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Isle of Wight
Catchment Management Plan
LATEST VERSION Updated November 2019
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Contents 1. Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... 5
2.0 Vision for the catchment and terms of reference. .................................................................... 6
2.1 Vision ....................................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Terms of Reference ................................................................................................................. 6
3.0 Catchment Description ............................................................................................................... 7
3.1 Sub-Catchment Descriptions................................................................................................. 10
4.0 Data & Evidence ....................................................................................................................... 13
4.1 Prioritisation .......................................................................................................................... 13
4.1.1 Environment Agency Priorities ..................................................................................... 13
4.1.2 Wider priorities and multi-benefits .............................................................................. 13
4.2 Data ....................................................................................................................................... 17
4.2.1 The CaBA Data & GIS Pacakges .................................................................................... 17
4.2.2 Environment Agency Catchment Data Explorer .......................................................... 17
4.2.3 Copernicus .................................................................................................................... 17
4.2.4 Island Rivers Website .................................................................................................... 17
4.3 Issue Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 17
4.3 Local Engagement ................................................................................................................... 18
4.3.1 Isle of Wight Council – spatial planning approach ........................................................ 18
4.3.2 Island Rivers Spatial Groups .......................................................................................... 18
4.3.3 Newport Rivers Group (NRG) ........................................................................................ 20
4.3.4 Isle of Wight Estuaries Partnership ............................................................................... 20
4.3.5 Catchment Sensitive Farming ....................................................................................... 21
4.3.6 Plant Positive – Invasive Non Native Species Project & Riverclub ................................ 21
4.3.7 Southern Water............................................................................................................. 22
4.3.8 Down to the Coast ........................................................................................................ 22
4.3.9 East Yar Farm Cluster .................................................................................................... 22
5.0 Project Delivery Plan ................................................................................................................ 23
5.1 Current Project Delivery ....................................................................................................... 24
5.2 Aspirational Projects ............................................................................................................. 27
5.3 Prioritisation of aspirational projects ................................................................................... 33
6.0 Pictoral Projects Summaries .................................................................................................... 34
6.1 Western Yar .......................................................................................................................... 34
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6.2 Thorley Brook ........................................................................................................................ 35
6.3 Newtown Estuary .................................................................................................................. 36
6.4 Caul Bourne ........................................................................................................................... 37
6.5 Rodge Brook .......................................................................................................................... 38
6.6 Gurnard and Thorness watercourses ................................................................................... 39
6.7 Medina estuary .................................................................................................................... 40
6.8 Lukely Brook and Gunville Stream ........................................................................................ 41
6.9 River Medina: Chale to Appleford ........................................................................................ 42
6.10 River Medina: Appleford to Blackwater and Merstone Stream .......................................... 43
6.11 River Medina: Blackwater to Newport Quay .................................................................... 44
6.12 Blackbridge Brook ................................................................................................................ 45
6.13 Upper Eastern Yar ................................................................................................................ 46
6.14 Middle Eastern Yar: Hale to Horringford ............................................................................. 47
6.15 Middle Eastern Yar: Horringford to Newchurch .................................................................. 48
6.16 Middle Eastern Yar: Newchurch to Alverstone .................................................................... 49
6.17 Middle Eastern Yar: Alverstone to Longwood Lane ............................................................. 50
6.18 Middle Eastern Yar: Longwood Lane to Morton .................................................................. 51
6.19 Lower Eastern Yar ................................................................................................................. 52
6.20 Wroxall Stream..................................................................................................................... 53
6.21 Scotchells Brook ................................................................................................................... 54
7.0 Assessment of Partnership capability and capacity to develop and deliver projects ........... 55
7.1 Steering Group Self Evaluation Exercise 2019 ...................................................................... 55
7.2 Involvement of Stakeholders ................................................................................................ 55
7.3 Involvement of Volunteers ................................................................................................... 55
7.4 Involvement of the Community ............................................................................................ 56
7.5 Availability of finance to support partnership ...................................................................... 56
7.6 Availability of finance to deliver projects ............................................................................. 56
7.7 Long-term resilience of the group ........................................................................................ 56
8.0 Monitoring and evaluation of projects .................................................................................... 56
9.0 Communication Plan ................................................................................................................ 57
9.1 Stakeholder Engagement ...................................................................................................... 57
9.2 Island Rivers Spatial Group Meetings ................................................................................... 57
9.3 Website and Social Media ..................................................................................................... 57
9.4 E-Newsletter ......................................................................................................................... 57
9.5 Other engagement ................................................................................................................ 57
10.0 Activity Plan .......................................................................................................................... 58
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Appendix 1: Roles and Responsibilities for Island Rivers Catchment Partnership ......................... 59
Appendix 2: Completed Projects ...................................................................................................... 63
Appendix 3: Issue Analysis Tool ....................................................................................................... 68
Appendix 4: Partnership Self Evaluation – November 2019............................................................ 72
Published by Natural Enterprise Ltd, Shide Meadows Centre, Shide Road, Newport, Isle
of Wight, PO30 1HR Tel: 01983 296244
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1. Executive Summary
The Island Rivers Catchment Plan is a live document, to be reviewed and updated annually.
It is a framework for identifying opportunities and delivering collaborative projects to
improve the Water Quality of all the Isle of Wight river catchments and coastal and
groundwater, to reduce Flood Risk and improve Water Resources and Bio-diversity.
With a vision of improving the quality of the Isle of Wight’s water environment and engaging
more local people into understanding, protecting, enhancing and enjoying our water-
courses, the plan prioritises actions which improve water quality, reduce invasive non-native
species, improve river management, influence planners and developers and improve
riverine and floodplain habitats.
When evaluating the effectiveness of actions, it is important that a holistic approach is taken
to a water catchment. This plan therefore details past projects and current activities in order
to identify future projects.
Priority catchments are the Eastern Yar (including Wroxall Stream and Scotchells Brook) and
the River Medina. These catchments offer the greatest opportunities for improvements. It is
recognised that the larger Isle of Wight water-courses may require their own specific plans,
which can be developed at a later date.
The plan assesses the capacity of the Catchment Partnership to deliver improvements.
For those in a hurry Section 5 (starting page 23) lists our on-going and aspirational projects.
Section 6 (starting page 34) contains a useful series of maps on which we indicate past,
present and aspirational projects for each watercourse we have reviewed.
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2.0 Vision for the catchment and terms of reference.
2.1 Vision To improve the quality of the Isle of Wight’s water environment and to engage more local
people into understanding, protecting, enhancing and enjoying our water-courses.
2.2 Terms of Reference The Isle of Wight River Catchments Partnership brings together local people and organisations to plan and deliver positive actions that will improve our water environment. The Catchment Partnership is being hosted by Natural Enterprise and is supported by a diverse range of core partners and wider stakeholders.
The organisations helping to steer this project are the Environment Agency, Natural Enterprise, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Isle of Wight AONB, Isle of Wight Council, Southern Water, the Country Landowners Association, National Farmers Union, the Isle of Wight Estuaries Project and Arc Consulting. Other Organisations and individuals are requested to attend Steering Group meetings when additional expertise is needed. Any interested organisation is welcome to join our wider partnership.
By working together, to share knowledge and deliver actions, we can safeguard and improve the health of the catchment’s freshwater, estuarine and coastal ecosystems and groundwater for the long term.
Island Rivers is not a formally constituted group. Roles and Responsibilities are detailed within Appendix 1.
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3.0 Catchment Description
The Isle of Wight Catchment covers an area of 390 km2 of which 32.7km2 is Water
Priority Area.
The catchment is divided up into 35 river water bodies, 8 estuaries & coastal waters and
4 groundwater bodies. It also includes 14 bathing waters, 1 surface drinking water
source and 6 shellfish waters.
The catchment also covers part of one Special Protection Areas and five Special Areas of
Conservation designated under the Habitats Directive
As well as the Natura 2000 sites there are a further 38 Sites of Special Scientific Interest
and 190km2 is Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Isle of Wight is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The Isle of Wight has a diverse geology with clay soils to the north, a ridge of chalk
running through the middle (west to east) and greensand to the south. Chalk reappears
in the south-east of the Island above Ventnor. Aquifers are found in both the chalk and
the greensand.
The soils reflect the geology with heavy clays to the north, with occasional plateau
gravels; free draining silty loams on the chalk to the centre and free draining friable
sandy loams to the south.
With the exception of small streams running south into the English Channel, the
majority of the Island’s rivers run north into the Solent. Rising from the chalk they
rapidly become influenced by either the clay or sandy soils depending on their course.
Classic chalk streams are rare but the minor Lukely Brook in Newport and the Caul
Bourne at Winkle Street are chalk streams, although the latter rapidly flows onto
Tertiary clays. There are quite a few springs from the Chalk and Upper Greensand,
which has similar water chemistry, such as Froglands, Shalcombe, Brighstone
Buddlehole, North Court Shorewell, and the Sheet Stream at Chillerton, but they rapidly
change character as they flow on to different strata.
Over 90% of rivers in the catchment have been changed for water abstraction,
agriculture, navigation and flood protection reasons. They have been straightened and
man-made river banks and structures such as weirs have been put in the rivers.
Modifications such as weirs are obstacles to fish migration.
Average rainfall in the catchment is 906mm. The rivers on the Island react dramatically
to high rainfall incidents leading to spatey conditions and localised flooding.
Sources of drinking water are found in the aquifers at Knighton (eastern chalk ridge),
Carisbrooke (Bowcombe Valley) and Ventnor (Ventnor Downs) and from the eastern Yar
river at Sandown. 25% of the Island’s drinking water comes from the Hampshire Test
river via a sub-Solent pipeline.
Agriculture and land use: 24,903 ha (64%) of the Isle of Wight is farmed in 349 holdings.
Arable (8,336 ha – of which wheat and spring barley is 51%); temp grass (2,217 ha),
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permanent grass (11,174 ha), rough grazing (548 ha) with 65% to beef and 18% to dairy.
With two AD plants, maize is increasing rapidly (547 ha 2010 to 868 ha in 2013, which
was prior to plant opening). Also farm woodland makes up 1,598 ha.
Sources of pollution other than agriculture include poorly managed septic tanks, storm
water discharges, road run-off and minor waste water treatment works
The Solent is a Water Framework Directive (WFD) Shellfish Water Protected Area and
this highly designated area is the final destination of much of the catchment’s water.
Improved sewage treatment has led to the discharge of treated sewage to become
localised at Sandown Bay, away from the Solent.
