15

Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project

The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project (LCSP) continued to successfully deliver three more restoration projects and the second of three Chalk Stream festivals offering free events for families to get involved and learn more about this rare and beautiful habitat in Lincolnshire. A network of volunteers continue to support the work of the LCSP by surveying the chalk streams for riverflies and supporting events and shows. A huge thank you to WREN, Anglian Water, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Natural England for funding the LCSP work this year and to the rest of the partners Lincolnshire County Council, LWCS, Environment Agency, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and the Wild Trout Trust who continue to provide both funding to deliver projects and in-kind support to help develop the ideas to push the LCSP to work hard and deliver more.

Chalk Stream Restoration in Lincolnshire, funded by WREN and Anglian Water Services

As the final year of funding from WREN was entered, the LCSP started off the year preparing the last two chalk stream restoration projects, training up more Riverfly monitoring volunteers and delivering further practical conservation events. The LCSP has also been successful in the designation of four Local Wildlife Sites along the River Lymn, Waithe beck, River Rase and Winceby beck.

River Bain, AsterbyThis small tributary in Asterby feeds into the River Bain. The landowner was keen to see the chalk stream looked after here in conjunction with the work they do on the farm for the benefit of wildlife. With the funding from WREN and Anglian Water the LCSP has restored 640m of chalk stream. The project involved clearing overhanging branches, strimming hedgerow back to a more manageable height, installation of log flow deflectors to improve scour of the bed and the installation of gravel bays to help create some sinuosity and improve the in-stream habitat.

River Rase, TealbyThe funding from WREN and Anglian Water has helped make a start at improving the habitat along the River Rase. This was the first restoration project for the River Rase and it started at the spring head in Tealby. A kilometre of chalk stream underwent improvement works mainly by cutting back scrub and removing bramble that was choking the stream from one bank to the other. The fencing had to be taken down and replaced and there was a cattle drink causing large amounts of silt to enter the watercourse - this was repaired to limit the damage from cattle.

Lincolnshire Chalk Stream

s Project

LincolnshireWildlife Trust

16

Lincolnshire Chalk Streams ProjectLi

ncol

nshi

re C

halk

Str

eam

s Pr

ojec

t

Other Chalk Stream Enhancements

River Bain, LudfordLast year the Environment Agency (EA) funded the feasibility study as to whether three culverted sections of the headwaters of the River Bain in Ludford could be removed to restore an open chalk stream habitat. Specialists were employed by the LCSP to design a channel that would restore this chalk stream whilst preventing flooding. Along with the support of the landowner a final design was chosen at each of the culverted sections that would deliver an excavated channel by passing the culverts, leaving them in situ. The LCSP successfully obtained planning permission for the planned work at all three culverts. Due to a limited budget the project was only able to deliver the work at one of the culverts – this was the longest section of culvert and would deliver greatest benefit to the chalk stream habitat. Work started and completed in March 2017. It has been a success as the flow has already exposed an ideal gravel bed. The LCSP would like to thank the landowner who has given up their field for the benefit of the chalk stream, and the EA for funding the work.

The EA are keen to see the other two culverts taken out of use next year. The LCSP hope to continue working with the landowner and to make contact with Ludford parish so that together the good work can continue.

River�y VolunteersThe LCSP trained up another 11 volunteers in 2016 thanks to funding from WREN. The LCSP now has 40 volunteers surveying 34 sites for invertebrates. The volunteers survey for eight key invertebrates which provides essential information on the quality of the water of these rare habitats.

The LCSP are also continuing with a pilot project to extend the list of invertebrates to 26 species that are surveyed. Recording the increased list of invertebrates provides not only information on the quality of the water but also sedimentation and flow. The LCSP were honoured to be asked to present their work on the pilot project at the National Riverfly Partnership Conference held at the Natural History Museum in December. The LCSP would like to thank their brilliant volunteer John Boulton for joining them and giving a presentation on his volunteer experience of the pilot project.

LCSP Volunteer Group The LCSP Volunteer Group has been going from strength to strength, supporting landowners to maintain previous restoration sites. In the past year examples have included work at Thorganby and Ashby cum Fenby on the Waithe beck. This work has mainly included control of bankside vegetation to reduce the amount of shading of the stream, and in-stream work to ensure the river keeps flowing.

On the River Rase the LCSP volunteers have also been busy removing an invasive plant called Snowberry (also known as 'Ghostberry'!), which out-competes native plants and undermines the stability of the banks. This work was undertaken at the headwaters of the River Rase which is a particularly beautiful chalk stream.

