Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Chalk Streams Lincolnshire Laceby Beck to River Freshney Survey The Laceby Beck is of concern to the Environment Agency (EA) following the classification of the water body as ‘in poor status’ through the Water Framework Directive guidelines. To attempt to further identify any sediment issues and look at the long term management, the LCSP Project Officer surveyed the Laceby Beck and River Freshney into Grimsby and provided the EA with a report on identification of sediment issues and where habitat improvements Laceby Beck would enhance the chalk stream. Laceby Manor Golf Course Following the report, EA funding was made available to deliver on-the-ground enhancement work. The Project Officer worked with the EA to identify a location along the beck where work would deliver immediate improvements to the habitat. The beck running through Laceby Manor Golf Club was high up on the priority list. The Project Officer, working with the EA and the golf course, successfully installed a total of 14 log flow deflectors, removed bank-side scrub Laceby Beck, before along 250m and carried out a short section of revetment works using faggots and pre-planted coir roll. Donington Mill, Donington-on-Bain The River Bain flows through Donington-on-Bain via an old mill house. The original structures still exist in the channel and act as barriers to fish migration whilst slowing down the flow and encouraging the deposition of silt on the Laceby Beck, after gravel bed. The landowner is keen to see changes happen to this section of the river to restore the chalk stream habitat that once thrived there. The EA have funded a feasibility study via the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project to look at the options of restoring the habitat by either removing the current impounding structures or creating new routes to bypass the mill area. With the help of the Wild Trout Trust all ideas will be collated in the feasibility study to find the right solution to restoring this chalk stream habitat for the benefit of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Catchment Restoration Fund Old weir structure, River Bain In response to commitments made in both the 2012 Water White Paper and the 2011 Natural Environment White Paper, Defra have set up the Catchment Restoration Fund, with £28 million available nationally over the next three years. The aim is to support projects delivering the targets of the Water Framework Directive to improve the status of our rivers by 2015. The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project has made an expression of interest to the fund and will be submitting an application in May 2012. 15 Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Raising Awareness A total of 14 advisory visits were undertaken this year with farmers, landowners and communities. The Project Officer has given two illustrated talks to a total audience of 71 and led three guided walks with over 30 people attending. There were two radio interviews and attendance at a variety of events and shows with the Project Officer attending seven to raise awareness of chalk streams in Lincolnshire. In 2011-2012 the EA paid for a leaflet to summarise the work achieved by the Project since 2006. This leaflet will be made available together with the leaflets of the LWCS. Along with the production of the leaflet, new display boards have been made and will be on show at many of the events during 2012-2013. Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Chalk Streams Lincolnshire Financial Summary - Chalk Streams Project 2011 - 2012 5.6% Income: £179,435 5.6% Development Budget: £78,657 (43.8%) 5.6% (inc reserve fund) 45% 55% 43.8% Environment Agency: 8.8% £55,000 (30.6%) SITA Trust: 30.6% £15,778 (8.8%) Anglian Water: £10,000 (5.6%) Expenditure: £69,370 LWCS Contribution Core Expenditure - £37,979 (55%) £10,000 (5.6%) Project Expenditure - £31,391 (45%) Natural England: £10,000 (5.6%) 16 Grant Schemes Grant Schemes The two existing grant schemes, the Landscape Grant Scheme (LGS) and the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF), administered by the LWCS have been rationalised and revitalised in 2011-2012. The LGS had been running for 12 years, proving extremely popular with farmers and landowners and more recently community groups. The scheme was re-launched in April 2011 as the Small Grant Scheme (SGS), with a new application form. The fund aims to encourage and support projects that protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds landscape and its special features by bringing to fruition ideas from farmers and community groups. The maximum available is £1,000, with applications decided by the LWCS Officers, ensuring a quick and efficient turnaround for applicants. Due to the reduced funding available and the loss of the SDF Project Officer post, the LWCS team streamlined the application process to manage the workload of the SDF within existing work programmes. The new process has proved popular with applicants and the SDF Assessment Panel for ease of applying and available support throughout. The