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Figures 1 and 2: Isle of Wight Catchments
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3.1 Sub-Catchment Descriptions For the management of the Island’s Catchment Sensitive Farming Project the 35 water
bodies on the Isle of Wight are split into six collections of sub-catchment and are described
below :
a. Western Yar : includes Western Yar, Barnfield Stream, Compton Chine and Thorley
Brook.
The Western Yar arises below the chalk cliff at Freshwater Bay and flows north to the
Solent. The small catchment is dominated by floodplain marshes and reedbeds before
it reaches its estuary at Freshwater Causeway. Beyond the floodplain (which is
designated in its entirety as an SSSI) the landscape is characterised by mixed farming
and woodland on clay soils. Built up areas influencing the area include the Easton area
of Freshwater town and Freshwater Bay. The Barnfield and Thorley Streams join the
estuary near the mouth at Yarmouth. The catchment of the Thorley Stream is
dominated by intensive arable cultivation on chalky soils and base rich clays. Compton
Chine shares similar characteristics as the southwest coast waterbodies described
below.
Issues in these sub-catchments include diffuse and point source pollution with high
levels of nitrogen and phosphate.
b. Southwest Coast : includes Brook Chine, Chilton Chine, Atherfield Stream, Walpen
Chine and Brighstone Stream.
This collection of small streams rise from greensand hills and flow southwards to the
English Channel. They are truncated, deeply incised river valleys which once formed
the tributaries of a river now drowned by the Channel. The northern catchments of
these streams are characterised by mixed farming but arable intensification increases
further south. A number of small villages and hamlets are established in these
catchment, the most significant being Brighstone, Brook and Chale.
Issues in these catchments include low flows and diffuse pollution with high
phosphate levels
c. Newtown Estuary & NW Coast: Great Thorness Stream, Little Thorness Stream,
Gurnard Luck, Ningwood Stream, Caul Bourne, Fleetlands Copse Stream, Rodge
Brook, Clamerkin Brook and Newtown Brook
This series of small streams almost all rise and flow from clay soils into the Solent. The
exception is the Caul Bourne which rises further south in the chalk and continues to
show characteristics of a base-rich chalk stream for much of its course. The Caul
Bourne, Ningwood Stream, Newtown Brook, Rodge Brook, and Clamerkin Brook all
flow into the internationally designated Newtown Estuary. The landscape of the
catchments is dominated by both intensively grazed improved and extensively grazed
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unimproved pasture and woodland. Grazing is with both cattle and sheep. The upper
reaches of the Caul Bourne are influenced by arable cultivation. A number of villages
are found in the area including Shalfleet, Wellow, Porchfield, Cranmore and Newtown.
Issues in these catchments include diffuse pollution from high nitrogen, pesticide and
sediment levels, point source pollution leading to high phosphate levels and low
invertebrate numbers possibly as a result of the factors above.
d. Medina: Medina River, Dodnor Creek, Lukely Brook, Alverstone Stream
The Medina River rises in the greensand hills around Chale and flows north to the
Solent. It is joined by a significant tributary – the Blackwater which rises near Rookley
and joins it just south of Newport. The landscape of the catchment is dominated by
mixed agriculture with arable dominant in the wider catchment on sandier soils whilst
intensive grazing of both cattle and sheep is found in the clay soils closer to the
floodplain. The catchments of Dodnor Creek and Alverstone Stream are similarly
influenced with a mixture of arable and grassland being farmed to the estuary edge.
The estuary itself is designated as a Natura 2000 site. The catchment is influenced by
the establishment of the major towns of Newport (at the river mouth) and East Cowes
and West Cowes (at the estuary mouth) as well as a number of villages such as
Rookley, Chale, Gatcome and Chillerton.
The Lukely Brook has different characteristics. Rising in the chalk hills of the
Bowcombe valley the Lukely retains its chalk stream character until it enters the
Medina river in Newport. The landscape of the Lukely valley is predominately grazing
on the floodplain with intensive arable and pasture in the wider catchment. The
watercourse is highly modified for much of its length as it flows through Carisbrooke
and Newport. Weirs and canalisation in concrete channels increases its flow and
reduces its ability to occupy its floodplain which has been subsequently developed.
Issues in these catchments include modified watercourses, diffuse pollution including
high nitrogen and sediment levels, point source leading to high phosphate levels and
low flows.
e. Eastern Yar : Lower Eastern Yar, Middle Eastern Yar (inc. Arreton Stream and
Scotchells’ Brook), Upper Eastern Yar, Shanklin Chine Stream and Wroxall Stream.
The Eastern Yar rises in the chalk at Niton and flows north to Budbridge before turning
east to enter the Solent at Bembridge Harbour. The lower river catchment is
characterised by predominately arable agriculture which intensifies as it enters the
middle catchment. The lower river is joined by the Wroxall Stream which rises in the
base-rich soils at Wroxall and flows north. The Wroxall catchment is characterised by
mixed arable and intensive grazing but the arable becomes dominant as the stream
flows north. The middle section of the river is characterised by intensive arable
agriculture but as the floodplain widens this is found further from the watercourse.
From Horringford the floodplain is dominated by extensively grazed wet grassland and
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fens. Scotchell’s Brook, which rises in the greensand near Shanklin, flows north to join
the eastern Yar in its middle catchment. The catchment of Scotchell’s Brook is again
grazed floodplain with more intensive arable in the hinterland. The upper catchment
floodplain is extensively grazed and the wider catchment returns to mixed agriculture.
The river and its tributaries are heavily influenced by the towns and villages found in
the catchment including Wroxall, Whitwell, Brading, Arreton, Shanklin, Sandown and
Bembridge.
Issues in these catchments are diffuse pollution including phosphate and sediment
and point source pollution of phosphate
f. Northeast coast : includes Barton Manor Stream, Palmers Brook, Blackbridge Brook,
Quarr Stream, Binstead Stream, Monktonmead Brook, Pondwell Stream and
Nettlestone Stream
The northeast coast is a collection of small streams which mostly rise in the clays of
the north of the Island and flow north into the Solent. The major streams include
Palmers Brook, Blackbridge Brook and Monktonmead Stream. These rise further south
in chalk or base-rich clays. Their catchments are characterised by intensive grazing
with some arable but their valleys are shaded in many areas by woodland. Palmers
Brook is heavily influenced by the refuse tip at Lynbottom but is relatively free of
urban influence. The northern catchments of Blackbridge and Monktonmead are
influenced by the towns of Wootton and Ryde. The Monktonmead is highly modified
by flood defence and railway infrastructure as well as urban development the further
north it flows.
Issues in these catchments include diffuse pollution with high sediment, pesticide and
phosphate levels. In common with other waterbodies entering the Solent there are
concerns over nitrogen and phosphate levels and their contribution to green algal
blooms (Enteromorpha) in estuaries where wintering birds, and the invertebrates they
depend on, may be adversely affected.
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4.0 Data & Evidence
4.1 Prioritisation
4.1.1 Environment Agency Priorities
With regards to the Isle of Wight as a complete catchment the Environment Agency
consider it essential that project ideas are developed and monies are spent where they are
most needed to fulfil the Water Framework Directive (WFD) obligations.
Some further points of guidance to note are: - The prioritisation is based on meeting the requirements of ‘Improving Protected
Areas’, ‘Preventing or Reversing Deterioration’ and ‘Reaching Good Status’ which Defra requires it’s funding to deliver. This is also informed by local priorities and opportunities;
- The investment plan is focused on targeting the investment of the Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF). This is focussed on WFD. There are other funds both within and without the EA that could also be approached. It is also intended to support the development of integrated projects by helping to identify where multiple outcomes can be achieved;
- The plan does not prohibit funding improvements outside the priority areas, if a new
opportunity does arise in a non-prioritised waterbody. However, the ambition is that
at least 90% of project bids will be within the priority areas;
4.1.2 Wider priorities and multi-benefits
Whilst the EA are a major source of funds and support, the above guidance will inevitably
drive projects with a WFD focus and it is recommended that when prioritising projects for
delivery on the Island, further prioritisation is considered, using the vast amount of data
that is now available. This is discussed further in Sections 4.2 and 4.3.
The Island River’s Catchment Plan has a selection of projects, many of which can produce
quick wins. However there are opportunities to tie lots of agendas / multi benefits together
into flagship projects – major catchment-scale projects to make a step change in natural
capital and involve the community. They key drivers for producing a flagship ‘multi benefit’
project would be to:
- Reduce flood risk
- Improve water quality
- Enhance biodiversity
through catchment management.
The investment plan is a live document and will be reviewed annually with all interested
parties.
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Figures 3 and 4: Environment Agency priority river waterbodies for project investment
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Table 1: Environment Agency priority river and lake waterbodies for project investment
WB Name Status Failing Elements Links to Protected Areas Summary of Pressures in Waterbody
Wroxall Stream Poor
Phosphate, Macrophyes & Phytobenthos,
Hydrology
Solent and Southampton Water SPA, Ventnor Tunnel Safe Guard Zone, St Helens Bathing Water
Non-native invasive species (Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed); Rural diffuse pollution
Medina Moderate Invertebrates,
Mitigation Measures
Solent and Southampton Water SPA, Solent Maritime SAC, Cowes
and Medina Shellfish Water
Barriers to fish passage (At 10 sites, including Matalan lower and upper weirs, Pan Mill Weir, Shide Ramp Weir, Shide Mill Weir, Shide Footbridge Weir Blackwater Upper and Lower Weirs); Non-native invasive species; Lack of shading; Bank erosion; Poor quality habitat (At Highwood Lane to Blackwater Nursing Home and Pizza Hut); Rural diffuse pollution;
Blackbridge Brook Moderate
Invertebrates, Phosphate, Mitigation
Measures, Macrophytes & Phytobenthos
Briddlesford Copse SAC, Solent and Southampton Water SPA, Cowes and Medina Shellfish
Water
Over shading; Barriers to fish passage; Poor quality habitat;
Eastern Yar Moderate
Phosphate, Mitigation Measures,
Macrophytes & Phytobenthos
Solent and Southampton Water SPA, St Helens Bathing Water
Non-native invasive species (Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed); Barriers to fish passage (At Great Sluice, Pond at Nineham Farm); Poor quality habitat (Including culverting, over widening, hard engineering); Rural diffuse pollution;
Lukely Brook Moderate
Fish, Hydrology, Mitigation Measures,
Macrophtyes & Phytobenthos
Solent and Southampton Water SPA, Solent Maritime SAC, Cowes
and Medina Shellfish Water
Barriers to fish passage (At West Mill, Towngate Mill and 3 other sites); Poor quality habitat ( particularly at Westminster Mill to Towngate, Plaish Meadows and Clatterford Shute);
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Table 2: Environment Agency Priority transitional and coastal waterbodies for project investment
WB Name Status Failing Elements Links to Protected Areas Summary of Pressures in Waterbody
Solent Moderate Angiosperms, DIN,
Mitigation Measures
South Wight Maritime SAC, Solent Maritime SAC, Solent
and Southampton Water SPA, 17 Bathing Waters, 12
Shellfish Waters
Urban and rural diffuse pollution, Poor quality habitat
Eastern Yar Moderate Macroalgae, DIN
Solent and Southampton Water SPA, St Helens Bathing
Water Diffuse rural pollution
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4.2 Data
There is a whole host of data that is now available to underpin a weight of evidence
approach for any projects on the Island. As this data is being constantly updated it is not
included in the plan, but instead it is accessible through the following links:
4.2.1 The CaBA Data & GIS Pacakges
There is a vast source of online data available at https://data.catchmentbasedapproach.org/
Here open data has been grouped to help identify issues and opportunities for collaborative
action to improve river catchments. Additional datasets are available to partnerships for
offline use only - contact Island Rivers for access and pay special attention to licence
restrictions.