17

Lincolnshire Chalk Streams ProjectLincolnshire C

halk Streams Project

Volunteers

Education - Natural England Innovation and Partnership FundThanks to funding from Natural England through their Innovation and Partnership Fund the LCSP was able to work with several Lincolnshire schools on chalk streams. Originally hoping to work with six schools the project was very pleased to eventually work with seven! The funding of £8,000 paid for equipment for each school (that could be used again on the chalk streams), venue hire and planning time, but most importantly allowed the project to pay for transport for schools. The cost of transport had previously been identified as a barrier to schools in an educational scoping report carried out by the project in 2012.

The practical based projects at the streams included invertebrate identification and surveying techniques individually tailored to primary schools and secondary schools and tied into the national curriculum. The LCSP worked with the following primary schools – East Ravendale Primary School, Greenwich House Primary School, William Barcroft Junior School, Middlethorpe Primary Academy and a number of secondary schools – Sir William Robertson Academy, Lincoln Christ's Hospital School and North Kesteven School.

The LCSP is always keen to work with schools so please get in touch if you are interested.

HLF Project: Chalk Streams FestivalAugust 2016 saw a second successful year for the 'Celebration of Lincolnshire's Chalk Streams' Festival thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A fantastic festival of chalk stream fun for all the family went ahead in the August summer holidays with over 200 people joining the LCSP for walking, stream dipping and theatre entertainment. As part of the funding the LCSP were able to take on another volunteer graduate to plan and advertise the festival events.

The week of events were kicked off with a guided walk around Nettleton, then a practical community day at Market Rasen, stream dipping at Hubbards Hills, storytelling from Rhubarb Theatre at Ashby cum Fenby, an evening walk, and a finale event at Spout Yard in Louth, including music from local musician Tom Lane and his band and prize giving for a chalk stream themed photography competition.

Keep an eye out for future FREE events.

18

Lincolnshire Chalk Streams ProjectLi

ncol

nshi

re C

halk

Str

eam

s Pr

ojec

t

HLF Graduate Volunteer – Jade Oliver - A day in the life of…One of the great things about volunteering with the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project is that no two days are the same so you can gain a huge variety of skills and experience!

If the sun is shining in the morning, you'll most likely find me doing a Riverfly survey at one of the many chalk streams in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Waders on, it's time for a kick sample, after which we identify the invertebrates found to use as a guide to the chalk stream's health. Different invertebrates can tell us different things about the flow of the stream, how silted it is and even if it's polluted. This information is then put on the Riverfly Partnership website for partners such as the Environment Agency to keep on record.

The samples are also photographed under the microscope to be added to the Invertebrate Reference Catalogue, a guide designed to help new Riverfly volunteers easily identify and log the invertebrates they find in their survey.

After an obligatory tea break and a quick social networking update, it's time to log footage from the night vision cameras set up around the Wolds to capture images of water vole and otter. Once logged, they're sent to the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust headquar-ters where they can be used by other partners including Anglian Water.

By recording the whereabouts of these chalk stream mammals we are able to plan future conservation and restoration sites whilst also raising awareness of chalk stream wildlife (although the locations are highly secretive!).

Another cup of tea then it's time to start planning events thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This involves creating posters to advertise, visiting schools, liaising with landowners and venue owners as well as leaflet drops (with a few pit stops along the way!).

One of my favourite things about volunteering is learning all about the amazing local wildlife found around our rare and beautiful chalk streams, teaching other people to love it too and getting hands-on and out and about!

www.lincolnshirechalkstreams.org

@LincolnshireChalkStreams

@LincChalkStreams

chalkstreams@lincolnshire.gov.uk

19

Lincolnshire Chalk Streams ProjectLincolnshire C

halk Streams Project

Financial Summary - Chalk Streams Project 2016 - 2017

Project Expenditure: 44.3%

Core Expenditure: 55.7%

Expenditure: £172,227

LWCS: 8.1%

WREN: 14%

Development Budget: 35.2%

Natural England: 2.4%

Heritage Lottery Fund: 9.8%

GLNP: 0.3%

LWCS Small grant scheme: 0.3%

Anglian Water: 4.4%

Environment Agency: 21.5%

Income: £185,7410.3%

Catchment Based Approach: 4%

0.3%

2.4%4%

4.4%

8.1%

9.8%

14%

21.5%

35.2%

55.7%44.3%

20

Strategic Policy and PlanningSt

rate

gic

Polic

y an

d Pl

anni

ng Often at the invitation of the relevant local planning authority, the LWCS is invited to 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 a number of schemes including:

Aerial masts and telecommunicationsCaravan/holiday developmentsEquestrian facilitiesFarm buildingsHousing Overhead powerline replacement Photovoltaic schemesQuarrying operations and after use of sites.

