• River Idle

• • Mattersey

• River Maun

• River Meden

• River Poulter

• River Ryton

We produce the Abstraction Licence Strategies which set the water availability in each catchment. These are reviewed and actions taken to improve environment resilience.

Biodiversity and habitat

The presence of birds, along the river valley, makes bird watching an important recreational activity in the river valley. The river is also fished on both banks upstream and downstream of Bawtry.

There are four areas of grassland adjacent to the lower Idle which are subject to periodic flooding and provide habitat for wintering and breeding birds. They form the Idle Washlands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which is made up of four geographically distinct units of washland, all below the high tide level of the River Trent. These sites are at Bawtry, Misson West, Misson East and Idle Stop. The principal habitat of all units are floodplain grazing marsh, which includes areas of dry and wet grassland, open water, swamp and fen. Historically, a much greater area would have worked in this way, but much of it is now separated from the river by major & minor floodbanks that provide 1 in 50 and 1 in 3 year protection to the surrounding farmland and communities. The Washlands SSSI once covered an area of 246 hectares, which was used for grazing during the summer months, with plant species such as great water parsnip, marsh valerian, yellow loosestrife, meadow thistle, blunt-flowered rush, purple small-reed and reed sweet grass. These lowland meadows were home to breeding lapwing, snipe, curlew and redshank. Every winter, the River Idle overtopped its banks, which flooded the grassland and attracted large numbers of Bewick’s and whooper swans, averaging 80 Bewick’s in most winters. In 1971 as many as 174 birds were recorded, giving the washlands a status of international importance. During the 1980s, further flood defence work and land drainage reduced the washland area to 88 hectares. The SSSI on Misson East, one of the lowest washlands, was reduced from 69 hectares to 4.8 hectares. The number of swans dropped to 17 in 1981-2, and finally to none at all the following winter. Unfortunately the retained areas were not large enough for birds to settle securely without disturbance.

Assessment of the SSSI in 2004 found that the Flood Alleviation Scheme caused changes in the washlands including that the depth of surface flooding, frequency of flooding and duration were all reduced. The washlands were predicted to flood once in three years, whereas previously they were inundated annually. The gradient from river to washland changed, so overtopping to the washland was reduced. Soil saturation reduced and soil moisture deficit increased. Groundwater levels were affected by reduced water filtering through the soil and reduced flow from the river, and lowering ground water impacted surface wetness by removing support of the surface saturated layer.

The Environment Agency and Natural England are working with local landowners to make improvements to Unit 4 SSSI; changing the land management practices to improve the site for wetland bird species. The initial results are encouraging, but we are still at the start of the process for bringing the site back into favourable conservation status. The National Environment Programme is funding further work across the catchment to ensure that the wildfowl and wader habitat is not lost completely. The Environment Agency has produced a water level management plan to further protect the SSSI. Since the November 2019 floods, there has been a resurgence in the numbers of overwintering wildfowl and wading birds, attracting a migration of ornithologists into the area.

An image of the unit 4 SSSI, courtesy of Pollybell Farm.

The Idle Washlands have been identified as a priority site for achieving appropriate water level management, balancing and integrating the water level requirements for a range of activities within the SSSI. These activities include agriculture, flood risk management and conservation. The key to improvement in the condition of the habitats is regular inundation and standing water through the winter and a high water table throughout the year.

These conditions are not maintained under the current management system. A complex combination of the impacts of the River Idle Improvement Scheme, land management and water abstractions have been suggested as causes of the unfavourable condition of the SSSI.

In washland environments the primary control on site wetness is flooding and retention of rainwater. Floods of the washland have become less frequent and prolonged following flood defence works. Water loss is influenced by agricultural drainage. If water levels in adjacent fields are managed below the washlands this can cause water loss. Parts of the Idle Washlands also lay above the Sherwood Sandstone, which is a major aquifer and is regionally important as a drinkable water supply. The groundwater table shows a decline from the 1960s to the 1990s which reflects the development of the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer for public water supply. Sites above the Sherwood Sandstone, such as the SSSIs, have been predicted to be vulnerable to groundwater level decrease.

The complex nature of the ground levels leads to variable response to changing conditions, such as flooding or recessions in the washlands. In some areas the ground characteristics will impede drainage and potentially achieve a high water table and standing surface water, which will improve the habitat. The need to get water onto the washlands and then to ensure that it remains there, on the surface and at shallow depths, is critical to improving the condition of the SSSI. It is also vital for these conditions to be maintained over a period of time.

