Montgomery Canal: Regeneration through Sustainable Restoration (A Conservation Management Strategy) Montgomery Canal Partnership September 2005 With funding from FOREWORD his document is the Montgomery Canal Partnership's framework for delivery of further sustainable restoration Twork on the Canal and wider regeneration of the waterway corridor. It has been produced by the Project Manager employed specifically by the Partnership for this work, with assistance from many people including the Partners’ representatives on the Partnership. This is the agreed final document, following circulation of a public draft in February 2004. Numerous changes and improvements have been made to the draft version, following extensive feedback from within the Partnership organisations and from other organisations and individuals. We would like to thank all who have contributed to the development of this strategy, and look forward to your support in continuing to safeguard, restore and value the features and values of the canal, which make it so special. The canal arouses many passions, for it is a much loved canal, and it is now incumbent on us all to work together for a better and sustainable future. Montgomery Canal Partnership 23rd September 2005 Front cover: Saturn Fly Boat, Montgomery Canal, September 2005 © Harry Arnold/Waterway Images 01283 790447 Photographs: British Waterways, Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust, M. Eaton. Maps: Reproduced from Ordnance Survey mapping on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. British Waterways, 100019843, 2005. 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This document is the Montgomery Canal Partnership's finalised document on the framework for delivery of further sustainable restoration work on the Canal. It has been produced by the Project Manager employed specifically by the Partnership for this work, with assistance from many people including the Partners' representatives on the Partnership. A draft document was published for public consultation in March 2004, and this is the final document resulting from both that consultation and further debate within the Partnership. Since the public draft was published, a wide ranging Options Appraisal has also been carried out, reviewing all future options against social, environmental and economic criteria. This has also contributed to refining this Strategy, and a summary of the appraisal has been included within, as an additional chapter. Nine specialist reports have also been commissioned as part of this work, and fifteen organisations within the Partnership have devoted much time during the lively debates and discussion during our regular meetings. To those who have attended those meetings, and other specialists who have commented and advised during the preparation of this document we express our thanks. During consultation, over 700 questionnaires were completed during the consultation work. Many of these were from local residents, whose views are vital, as the future of the Canal must be one that embraces and respects the values of as many interests as possible. Last but not least, we must express our thanks to the various funding agencies who have made this work possible: Heritage Lottery Fund European Objective 2 British Waterways Powys County Council Shropshire County Council Inland Waterways Association Shropshire Union Canal Society Countryside Council for Wales English Nature We hope you like the result, but please remember the Strategy is the starting point for achieving the vision outlined. Many more years of fundraising and enhancement works lie ahead, and we hope that we can continue to rely on your help as we move on to deliver this exciting project. Montgomery Canal Partnership 23rd September 2005 2 CONTENTS 1. Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 The Partnership .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8 1.3 Companion Reports .................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.4 Canal History: Construction and Restoration...................................................................................................... 10 2. Policy Context ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 13 2.2 National Initiatives and Policies.............................................................................................................................. 13 2.3 Regional Initiatives and Policies ............................................................................................................................ 15 2.4 County and Local Policies ...................................................................................................................................... 16 3. Assessment: Statement of Value ................................................................................................................................ 18 3.1 Landscape Heritage ................................................................................................................................................ 19 3.2 Built Heritage ............................................................................................................................................................ 30 3.3 Nature Conservation ................................................................................................................................................ 38 3.4 Navigation .................................................................................................................................................................. 48 3.5 Water .......................................................................................................................................................................... 52 3.6 Community and Visitor Access .............................................................................................................................. 55 3.7 Economic Conditions................................................................................................................................................ 60 4. Options Appraisal .............................................................................................................................................................. 61 5. Vision ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 69 6. Guiding Principles .............................................................................................................................................................. 72 6.1 Landscape Heritage ................................................................................................................................................ 73 6.2 Built Heritage ............................................................................................................................................................ 74 6.3 Nature Conservation ................................................................................................................................................ 75 6.4 Navigation .................................................................................................................................................................. 78 6.5 Water and Environmental Protection .................................................................................................................... 80 6.6 Community and Visitor Access .............................................................................................................................. 81 6.7 Economic and Rural Regeneration........................................................................................................................ 82 7. Management Proposals.................................................................................................................................................... 85 7.1 Landscape Heritage ................................................................................................................................................ 86 7.2 Built Heritage ............................................................................................................................................................ 92 7.3 Nature Conservation .............................................................................................................................................. 100 7.4 Navigation ................................................................................................................................................................ 110 7.5 Water and Environmental Protection.................................................................................................................