4.2.2 Environment Agency Catchment Data Explorer
The Catchment Data Explorer helps you explore and download information about the water
environment. It supports and builds upon the data in the river basin management plans.
This is the link to the 10 WFD rivers on the Island
https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/OperationalCatchment/3235 and this
to the 8 transitional and coastal water bodies https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-
planning/OperationalCatchment/3236 . From these links you can explore each watercourse
in terms of its classification, issues and an analysis of reasons for not achieving good status.
4.2.3 Copernicus
This website provides data in the form of maps and downloads for the Island’s riparian
zones: https://land.copernicus.eu/local/riparian-zones . The Riparian Zones products support
the objectives of several European legal acts and policy initiatives, such as the EU
Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, the Habitats and Birds Directives and the Water Framework
Directive. There are three complementary product groups – land-use cover, delineation of
riparian zones and green links. Additionally this is a water and wetness dataset https://land.copernicus.eu/pan-european/high-resolution-layers/water-wetness/status-maps/2015
4.2.4 Island Rivers Website
Data is also made available on the Island Rivers website http://www.islandrivers.org.uk/, on
the appropriate river page. Here there is also access to past reports on individual water-
courses where we have been able to find them, and there is also access to records of
catchment walkovers conducted by Island Rivers.
4.3 Issue Analysis
The tool in Appendix 3 has been adapted from one kindly supplied from West Cumbria
Rivers Trust and it can be used to identify stand-alone projects and where we can tie
multiple drivers together. It is recommended that this is used in future prioritisation
exercises.
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4.4 Local Engagement
4.4.1 Isle of Wight Council – spatial planning approach
Island Rivers decided to adopt a spatial approach that mirrored the Island’s Area Action
Plans, part of the Island’s Core Strategy.
Following the local elections in May 2017 the council has been carrying out a review of local
planning policy for the Island. This includes both the current Island Plan Core Strategy, that
was adopted in 2012 and all the plan documents that sit below this plan. This includes the
Area Action Plans. While the council are still exploring options for how the new plan will
look, there is a desire to make it more accessible and easily understood. This is likely to lead
to a rationalisation, such that instead of producing 3 separate Area Action Plans there will
be one single local plan. Therefore the local plan is likely to have 3 tiers of policy, being;
1. Strategic policies; 2. Area policies – based upon the original AAPs; and, 3. Detailed development management policies.
The work carried out on geographically specific areas and issues, such as catchment based
planning in the Medina Valley, will still be used, within the appropriate policy/ies of the new
plan. The tiers of policies won’t indicate a hierarchy of application, all relevant policies will
be equally applicable regardless of whether they are strategic, area or development based.
4.4.2 Island Rivers Spatial Groups
In line with the approach, meetings were held in 2014 to mirror the IW Council AAP areas.
Newport Rivers had been a functioning group for 20 years, but meetings were held to
discuss whether there was a need for similar groups in the Ryde Area, the Bay Area and
West Wight.
These meetings showed that there was strong buy in at this local level, although it was not
felt that each area had to replicate the approach of Newport Rivers. With the change in the
Isle of Wight Council spatial approach the Island Rivers Steering Group has decided not to
continue with the spatial groups (other than Newport Rivers) but to maintain the mailing list
(see Section 8) and reconvene groups, or sub-sets as needed when opportunities or issues
arise. The East Yar Group has evolved into the Down to the Coast working group who are
meeting on a regular basis to deliver a number of projects.
The initial meetings highlighted the following, which still remain valid:
4.4.2.1 Ryde Rivers Meeting
The main water courses within this area are Monktonmead Brook, Binstead Stream,
Blackbridge Brook and Palmers Brook.
An initial public meeting with Ryde Rivers was held in March 2014. One project identified
that currently fits with EA criteria is:
Phosphate reduction on Blackbridge Brook
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Subsequent meetings with Ryde Town Council revealed that they did not want to replicate
Newport Rivers Group as there is already a flood group, and there are far less public realm
opportunities. They would rather we concentrate on the following projects:
To eradicate invasive non-native plants (mainly Japanese Knotweed) from
Monktonmead Brook
To produce a Town Trail that take in a walk and interpretation along Monktonmead
Brook and Binstead Stream
To protect the Town’s water courses by working with the LPA to incorporate
appropriate policies within the Island Plan
Not all ‘Ryde Rivers’ fall within the jurisdiction of Ryde Town Council and approaches need
to be made to other Parish Council’s to see whether they have any river projects. There are
no Neighbourhood Plans within this area.
4.4.2.2 East Yar River Meetings
This area includes the Eastern Yar and also Wroxall Stream and Scotchells Brook, both which
feed into it.
An initial public meeting for the Eastern Yar was held in April 2014. Subsequently a report
was commissioned to identify possible watercourse improvements and a further meeting
was held in December 2014. The report was produced in 2015 and identified a number of
opportunities, but did not include developed projects. The River Restoration Centre also
visited the water-course and discussed the feasibility of some of these options. The report
(LINK) has since become the blueprint for restoration and the following projects are being
delivered:
Gateway to the East - Use of active river restoration techniques to improve Fish
passage and create hydromorphological changes that will diversify in-channel and
marginal habitats and help bring to good ecological status as well as connecting
rivers with their floodplain. Focussed on the area between Horringford Bridge and
Alverstone Bridge
Wetland Restoration - Improvement and restoration of wetland sites in the East Yar
Valley. Improvements of habitats including floodplain grazing marsh, wet fens and
reedbeds at Sandown Meadows and private landowner sites including Alverstone
Marsh SSSI, several SINCs and the Donkey Sanctuary.
In addition, once earlier actions are delivered for the Island Plan it should be relatively easy
to take forward the following action
To protect Scotchells Brook and urban parts of the Eastern Yar by working with the
LPA to incorporate appropriate policies
Brading and Bembridge have produced Neighbourhood Development Plans but these do not
identify any projects relating to water-courses.
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4.4.2.3 West Wight Meeting
The main watercourses in this area are the Western Yar, Caul Bourne, Rodge Brook, Chine
Streams, Gurnard Luck, and Thorness Streams.
An initial public meeting for the Eastern Yar was held in April 2014. The meeting did not
identify any major issues with the water-courses that were not already being tackled within
other groups.
Brighstone, Freshwater and Gurnard have produced Neighbourhood Development Plans but
these do not identify any projects relating to water-courses.
4.4.3 Newport Rivers Group (NRG)
The main water courses within this area are River Medina, Lukely Brook, Gunville Stream
and Pan Streams.
Newport Rivers Group was established 20 years ago and has delivered a number of projects.
It now meets four times per annum. Currently it primary areas of focus are:
To protect the Town’s water courses by working with the LPA to incorporate
appropriate policies within the Island Plan.
To support and complement Southern Water’s mitigation works on Lukely Brook. SW
are concentrating on sites upstream of Wellington Road and NRG will look to
improve the water-course downstream.
To protect the two Pan Streams from development.
To develop a host of small engagement projects.
Newport Rivers Group have played a major part in developing the Medina Valley Visitor
Economy Coastal Communities Plan
http://www.naturalenterprise.co.uk/uploads/content_documents/1031/Medina_Valley_Ec
onomic_Plan.pdf
4.4.4 Isle of Wight Estuaries Partnership
The Isle of Wight Estuaries Project is a partnership between Cowes Harbour Commission,
Isle of Wight Council, Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners, Natural England and the
Environment Agency. The partnership promotes the sustainable use of estuaries and helps
the statutory authorities to undertake their responsibilities under national and international
legislation. Its main areas of focus are the Western Yar estuary and the Medina estuary.
Both estuaries have Guiding Principles associated with their management and these stem
from the Estuary Management Plans developed through extensive stakeholder consultation.
The Estuaries Project also helps to raise awareness of the estuarine environment and works
closely with authorities around the Solent to manage the large sites designated for their
nature conservation interest. It works in partnership with similar projects around the UK to
encourage sustainable management of coastal areas and to develop and share best practice.
21
4.4.5 Catchment Sensitive Farming
Isle of Wight AONB deliver Catchment Sensitive Farming advice on the Island on behalf of
Natural England and the Environment Agency. Their priorities are to:
Reduce sediment and soil phosphate loss from agriculture by encouraging better soil husbandry; in arable, particularly maize, grassland and enhanced livestock management to improve water quality in the whole catchment as evidenced in the Diffuse Water Pollution Plan
Improve manure management and integration of the timing and spreading of manures with fertiliser inputs to reduce nutrients entering watercourses and aquifers to help achieve WFD good Ecological Status and protect potable water supplies.
Reduce the direct access by livestock to open streams and rivers to prevent sediment loss and reduce the risk of faecal indicator organisms (FIOs) reaching the in eastern Yar (outflow at Bembridge).
Reduce the connectivity between land and surface water by encouraging track works and encourage manure storage efficiency by yard infrastructure improvements to reduce sediment and nutrient run-off to improve water quality in chalk and sandstone aquifers.
Raise awareness of pesticide failures within the surface water safeguarding zone aiming to reduce pesticides in drinking water.
Raise awareness of WFD reason for not achieving objectives in the priority sub-catchments water bodies.
