environment – agency.gov.uk