River Nene Waterspace Study Northampton to Peterborough RICHARD GLEN RGA ASSOCIATES November 2016 ‘All rights reserved. Copyright Richard Glen Associates 2016’ Richard Glen Associates have prepared this report in accordance with the instructions of their clients, Environment Agency & the Nenescape Landscape Partnership, for their sole DQGVSHFL¿FXVH$Q\RWKHUSHUVRQVZKRXVHDQ\LQIRUPDWLRQFRQWDLQHGKHUHLQGRVRDW their own risk. River Nene Waterspace Study River Nene Waterspace Study Northampton to Peterborough On behalf of November 2016 Prepared by RICHARD GLEN RGA ASSOCIATES River Nene Waterspace Study Contents 1.0 Introduction 3.0 Strategic Context 1.1 Partners to the Study 1 3.1 Local Planning 7 3.7 Vision for Biodiversity in the Nene Valley, The Wildlife Trusts 2006 11 1.2 Aims of the Waterspace Study 1 3.1.1 North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy 2011-2031 7 3.8 River Nene Integrated Catchment 1.3 Key Objectives of the Study 1 3.1.2 West Northamptonshire Management Plan. June 2014 12 1.4 Study Area 1 Joint Core Strategy 8 3.9 The Nene Valley Strategic Plan. 1.5 Methodology 2 3.1.3 Peterborough City Council Local Plan River Nene Regional Park, 2010 13 1.6 Background Research & Site Survey 2 Preliminary Draft January 2016 9 3.10 Destination Nene Valley Strategy, 2013 14 1.7 Consultation with River Users, 3.2 Peterborough Long Term Transport 3.11 A Better Place for All: River Nene Waterway Providers & Local Communities 2 Strategy 2011 - 2026 & Plan, Environment Agency 2006 14 Local Transport Plan 2016 - 2021 9 1.8 Report 2 3.12 Peterborough Waterspace Strategy, 3.3 Northamptonshire Transportation Plan - Halcrow, Environment Agency, 2011 15 1.9 Report format 3 Fit for Purpose, March 2012 10 2.0 The River Nene 4 3.4 Peterborough Rights of Way 2.1 Description of the River Nene 4 Improvement Plan 10 2.2 History of the Nene Valley 5 3.5 Northamptonshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan 10 2.3 History of Navigation on the River Nene 6 3.6 Northamptonshire Environmental Character & Green Infrastructure Suite 11 3.6.1 Green Infrastructure: Making the Connection 11 River Nene Waterspace Study Contents 4.0 Waterspace Study 17 6.0 Study Proposals & Waterspace Maps 29 Appendix 133 4.1 Design Philosophy & Approach 18 Northampton to Abington Lock 30 Workshop Attendees 134 4.2 Design Philosophy 18 Weston Favell Lock to Cogenhoe 38 4.3 Approach & Concepts 18 Cogenhoe Lock to Earls Barton Lock 44 River Gateways & Clusters of Activity Map 20 Earls Barton Lock to Wollaston Lock 48 5.0 Consultation & Emerging Themes 23 Upper Wellingborough Lock to Ditchford Lock 52 5.1 Stakeholder & Community Consultation 23 Rushden Lock to Irthlingborough Lock 58 5.2 Emerging Themes 24 Stanwick Lakes to Upper Ringstead Lock 64 5.3 General recommendations Great Addington to Denford Lock 68 from the six themes 26 Thrapston to Titchmarsh Nature Reserve 74 Key Map 28 Titchmarsh Lock to Achurch 78 Lilford Lock to Stoke Doyle 84 Upper Barnwell Lock to Oundle 86 Cotterstock Lock to Warmington Lock 92 Elton Lock to Nassington 98 Nassington to Yarwell Lock 100 Wansford Lock to Sibson 104 Water Newton Lock to Alwalton Lock 108 Ferry Meadows Country Park to Woodston 114 Peterborough to Flag Fen Archaeology Park 120 & Stanground Lock Flag Fen Archaeology Park 128 to Dog in a Doublet Lock River Nene Waterspace Study Introduction 1.0 Introduction 1.3 Key objectives of the Study The Study comprises the river corridor in its context, 1.1 Partners to the Study The key objectives of the project are: including surrounding settlements and links with nearby attractions and facilities. It presents a vision for the The Environment Agency in partnership with the To integrate existing and proposed land uses along whole river corridor in order to provide a continuous Destination Nene Valley Board commissioned Richard the river corridor with existing and proposed water- experience whilst including individual ‘visions’ for key Glen Associates to prepare this high level Waterspace based activities and facilities. locations which will complement a continuous journey. Study for the navigable River Nene from Northampton to To capitalise on the river corridor as a linear Peterborough. The purpose of the Study is to inform the recreation, tourism and transport resource and 1.4 Study Area Heritage Lottery Fund Landscape Partnership project, identify further physical, environmental and The Study area consists of the navigable corridor of the Nenescape, which is led by the River Nene Regional recreational improvements, which will sustain and River Nene from the start of the Environment Agency Park. The Study will help to inform activities within the provide new jobs and economic opportunities. QDYLJDWLRQDWWKHFRQÀXHQFHRIWKH1RUWKDPSWRQ$UP Stage 2 application to HLF and assist key stakeholders, To identify possible hub sites between Northampton of the Grand Union Canal in Northampton, downstream partner organisations, and potential funders in delivering and Peterborough which will incorporate navigation, to the Dog in a Doublet Lock east of the city of sustainable regeneration of the River Nene corridor. community facilities and link to the Nene Way. Peterborough, a distance of approximately 65 miles (104km). 