The LWCS have also submitted a range of undergrounding proposals to Northern Powergrid and Western Power Distribution as part of the visual improvement in protected landscapes schemes.

Ongoing contributions have been submitted to the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB) to assist in national responses on a wide range of legislative and government policy documents.

Formal comments were submitted, or workshops attended, on a variety of strategic planning and policy documents and consultations including:

DEFRA's Environment Strategy to 2020: A Great Place for LivingGreater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership: Developing Nature Tourism in Greater LincolnshireLincolnshire Chalk Streams Strategic Action Plan: 2014-2019Lincolnshire County Council: Minerals and Waste Local Plan Lincolnshire Wolds & Market Towns Tourism Group: Destination Management PlanNational Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Business Plan Review (2015-2018)National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Communications Strategy and Action Plan 2014-19National Grid: Viking Link Project.

21

Management PlanningM

anagement Planning

It's hard to believe that the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB Management Plan 2013-2018 was fully adopted by all of the relevant local authorities and officially launched in June 2013 and already the LWCS are starting to review it. During 2016, the public consultation 'Have Your Say' was undertaken, promoted widely at shows and events with the aid of an interactive map and knowledgeable staff on hand. The map worked particularly well for prompting public responses on the area's special qualities, along with future threats and opportunities. The consultation was also promoted by direct correspondence with parish councils and partner organisations, via libraries, Wolds News, websites and social media. Good feedback was received, along with a list of people who want to be kept informed of progress. Just a few of the comments received on the Wolds map based consultation undertaken during 2016:

Beautiful colours every season every day. Outstanding beauty outside our door I like the tranquillity and wonderful sceneryLove the rolling beauty of the WoldsActive working landscape with �eld sportsRothwell – great place to plan a cycle route fromHorse riding is great!Love the walking and big skiesEasier agri-environment schemesKeep our pubs open… and of course, there was also a drawing of a tractor!

Please visit www.lincswolds.org.uk for a summary of the 'Have Your Say' questionnaire findings. Building on the public consultations, a workshop with the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) was undertaken during the autumn. The group provided welcomed feedback on the strengths, threats and opportunities across the AONB and offered some intuitive suggestions for aiding the future management of the Wolds – considering the area's landscape, social and economic interests. A subsequent peer review of the existing Plan has been undertaken over the winter, in preparation for what is envisaged to be a light touch revision to the current Strategy and Action Plan. Despite the significant challenges facing all of the UK's protected landscape family, with added pressures through these difficult economic times, the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB Management Plan 2018-2023 will set out an agreed five-year Strategy and Action Plan to encourage and support everyone in working towards the shared vision. The LWCS will continue to work closely with all partners, landowners and community groups to help raise awareness and crucially encourage delivery of the Plan. We look forward to working with everyone with an active interest in the area to ensure that future change will be for the better – not least in safeguarding and enhancing the special qualities of this nationally protected landscape.

The Lincolnshire Wolds AONB Management Plan

22

Financial Summary 2016 - 2017Fi

nanc

ial S

umm

ary

2016

- 20

17 Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside ServiceCore expenditure: £246,366

Project expenditure: £72,940

There is a signed Memorandum of Agreement between Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and West Lindsey District Council endorsing commitment as funding partners to manage the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, through supporting the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service staff unit. DEFRA has endorsed its continued protection of AONB funding, as announced in the spending review.

Sta� & Governance - 56.5%

Projects - 29.5%

Premises - 5.75%

Printing / Graphics - 3%

Vehicles - 2.5%

Equipment / Materials - 1.25%

Miscellaneous - 0.25%

Consultancy / Volunteers - 0.5%

Subscriptions / Conferences - 0.5%

SDF & SGS Schemes - 39.5%

TRiL Project - 4.25%

Wild�ower Meadow Network - 1.5%

Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project - 20.5%Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival -20.5%

Layers of History - 13.75%

5.75%

0.25%

0.25%

56.5%29.5%

3%2.5%

0.5%0.5%1.25%

Advertising / Promotions - 0.25%

39.5%

20.5%

20.5%

13.75%

4.25%

1.5%

23

Financial Summary 2016 - 2017Financial Sum

mary 2016 - 2017

Income: £324,242 (Core and Project funding)

