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Landscape Conservation Action Plan Part 1

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Landscape Conservation Action Plan Part 1 Landscape Conservation Action Plan Part 1 1 Figure 1 The Nene Valley in mid-spring (Alison Cross, RNRP) Foreword Stuart Orme, Chair Nenescape Landscape Partnership Board Bookended by Northampton and Peterborough, the Nenescape LPS area covers some 198km2 of landscape, following the course of the River Nene in the very heart of England. On the surface this would seem to be an archetypal English landscape of river meadows, woodland, farmland, villages and market towns. However, the Nene Valley is an ever-changing landscape, both affecting and changed by the people who have chosen to settle here over the last three millennia. What makes this landscape unique is the consistent pattern of migration here by different communities, from prehistoric settlers, Romans, Saxons and Vikings, to London overspill and EU citizens in more recent times. Each community has left its impact on the area physically and culturally, often leaving behind evidence of national and international significances. Change also means that it is vitally important to record, understand and interpret this area at a time when it is evolving rapidly, to provide a sense of place and belonging for those moving into this area and existing residents alike, or to encourage more visitors and tourists to explore this landscape. 2 Figure 2 Looking south towards the River Nene and gravel pits (Alison Cross, RNRP) Introduction This document is the manual which will guide and inform the work of the Nenescape Landscape Partnership Scheme. The Nenescape Landscape Conservation Action Plan explains in detail how we will deliver our projects between 2017 and 2022. The LCAP consists of three parts: Part 1: The scheme plan A description of this enigmatic landscape, its people, its influences and it character. We outline our scheme’s vision and how we plan to protect, preserve and promote the landscape and its heritage. Part 2: Non-technical summary An overview of the projects and their ambitions. This document is compiled from the detail provided by project partners in part three. Part 3: Full project plans Detailed descriptions of each project, their costs and how they will be delivered. There is also a series of appendices which include independent studies, assessments and evaluations, labelled as ‘Supporting Documents’. Figure 3 A map of the Nenescape boundary Supporting Documents: 1. Nenescape Landscape Character Assessment (RNRP, 2017) 2. Audience, Access and Zonation Study (RNRP, 2017) 3. Nenescape Communications Strategy (RNRP, 2017) 4. Angling Survey (Substance, 2017) 5. Waterspace Study (Richard Glen Associates, 2017) 6. Backwater Study (Brayshaw/RNRP 2017) The Nenescape LCAP was adopted by the Partnership board on 15 May 2017 and will be used to monitor and guide future actions of the partnership and its projects. 3 Executive Summary Kathryn Soares, CEO River Nene Regional Park and host of Nenescape Landscape Partnership Scheme The River Nene Regional Park and Partners are pleased to present this Landscape Conservation Action Plan. This comprehensive document provides information on the cultural and natural heritage of the Nene River Valley, identifies the threats and opportunities within the area, and details the projects that Nenescape will deliver between 2017 and 2022. The Nene Valley is a landscape characterised by immigration and shaped by industry. A landscape that has been in a state of human induced change for thousands of years, change that will continue into the future due to the impacts of population growth and climate change. The Valley has one of the longest records of continuous human inhabitation in Northern Europe with evidence of significant settlements dating back to the Bronze Age. Some of this record is evident in the architecture including churches, mills and stately homes but much is buried, hidden below the surface and difficult to access either intellectually or physically. There is also a rich industrial heritage here, some of which has permanently shaped the landscape. But, more than gravel extraction, this landscape has contributed to development all across England and Europe with the export of bricks, pottery, lace, leather goods and, more recently, agricultural produce. Agriculture remains a strong feature in the Valley and will, for most people, dominate their impression of the area. People aside, this Valley is home to globally significant wetland and lake assemblages and associated bird species with the River Nene providing a focal point for nature as well as human recreation. The Valley is also home to some nationally important populations of rare and declining species. In brief, this very ordinary British Landscape is anything but ordinary. It is little known and, for many, inconsequential. But, as we have discovered during the preparation of this document and will share through the delivery of our scheme of projects, this is a remarkable landscape. A landscape that has made, and is making, enormous contributions to history. A landscape that is mysterious, unknown and unsung. A landscape that Nenescape will reveal and celebrate with the support of Heritage Lottery Figure 4 Bridge and viaduct at Chester Farm (DNV) Funding. 4 Content Section 1 – Landscape Section 2 - The Scheme Plan 1.0 Authors .................................................................................. 9 1.0 The scheme plan ................................................................. 77 2.0 The landscape today ........................................................... 11 2.0 Scheme aims ....................................................................... 80 3.0 Natural heritage of the Nene Valley ................................... 14 3.0 Summary of development phase activity .......................... 83 4.0 The industrial landscape .................................................... 27 4.0 Projects ................................................................................ 86 5.0 The working landscape ...................................................... 36 5.0 Timetable ............................................................................. 99 6.0 Built, buried and cultural heritage ..................................... 42 6.0 Budget ................................................................................ 112 7.0 People in the landscape ..................................................... 49 7.0 Project risks ....................................................................... 120 8.0 Recreation............................................................................ 56 8.0 Our partnership ................................................................. 125 9.0 Threats and opportunities .................................................. 64 9.0 Monitoring and evaluation ................................................ 134 10.0 Sustainability and legacy ................................................. 135 11.0 Environmental statement ................................................. 137 12.0 Table of figures ................................................................. 138 13.0 Acknowledgement ............................................................ 140 5 6 The reapers leave their beds before the sun And gleaners follow when home toils are don To pick the littered ear the reaper leaves And glean in open fields among the sheaves John Clare, extract from ‘A Shepherds Calendar – August’ Section 1 – The landscape Figure 5 Harvest near Hardwater Crossing (A Johnson, RNRP) 7 Content 1.0 Authors .................................................................... 9 6.0 Built, buried and cultural heritage ....................... 42 2.0 The landscape today ............................................ 11 6.1 Nen - Neen......................................................................... 42 2.1 Areas of significance .......................................................... 12 6.2 Churches and bridges ........................................................ 43 3.0 Natural heritage of the Nene Valley ..................... 14 6.3 Castles ............................................................................... 44 3.1 Gravel pit lakes .................................................................. 15 6.4 Archaeology ....................................................................... 45 3.2 Meadows and grasslands .................................................. 16 7.0 People in the landscape ....................................... 49 3.3 Woodlands and hedgerows ............................................... 16 7.1 Peterborough and Northamptonshire ................................. 50 3.4 River and backwaters ........................................................ 17 7.2 Commercial development .................................................. 51 3.5 Wetlands ............................................................................ 17 7.3 Modern day settlers ........................................................... 52 3.6 Birdlife in the Nene Valley .................................................. 18 7.4 An inspiring landscape ....................................................... 53 3.7 Biodiversity ........................................................................ 20 8.0 Recreation ............................................................. 56 3.8 Ecosystem services ........................................................... 22 8.1 Angling in the Nene Valley ................................................. 56 3.9 Geodiversity ......................................................................
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