The CSF project leads on farming engagement, and together with the Agencies, prioritises the areas and farms to engage in. Additionally the EA has funded Farmscoper reports for the Eastern Yar and Newtown Catchments. This is a decision support tool that can be used to assess diffuse agricultural pollutant loads on a watercourse and quantify the impacts of farm mitigation methods on these pollutants. Farmscoper will be extended to the Medina in 2020.
4.4.6 Plant Positive – Invasive Non Native Species Project & Riverclub
The Island has an Invasive Non Native Species Project – Plant Positive, which has a specific
focus on the Island’s water-courses. The project’s priorities are:
Control, and where possible eradication of Japanese Knotweed on all water-courses
Control of Himalayan Balsam along the Eastern Yar, Scotchells Brook and Wroxall
Stream
Eradication of Himalayan Balsam on Merstone Stream and the Medina
Action to eradicate non-native plants that colonise outside these areas
Partners are currently working on an new plan which will include a wider range of species,
horizon-scanning and pathway analysis. Additionally volunteers deliver winter maintenance
work on Island water-courses.
22
4.4.7 Southern Water
Southern Water will soon start delivery on their Business Plan for 2020-25, Drought Plan for
2018-23 and Water Resources Management Plan for 2020-70. They are engaging with
customers and stakeholders and are developing a more integrated approach to managing
the water environment. This includes the formation of Catchment Teams.
Southern Water are keen to involve the catchment partnerships in their work to a greater
degree than before. They are working closely with Newport Rivers Group on the Lukely
Brook catchment.
4.4.8 Down to the Coast
Down to the Coast is a Landscape Partnership Programme, which includes and funds a
number of projects that are contributing to the delivery of this Catchment Plan. In addition,
it offers the opportunity of interaction with other non-riverine projects to increase
awareness such as ‘All Along the River’, a festival which has brought a large number of
people to the Eastern Yar on May Days between 2017 and 2020. Down to the Coast finished
in 2020 and partners are now discussing legacy and what comes next.
4.4.9 East Yar Farm Cluster
AONB have facilitated a group of farmers along the middle Eastern Yar to form a cluster that
can apply for funding and deliver improvements to the water-course, drainage ditches and
floodplain. A further group may be developed with farmers in north-west Wight on the Caul
Bourne catchment.
23
5.0 Project Delivery Plan
The Island Rivers Project Delivery Plan will be reviewed annually and published online on the
Island Rivers Website.
Its objective is to provide a focus for ambitious Catchment Based Approach delivery; aiding
strategic and project-based collaboration and opportunistic project delivery.
The Project Delivery Plan aims to bring together current delivery and future aspirations of all
partners involved in the Island’s watercourses. For ease it has been divided into two
separate sections:
On-going delivery of projects that are already funded
Future Projects – some of these will be funded, but many are aspirations
For reference, Appendix 2 contains a list of projects already completed.
Whilst we list projects in isolation, it is the cumulative effect of a number of projects that
brings the greatest gain. To illustrate this we have annotated the main water course
projects on a series of maps in Chapter 6.
24
5.1 Current Project Delivery
ON-GOING 2019
Code Name Project Description Lead Organisation
Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
O1 Planning Work with planners to recognise rivers within Island Plan
Newport Rivers Project
Island Rivers, Natural Enterprise, EA
Major waterbodies Whole Island
On-going
O3 SEMD Upgrades for Security and Emergency Measures Directive (regional scheme) Southern Water All waterbodies Whole Island
On-going
O4 Wells Wet well cleaning (regional scheme) Southern Water All waterbodies Whole Island On-going
O5 Sewers Rehabilitation (regional scheme) Southern Water All waterbodies Whole Island On-going
O6 Mains Mains replacements Southern Water All waterbodies Whole Island On-going
O7 Catchment Sensitive Farming
Farm advice to minimise impact of nitrates, phosphates, pesticides to surface and ground water.
Isle of Wight AONB Natural England, EA All waterbodies Whole island
On-going
O9 Flood Wardens Training of volunteer wardens Newport & Carisbrooke CPC
Newport Rivers Group Newport Rivers Medina
On-going
O10 Lukely Non Natives Control of Japanese Knotweed Environment Agency Natural Enterprise Lukely Brook Medina
On-going
O13 Annual Saltmarsh Monitoring
Ongoing monitoring of saltmarsh on Medina.
Estuaries Project Medina Estuary Medina
On-going
O14 Werrar / Pinkmead
High water wader roost. Management and restoration of 4ha of coastal grassland, woodland, salt marsh and saline lagoon. Total of which represents 50% of the remaining habitat in the Medina Estuary. Wildlife Trust Estuaries Project, IWC Medina Estuary Medina
On-going
25
Code Name Project Description Lead Organisation
Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
O43 Medina Greenway Work to complete missing sections on eastern side of the Estuary IWC Estuaries Project Medina Estuary Medina
On-going
O15 Merstone Stream Medina tributary. Invasives control, wetland management.
Natural Enterprise DttC
Medina / Merstone Stream Medina
On-going
O17 Gateway to the East
Improving fish passage and create hydromorphological changes that will diversify in-channel and marginal habitats and help bring to good ecological status as well as connecting rivers with their floodplain between Horringford and Alverstone
Wildlife Trust & Environment Agency DttC Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
On-going
O18 Eastern Yar Invasive Non Native Control
Intensive invasive control in particular Himalayan balsam.
Natural Enterprise DttC Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
On-going
O20 Wetland Restoration
Improvement and restoration of wetland sites in the E. Yar Valley, including floodplain grazing marsh, wet fens and reedbeds at Sandown Meadows and private sites including Alverstone Marsh SSSI, several SINCs (within Eastern Yar Valley Wildlife Trust DttC Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
On-going
O21
Farmscoper: Nutrient Removal Project
Identifying optimal measures that are most likely to reduce losses of N, P and sediment and working with landowners on mitigation measures
Isle of Wight AONB EA, ADAS
Eastern Yar, Newtown Catchment
Eastern Yar, Newtown
On-going
042 Brading Marshes Management of RSPB reserve RSPB Eastern Yar Eastern Yar On-going
O44 Alverstone Peat Restoration Project
Restoration of units within Alverstone Marshes SSSI
Natural Enterprise EA, NE Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
On-going
26
Code Name Project Description Lead Organisation
Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
O45 Eastern Yar Farm Cluster
Small-scale works to improve hydrology AONB Wildlife Trust Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
On-going
O24 Knighton Water Supply Works
£6m to return 2 lower greensand boreholes to supply (4Mld). By 2020 Southern Water Groundwater Eastern Yar
On-going
O25 Meanders and Reflections
Restoration of Yar River Trail and add-ons from Shanklin and Ventnor
Natural Enterprise Ramblers
Eastern Yar, Scotchells Brook and Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
On-going
O26
Wroxall Stream Invasive Non Native Control
Intensive invasive control in particular Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed.
Natural Enterprise DttC Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
On-going
O27
Donkey Sanctuary (Wetland Restoration)
Scrub control and riverside management. Including raising public awareness of wetland sites. Wildlife Trust DttC Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
On-going
O28 Scotchells Brook Himlayan Balsam Removal Natural Enterprise
Shanklin Green Towns, DttC
Scotchells Brook Eastern Yar
On-going
O29 Annual Saltmarsh Monitoring
Ongoing monitoring of saltmarsh on Western Yar
Estuaries Project Western Yar Western Yar
On-going
O30 Afton Marsh LNR Non-native (Japanese Knotweed) removal
Natural Enterprise Western Yar Western Yar
On-going
O31 Brighstone Stream Invasives control of Himalayan Balsam. Natural Enterprise
Brighstone Stream
Chine Streams
On-going
O36 Sandown Waste Treatment Works
£4m inlet works. New screens and grit removal. By 2020 Southern Water Coastal
On-going
O40 Albany Pumping Station £1.5m resilience measures. By 2020 Southern Water ? ?
On-going
O45 Western Yar Tidal Flaps
Replacement and monitoring to improve fish passage EA / NE Western Yar Western Yar
On-going
27
5.2 Aspirational Projects
READY TO GO AND / OR ASPIRATIONAL 2019
Code Project name Project Description Lead Organisation
Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
A1 Gunville Stream Project
Get a holistic approach to all development. Possible access and biodiversity improvements.
Newport Rivers Group
Developers / IW Council Gunville Medina Aspiration
A2 Love Your Lukely Campaign
Public engagement (to include developer and landowner guidance). Section 106 channel enhancements. Invasives control.
Newport Rivers Group
EA, developers, IWC, Newport & Carisbrooke CPC, Southern Water Lukely Brook Medina Aspiration
A3 Lukely Brook Mitigation Southern Water Improvements Southern Water
Newport Rivers Group Lukely Brook Medina
Delivery 2019/20
A4
Lukely Brook Improvements - Towngate
Improvements to bed and removal of obstacles between Newport Quay and Wellington Road
Newport Rivers Group Lukely Brook Medina Aspiration
A4a Hurst Fire Break
Not a complete impediment to passage, but fish get caught at low tide and are eaten by birds. Screen would help.
Newport Rivers Group
Newport Rivers
Group
Lukely Brook Medina Aspiration
A4b St Cross Elver Pass Alteration to fish pass. EA
Newport Rivers
Group Lukely Brook Medina
Delivery 2019/20
A4c Foxes Road Baffles
Improvements to fish passage between Towngate Pond and Foxes Road EA
Newport Rivers
Group
Lukely Brook Medina Aspiration - planning
A4d Guaging Weir Elver Pass EA
Newport Rivers
Group
Lukely Brook Medina Aspiration - planning
28
Code Project name Project Description Lead Organisation
Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
A5 Plaish Meadows Restoration Plaish Meadows Restoration Land Owner
Newport Rivers Group / Natural England Lukely Brook Medina Aspiration
A6 Lukely Eels Eel passage Environment Agency
Newport Rivers Group Lukely Brook Medina
Ready to go
A8 Riverside Park Recreational improvements Natural Enterprise IW Council Medina Estuary Medina
Aspiration – plan written
A9 Saltmarsh Restoration Trial Saltmarsh restoration trials
Estuaries Project EA, NE, Wildlife Trust Medina Estuary
Medina, Newtown Estuary, Western Yar Aspiration
A27 Estuary Dredging Management Plan
Monitoring to assist co-ordinated approach to dredging
Estuaries Project Medina Estuary Medina Aspiration
A10 Medina river pass project
Design and installation of 10 passes on Medina between Matalan and Blackwater
Environment Agency
Newport Rivers Group Medina Medina Aspiration
A11a Cridmore Investigation and remedies into water-quality failures
Environment Agency Island Rivers Group Medina Medina Aspiration
A11b Cridmore Remedies into water-quality failures
Land Manager / Wildlife Trust Island Rivers Group Medina Medina Aspiration
A24 Medina FarmScoper
Investigations to identify optimal measures to reduce losses of N, P and sediment
Environment Agency AONB
Medina & Tributaries Medina Aspiration
A12 Blackbridge Brook phosphate reduction
Havenstreet Railway - potential phosphate solutions
Environment Agency Land Owners, EWLP
Blackbridge Brook Ryde Aspiration
A13 Monktonmead Engagement
Public Engagement - Walk and Interpretation
Natural Enterprise Ryde TC Monktonmead Ryde Aspiration
A14 Monktonmead Non-natives Japanese Knotweed programme
Natural Enterprise DttC, Ryde TC Monktonmead Ryde
Ready to go
29
Code Project name Project Description Lead Organisation
Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
A16 Binstead Stream Engagement Public Engagement
Island Rivers Partnership Ryde TC Binstead Stream Ryde Aspiration
A17 Eel Pass at Wootton Mill Pond
Environment Agency
Blackbridge Brook Ryde Aspiration
A18 Scotchells Brook Priority for The Bay section of Island Rivers.
