Ouse Washes: The Heart of the Fens Landscape Partnership Scheme

Ouse Washes: The Heart of the Fens Landscape Partnership Scheme

Contents: HLF: Landscape Partnership schemes Process to date Aims of the Ouse Washes LP scheme Development phase 2013 Delivery phase 2014 onwards

HLF: Landscape Partnership Scheme• Scheme led by partnership of local, regional and national interests

HLF: Landscape Partnership Scheme• HLF: scheme aims to conserve areas of distinctive local landscape character throughout the United Kingdom.

HLF: Landscape Partnership Scheme•Delivery across all four programme outcomes: A. Conserving or restoring the built and natural features that create the historic landscape character. B. Increasing community participation in local heritage.C. Increasing access to and learning about the landscape area and its heritage. D. Increasing training opportunities in local heritage skills.

Ouse Washes LP – PROCESS SO FAR•2011- early 2012: Stage 1 bid development: Workshop; Big Society Funding Consultancy work; Steering Group•February 2012: Stage 1 application to HLF•May 2012: HLF mentor recommends scheme to HLF:

‘Because of the compelling need and opportunity the LPS presents, the significant heritage, learning and participation benefits and the very strong project partnership and Vision, together with a modest budget with very good value for money, I strongly recommend this project for HLF funding.I have seen few better Stage 1 LPS submissions’

Ouse Washes LP – PROCESS SO FAR•May 2012: HLF mentor recommends scheme to HLF•July 2012: Stage 1 bid granted; £90,500 for development•October 2012: Permission to start Development Phase•December 2012: Programme Manager in place

The Ouse Washes LP Area

Why the Ouse Washes?

Why the Ouse Washes?A Distinct Landscape:

An area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and

interaction of natural and/or human factors(European Landscape Convention 2000)

Why the Ouse Washes?A Distinct Landscape:

Key elements:

An area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and

interaction of natural and/or human factors(European Landscape Convention 2000)

Why the Ouse Washes? - A Distinct Landscape:

Skies History Birds AgricultureWildlife Drainage Rural FloodingConservation Birdwatching WillowsFlat Embankments Atmospheric

(April 2011 Workshop/Word Association: words most associated with the Ouse Washes landscape)

Ouse Washes LPS: a Distinct Landscape

Unique Selling Point:UK’s largest extent of washland

Ouse Washes LPS: a Distinct Landscape

Unique Selling Point:UK’s largest extent of washland

-Extensive & Nationally important Wetland areas-Seasonally flooded: Wintering & Breeding birds-(Inter-)national designations: Ramsar; SPA; SAC; SSSI-Preservation of palaeo-environmental evidence-Man-made origins: drainage & aggregates extraction-Engineered & Managed landscape

The Ouse Washes

•Stores flood water from the Great Ouse River•Protects river banks downstream to Kings Lynn from being over-topped•Defends important agricultural land and properties from flooding throughout the Fens•Provides washland grazing pastures and wetland habitats for the benefit of agriculture, nature and wildlife

www.ousewashes.org

Ouse Washes LP - Issues:

•Ramsar site habitat deteriorating•81% of SSSI deemed ‘unfavourable’•Divided management•Competing demands on resources•Climate Change Adaptation & Flood Prevention•Differences in socio-economics North vs. South•Limited public access opportunities & facilities•Lack of awareness: origins & significance of landscape•Lack of Identity: not considered a tourism destination

Addressing the Needs of the Landscape, Heritage & Communities:

Indirectly addressed through LP scheme:

•Ramsar site habitat deteriorating•83% of SSSI deemed ‘unfavourable’•Divided management•Competing demands on resources•Climate Change Adaptation & Flood PreventionDirectly addressed through LP scheme:•Differences in socio-economics North vs. South•Limited public access opportunities & facilities•Lack of awareness: origins & significance of landscape•Lack of Identity: not considered a tourism destination

Links with Strategic Programmes•Fens for the Future: an enhanced Ecological Network

•The Great Ouse Wetland Vision

Links with Strategic Programmes•Green Infrastructure Strategies

•Fens Waterways Link

Ouse Washes LP - VISION:•A place managed for the needs of all its inhabitants and visitors;•A place for people to thrive and wildlife to flourish;•A place that links the stories of the past and the possibilities of the future.

Ouse Washes LP - AIMS:1. Promote the Ouse Washes as a distinctive visitor and local destination. 2. Raise awareness and understanding of the role of the washlands, its pressures and man’s role in maintaining and conserving a dynamic landscape. 3. Work with a wide range of partners to improve community interaction and participation to maintain the areas inherent beauty, natural and built heritage assets and international importance. 4. Support the development of skills and provide training opportunities to enable local communities to be involved in conserving and managing the landscape.

DEVELOPMENT PHASE (2013): LCAP (Landscape Conservation Action Plan) 27 Projects worked out in detail Research to fill in gaps in knowledge before stage 2 bid:-Landscape Characterisation Assessment-Ditch Survey Methodology Development-Communication Strategy-Community Consultations/Baseline data collection-Access & Audience DevelopmentOther:-Seminar for Project Delivery Partners?-Conference-Timeline development-Website & Branding

DEVELOPMENT PHASE (2013):A Tight Timetable

DEVELOPMENT PHASE (2013) – Changes to be made from stage 1 application:

Training: provide fuller programme, with accreditation wherever possibleProjects: further justification and/or alterations needed for: ‘The Fishy Fens’/’Barn Owl Recovery’/ ‘Wildlife Friendly Farming’/ Signage & InterpretationRefine LP Boundary mapRethink timetable for delivery phaseExtend on proposals for evaluation of scheme Build in long-term Management and Maintenance Plans where possible. Improve Risk Log

Ouse Washes LPDELIVERY PHASE - PROJECTS:types & locations

Ouse Washes LPDELIVERY PHASE - PROJECTS:Access ‘hubs’

Ouse Washes LPPROJECTS - Conservation:

The Great Ouse Wetland

Barn Owl Recovery Project

Church Conservation & Maintenance Training

Charlemont at Manea

Ouse Washes LPPROJECTS – Participation:

Community Cultural

Heritage FundCommunity project: Increasing

Access to Local Heritage

Ouse Washes Festival Fortnight

Heritage Community Murals

Managing The Ouse Washes in the

Future - Debates

Ouse Washes LPPROJECTS – Learning & Access:

Improvements to Denver Sluice Complex

Skating around the Fens

Migrant Links Heritage Circular Walks

Annual Conference

Famous Figures of The Fens

Ouse Washes LPPROJECTS - Training:

Community Warden Scheme

Wildlife Friendly Farming in the Fens

Community Archaeology

Volunteer Training & Marketplace

Tourism Promotion &

Sector Training

Species Identification

Ouse Washes LP - Focus on:Strong Partnership/ Group effortInterlinked ProjectsCommunity participationRaising awareness & understanding of heritageAddressing needs of landscape & communitiesPromotion of landscape as tourism destinationLeaving Legacy for the landscape

Ouse Washes LP – Themes:

The Future: Branding the landscape?

Branding the landscape? – building blocks:Strong Partnership Blog/Social Media/WebsiteCommunity involvement LOGO?