Meres and Mosses Action Plan 2011

“A landscape featuring a mosaic of
thriving wetlands, including lakes,
rivers, ponds and marshes that are a
vital resource for wildlife and greatly
valued by people.”
Water vole feeding amongst water lilies, Tom Marshall (rspb-images.com)
1
Into the future:
The Meres and Mosses Wetland Landscape
Partnership Action Plan
2011–2016
Contents
1. Introduction
4
2. Our long-term shared vision and outcomes
5
3. Landscape-scale conservation, priority wildlife habitats and flagship species
6
4. The partnership team
8
5. Key initiatives in the project area
11
6. Monitoring and evaluation
12
7. Activity plan
13
8. Funding strategy
18
9. Appendix
24
2
The Meres and Mosses
Map not to scale
3
1. Introduction
The Meres and Mosses area holds a fabulous group of wetlands created by the actions of ice and
shaped by humans over thousands of years.
From the edges of the Black Country and Telford, north to the Mersey and from the Potteries to the
Welsh Marches, the Meres and Mosses landscape is as ecologically important to Britain as the
Norfolk Broads and the Lake District.
There are over 200 meres and mosses (pools and bogs) and 13,000 hectares (ha) of peat
deposits. A measure of its global importance is the designation of over 2,000 ha as Ramsar sites of
international importance.
Wetlands by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
The Meres and Mosses Wetland Landscape Partnership (MMWLP) brings together local
authorities, public sector, charitable and voluntary bodies to conserve this unique resource for
people – now and into the future. The partnership was established in 2008 to:
protect and restore the wetlands of the Meres and Mosses for the benefit of people,
wildlife and the historic environment
develop an ambitious wetland landscape approach for the Meres and Mosses as a
leading exemplar of its kind
provide a joined-up approach to wetland conservation within the Meres and Mosses
exchange information on partner activities and aspirations.
In 2009, the partnership secured significant funds from Natural England under the Wetland Vision
programme that enabled the delivery of a series of major projects across the area, namely Meres
and Mosses Revival, Lapwing Meadows and Gowy & Mersey Washlands. Each project made a
significant contribution to achieving local Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets and enabled the
partnership to forge new links with landowners to secure long term benefits for biodiversity. For
example, 120 ha of fen and bog restoration was carried out across 25 “moss” sites.
In 2010, Shropshire Wildlife Trust secured development funding from Heritage Lottery Fund for a
Landscape Partnership project in the heart of the Meres and Mosses. This enabled the recruitment
of a project team and the development of new partnership initiatives.
This action plan has been developed by the partnership to frame our work for the next five years.
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2. Our long-term shared vision and outcomes
This action plan is the first stage in achieving our 50-year vision for the Meres and Mosses:
“a landscape featuring a mosaic of thriving wetlands, including lakes, rivers, ponds and
marshes that are a vital resource for wildlife and greatly valued by people.”
Our “long-term outcomes” – what will be different in the future?
A major increase in the area, quality and connectivity of wetland habitats.
A significant increase in numbers and distribution of priority wildlife species and
re-colonisation by lost wildlife.
More rivers and wetlands reconnected to their floodplains.
Wetlands increasingly helping to ensure a clean water supply.
Wetlands playing a significant role in reducing the impact of natural flood events.
Wetlands acting increasingly as carbon stores.
Greater community engagement and involvement in our work across the Meres and Mosses.
Creating more places with opportunities for people to connect with nature.
We are aiming to deliver specific outcomes during the action plan period through a programme of
work across five themes:
strategic working: enables the partnership to develop, extending influence and more
effectively co-ordinating work
key sites: a focus on the most important sites, with the objective of achieving favourable
condition for their designated features
key species: a focus on the individual species which require the most urgent action and
which may not be picked up with sufficient focus by other projects
wider landscape: a broad focus well beyond key sites, working at the landscape scale,
looking to increase habitat quality and connectivity, and create new habitat where the need
is greatest
people engagement, volunteering and access: raising awareness of the Meres and
Mosses, engaging and involving local communities, and improving access.
Mammoth fun for children at Fenn‟s Whixall National Nature Reserve (NNR), Britain‟s third largest lowland raised bog,
by John Harding
5
3. Landscape-scale conservation, priority wildlife habitats and flagship species
Thanks to decades of habitat loss, the most vulnerable and threatened of the UK‟s species are
hemmed into the last remaining fragments of habitats – mostly in protected areas. Many species
that are more widespread have undergone dramatic declines, as the broader fabric of the
countryside provides fewer of their food and shelter needs.
The Meres and Mosses experienced these losses at both a landscape and local site-based scale,
leading to a major decline and loss of biodiversity across the area. It is estimated that 90% of
wetlands have been drained since 1600. In Cheshire, 60% of the 40,000 plus ponds that existed in
the 1870s had disappeared by the 1990s. Twenty-five species of plant are thought to have become
extinct and several others are endangered, including the least water lily, which is now confined to
Colemere.
Landscape-scale conservation is a big, bold approach to address the issues of habitat loss and
fragmentation, and the need to help wildlife adapt to climate change.
