Living Landscapes
Nene Valley Vision
Scheme area: 4,000 hectares
Benefits include: Habitat restoration, flood alleviation, recreational opportunities for local communities and visitors
The Nene Valley vision stretches from just west of Northampton all the way up to Peterborough. Along the River Nene there is a chain of 12 nature reserves:
- Bugbrooke Meadow
- Storton’s Pits/Duston Mill Meadow
- Kingsthorpe Meadow
- Barnes Meadow
- Abington Meadow
- Summer Leys
- Southfield Marsh Farm
- Ditchford Lakes and Meadows
- Wilson’s Pits
- Higham Ferrers Pits
- Titchmarsh
- Yarwell Pond and Dingle
In 20 years the vision aims to buffer, extend and join these together to create just two or three larger and more resilient sites, rebuilding habitats for wildlife. In this process, visitor facilities will be improved, and education and outdoor learning will support the growth of healthy communities. In addition to acquiring land, we will work with farmers and landowners to support more wildlife-friendly land use and with local authorities and developers to create a valley with naturally-functioning wetlands, rich in wildlife. The area is also on a flood plain so it will store flood water and protect homes and businesses.
Through the heart of Northamptonshire runs the River Nene corridor, stretching almost the entire length of the county and beyond into Peterborough. A chain of gravel pits throughout the river valley, the legacy of former mineral extractions, are internationally important and protected for wildlife, particularly for wetland birds.
The scheme hopes to enhance and safeguard the River Nene corridor through a combination of land purchase and partnership working with landowners and farmers to ensure land is managed in a more wildlife-friendly manner. The scheme also plans to deliver a naturally functioning environment for new and existing local communities by working with the planning system in the adjacent growth area. The planning system is a major contributory delivery mechanism. Local policies have been influenced including design and promotion of biodiversity, Local Wildlife Sites and habitat networks within local plans and Green Infrastructure guidance. Through Section 106 agreements, the Trust is negotiating for substantial areas of habitat creation, restoration and enhancement.
Habitats, such as wet woodland, reed beds, coastal and floodplain grazing marsh will be enhanced and safeguarded through biodiversity conservation. Not only will this benefit the 25 associated Biodiversity Action Plan species such as otter, pennyroyal and curlew, but it will also help alleviate flooding in the area and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation.
This project fits into the River Nene Regional Park wider strategy for the Nene Valley to become a benchmark area for multifunctional greenspace for local communities and tourists to enjoy. There are numerous opportunities for tourism and recreation to coexist with the rich biodiversity of the area.
This ongoing project is being funded by Charitable Trusts, Growth Area Funds, Aggregates Levy Sustainability Funds, Environmental Stewardship, and Heritage Lottery Fund and recently, the Summer Leys Local Nature Reserve has received funding to improve its access infrastructure.
Read our special feature on the Nene Valley Living Landscape from Local Wildlife Summer 2010 or find out what events are happening in the Nene Valley Living Landscape area.
Upload your photographs of the Nene Valley on our Flickr page.
Click here to listen to Brian Eversham, Chief Executive, explaining Living Landscapes and what it means for our three counties.
Click here for a map of the Living Landscape project areas.