Island Rivers network Land Owners, EWLP Scotchells Brook Eastern Yar Aspiration
A19 Sandown Levels Removal of non-natives and opening access
Natural Enterprise Trust
RSPB, The Bay CCT, DttC Eastern Yar Eastern Yar Aspiration
A23
Brading Marshes – Middle Sluice to Yarbridge
Water-level management improvements RSPB Environment Agency Eastern Yar Eastern Yar Aspiration
A35 Budbridge Weir Fish easement Environment Agency Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
Aspiration – being designed
A36 Great Sluice & Middle Sluice eel passage
Environment Agency Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
Aspiration – being designed
A7
New wetland and woodland nature reserve
Creation of 124 acre reserve at Newchurch Wildlife Trust Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
Delivery 2020
A15 Godshill Waste Treatment Works Upgrades Southern Water Eastern Yar Eastern Yar Aspiration
A27 Wroxall Fish Migration
Suite of projects to tackle a series of obstructions preventing fish migration
Natural Enterprise Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
A27a Waightshale Weir Low cost baffles EA Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar Delivery 2020
A27b Middlebarn Weir Major obstruction Natural Enterprise / EA Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar Aspiration
30
Code Project name Project Description Lead Organisation
Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
A27c French Mill Road Bridge Small obstruction
Natural Enterprise / EA Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Aspiration
A27d French Mill Weir Small obstruction Natural Enterprise Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Aspiration
A27e French Mill Obstruction
Large obstruction probably unauthorised
Natural Enterprise Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Aspiration
A27f Sewage Treatment works outfall Major obstruction
Natural Enterprise Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Aspiration
A27g Appuldurcombe Gardens Cascade Major obstruction
Natural Enterprise Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Aspiration
A28 Upper Wroxall Stream Run-off Projects
Small-scale measures to reduce run-off from steep slopes
Natural Enterprise Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Aspiration
A29 Bathingbourne Coppicing 1 Work to lighten river
Natural Enterprise Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Delivery 2020
A30 Bathingbourne Coppicing 2 Work to lighten river
Natural Enterprise Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Delivery
2020
A31 Middlebarn Wetlands Wetland Creation Natural Enterprise Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Delivery
2020
A32 APS Wetlands Wetland Creation Natural Enterprise Island Rivers Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Delivery
2020
A33 Holliers Fishing Lakes Nature Improvements Landowner Natural Enterprise Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar Aspiration
A34 Appuldurcombe Run off
Small-scale measures to reduce run-off from fields Landowner Natural Enterprise Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Delivery 2019
A25 Afton Marsh Restoration
Reduction of scrub within Freshwater Marshes SSSI. Removal of Japanese Knotweed.
Natural Enterprise Natural England Western Yar Western Yar
Aspiration – Plan Written
31
Code Project name Project Description Lead Organisation
Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
A21 Brook Chine Stream
Potential to work with tenant farmer on enhancements to a short stretch of the stream (about 400m). Possible installation of bunds in stream and series of scrapes on floodplain for wading birds. Water level control and wetland features enhancement. National Trust Tenant farmer
Brook Chine Stream Chine Streams Aspiration
A26 Integrated Catchment Management Pilot Southern Water
Natural Enterprise, Island Rivers
Eastern Yar, Medina
Eastern Yar, Medina Aspiration
A20a Water Vole Surveying
Survey of watercourses on the Island excluding E Yar, Monktonmead, Palmers Brook and Blackbridge brook .
Isle of Wight AONB
Contractor, landowners
IW catchment excluding E Yar, Monktonmead, Palmers Brook and Blackbridge brook
IW catchment excluding EYar, Monktonmead, Palmers and Blackbridge Brooks
Aspiration
A20b Water Vole Surveying
Survey of watercourses E Yar, Monktonmead, Palmers Brook and Blackbridge brook .
Isle of Wight AONB
Contractor, landowners
E Yar, Monktonmead, Palmers Brook and Blackbridge brook
E Yar, Monktonmead, Palmers and Blackbridge Brooks
Delivery 2020
A22 Eel Screens Installation of eels screens –
waiting changes to law
Southern Water All waterbodies Whole Island Aspiration
A24 Septic Tank Project Awareness-raising campaign Natural
Enterprise
Southern Water? Caul Bourne,
Thorley, Medina,
Gurnard &
Thorness
watercourses
Newtown,
Medina,
Western Yar
Delivery
2020
32
Code Project name Project Description Lead Organisation
Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
A35 Calbourne Mill Fish
passage
Heavy impoundment but not
within our power to make it
happen
Caul Bourne Newtown Aspiration
A36 Lower Calbourne Mill
Fish passage
Impoundment. Eels upstream.
River flows through mill leat. Relict
channel dries up.
Caul Bourne Newtown Aspiration
A37 Havenstreet
Phosphate Reduction
High phosphates from an organic
source
Environment
Agency
Natural England Blackbridge
Brook
Blackbridge
Brook
Aspiration
A38 Havenstreet habitat
restoration
River downstream of railway has
been straightened for drainage.
Sections are overgrown
Blackbridge
Brook
Blackbridge
Brook
Aspiration
33
5.3 Prioritisation of aspirational projects
At present the following projects have been prioritised. However, the robust selection process has
not taken place.
The following were selected as they address WFD failures and have a fair chance of receiving
funding.
Code Project Funded Delivery Date
Lead Partner Watercourse Rationale / Notes
A3 Lukely Brook fish migration Yes 2019/20 SW Lukely OFWAT requirement
A4b St Cross Elver Pass Yes 2019/20 EA Lukely WFD requirement
A9 Salt Marsh restoration No ? Estuaries Project
Medina / W Yar Severe degradation
A24 Medina Farmscoper No 2020/21? AONB Medina Informs CSF project
A27a Waightshale Wier fish easement Yes 2019/20 EA Wroxall WFD requirement
A29 Bathingbourne Coppicing 1 Yes 2019/20 Natural Enterprise Wroxall Addresses WFD failure
A30 Bathingbourne Coppicing 2 Yes 2019/20 Natural Enterprise Wroxall Addresses WFD failure
A31 Middlebarn Wetlands Yes 2019/20 Natural Enterprise Wroxall Addresses WFD failure
A32 APS Wetlands Yes 2019/20 Natural Enterprise Wroxall Addresses WFD failure
A34 Bathingbourne Coppicing Yes 2019/20 Natural Enterprise Wroxall Addresses WFD failure
O7 Catchment Sensitive Farming Part 2020/21?
34
6.0 Pictoral Projects Summaries
6.1 Western Yar
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming
O29. Saltmarsh
monitoring
throughout
estuary
O30. Afton Marsh Japanese
Knotweed removal
A25. Afton Marsh Restoration
A9. Saltmarsh
restoration
C18. Seagrass
survey
C17. Bird survey
C19. Elm project
35
6.2 Thorley Brook
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming
O29. Saltmarsh
monitoring
throughout
estuary
A24. Septic TanK
Awareness
Campaign
Ammonia and
Phosphate Issues
36
6.3 Newtown Estuary
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
O21. Farm Scoper
A24. Septic TanK
Awareness Campaign
29a. Fish passage at Upper
Shalfleet Sluice (2019)
29B. Fish passage at
Shalfleet Roadbridge (2019)
37
6.4 Caul Bourne
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming
O21. Farm Scoper
A24. Septic TanK
Awareness
Campaign
A35. Calbourne Mill Fish
Passage
A36. Lower Calbourne Mill
Fish Passage
38
6.5 Rodge Brook
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming O21. Farm Scoper
A24. Septic TanK
Awareness
Campaign
39
6.6 Gurnard and Thorness watercourses
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
A24. Septic TanK
Awareness
Campaign
C22. Managed
retreat and creek
restoration
40
6.7 Medina estuary
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
A8. Riverside Park
Recreational
Improvements –
SPA mitigation
C6. Medina
Greenway SPA
mitigation
C7. Newport
Harbour
Houseboats
Pump Out
O12. New storms
screens at Dodnor
O14. High-water
wader roost
O43. Dodnor LNR
restoration of
heritage and
access
A9. Saltmarsh
Restoration Trial
O13. Saltmarsh
monitoring
throughout
estuary
C23. Love Where
You Sail –
awareness raising
O43. Medina
Greenway missing
links
A27. Medina
Estuary Dredging
Plan
A8. Riverside Park
Recreational
Improvements –
SPA mitigation
C6. Medina
Greenway SPA
mitigation
C7. Newport
Harbour
Houseboats
Pump Out
C19. New storms
screens at Dodnor
O14. High-water
wader roost
C33. Dodnor LNR
restoration of
heritage and
access
A9. Saltmarsh
Restoration Trial
O13. Saltmarsh
monitoring
throughout
estuary
C23. Love Where
You Sail –
awareness raising
O43. Medina
Greenway missing
links
A27. Medina
Estuary Dredging
Plan
41
6.8 Lukely Brook and Gunville Stream
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
C3. Removal of
pipe at Caesars
Road Bridge
C2. Replacement
of Westminster
Grill
C1. Gunville
Stream data
gathering
C34. Resilience
works
at Bowcombe
O9. Flood
Warden
Training A1. Gunville Stream
– holistic approach
A5. Plaish
Meadows
Restoration
A6. Lukely eel
passage
improvements
A4. Lukely
watercourse
improvements
A3. Southern Water
fish passage
improvements
between
Wellington Road
and Clatterford
A2. Love
Your Lukely
Campaign
O10.