“...we need a step-change in our approach to wildlife conservation, from trying to hang on
to what we have, to one of large-scale habitat restoration and recreation,
underpinned by the re-establishment of ecological processes and ecosystem
services, for the benefits of both people and wildlife.” 1
“We want to improve the quality of our natural environment across England, moving
to a net gain in the value of nature. We will achieve this through joined-up action
at local and national levels to create an ecological network which is
resilient to changing pressures.” 2
By taking a landscape-scale approach for wildlife, we can also improve other natural services
provided by the land. These include carbon storage, water quality, flood management, recreational
value and food production. The value of these services is highlighted in the UK National
Ecosystem Assessment.
Crane family by Nick Upton (rspb-images.com)
1
Making Space for Nature: A review of England‟s Wildlife Sites and Ecological Network. Lawton, J.H et al (2010). Report
to Defra.
2
The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature (2011). Natural Environment White Paper, Defra.
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The partnership‟s focus is the natural environment in and around the wetlands of the Meres and
Mosses area. This is comprised of a connected mosaic of habitats offering an exceptional extent
and range of biodiversity. Working at a landscape scale to restore, recreate and reconnect lost and
damaged habitats, effort will focus on the following priority UK BAP habitats.
Top priority habitats
Lowland raised bog
Medium priority habitats
Hedgerows
Lowland fen
Arable field margins
Transition mire and quaking bog
Lowland meadows
Eutrophic water bodies
Lowland mixed deciduous woodland
Mesotrophic lakes
Lowland heathland
Oligotrophic and dystrophic lakes
Lowland acid grassland
Floodplain grazing marsh
Wet woodland
Ponds
Rivers
Flagship species provide opportunities to build wider public engagement and support for the
overall conservation programme. These are conservation priority species and they provide
opportunities to connect people with action “on the ground”. This is not a comprehensive list of
priority species – these are contained within county BAP plans and site management plans. Some
are rare and obscure but with an interesting story to tell.
Water vole – recovery projects in Shropshire and Cheshire
Otter
Marsh harrier – first breeding for many decades 2010 (Cheshire)
Lapwing
Curlew
Snipe – recovery project in Staffordshire
Great-crested newt
White-clawed crayfish
Raft spider
White-faced darter dragonfly
Floating water plantain
Cranberry
Least water lily – only English site is Colemere, Shropshire
Bog rosemary
Shoreweed (Litorella) – a species of shorelines around some of the meres
Lost species with good prospect of returning
Crane – pairs have been present (Weald Moors, Fenn‟s and Whixall, both Shropshire)
in recent years but no breeding attempt
Bittern
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Bittern, feeding in reeds by Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
4. The partnership team
At the heart of any successful conservation initiative are the people who make it happen.
The MMWLP team is a group of organisations with a wide range of expertise and
experience, and a shared passion to shape a better future for the wetlands and related
habitats across the Meres and Mosses.
Cheshire West and Chester Council ensures local planning policies protect and enhance
existing meres and mosses sites. They undertake on-site practical management and restoration
works through the Heritage Lottery Fund Habitats and Hillforts Landscape Partnership Scheme.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust (CWT) manages 45 nature reserves (almost half are Sites of Special
Scientific Interest – SSSIs), which support a range of key habitats and species, and a successful
conservation grazing project. They have 30 staff, 12,000 members, a 14-strong body of trustees
and an active volunteer base. CWT work with local communities, young people, volunteers and
landowners to safeguard wildlife both within their nature reserves and the wider countryside, and
are therefore well-placed to take forward both site management and community engagement
projects on behalf of the partnership.
English Heritage regional teams for West Midlands and North West England include particular
expertise in environmental archaeology and palaeo-environmental management. They can advise
on the significance and management of wetlands and peat deposits for their historic records of
past environmental conditions and human activities, and provide statutory advice on activities that
might impact upon designated cultural assets and their settings. English Heritage's National
Heritage Protection Plan encourages community involvement in the care, understanding and
enjoyment of historic landscapes, and the regional teams can provide advice to encourage suitable
projects.
Environment Agency can offer expert advice on water management. In particular, under the
Water Framework Directive (WFD) there are a number of failing water bodies within the area. They
will be working with others and delivering their own actions to help these waterbodies achieve river
basin management plan objectives. They will also seek to further fisheries recreational
opportunities, link rivers to their floodplains and improve wetlands within the area through working
in partnership with other organisations. The Environment Agency will carry out this work in the
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context of their statutory and regulatory duties to protect the environment through their consenting
and permitting processes.
Natural England is committed to championing the importance of the wetlands of the Meres and
Mosses via a landscape-scale approach building on the Wetland Vision Project. They will
contribute to this through their leadership role within the local partnerships, their management of
five wetland National Nature Reserves (NNRs), the protection of 50 wetland SSSIs, promotion and
delivery of Environmental Stewardship schemes with farmers and landowners and the provision of
advice, for example, the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI).