Grant O�ered - 42%

Match Funding - 58%

Private Sector - 33%

Grant o�ered and total project match funding

Public Sector - 25%

Lincolnshire Wolds Grant Schemes 2016 - 17

Total expenditure/grant o�ered: £28,940Match funding: £39,510

33%

25%

Defra Grant - 48%

Lincolnshire County Council - 9.5%

West Lindsey District Council - 5.5%

Development Budget - 29.25%

East Lindsey District Council - 5.5%

Miscellaneous - 1%

North East Lincolnshire Council - 1.25%

Local Authority Contribution - 21.75%

1.25%48%

29.25%

21.75%

1%

9.5%

5.5%5.5%

Local Authority Contribution - 21.75% - LCC, ELDC, WLDC, NELC

58%42%

24

Partnerships

Local Partnerships

The LWCS currently implements a varied work programme on behalf of the Lincolnshire Wolds Joint Advisory Committee and its core funders (Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council, West Lindsey District Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and Defra). The LWCS works alongside a wide range of organisations, local landowners, community groups and volunteers advising on policy and undertaking activity that furthers the interests of the AONB and wider Wolds character area. The care of the AONB has been entrusted to the local authorities, organisations, community groups and those who live and work in the area. Much of the area is in private ownership, with few publicly owned and managed sites. Private landowners, particularly farmers, have a crucial role to play in continuing to safeguard this unique landscape.

Over the past 12 months the LWCS has maintained and developed links with the following local partnerships and initiatives:

Caistor Walkers Are Welcome Steering GroupCampaign for the Farmed Environment Catchment Based Approach Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership: Lincolnshire Geodiversity GroupGreater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership: Local Wildlife & Geological Sites PanelsHeritage @ Risk Project Horncastle Walkers Are Welcome Steering Group Hubbard’s Hills Trust Layers of History ProjectLincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan: Farmland and Grassland GroupLincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan: Rivers and Wetlands GroupLincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan: Trees and Woodlands GroupLincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan: Urban GroupLincolnshire Coast Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative Lincolnshire County Council Investors in Volunteers ProgrammeLincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Lincolnshire Farmsteads InitiativeLincolnshire Grazing Marsh Water Vole ProjectLincolnshire Meadow Network ProjectLincolnshire Wolds Heritage Working Group Lincolnshire Wolds & Market Towns Tourism Group (Love Lincolnshire Wolds)Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival Lindsey Action Zone - Rural Development Programme for EnglandMarket Rasen Walkers Are Welcome Steering GroupRiver�y PartnershipTraditional Roadsigns in Lincolnshire.

Part

ners

hips

25

Partnerships

Joint Advisory Committee

Joint Management Group

JAC Topic Groups

Lincolnshire WoldsCountryside Service

Working in PartnershipThe Lincolnshire Wolds has an established Joint Advisory Committee (JAC): a partnership of public, private and voluntary organisations and representatives who have a special interest or working knowledge of the area. The JAC acts as a forum to advise and guide activity on a wide range of issues across the Wolds and is instrumental in developing, implementing and monitoring the AONB Management Plan.

The Lincolnshire Wolds JAC meet twice a year to discuss the work programme of the LWCS and taking forward delivery of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB Management Plan, now in its fifth year of delivery. During 2016, the LWCS organised an additional seminar session to help gauge partnership views on the current and future trends facing the area – responses have helped to highlight key environmental and socio-economic issues to help inform for the forthcoming Plan (review process now underway - see page 21).

“The Lincolnshire Wolds are not only a beautiful natural asset but an important part of the economy. The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) prioritises our visitor economy as it is key to employment and prosperity and offers considerable opportunities for new and enhanced leisure uses.”

Ursula Lidbetter, Chair, GLLEP

Partnerships

National Partnerships The LWCS team has regularly participated in a number of events organised through the National Association for AONBs (NAAONB) to share skills and training opportunities with our colleagues from other AONBs.

Staff attended the 2016 Landscapes for Life Conference to discuss and review how we best take forward the health and wellbeing agenda. The event provided us with a great opportunity to highlight our collaborative work via the Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival, Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project and Down Your Wold projects.

The LWCS has represented the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB at the following:

National AONBs meeting: Lead O�cers and Chairmen’s meeting 'Protected Landscapes – We mean Business'National AONBs meeting: Communications Group Northern AONBs Group meetings – Forest of Bowland & Solway Coast Northern Powergrid and Western Power Distribution Protected Landscapes Working Groups.