Japanese
Knotweed
and
Himalayan
Balsam
removal on
Medina and
Lukely Brook
C4. Towngate
Pond Restoration
C5. Viaduct
Sculpture Park
and St Cross Fish
Pass
A26. Integrated
Catchment
Management Pilot
O40. Albany
Pumping Station
resilience
A4a. Hurst Fire
break
42
6.9 River Medina: Chale to Appleford
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
A11a.
Investigation
into water
quality failures
at Cridmore
A26. Integrated
Catchment
Management Pilot
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming
A11b. Remedies
into water
quality failures
at Cridmore
Channel has been
historically
straightened and
dredged in parts
No Buffer strips?
Investigate
fencing and
buffers in this
section
Possible stop
boards
preventing fish
movement and
erosion of
banks from
duck feeding?
Consider lake in
terms of flood
plain storage
Possible stop
boards
preventing fish
movement and
erosion of
banks from
duck feeding?
Input of water
high in iron from
ditches
43
6.10 River Medina: Appleford to Blackwater and Merstone Stream
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
O15. Himalayan
Balsam removal on
Merstone Stream
Poor quality habitat
between Highwood
Lane and Blackwater
Nursing Home
A10. Medina Fish
Passage – Blackwater
Upper and Lower
Weirs
High
sediment load
in tributary
from
agriculture
Floodplain
cultivation, river
exposed – introduce
trees and buffers?
Floodplain cultivation
Bank being extended
by householder
Erosion from duck
rearing
A26. Integrated
Catchment
Management Pilot
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming
WFD Invert sample
point - poor
Habitat assessment
notes heavy
management of
riparian zone –
drains source of fine
sediment
Weir
Online pond
Fish impoundment at
Blackwater Mill and
channel erosion
Investigate why
Merstone Stream is
high sediment input –
quarrying?
Potential to move
away from cycletrack
and re-meander.
Potential to add LWD
Investigate Pagham
tributary
44
6.11 River Medina: Blackwater to Newport Quay
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
C8. 3km in channel
restoration between
Matalan and
Blackwater
O9. Flood
Warden Training in
Newport &
Carisbrooke
A10. Medina Fish
Passage between
Cineworld and
Blackwater
O10. Japanese
Knotweed and
Himalayan Balsam
removal
C9. Pan Mill Meadows
restoration
Poor quality habitat
between Coppins
Bridge and Matalan
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming
WFD sampling point –
invert failure
Potential to move
away from cycletrack
and re-meander.
Weir
Weirs
WFD sampling point –
inverts good
Ensure pastoral fields
have appropriate
management
Weirs
Weir
Weirs
45
6.12 Blackbridge Brook
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
Barrier to fish passage
– not economic to
sort
Overshading, barriers
to fish passage, poor
quality habitat
O20. Wetland
Restoration
Improvements
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming
A17. Eel pass at
Wootton Mill pond
A37. Havenstreet
Phosphate Reduction
A38. Havenstreet
habitat restoration
46
6.13 Upper Eastern Yar
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Notes
O18. Eastern Yar
Invasive Non-native
species control
O25. Meanders
and Reflections -
Yar River Trail
revamp
O12. East Wight
water vole survey
2012
A20b. Watervole
survey of E. Yar
Catchment - 2020
A15. Upgrade to Godshill
Waste Treatment Works
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming
A35. Fish easement at
Budbridge Weir
47
6.14 Middle Eastern Yar: Hale to Horringford
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
O18. Eastern Yar
Invasive Non
Native Species
Control
O21. Farm Scoper
O45. Eastern Yar
Farm Cluster
A26. Integrated
Catchment
Management Pilot
C30. Farm Cluster Tree
Management
O25. Meanders
and Reflections -
Yar River Trail
revamp
C12. East Wight
water vole survey
2012
A20b. Watervole
survey of E. Yar
Catchment - 2020
C27. Horringford Fish
easement
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming
48
6.15 Middle Eastern Yar: Horringford to Newchurch
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
C12. Watervole
Survey of E. Yar
Catchment - 2012
O18. Eastern Yar Invasive
Non Native Species Control
O21. Farm Scoper
O45. Eastern Yar Farm
Cluster
A26. Integrated
Catchment
Management Pilot
A20b. Watervole survey of
E. Yar Catchment - 2020
O25. Meanders and
Reflections - Yar River
Trail revamp
C11. Floodplain and
Riparian Restoration
between Sandown Bridge
and Horringford
O7. Catchment Sensitive
Farming
49
6.16 Middle Eastern Yar: Newchurch to Alverstone
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
C12. Watervole
Survey of E. Yar
Catchment -2012
O18. Eastern Yar
Invasive Non Native
Species Control
O21. Farm Scoper
O45. Eastern Yar Farm
Cluster
A26. Integrated
Catchment
Management Pilot
A20b. Watervole survey
of E. Yar Catchment -
2020
O25. Meanders and
Reflections - Yar
River Trail revamp
C28. Langbridge Fish
easement
O24. Knighton Water
Supply Works
improvements
A7. Creation of 124 acre
woodland and wetland
nature reserve - 2020
O20. Wetland
Restoration
Improvement
s
O44. Alverstone Peat
Restoration
O20. Wetland
Restoration
Improvements
A26. Integrated
Catchment Management
Pilot
O17. Gateway to the
East Fish Easement
C11. Floodplain and
Riparian Restoration
between Sandown
Bridge and Horringford
O7. Catchment Sensitive
Farming
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6.17 Middle Eastern Yar: Alverstone to Longwood Lane
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
C12. Watervole
Survey of E. Yar
Catchment -2012
O18. Eastern Yar Invasive
Non Native Species
Control
A20b. Watervole survey of
E. Yar Catchment - 2020
O25. Meanders and
Reflections - Yar River
Trail revamp
A26. Integrated
Catchment Management
Pilot
C11. Floodplain and
Riparian Restoration
between Sandown
Bridge and Horringford
O20. Wetland
Restoration
Improvements
O20. Wetland
Restoration
Improvements
C31. Sandown Community
Orchard – wetland access
O7. Catchment Sensitive
Farming
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6.18 Middle Eastern Yar: Longwood Lane to Morton
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
C12. Watervole Survey of
E. Yar Catchment -2012
O18. Eastern Yar Invasive
Non Native Species Control
A20b. Watervole survey
of E. Yar Catchment -
2020
O25. Meanders and
Reflections - Yar River Trail
revamp
C11. Floodplain and
Riparian Restoration
between Sandown Bridge
and Horringford
C32. Sandown Water
Supply Works
improvements
O20. Wetland
Restoration
Improvements
O20. Wetland
Restoration
Improvements
O7. Catchment Sensitive
Farming
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6.19 Lower Eastern Yar
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
O18. Eastern Yar
Invasive Non
Native Species
Control
C25. Brading Marsh
Footpath
Improvements
A19. Sandown Levels
restoration
042. Brading Marshes
Management
A23. Water level
management between
Middle Sluice & Yar
Bridge
C13. Duver Footpath
Improvements
O12. East Wight
water vole survey
2012
A20b. Watervole
survey of E. Yar
Catchment - 2020
O25. Meanders
and Reflections -
Yar River Trail
revamp
O36. Sandown
Waste Treatment
Works
improvements
A36. Great sluice and
Middle sluice eel passage
C20. Fish
enhancement
project
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6.20 Wroxall Stream
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
A27a Waightshale
Weir – fish easement
A27e French Mill –
Householder
obstruction
A27c French Mill Road
Bridge – small steps A27d French Mill – small
weir
A27b Middlebarn – Major
fish obstruction
A27g Appuldurcombe
Gardens - Cascade
A27f Wroxall Treatment
Works outfall - weir
O12. Watervole
Survey of E. Yar
Catchment - 2012
C14. Wroxall Stream River
Lightening
C15. Wroxall
Stream Bunding
O26. Wroxall
Stream Invasive
Non Native Species
Control
O27. Wetland
Restoration
C16. Fenland
Restoration
A26. Integrated
Catchment
Management Pilot
A31 Middlebarn wetland
creation
A33 Holliers Fishing Lakes
nature improvements
A31 APS wetlands
A29 Bathingbourne
Coppicing
A30 Bathingbourne
Coppicing
A28 Upper Wroxall
Small scale measures to
arrest run-off from
steep slopes
A34 Barncourt Farm –
Run-off measures
A20b. Watervole
survey of E. Yar
Catchment - 2020
O25. Meanders
and Reflections -
New Wroxall
Stream Trail
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming
C36. Cooks Castle
Reservoir
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6.21 Scotchells Brook
Complete
Ongoing
Aspiration
Note
O12. Watervole
Survey of E. Yar
Catchment - 2012
A20b. Watervole
survey of E. Yar
Catchment - 2020
O25. Meanders
and Reflections -
new Scotchells
Brook Trail
A18. Scotchells Brook
development and
planning
O28. Scotchells
Brook Invasive
Non- Natives
Barrier to fish
passage
O7. Catchment
Sensitive Farming
55
7.0 Assessment of Partnership capability and capacity to develop and
deliver projects
7.1 Steering Group Self Evaluation Exercise 2019 In November 2019 the Steering Group undertook an exercise using a maturity model for
partnerships linked to critical success factors that was recommended for Catchment
Partnership use.
The results are shown in Appendix 4. It is not expected that partnerships will score highly
over all measures. The areas where we will focus our effort for improvement this year will
be:
Re-engaging with some Steering Group partners
Identifying new partners if it is felt appropriate
Familiarising existing partners with the website and other sources of available
information
Better prioritising projects
This exercise will be repeated annually.
7.2 Involvement of Stakeholders The Partners on the Steering Group have a wide knowledge of local landowners,
organisations and businesses. There is an understandable reluctance of Town / Parish
Councils other than Newport to hold regular meetings; their preferred option is to convene
for issues / projects. However this has meant that after initial stakeholder meetings, no
further meetings have taken place for the Ryde Rivers or West Wight Rivers group.
The East Yar Group morphed into the Down to the Coast Project Group which enabled
engagement with a wider group of organisations. In addition there is an Eastern Yar Farm
Cluster.
Newport Rivers Group meets quarterly.
7.3 Involvement of Volunteers Volunteer Engagement is at project rather than partnership level. The scope for volunteers
to get involved in the running of the partnership is minimal.