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have particular expertise in wetland habitat
restoration and management, species research and recovery projects. They are also experienced
in carrying out advocacy work, people engagement projects, environmental education and
community consultation. The RSPB are committed to restoring wetland habitats on a landscape
scale through their Futurescapes programme, focusing particularly on Baggy Moor and Weald
Moor in Shropshire. This national charity has over one million members and more than 200 nature
reserves.
Shropshire Council manages some of the key Meres and Mosses sites for biodiversity and public
benefit. The council also manages the Shropshire Ecological Data Network, which collates and
maintains biodiversity data and controls planning and development in Shropshire, protecting key
sites and ensuring adherence to the Habitat Regulations.
Shropshire Wildlife Trust (ShWT) is leading a Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF) Landscape
Partnership Scheme (LPS) within the Meres and Mosses area. This initiative focuses on 200 sq km
from Ellesmere, through Whitchurch to the Cholmondeley Estate. It will deliver conservation of the
natural and historic environment on both public and private land. It will engage local people in
exploring, understanding and caring for their local environment. Shropshire Wildlife Trust also
manages nature reserves, carries out wildlife survey work and advises landowners.
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (StWT) owns and manages a number of sites within the area. They
can advise landowners on habitat and wildlife management, hydrology and flooding issues; grant
funding (including completing Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) applications) and facilitate
subsequent delivery; can undertake site surveys; and raise awareness through its membership and
education/community initiatives.
Cheshire Region Biodiversity Partnership (CrBP) and Shropshire Biodiversity Partnership
(SBP) help translate national and regional BAP targets into actions across the Meres and Mosses,
linking with social and economic themes. They help to ensure that biodiversity objectives are
integrated into relevant sub-regional strategies and local plans, and are able to report on the
delivery of actions through the Biodiversity Recording System (BARS).
Stakeholders – There are a number of organisations and businesses active in the Meres and
Mosses but not currently members of this partnership. These include the National Farmers‟ Union
(NFU), Telford and Wrekin Council, Staffordshire County Council, Forestry Commission, Butterfly
Conservation, British Waterways, Country Landowners Association and Internal Drainage Boards.
The partnership will continue to ensure that these key stakeholders are fully engaged as we move
forward with the programme of actions proposed in this plan.
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Purple Loosestrife by Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)
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5. Key initiatives in the project area
The partnership has identified a programme of work over the next five years that will start to realise
our long-term vision for the Meres and Mosses area. These key actions fall in to five main
groupings, all of which are interlinked. Full details are contained within the activity plan in section 8.
Strategic actions will enable the partnership to develop, extending influence and more effectively
co-ordinating our work.
We wish to continue to improve how we work together with clear terms of reference for the
partnership. We also want to ensure advice to land managers is effectively co-ordinated, carry out
a review of the SSSI series coverage, and ensure the ecosystem service value of the wetlands is
fully appreciated.
Key site projects focus on designated sites, with the objective of achieving favourable condition
for their designated features.
We wish to improve the condition of the series of 50 wetland SSSIs, Ramsar sites, Special Areas
of Conservation (SAC) and NNRs across the Meres and Mosses, and address the external
pressures that impact on them. This will require a wide range of specific actions on these sites and
co-ordinated work to address diffuse pollution over their catchment areas.
Key species projects focus on the individual species which require the most urgent action and
which may not be picked up with sufficient focus by other projects.
Our current focus is on conservation programmes for water voles (Cheshire and Whitchurch),
snipe (Staffordshire), white-faced darters (Delamere Forest) and small pearl-bordered fritillaries
(Colemere).
Wider landscape projects extend well beyond key sites and work at the landscape scale, looking
to increase habitat quality and connectivity, and create new habitat where the need is greatest.
Landscape-scale projects will continue to develop across the area, with a focus on habitat and
species outcomes. For example, Delamere Forest Mosses, River Gowy Living Landscape,
Staffordshire Meres and Mosses, Lapwing Meadows (across the Weald and Baggy “moors”,
Shropshire) and the Meres and Mosses HLF Landscape Partnership. Green networks will be
mapped in several Shropshire towns to scope potential biodiversity gains in future development
areas. The EU Water Framework Direct will also drive actions to improve waterbody ecology in
priority areas to sustain and enhance wildlife and fish populations.
This work will be underpinned by the principles of landscape-scale conservation, which can be
summarised in four words: more, bigger, better and joined.
People engagement, volunteering and access projects focus on raising awareness of the
Meres and Mosses, engaging and involving local communities, and improving access.
The Meres and Mosses HLF Landscape Partnership will enable a new programme of community
engagement to raise local awareness of the importance of the area for natural heritage. Volunteer
involvement will increase through all our programmes, and we expect to see new and improved
access to many of the key sites.
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6. Monitoring and evaluation
It is proposed that the action plan is “owned” by the Meres and Mosses Wetland Landscape
Partnership and that progress against each action is reviewed at regular intervals – at least
annually. The full partnership currently meets four times per year and has included a regular
agenda item to gather feedback on project progress.
The action plan needs to be kept live to reflect the developing aspirations and plans of the partners
involved. This plan represents a “snapshot” of current thinking. It is hoped that in time the
programme will develop further to become ever more visionary and high impact.