SDF is for applications between £1,000 and £15,000. All applicants are encouraged to source additional grant aid wherever possible to ensure that the SDF can benefit more projects with fewer resources. Decisions on SDF applications are made by the SDF Assessment Panel, made up of seven representatives from local communities, businesses and organisations that work within the Wolds or are concerned about the quality of life in the AONB. The Panel met three times during 2011-2012 to scrutinise applications and also offered its support for this vital funding stream by attending openings and launches of successful projects. Between the SGS and the SDF, £41,500 of grant funding has been awarded to applicants during 2011-2012. These projects brought in over £66,000 in cash and voluntary contributions this financial year, totalling over £107,500 spent on projects within the Lincolnshire Wolds. As ever, the ongoing contributions that both grant schemes bring to the Wolds are invaluable in maintaining a thriving, high quality landscape and supporting local communities and businesses. 17 Small Grant Scheme Here are just a few highlights from the 23 successful projects supported by the SGS: All Saints’, Walesby – the provision of new entrance oak gates at the Ramblers’ Church, continuing to support the work undertaken by the local volunteer group. East Lincolnshire Raptor Project – provision of materials to enable raptor boxes to be constructed and erected for use by kestrels and barn, tawny and little owls. Small Grant Scheme Lincolnshire Beekeepers Association – contribution towards a gazebo for events and specialist beekeeping equipment for loan to beginners and children. Ludford Village Stocks – the creation of village stocks constructed of green oak for the small village green on Stocks Lane. Lindsey Patchworkers – a celebratory event marking the 30th anniversary of this active group, along with the design and creation of a patchwork depicting key aspects of the AONB. Open Farm Sunday Buses – in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Market Rasen, funding towards the cost of buses for Grimsby families to attend this popular event in the Lincolnshire Wolds. St Andrew’s, Utterby – help towards enhancements in this charming chalk constructed church, complementing the on-going Heritage Project taking place within the church itself. St Julian’s, Benniworth – the provision of green oak benches to enhance the use of this diverse churchyard. St Michael & All Angels’, Brookenby – help in providing display boards and information on the history of RAF/RAAF Binbrook. 2011 - 2012 Small Grant Scheme 14 14 12 12 10 10 Village Enhancements 8 8 6 6 & Public Events Engagement 4 Themes Applicants 4 2 2 Biodiversity Benets Community Groups & Interest Farmers & Farmers Landowners 0 0 18 Sustainable Development Fund Sustainable Development Fund The ve successful projects supported by the SDF were: Fotherby Common – restoration of car parking area including resurfacing using recycled plastic-reinforced cells with seeding. Lindsey Trail, Lincolnshire Wolds – promotion of the new 69 mile route suitable for carriage drivers, horse riders, cyclists and walkers through the provision of interpretative panels and leaflets. St Helen’s Church, Burgh on Bain – installation of toilet facilities, kitchenette area and flooring to complete the final phase of works to enable the church to be used as a community venue. The opening ceremony included presentations of plaques by the Chairman of the SDF Panel, followed by the Burgh on Bain Olympiad enjoyed by over 60 residents. Tealby Play Area and Village Green – provision of play equipment, paths, seating and nature conservation improvements for this popular facility in the heart of the village. Youth Drop In Centre, Binbrook – replacement of old garages with a new indoor facility for the teenagers of Binbrook and surrounding villages. 19 Strategic Planning and Policy Often at the invitation of the relevant local planning authority, the LWCS submit specialist comments on a proposed development’s impact on the AONB. Over the past 12 months a wide range of planning applications have been reviewed with comments and recommendations returned on numerous schemes including: Farm buildings Log cabin/holiday developments Quarrying operations and use of sites Fishing lakes Housing Equestrian facilities Wind turbines and other alternative energy schemes. During 2011, undergrounding overhead wires within Wolds’ settlements has continued. Northern Strategic Planning and Policy Planning Strategic Power Grid have dismantled and removed 1,175m of overhead line, replacing with underground cabling, with more work anticipated to take place during 2012-2013. In November 2011, the LWCS, at the instruction of the Lincolnshire Wolds JAC, organised an extraordinary meeting to discuss the issue of renewable energy generation and energy reduction measures in the context of the AONB. A range of experts were on hand to stimulate debate and discussion to help inform both the forthcoming AONB Management Plan and aid the individual planning authorities through a collaborative approach.