There is sharing of volunteers between projects. The Island Rivers website details volunteer
opportunities, and opportunities can also be advertised through Facebook and Twitter.
There are a large number of volunteers active on projects, particularly on the Eastern Yar
and Wroxall Stream.
56
7.4 Involvement of the Community Community Engagement is through the Island Rivers website, E Newsletters which are sent
to 261 subscribers and Facebook (251 followers). In addition local press and radio feature
partnership activities. The website averages 2000 visits per month.
7.5 Availability of finance to support partnership Currently DEFRA funding allows for a Partnership Co-ordinator for approx. 1 day per week.
This does equate to the time it takes to manage and promote the Partnership, identify and
develop projects, write funding applications and reports and answer enquiries for agencies,
organisation, businesses and the general public.
Finance is only confirmed on an annual basis, which is not particularly helpful for project
development, or planning of activities, and could be withdrawn at any time. No other
options have been found for financing the partnership and because the Island lacks large
businesses, corporate opportunities are more limited than they would be elsewhere in the
country.
7.6 Availability of finance to deliver projects The Environment Agency have access to Project Funding mainly associated with flood
mitigation and WFD outcomes. These streams are competitive and the Island cannot always
deliver sufficient outcomes to achieve the required score.
HLF Landscape Partnership funding is currently supporting a number of projects within East
Wight but all funds are now allocated, so there is no scope for new projects. Newport River
Group would like to develop a holistic project around the Medina and Newport Rivers.
Other projects will find their own funding options.
7.7 Long-term resilience of the group The Partnership does require funding to support co-ordination. Whilst it has been suggested
that it could be found within the capacity of the Steering Group Partners, this is not a
realistic option as all partners are operating to capacity and without funding most things
would not be able to happen.
Because funding has always been on an annual basis, the Island Rivers website has been
developed so that it will provide a useful source of information should the partnership cease
to exist.
8.0 Monitoring and evaluation of projects A monitoring and evaluation tool needs to be adopted for projects in this plan.
57
9.0 Communication Plan
9.1 Stakeholder Engagement Island Rivers Group is represented on the Biodiversity Partnership, Catchment Sensitive
Farming Steering Group and Southern Water Isle of Wight Stakeholder Steering Group.
9.2 Island Rivers Spatial Group Meetings Newport Rivers Group will continue to meet on a quarterly basis.
9.3 Website and Social Media The Project website www.islandrivers.org.uk already contains a large source of information
on the water-courses, walks, issues and volunteering opportunities. It is also a repository for
documents and data. It will continue to be populated.
Island Rivers is also on Facebook and Twitter.
9.4 E-Newsletter An E-Newsletter will be published at least twice per annum.
9.5 Other engagement Island Rivers will lead walks for / attend the following events in 2020:
‘All Along the Riverbank’ (May Day)
Isle of Wight Walking Festival
Riverfest
58
10.0 Activity Plan
Activity Steering Group Lead
J F M J A M J J A S O N D
Partnership Development
Prioritise and submit Projects to EA for funding PT
Liaise with IW Council re Island Plan CF / PT
Newsletter CF
Review DEFRA outcomes for Catchment Host CF
Review Activity Plan &Catchment Plan All
Re-engage less active partners CF
Project Development & Delivery
Plaish hydrology investigations (A5) MP
Investigate salt marsh decline SH
Flow resilience / fish passage on Lukely Brook (A3) MP
Wroxall Stream WFD Project CF
Launch of Yar River Trail, Scotchells Brook Trail and Wroxall Stream Trail
CF
River restoration project on E Yar – Alverstone Mill consultation and planning
JM
59
Appendix 1: Roles and Responsibilities for Island Rivers Catchment
Partnership Isle of Wight Rivers Catchment Partnership
(Island Rivers)
Roles and Responsibilities
Delivering Water Framework Directive though Integrated Catchment Management Integrated catchment management is all about collaborative advantage. That is – doing something collaboratively with others, because that achieves more than operating alone. Therefore, each organisation involved in the catchment partnership should reap more than they invest. EA CATCHMENT CO-ORDINATOR The Catchment Co-ordinator is the EA point of contact for all organisations in the partnership, to coordinate all aspects of EA business to deliver integrated work within the catchment, and to work closely with the host to provide the following support. This is Peter Taylor. Role of Catchment Co-ordinator • provide practical support in facilitating Steering and Sub Group meetings • provide advice and guidance to the catchment host on embedding integrated catchment
management • support activities through provision of evidence and expertise, analysis of environmental
pressures and sources of those pressures; • access to EA resources to deliver projects and initiatives in collaboration with others
where this meets WFD objectives • establish and maintain links between EA specialists and partnership organisations • identify and collate local actions to protect and improve water status, which can be
included in River Basin Management Plans and maintain links between the Partnership and River Basin Management Plans to ensure actions can be delivered
CATCHMENT HOST Natural Enterprise Trust have the role of catchment host, to provide the Partnership with access to Defra funding for CaBA, and to reposition itself strategically as catchment management evolves. The fundamental role for the catchment’s host is to provide local leadership to help enable the delivery of actions through collaboration and engagement by enabling partners to see the benefits from working together as opposed to working in isolation. This is achieved through facilitating meetings and discussion to identify common ground, running events to promote ideas and raise awareness, and galvanising the development and implementation of relevant ideas.
60
The Catchment Partnership Hosts Grant is to support the establishment and maintenance of partnerships across England’s catchments, in line with Defra’s policy framework for an integrated catchment based approach to include WFD Delivery. The contract specifies the need for partnerships to:
a) Further develop a shared catchment action plan containing information on all projects / activity taking place across the catchment partnership membership. This should also include projects in development but not yet funded. The plan would include, but not be limited to, actions / measures which address Water Framework Directive objectives.
b) Work with the Defra group, (in particular the Environment Agency, Natural England and Forestry Commission) to agree priorities for the catchment partnership that are based on environmental data, investment programmes and local data and information. Catchment partnerships should share evidence, knowledge and experience.
c) Participate in a joint evaluation of the catchment partnership to identify capability and capacity across the country.
d) Supply information regarding planned actions and enhancements made to waterbodies during the year through delivery of your partnerships actions. Role of Catchment Hosts • convening and leading the Steering Group and Sub Groups • advocating the work and priorities of the Sub Groups that sit under the Steering Group • encouraging collaboration for project delivery across the catchment • thinking strategically for the benefit of the partnership rather than the individual PARTNERSHIP STEERING GROUP
The Steering Group consists of members of the Partnership which provide unbiased support to the partnership Sub Groups and champion the Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) though sustaining and motivating delivery across the catchment. They are positioned to ensure priorities within each sub catchment are co-ordinated to deliver the best outcome for the catchment as a whole and that actions are fully integrated across the catchment by identifying opportunities for collaborative working both within the Isle of Wight and neighbouring catchments to ensure all components of WFD, surface water, groundwater and the marine environment are identified and incorporated. The Steering Group meets quarterly. The Partnership Steering Group is represented by the following groups and organisations;
61
Arc Consulting
CLA
Down to the Coast
Estuaries Project
Hants & IoW Wildlife Trust
Natural Enterprise Trust
National Farmers Union
Southern Water
Wight AONB
PARTNERSHIP MEMBERS Partners are individuals and organisations within the partnership, who contribute to discussion and agreement, investigate and suggest opportunities, and contribute to the delivery of actions. A number of landowners and other interested individuals are on the mail-list. The partnership is represented by the following groups and organisations;
Arc Consulting
Arreton PC
Atkins
Bembridge Harbour
Bembridge PC
Brading TC
Brighstone PC
Calbourne Water Mill
CLA
Community Rail Partnership
Down to the Coast
Environment Agency
Estuaries Project
Fishbourne PC
Footprint Trust
Freshwater PC
Godshill PC
Hants & IoW Wildlife Trust
Havenstreet & Ashey PC
Historic Ryde Society
Natural Enterprise
Island Line
Isle of Wight Society
IW Anglers
IW Council
IW Council Archaeology
IW Steam Railway
Kitbridge Enterprise Trust
National Farmers Union
National Trust
Newchurch PC
Newport & Carisbrooke Community PC
Northwood PC
RSPB
Ryde Business Association
Ryde Flood Group
Ryde Social Heritage Group
Ryde Town Council
Shalfleet PC
Southern IFCA
Southern Water
Spectrum
Thinking Finance UK Ltd
Totland PC
Wight AONB
Wight Hope
Wight Nature Fund
Yarmouth Harbour
Yarmouth TC
62
PARTNERSHIP STRUCTURE The Catchment was originally divided into 4 Sub Groups – Newport Rivers, Ryde Rivers, the Eastern Yar and West Wight Rivers. These have different pressures, issues and priorities and capture the interests of local groups and organisations who have a particular interest in a specific geographical area or issue. It was originally envisaged that the Sub Groups would also meet, but at present only Newport Rivers meets on a regular basis. The Eastern Yar Group has been convened twice, but other groups have not been convened since the initial meetings as there has been no local call for meetings.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOSTS AND PARTNERSHIP MEMBERS • raising the profile and status of their organisation/group locally and nationally • using catchment partnership funding to supplement themselves and other organisations
in performing this role • forging a strong alliance with EA and partner organisations to help deliver WFD
objectives • developing strong networks and relationships with partner organisations to help deliver
their own objectives • creating a strong position from which to access wider funding streams for on-the-ground
improvements
ISLAND RIVERS PARTNERSHIP
STEERING GROUP
ISLAND RIVERS PARTNERSHIP
NEWPORT RIVERS
GROUP
WEST WIGHT
RIVERS GROUP EATSERN YAR
GROUP
RYDE RIVERS
GROUP
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Appendix 2: Completed Projects
COMPLETE 2019
Code Name Project Description Lead Organisation Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
C1 Gunville Data Water vole survey, Great Crested newt conservation,
Newport Rivers Project Gunville Medina Complete
C2 Westminster Grill Replacement of grill Environment Agency Lukely Brook Medina Complete
C3 Caesars Road Bridge Removal of pipe under bridge Southern Water Lukely Brook Medina Complete
C4 Towngate Pond Restoration Environment Agency Lukely Brook Medina Complete
C5
Viaduct Sculpture Park and St Cross Fish Pass
Arts, fish passage and public realm
Environment Agency / Natural Enterprise Lukely Brook Medina Complete
C6 Medina Greenway SPA mitigation projects. Estuaries Project Arc Medina Estuary Medina Complete
C7 Newport Harbour Houseboats
Pump Out facilities for houseboats
Isle of Wight Council Island Rivers Medina Estuary Medina Complete
C19 Dodnor New storm screens Southern Water Medina Estuary Medina Complete
C33 Dodnor
Improvements to Nature Reserve and heritage interpretation Natural Enterprise Medina Estuary Medina Complete
C9 River Medina Pan Mill Meadows Restoration
Natural Enterprise Trust
Newport Rivers Group, Newport PC River Medina Medina
Complete (Jan 2017)
64
Code Name Project Description Lead Organisation Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
C8 River Medina Restoration
River restoration, in-channel enhancements and invasive control along a 3 km stretch of the River Medina (SITA funded).