Colemere by Mike Pollard
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7. Activity plan
Table 1
1. Strategic actions
Objectives
Measures of success
Lead
body
Partners
Years
1.1 To continue to develop and
improve the MMWL Partnership
and expand membership to
include all key stakeholders
Partnership has clear terms of
reference
NE
All
All
1.2 To ensure landowner liaison
and advice is effectively
co-ordinated
Streamlined advisory work
All
All
All
1.3 Develop wider partnership
understanding of funding
mechanisms
Improved project funding
All
All
All
1.4 Review coverage and
adequacy of SSSI series – to
include boundary extensions and
notification of new sites.
Site review completed and
revisions notification process
significantly progressed
NE
All
All
1.5 To better understand and
promote the contribution that the
wetlands of the Meres and
Mosses make to society and the
economy
Determine the ecosystem
services provided by wetlands in
the Meres and Mosses
NE
All
All
Objectives
Measures of success
Lead
body
Partners
Years
2.1 To manage Brown Moss SAC,
Colemere Ramsar, and Ellesmere
County Wildlife Site for the benefit
of their key habitats and wildlife
species
Achievement of key management
plan objectives, including clean
water and appropriate grazing
management of Brown Moss
SC
LPS
All
2.2 Improve the condition of the
series of 50 wetland SSSIs,
Ramsar, SAC and NNRs across
the Meres and Mosses
Increased area in favourable or
recovering condition
NE
All
All
More multi-partner funding bids
2. Key site actions
Address external pressures,
including diffuse pollution from
agriculture, point source pollution
from septic tanks for example,
and damaging recreational activity
Re-naturalise hydrology on sites
where feasible to do so, and
encourage sympathetic
Floating water plantain population
present annually, building to
stable population
Effective remedial measures
taken to control and reduce
impacts from diffuse pollution
Create and implement Diffuse
Water Pollution Plans.
Aqualate Mere desilted
A landscape-scale approach
applied around Bomere, Shomere
and Betton Pool and Berrington
13
Landowners
ShWT LPS
recreational activity
Pool SSSI.
2.3 Restoration of peatland sites
including CWT nature reserves,
SSSIs and other privately owned
sites such as Local Wildlife Sites
towards achieving BAP targets
Increased area of peatland habitat
in favourable or recovering
condition
CWT
NE, FC,
private
landowners
All
Medium to long-term positive
management of sites secured (eg
through HLS)
Increased range/population of
peatland specialist species
Seek NNR declaration for Abbots
Moss
Programme of targeted invasives
control implemented
3. Key species projects
Objectives
Measures of success
Lead
body
Partners
Years
3.1 To safeguard the future of
isolated and vulnerable water vole
populations through targeted
habitat management work in the
North of the Cheshire region
Long-term survival of vulnerable
water
vole
populations in
Cheshire secured
CrBP/
CWT
EA, BW,
Chester Zoo,
others
20112014
RSPB
StWT, NE
all
CW&CC
Surveying to take place further
into the heart of Cheshire with the
help of local communities
Improved connectivity of riparian
habitat surrounding vulnerable
populations around Halton and
Warrington, and further water
vole populations found between
Warrington and Whitchurch
Local communities engaged in
water vole conservation
Improved management practices
of suitable water vole habitat in
Cheshire
M&MLP,
ShWT
3.2 Meres and Mosses
Landscape Partnership Water
Vole Project, Whitchurch
Carry out further surveys
3.3 Prevent local extinction of
snipe in the Meres and Mosses by
improving the condition of
remaining key sites, mostly in
Staffordshire
All wet grassland and fen sites
with recent records of breeding
snipe are in favourable condition
3.4 White-faced darter
re-introduction in Delamere Forest
White-faced darter re-introduction
plan created followed by
successful reintroduction at two
sites
FC/NE
Carry out surveys
LPS
3.5 Small pearl-bordered fritillary
butterfly re-introduction at
Colemere and Ellesmere
Provide information, training and
incentives to farmers/landowners
to carry out conservation actions
At least three sites record
breeding snipe annually with a
minimum of five pairs
Establish suitable habitats
14
CWT,EA,
landowners
SC
Landowners
Re-introduce at suitable sites
Volunteers
4. Wider landscape projects
Objectives
Measures of success
Lead
body
Partners
Years
4.1 To build on the achievements
of the “Connecting Staffordshire’s
Meres and Mosses” Wetland
Vision project, endeavouring to
secure active management of key
sites, and promoting management
in the wider countryside to deliver
a multi-functional wetland
environment
Designated sites (SSSIs, Sites of
Biological Importance (SBIs) etc)
in positive management
StWT
NE, EA,
RSPB,
landowners,
local
authorities
All
4.2 To continue restoration of the
mosses and meres peppering the
Delamere landscape to increase
the area of scarce transition mire
habitat and reconnect sites
Fen, bog and open water habitat
restored – additional 50 ha in
recovering condition
FC/NE
CW&CC
All
4.3 To develop and deliver
“Lapwing Meadows” project in
Shropshire to increase area and
quality of HLS wet grassland
agreements. Activity will focus on
the Weald Moors and Baggy Moor
Wet grassland increased from
200 ha to 300 ha and all in
favourable condition for wading
birds
4.4 To deliver “A Living
Landscape” along the River Gowy
corridor where BAP habitat is
connected providing space for
wildlife to thrive, disperse and
recolonise
Achieve a further 80 ha of
floodplain grazing marsh in
improved condition, 65 ha
restored, 43 ha of lowland
meadow in improved condition
Habitat restoration/creation
(particularly in the Tern and Upper
Sow catchments) to improve
connectivity
Delivery of ecosystem services
(particularly regarding flooding
and water quality)
CWT,
landowners
Active sphagnum moss
re-established on 35 ha
RSPB
ShWT, EA,
NE
all
CWT
NE, EA,
CRBP,
BTCV,
CW&CC
20112015
SC
SBP
First
iteratio
n in
2011
Breeding waders stabilised at 75
pairs then increased to 100 pairs
10 km of ditch and water course
enhanced, 1.5 km of hedgerow
created and 4.5 km of hedgerow
in favourable condition
Population and range expansion
of key BAP species (water vole,
barn owl, lapwing, otter)
4.5 To map green networks in
and around the potential
development areas of several
towns including those in Meres
and Mosses area (Market
Drayton, Ellesmere, Whitchurch,
Shrewsbury, Bayston Hill, Wem,
St Martin‟s and Albrighton).