1.2 Aims of the Waterspace Study To identify improvements in the provision for boaters’ The aims of the Study are: facilities, slipways and visitor moorings together with canoe routes and portage improvements, and other 7RKHOSUHGH¿QHWKH5LYHU1HQHDVDQRSSRUWXQLW\ water focussed activities. for waterspace activity and develop the area as a waterway destination. To recognise ‘Access for All’ and the importance of open space in enhancing the waterway corridor To inform and complement the River Nene Regional through the promotion of sport, healthy outdoor Park vision for the regeneration of the river through recreation, visual amenity and heritage sites. an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund. To protect and enhance the river and adjoining To identify opportunities to promote access to new watercourses as wildlife corridors, conserving and enhanced water-based activities, including sensitive areas and managing the implications of associated services and infrastructure. increased recreational pressure. To carry out high level consultation with river users and other stakeholders. To produce high level development proposals at VWUDWHJLFDQGVLWHVSHFL¿FORFDWLRQVWRJHWKHUZLWKD programme of achievable actions. 1 River Nene Waterspace Study Introduction 1.5 Methodology 1.6 Background Research and Site Survey 1.7 Consultation with River Users, Providers and This Waterspace Study is a high level report covering Background research for the study was started in July Local Communities a 65 mile length of the River Nene corridor. The 2016. Relevant planning policy, strategic documents and A series of workshops was held at different locations in study’s methodology creates a vision for the river as a research material were reviewed and points relevant to the study area designed to make use of the views, ideas continuous experience which allows for a concentration the Waterspace Study were summarised. and local knowledge of users and people who live in the on key locations along the valley. corridor. In addition, separate discussions were held The entire Nene Valley corridor within the study area was with key stakeholders. In such a high level study it is not possible to cover surveyed either from canoe, the Environment Agency every aspect of the river in depth. For example, angling patrol boat or through walking selected stretches of the 1.8 Report is important on the River Nene and would warrant a YDOOH\DQGYLVLWLQJVLJQL¿FDQWDWWUDFWLRQVDQGVHWWOHPHQWV The ideas and information which came from research, VHSDUDWHVWXG\DVZRXOGLWVELRGLYHUVLW\DQGLWVÀRRGLQJ Research and survey focussed on: survey and from consultation were fed into the Study. issues. Any proposal coming out of the study will need 7KH¿QDOVWXG\GRFXPHQWZDVSURGXFHGLQ1RYHPEHU An appraisal of the environmental assets, community to be assessed for its impact on these aspects of the 2016. river. In addition, the Study is unable to address in use and proposed developments along the river detail the need to provide reasonable access for all, as corridor. required by the Disability Discrimination Act and Equality An exploration of the current role of the river Act. The provision of access must be considered in the corridor as a linear recreation, tourism and development of all new projects and in the management transport resource; and consideration of how this of existing assets. The Environment Agency’s ‘Access resource could be enhanced by a variety of small for All Design Guide’ is an invaluable resource here. scale physical, environmental and recreational improvements. ,GHQWL¿FDWLRQRIRSSRUWXQLWLHVDQGFRQVWUDLQWV Discussions with the client bodies and other key stakeholders and feedback on work in progress. River Nene Waterspace Study 2 Introduction 1.9 Report format Study proposals and waterspace maps The Report is divided into 3 sections with the core This section provides more detail by dividing the study outputs of the study comprising of a series of waterspace area into 20 geographic sections and representing each maps with accompanying schedules listing current with a map illustrating stretches between key settlements heritage, cultural and waterway assets and potential or features such as locks and existing marinas. The actions. It is illustrated with photos throughout depicting maps are accompanied by schedules listing the current the corridor