26

National PartnershipsN

atio

nal P

artn

ersh

ips

The Lincolnshire Wolds Partnership has actively engaged with the wider family of protected landscapes, including liaising, supporting and promoting the work of the National Association for AONBs (NAAONB).

During 2016, under the banner of Landscapes for Life, the NAAONB achieved Charitable Status. Representing some 46 AONB partnerships across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and covering some 8,000 square miles, its Board, staff and members have taken forward a wide range of activity. Typically this has involved liaison with some 700 elected members to help explore and integrate national strategy with local action. Our many and varied special landscapes have been represented through the charities ongoing collaborative work on many fronts, just some of which has included:-

Submission of written evidence to the House of Commons Environmental Audit on the Future of the Natural Environment after the EU ReferendumSubmission of written evidence to EFRA committee's inquiry into the role of tourism in supporting rural growth in EnglandClose liaison with the Wildlife and Countryside Link to help inform and positively in�uence UK Government land management policy in the light of BrexitDevelopment of NAAONB Strategic Plan (2016-2020) to link with wider rural strategies Ongoing collation of partnership responses on a wide range of national strategies and legislative matters relevant to protected landscapesSuccessful delivery of national Landscapes for Life Conference (at Newport, Shropshire) this year focussing on natural beauty in relation to the emerging health and wellbeing agenda Coordination of 2016 Outstanding Week – a national programme of events to celebrate our unique AONB landscapesMaintenance and development of the NAAONB's electronic Basecamp Forum to promote joint working, invite feedback and share good practice Further review and development of the NAAONB website – www.landscapesforlife.org.uk helping to promote the AONB family and our primary activities to the wider public, throughout the UK and overseasE�ective delivery of NAAONB Communications Strategy, including an increased focus on @AONBFamily and @NAAONB Twitter campaigns.

27

Governance and Sta�ng StructureG

overnanace and Staffing Structure

Lincolnshire Wolds Joint Advisory Committee (JAC)

Membership as at 31st March 2017: Bold type denotes representatives on the Joint Management Group (JMG)

Katy Anderson Country Land and Business Association Cllr Richard Avison East Lindsey District Council Andy Bailey Environment AgencyLiz Bates Heritage Lincolnshire Sara Blair-Manning National TrustPaul Chaplin North East Lincolnshire Council Janet Clark Community Lincs Cllr Iain Colquhoun North East Lincolnshire Council Marina Di Salvatore West Lindsey District Council Charles Dobson National Farmers Union Roger Douglas Country Land and Business Association Robert Gornall Natural England Cllr Adam Grist East Lindsey District Council David Hickman Lincolnshire County Council Sean Kent Lincolnshire County CouncilCllr Angela Lawrence West Lindsey District CouncilDarren Nortcliffe TCV Stuart Parker (JAC Chairman) RamblersCllr Stephen Palmer Lincolnshire County CouncilChris Miller Lincolnshire County CouncilCllr Tom Regis West Lindsey District CouncilAlan Robson Churches Together in all Lincolnshire Ella Sivil Campaign to Protect Rural EnglandHenry Smith National Farmers Union Caroline Steel Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Cllr Lewis Strange (JAC Vice Chairman) Lincolnshire County Council Kay Turton East Lindsey District CouncilDavid White Forestry CommissionTrevor Witts Groundwork LincolnshireHelen Woodhouse Historic England

Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service (AONB Unit) as at 31st March 2017:

Stephen Jack Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service ManagerHelen Gamble Project OfficerDavid Rodger Project OfficerRuth Craig Project Officer (Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project)Will Bartle Monitoring Officer (Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project)Claire Harrison Administration and Technical Assistant

Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside ServiceNavigation Warehouse, Riverhead Road, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 0DA

Tel: 01522 555780 Website: www.lincswolds.org.uk Email: aonb@lincswolds.org.uk Twitter: @LincsWoldsAONB

If you would like this document in an alternative format, please contact us.It is also available on our website www.lincswolds.org.uk

Printed on chlorine free paper produced from sustainable source

©LW

CS 0

5/17

D

esign

ed an

d Prod

uced

by www

.dabgraphics.co.uk

Phot

ogra

phs

kind

ly s

uppl

ied

by ©

LW

CS,

LC

SP,

LWW

F, LW

T, N

ev G

urnh

ill

©N

AA

ON

B