These maps will assist in
allocation of the Community
15 landowners committed to
positive habitat management for
wildlife
Dynamic maps agreed by the
Shropshire Biodiversity
Partnership, which have a
demonstrable impact on the
planning process to the benefit of
biodiversity
15
Infrastructure Levy
4.6 To provide a detailed and
prioritised action plan for land
parcels within the Core Area of
the Meres and Mosses
(Ellesmere-WhitchurchCholmondeley)
A GIS-based list of priority
actions for meres and mosses
which is dynamic, agreed by the
Shropshire Biodiversity
Partnership, and will lead to
positive management of meres
and mosses for biodiversity
SC
NE, SBP,
CrBP,
landowners,
CLA, NFU
April
2011
4.7 Develop and deliver projects
which help to achieve WFD
objectives (eg removing barriers
to migration, protecting and
enhancing priority habitats,
extensive land management) and
create an enhanced environment
for wildlife and sustainable fishery
Achievement of objectives in the
Severn, Dee, Trent and North
West River Basin Management
Plans (RBMPs)
EA
Angling
Clubs, NE,
WTs, Rivers
Trusts, etc
All
EA
All
All
LPS
team
NE, Muller
Dairies,
farmers
All
Develop comprehensive
objectives for 2015 RBMP by
2013, including proposals for river
restoration/floodplain river
re-connection, re-wetting of peat
in floodplain
Appropriate representation at
relevant RBMP liaison panels
4.8 Identify scope for additional
delivery of good condition in
current RBMP cycle and identify
actions required in the next round
Map the 69 failing water bodies
under WFD within the Meres and
Mosses area
Ensure partnership focus on
priority waterbodies
Deliver Mersey Life projects
4.9 Promote and deliver a farm
advisory service across the Meres
and Mosses LPS
Support development of HLS
agreements
Support catchment sensitive
farming initiative
Reduction in diffuse pollution on
Muller Dairies farms
Provide grants for conservation
works on farms
5. People engagement, volunteering and access projects
Objectives
Measures of success
Lead
body
Partners
Years
5.1 Meres and Mosses
Landscape Partnership
programme delivery
Landowner advice leads to
increase in conservation farming
M&MLP
ShWT
NE, EA,
CWT,
SC,CW&CC,
English
Heritage
All
Restoration of peat works building
at Whixall Moss
Down to Earth community
engagement programme raises
local awareness
16
Walking trails and cycle routes
developed
Prees Heath control, tower
restoration, interpretation and
access improvements
Interpretation and events plan
implemented
5.2 To facilitate local volunteer
groups to carry-out a baseline
biodiversity audit of their area
and to incorporate the data
gathered into the Shropshire
Ecological Data Network
6 biodiversity „audits‟ (usually
Phase 1 habitat surveys)
completed and communities
more engaged with biodiversity
issues
SC
Several
volunteer
groups and
Parish
Councils
2010 2012
5.3 Share and exchange wetland
management best practice and
evidence
Meres and Mosses Forum event
held annually
L‟pool
Uni*
Partnership
All
LJM
Uni**
NE
*Liverpool University
**Liverpool John Moores University
NB: numbered actions correspond with funding actions in table 2.
Broad-bodied chaser dragonfly by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
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8. Funding strategy
Introduction
The aim of the funding strategy is to identify funding streams with the potential to support projects where there is a gap between existing funds and
anticipated need.
Potential funding sources
In order to achieve the partnership action plan, the following funding sources could be developed.
Government support
The statutory agencies, Natural England, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission will continue to provide officer time to take forward the
action plan. Natural England will coordinate the partnership and monitor progress against actions. The statutory agencies may be able to access
funding for certain projects.