Newport Rivers Project
Natural Enterprise, EA River Medina Medina Complete
C10 Hersey Reserve
Accessible SSSI wetland reserve with bird hide on the north-east coast of the Island
IWC, Seaview Parish Council
EA, Natural England
Nettlestone Stream Ryde Complete
C11
Floodplain and riparian restoration
Restoration works between Sandown Bridge and Horringford (BIFFA funded) Wildlife Trust Eastern Yar Eastern Yar Complete
C12 Water Vole Surveys
Comprehensive survey of Western Yar and Eastern Yar in 2012. Wildlife Trust
Western Yar and Eastern Yar
Western Yar and Eastern Yar Complete
C13 St Helens Duver Access improvements Ramblers DttC, Natural Enterprise Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
Complete (2017)
C31
Sandown Community Orchard
Wetland access improvements Natural Enterprise Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
Complete (2018)
C14 Wroxall Stream River Lightening River lightening Natural Enterprise
Island Rivers Partnership Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Complete (2015)
C15 Wroxall Stream Bunding Soil run-off capture Wildlife Trust
Island Rivers Partnership Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Complete (2015)
C16 Fenland Restoration Scrub removal at Hale Wildlife Trust Wroxall Stream Eastern Yar
Complete (2015)
C17 Bird Survey Bird survey at Yarmouth Breakwater. Estuaries Project
Medina Valley Centre Western Yar Western Yar Complete
C18 Seagrass Survey Seagrass survey Yarmouth Estuaries Project Western Yar Western Yar Complete
65
Code Name Project Description Lead Organisation Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
C19 Elm Project Arboretum of disease resistant elm established. Estuaries Project Western Yar Western Yar Complete
C20
Bembridge fish enhancement project
Install 4 enhancements at Bembridge to allow passage of fish along Eastern Yar EA Eastern Yar Eastern Yar Complete
C21 Newtown NNR
Newtown is the Island's only NNR. It is managed by the National Trust and the land holding is covered by an HLS agreement. Sewerage upgrading by Southern Water has recently taken place on the Rodge Brook. National Trust Newtown Creek Newtown Complete
C22 Little Thorness Stream
Managed retreat and creek restoration. Natural Enterprise
Natural England
Little Thorness Stream
Thorness Streams Complete
C23 Love Where You Sail
Raising awareness among boat users and assessing impact of recreational boating on water quality. Green Blue, RYA, EA
Estuaries Project All waterbodies Whole Island Complete
C24 Pig Leg Lane Restoration
Riverside Meadow Restoration and Interpretation
Natural Enterprise Trust DttC
Monktonmead Brook Ryde
Complete (2016)
C25
Brading Marshes Footpath Improvements
Improvements to footpath across Yar Floodplain. Ramblers
DttC, Natural Enterprise Trust Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
Complete (2017)
C26 Monktonmead Outfall Re-routing of river
Environment Agency IW Council
Monktonmead Brook Ryde
Complete (2018)
C27 Horringford Fish Easement Wildlife Trust EA, DttC Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
Complete (2018)
66
Code Name Project Description Lead Organisation Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
C28 Langbridge Fish Easement Wildlife Trust EA, DttC Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
Complete (2018)
C29a Caul Bourne Fish Passage at Upper Shalfleet Sluice
Environment Agency Caul Bourne Newtown
Complete (2019)
C29b Caul Bourne Fish Passage at Shalfleet Bridge
Environment Agency Caul Bourne Newtown
Complete (2019)
C27 Horringford Fish Easement Wildlife Trust EA, DttC Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
Complete 2019
C30 Farm Cluster EY Tree Works
Management of tree downstream of Budbridge Farm Cluster AONB Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
Complete 2019
C32 Sandown Water Supply Works
Upgrade to reliably produce 12 Mld Southern Water Eastern Yar Eastern Yar
Complete 2019
C33 Mains Replacement
Broadfields, Alvngton, Ashey Road, Staplers Southern Water All waterbodies Whole Island
Complete 2019
C34 Bowcombe Water Supply Works Resilience Improvements Southern Water Lukely Brook Medina
Complete 2019
C35 Broadfields Water Supply Works
£250K Resilience Improvements by 2020 Southern Water Groundwater Groundwater
Complete 2019
C36 Cooks Castle New reservoir Southern Water Groundwater Groundwater Complete 2019
C37 Ventnor Water Supply Works
Resilience and crypto mitigation scheme. By 2020 Southern Water Groundwater Groundwater
Complete 2019
C38 Fairlee Waste Treatment Works Pump Upgrade Southern Water Coastal
Complete 2019
C39 Appley Waste Treatment Works Pump Upgrade Southern Water Coastal
Complete 2019
C40 Lion Point Waste Treatment Works Pump Upgrade Southern Water Coastal
Complete 2019
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Code Name Project Description Lead Organisation Other Partners / groups Water Body Catchment/s Status
C41 Shanklin Bathing Water
£5m to improve from 'good' to 'excellent'. Southern Water Coastal
Complete 2019
68
Appendix 3: Issue Analysis Tool
Issue Potential
Action Criteria
XXX Water Course
Project need **
Specific Actions
Water Quality
Water friendly farming projects
Does the waterbody fail to achieve good Water Framework Directive status due to poor water quality related to agricultural activity? (Point source or diffuse inputs)
Does the waterbody contribute to a failure to achieve good status in a bathing water or Transitional water body due to poor water quality related to agricultural activity?
Is the phosphate concentration modelled by SAGIS higher than 'good' status?
If so, is this primarily from agricultural land use? Do SAGIS & SEPARATE agree?
Is catchment management of phosphate feasible?
Is the modelled nitrate concentration high?
If so, do models suggest this is from agricultural land use?
Is sediment load high?
If so, do models suggest this is from agricultural land use?
Is there partner evidence of agricultural pollution (walkover surveys, investigations, reported incidents etc.)?
Is the waterbody within a Countryside Stewardship water quality priority area?
Waste water treatment works improvements
Does the waterbody fail to achieve good Water Framework Directive status due to poor water quality related to mains sewerage?
Does the waterbody contribute to a failure to achieve good status in a bathing water or Transitional water body related to mains sewerage?
Is the phosphate concentration modelled by SAGIS higher than 'good' status?
69
Do SAGIS and SEPARATE suggest this is from wastewater treatment works?
If so, have wastewater treatment works within the catchment had no investment/upgrades in the last five years?
Septic tank improvements
Does the waterbody fail to achieve good Water Framework Directive status due to poor water quality related misconnections or private sewage treatment?
Does the waterbody contribute to a failure to achieve good status in a bathing water or Transitional water body related to private sewerage?
Is the phosphate concentration modelled by SAGIS higher than 'good' status?
If so, do SAGIS and SEPARATE suggest non-mains sewerage contrbute to phosphate concentrations?
Remediation Does the waterbody fail WFD for water quality related to quarrying pollution?
Flooding
Strengthen defences
Do properties flood?
Do lots of properties flood from a single source?
If so, does the community at risk not already have formal flood defences?
Catchment Flood Management
Do properties flood?
Are roads and railways vulnerable to flooding? Are there any priority roads for catchment management within the catchment?
Is the catchment a headwater catchment and/or is the total upstream area small enough for NFM to be feasible?
Could infiltration be increased without increasing risk to groundwater quality?
Does modelling support a natural flood management approach for this catchment?
Is hard engineering likely to be inviable? (see 'Strengthening defences' question above)
Habitat & Species
River restoration (large scale)
Is it a heavily modified waterbody?
Does the waterbody fail to achieve good Water Framework Directive status due to physical modification?
70
If so, is the modification redundant or unnecessary? i.e. it is not required for flood protection, water supply or industry?
Is the waterbody very susceptible to drought?
Do properties flood?
Removing or easing barriers
Is there a barrier to fish or eel passage?
If so, it a priority barrier?
Biosecurity
Does this catchment have lots of water users/events/tourists?
Is there invasive non-native species (esp. Crassula helmsii) present in the catchment that aren’t present everywhere and need to avoid being spread?
Are there habitats that currently do not have certain invasive species and are particularly susceptible to their introduction?
Invasive Non Native Species
Is Himalayan balsam present and is this the upper extent of it (not present in any upstream waterbody)?
Are there other invasive non-native species present that it is feasible and desirable to control and are not currently being controlled?
Woodland creation and management
Is there a lack of riparian shade?
Is there low tree cover in the wider catchment?
Does the waterbody fail to achieve good Water Framework Directive status due to poor water quality related to diffuse pollution from forestry?
Do properties flood?
Is sediment load high?
Peat restoration
Is there opportunity for peat restoration?
Do properties flood downstream?
Is there an SSSI or Special Area of Conservation failing for degraded peat habitats?
In-stream habitat/spawning
Does the waterbody fail to achieve good Water Framework Directive status due to fish populations?
Is there evidence of low numbers of salmonids from fish survey data?
71
habitat improvements
Can the lack of fish not be fully accounted for by poor water quality or barriers to migration?
Does data from walkover surveys or River Habitat Surveys suggest in-stream habitat is poor or lacking diversity?
Is there a lack of riparian shade?
Is there a specific fish driver?
Could the river be suitable for salmonids (not ephemeral, suitable natural pH, no natural barriers)?
Engagement & Education
Education, Engagement and
Access
Is there a population centre within or near this catchment?
Is there a lack of access to the river in this area?
Do indicies of multiple deprivation suggest training/education opportunities are lacking within this area?
Lack of Evidence Does a lack of evidence mean some of these questions can't be answered and that further surveys or sampling is needed.
** Response will be:
- There is a strong driver for this action in this catchment
- A project could bring benefits
- There is an issue but it is not feasible to address through this mechanism
- There is no issue that needs addressing
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Appendix 4: Partnership Self Evaluation – November 2019
73
on decisions that affect the catchment environment B. Sometimes