Some actions will be fully or part-funded through Environmental Stewardship schemes such as England Woodland Grant Scheme and Higher Level
Stewardship. Natural England has identified the Meres and Mosses area and more specifically the areas covered by landscape Wetland Vision
projects as HLS priority areas.
Partner organisation support
Representative officers within each partner organisation will continue to contribute officer time in kind to the delivery of the action plan. When
appropriate, partner organisations will also be able to raise the profile of the partnership and its projects through publicity (eg in-house magazines,
websites, press releases) and displays at events.
Partner organisations will endeavour to help secure external funding through the submission of grant applications, the delivery of appeals and
maximising sponsorship opportunities for actions in which they are involved.
Grant funding
A wide range of external funding sources are available for conservation work. Those appropriate to the delivery of this action plan include:
Landfill Tax funds such as SITA Trust, WREN, Biffaward, Veolia
Heritage Lottery Fund: Landscape Partnerships, Heritage Grants, Your Heritage
Big Lottery Fund
Charitable trusts such as Esmee Fairbairn
European funds such as Northern Marches Leader+, Life+.
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The following websites offer more information on available funding:
o Entrust (landfill tax regulators): http://www.entrust.org.uk/home/lcf/funders-directory?region=6
o Heritage Lottery Fund: http://www.hlf.org.uk
o Big Lottery Fund: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/
o Funder Finder: http://www.funderfinder.org.uk/links_trusts.php
o Association of Charitable Foundations: http://www.acf.org.uk/
o Esmee Fairbairn Foundation: http://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/
o European Commission Funding: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm
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Projects and activities identified in the Meres and Mosses action plan and by partners for which future funding is not secured
The table below identifies potential sources of funding and next steps required. Actions in Table 2 are numbered to coincide with actions identified in
Table 1.
Table 2: Projects and activities identified in the Meres and Mosses action plan and by partners for which future funding is not fully secured
Project/action
Items/activities requiring funding
Cost
(where
known)
Potential future
source(s)
Action to develop
Lead body
and partners
Timescale
2. Key site actions
2.1 Management
of key Shropshire
sites
Capital works required at Brown Moss SAC,
Colemere Ramsar and Ellesmere
HLF, NE-HLS
Shropshire
Council
2012- onwards
2.2 Meres and
Mosses Revival
Management and restoration of 50 wetland
SSSIs, Ramsar, SAC and NNRs
NE, HLF
NE with
landowners
2011 onwards
2.3 Blakenhall
Moss
Secure ownership. Restore mossland habitat
by removing conifer plantation
Unknown
CWT obtaining district
valuation
CWT with NE
2011
2.3 Restoration of
CWT nature
reserves
Capital works projects to remove scrub,
control invasives and raise water levels
NE- HLS
Appoint and supervise
contractors 2011/12.
Identify follow up work
once initial phase
complete
CWT with NE
2011-2012
(capital)
NE to take forward
internally
NE/EA with
landowners
2.4 SSSI water
quality
Creation and delivery of diffuse water
pollution plans to address water quality
issues
£30k
NE
20
2012- onwards
(maintenance)
Ongoing
2.4 River
Catchment
Invasives Control
Himalayan balsam control throughout Gowy
catchment- labour costs, herbicide spraying,
awareness-raising activities
£10k
Some delivery
through Gowy
Connect if funding
secured
CWT to submit small
funding bids
EA/CWT
Up to
£160k
£50k secured
from HLF Your
Heritage. £20k
from EA 2011/12
CWT to submit further
funding bids (SITA Trust)
CWT with EA,
WBC,HBC,
CWAC, CE,
BASC, NE
2011
3. Key species projects
3.1 Cheshire
Water Vole
Project
Deliver habitat management at and around 7
sites. Baseline surveys and volunteer
training in south Cheshire. Project Officer 3
years
3.3 Safeguard
snipe populations
in Staffordshire
Prevent local extinction by improving
condition of remaining key sites. Annual
monitoring of key sites for breeding snipe
and habitat conditions
HLS, possibly
Landfill Tax
Develop actions plans for
key sites
RSPB with
StWT, NE
2011 onwards
3.4 White-faced
darter
reintroduction
Feasibility study and possible reintroduction
of white-faced darter at 2 sites
Some funds may
be available
through Habitats
and Hillforts and
FC
NE and FC to commission
survey of potential sites
(vegetation, water
chemistry)
CWAC, FC,
NE, CWT,
BDS, CrBP
2011 for
preliminary
survey work
3.5 Small pearlbordered fritillary
butterfly
re-introduction at
Colemere and
Ellesmere
Carry out surveys
Various
Develop project proposals
for future funding bid
StWT
2011-2016
Establish suitable habitats
Re-introduce at suitable sites
2011-2014
Within
£1.5m
project
4. Landscape-scale projects
4.1 Connecting
Staffordshire‟s
Meres and
Mosses
Project Officer time to work with landowners
to secure/continue active management of
key sites and promote management in the
wider countryside to enhance connectivity
£17k per
year for
ongoing
work plus
projects
21
4.2 Restoration of
Delamere Meres
and Mosses
Restoration of 50 ha of fen, bog and open
water. Restoration of 35 ha of active
sphagnum moss. Positive management of
30 ha of mire and wet woodland within
Habitats and Hillforts Landscape Partnership
Scheme area
£42k for
Delamere
area
CWAC have
secured additional
funding from HLF
(Habitats and
Hillforts)
CWAC to create capital
works specification if
application for extension
is successful
FC/NE with
CWT, CWAC,
landowners
2011-2012
4.3 Improving and
sustaining
floodplain grazing
marsh in North
Shropshire
60 ha of wet grassland restored within
Weald Moors and Baggy Moors; hydrometric
survey on Baggy Moor; breeding wader
monitoring; predator abundance and lapwing
productivity study
£20k, plus
additional
staff time
from
RSPB
and NE
SITA Trust, EA
FCRM, RSPB, NE
Funding secured project
underway.
RSPB with EA,
NE, SWT
2011-13
4.4 Gowy and
Mersey
Washlands
Gowy Connect - delivery of habitat
restoration with 15 landowners.
£280k
Bid to WREN
successful, £250k
awarded
CWT to recruit project
officer and deliver project
targets
CWT with EA,
NE, CWAC
2011-2015
4.5 Map green
networks around
Meres and
Mosses towns
Creation of maps in and around potential
development areas to help direct the
allocation of the Community Infrastructure
levy
Shropshire
Council
Shropshire BP to develop
dynamic maps
4.7 Projects to
achieve WFD
objectives
Projects focusing on removing barriers to
migration, habitat protection/enhancement,
extensive land management, sustainable
fisheries
Various - linked to
wider projects
All partners to include
actions to achieve WFD
objectives in projects
when appropriate
EA with
Angling Clubs,
NE, WTs,
RSPB, Rivers
Trusts, etc
Ongoing
4.8 Mersey Life
Projects
EA partnership with National Trust at Quarry
Bank Mill as part of a proposed hydropower
project
EA project budget
Develop other portfolio
projects with partners
EA with
partners
2011- onwards
HLF Landscape
Partnerships
LPS team All HLF, NEHLS
NE, Muller
Dairies,
2012-2017
2011
Portfolio project delivery
4.9 Promote and
deliver a farm
Support development of HLS agreements
Within
£1.5m
22
advisory service
across the Meres
and Mosses LPS
Support catchment sensitive farming
initiative
project
Stage 2 Grant
with match
funding
Within
£1.5m
project
HLF Landscape
Partnerships
Stage 2 Grant
with funding from
Leader, Jean
Jackson. Other
possible sources
include SC, EU
Life, Aggregates
Levy, Landfill
Fund, Nature
Improvement
Area grant.
farmers
Reduction in diffuse pollution on Muller
Dairies farms
Provide grants for conservation works on
farms
5. People engagement, volunteering and access projects
5.1 (inc 3.2 and
4.6) Meres and
Mosses
Landscape
Partnership
Delivery of Landscape Conservation Action
Plan which includes:
Landowner/manager advice - Restoration of
peat works building at Whixhall Moss
Down to Earth community engagement
M&M trails and cycle routes
Prees Heath control tour restoration and
access improvements
Interpretation and events plan
5.2 To facilitate
local volunteer
groups to carry
out a baseline
biodiversity audit
of their area
Officer time to develop programme and
support parish groups
5.3 Share and
exchange wetland
management best
practice/evidence
Annual Meres and Mosses Forum event
NE, HLF
23
Develop Conservation
Action Plan to submit at
Stage 2 application by
Aug 2011
SWT with
partners
2012-2017
SC with
volunteer
groups and
parish councils
2010 - 2012
University of
Liverpool,
Liverpool JMU,
all partners
Annual
Common reeds by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
9. Appendix
Review of current activities and secured funding (Jan 2009–Mar 2011)
Table 3: Current and recently completed project and activities with secured funding.
Project/action
Site actions
Meres and Mosses
Revival
Reserve management
Hockenhull Platts
Back-water Creation
Installation of eel passes
Habitat restoration work
is being carried out on the
River Dane near Hug
Bridge (just outside of
Macclesfield)
Improvements to the
angling pegs on the
lower Dee
Items/activities funded
Cost
Present source
Timescale
Lead body and
partners
Management of 8 ha of meres and mosses habitat within
small, privately owned sites
Restoration of SSSI peatland habitat towards favourable
condition
£25,000
Wetland Vision
NE with CWT
~£80k
Excavation of a 170 metre section of the old course of the
River Gowy at Hockenhull Platts Nature Reserve, near
Tarvin (collaboration between EA and CWT).
Contacts: Duncan Revell and Richard Gardner
Installed as follows:
- on weirs and barriers throughout River Gowy
- Hornsmill Brook
- Lower Mersey and tributaries
- River Weaver
The work includes removal of brash between the mature
trees to allow better access for anglers and more space
for marginal plants to establish. Also included will be some
woody debris work. This involves lowering carefully
identified trees into the channel to create a more diverse
in-channel habitat for fish and wildlife.
The pegs had fallen into disrepair and were proving to be
a danger to the anglers wishing to fish off them. The new
pegs will encourage more anglers to fish this river in a
much safer environment.
£4,500
Natural England:
HLS capital
works/ special
projects
50% EA, 50%
CWT
Ends March
2011
2010-2012
2010-2011
EA (Duncan Revell)
/CWT
CWT and NE
EA internal
budget
EA
2010
EA (NW South
Area Fisheries &
Recreation Team)
EA internal
budget
EA
2010/2011
EA (NW South
Area)
EA internal
budget
EA
2010/2011
EA (NW South
Area Fisheries &
Recreation)
Lower Perthy water vole
ponds
Shawbury Moat (SAM)
ponds restoration
Mersey Life Projects:
River Bollin
Stanneylands fish pass
Floating pennywort
herbicide spray and
manual removal to
prevent infestation of the
Gowy catchment - Milton
Brook Fishery, River
Gowy
Management of key
Shropshire sites
Green Networks
Shropshire Baseline
Biodiversity Audit
NNR Management
Species projects
North West Lowlands/
Cheshire Water Vole
Project
Pond(s) creation for water voles (BAP target species)
£4,000
EA FCRM
2010-2011
Restoring 3 ponds of High Ecological Potential in old moat
and bailey site
- Floodplain restoration at Dunham Massey -feasibility
stage of embankment removal/floodplain modelling
- Fish pass installation complete at Heatley and Little
Bollington
- Carrs Wilmslow - large woody materials to be trialled as
erosion protection pilot with Bollin Valley Partners.
Scrapes to be created in riverside park
At detailed design stage
£4,000
EA FCRM
2010-2011
EA internal
budget
National Trust
and EA
2011-onwards
EA internal
budget
2011
In kind funding - Fisheries and Ops Delivery
EA internal
budget
National Trust
and EA Water
Resources
EA
Short termcomplete
EA (NW South
Area Mersey Life
Project)
EA (NW South
Area)
Management of Brown Moss SAC, Colemere Ramsar and
Ellesmere LWS
Mapping around potential development areas in Meres
and Mosses area to assist allocation of Community
Infrastructure Levy
6 biodiversity audits completed by volunteer groups
SC internal
budget
SC/SBP
budget
Shropshire
Council
Shropshire
Council
Ongoing
SC
2011
SC with SBP
SC/SBP
budget
£82k
Shropshire
Council
NE budget
2010-2012
SC with SBP
2011
NE
~£250k
SITA Trust,
Esmee Fairbairn,
partner
contributions
2008-2011
CWT with EA,
WBC,HBC, CWAC,
CE, BASC, NE
Capital works at Fenns, Whixall and Bettisfield Moss,
Wynbunbury Moss and Chartley Moss
CrBP-led project to survey and monitoring of water vole
populations in north Cheshire
EA (Midlands
Team)
EA (NW South
Area)
EA (NW South
Area Mersey Life
Project)
Water Vole Habitat
Creation Project, River
Gowy
Landscape projects
Gowy & Mersey
Washlands Project- Land
Management
Gowy & Mersey
Washlands Projectlandowner liaison
Meres & Mosses
Landscape Partnership
Scheme
Lapwing Meadows
Partnership Project
Connecting
Staffordshire's Meres and
Mosses
Environment Agency excavation of 300 metres of ditches
in the River Gowy floodplain for water vole adjacent to
Back Brook near Bridge Trafford
£3,100
EA Biodiversity
Team funding
2010
EA (Duncan Revell)
Conservation grazing to manage/restore floodplain
grazing marsh at 6 sites. Funding support 1.4FTE officers,
cattle costs and site maintenance
Liaison with landowners throughout the River Gowy/
Mersey corridors to identify and work with landowners
sympathetic to wetland creation/restoration for wildlife to
restore BAP habitats
Development of Landscape Conservation Action Plan
£113,254
WREN BAF/
Environment
Agency
Wetland Vision
Ends Sept
2012
CWT with EA
Ends March
2011
CWT with NE, EA,
CWAC, BASC,
FWAG
£90k
HLF/Leader/
Muller
2010-2011
ShWT
Feasibility reports (x2), wet grassland condition
assessments (x10), advice delivery (x31 sites) leading to
3 completed HLS and 5 further in development, training
events (x66 attendees), habitat delivery (50 ha wetland
created, 130 ha being restored, 250 ha improved
condition), landowner/community engagement, breeding
wader surveys. Wetland habitat delivery at Holly Banks
NR and 2 neighbouring sites
Project Officer time to work with landowners promoting
habitat management and entry to ES in the Staffordshire
part of the Meres and Mosses Natural Area
£169,348
EA FCRM,
Wetland Vision,
RSPB, ShWT
2010-2011
RSPB with EA
(Midlands Team),
NE, ShWT
NE funding
£23k (approx
45% of
project costs)
Wetland Vision
funding through
Natural England,
with match from
SWT (in kind and
cash)
Oct 2009 - Apr
2011
StWT
£50k
Your Heritage
Ends 2012
CWT
People engagement, volunteering and access projects
My Living Landscape
Community engagement activities including school visits,
volunteer days, publicity materials and events
£103k
Current
funding ends
31/03/11