Prior to the flood alleviation works, water entered the wetland system through rainfall, over bank flooding and year round groundwater flows. The adjacent floodplain probably had a high water table and standing water flowed gradually back to the river. The River Idle was deepened as part of the flood alleviation works, reducing the river water level and reducing the frequency and volume of over bank flooding. The recovery of groundwater levels in surrounding areas has not been at the rate anticipated. It has been shown that the flood alleviation works are not the sole or primary cause of the degradation of the wetlands, and historic climatic factors and groundwater abstractions also need to be considered.

In post-war years, counts of over 100 Bewick’s swan, flocks in the region of 500 to 900 wigeon, 500 teal, 1,700 pochard and significant numbers of golden plover, black-tailed godwit, lapwing, snipe, redshank and curlew were a regular occurrence along the river. Birds of prey such as hen harrier, merlin and short-eared owl were also regular in winter, whilst snipe, curlew, lapwing and redshank bred in reasonable numbers in the spring and summer months. Other wildlife interest associated with the river itself, the washlands and wet ditches included otters, water voles, dragonflies, damselflies, water beetles and a variety of aquatic plants.

Since the 1982 River Idle Improvement Scheme, much of the washlands have been drained and now no longer receive regular, shallow winter flooding. The landscape has also become increasingly dominated by arable farmland. Unfortunately, these changes mean that the bird and wildlife interest of the area has diminished. Some bird species, such as Bewick’s swan, are now forced to utilise areas nearby, such as Misson Springs to the north, an area only remaining relatively wet due to former mineral extraction operations and the resulting drainage problems.

Further upstream, some 316 ha of the Sutton and Lound gravel pits have been designated as a SSSI since 2002. Part of the quarry was sold to the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust in 1989, and after years of restoration work, the SSSI designation was achieved. It is now known as the Idle Valley Nature Reserve. The Trust was given further land in 2009 as quarrying operations wound down, and the reserve was extended again as additional land was acquired. When a disposal plant was closed in the 1990s, the settling lagoons also became part of the reserve. A total of 450 ha are now managed by the Trust, making it one of the largest nature conservation sites in the East Midlands.

The pits provide an important wetland habitat for a large variety of birds. A total of 172 different species of birds were recorded in 2008, a number of which are normally found near the coast rather than at inland sites. These include ringed plover, little ringed plover, shelduck and oystercatchers. Recording of birds at the site has been taking place since 1951, with 271 distinct species having been identified. The reserve also provides habitat for smaller animals, including 600 species of moth, 28 species of butterfly and 19 species of dragonfly.

The River Idle downstream of Bawtry varies in habitat structure but is predominantly typical of a lowland river. The fish density distribution is not equal across this stretch, with Bawtry being the site with the highest fish density and species diversity. Species confirmed as being present on this stretch in recent years are perch, roach, dace, chub, gudgeon, pike, eel, flounder and bleak. One adult salmon has also been caught at the Bawtry site. The margins offer the best fish habitat within the river where aquatic plants and overhanging trees provide some structure. However, in-stream fish habitat is generally poor, largely due to the absence of a pool-riffle structure, though submerged plants do provide some additional habitat interest. The Environment Agency have also had reports of invasive species along this section of the River Idle between West Stockwith and Bawtry, including the American signal crayfish and Chinese mitten crab.

The impacts of climate change will play a significant role in affecting the water levels in the washlands. The UK Climate Projections 2018 shows that there has been an increase in annual average rainfall over the UK during the most recent decade (2008-2017), which has been on average 4% wetter than 1981-2010 average. Summers in the UK, for the most recent decade (2008- 2017), have been on average 17% wetter than 1981-2010 and 20% wetter than the 1961-1990 average. Average sea level around the UK has risen by about 16 cm since the start of the 20th century (when corrected for land movement) (UKCP18).

We have also invested substantial funds to a partnership project with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust to improve conditions at the Idle Washlands SSSI over a 2 year period (2020-2022).

Water Framework Directive (WFD)

The WFD is a piece of European legislation aiming to protect and improve the water environment.  The legislation, adopted by the UK in 2000, replaced and superseded a number of existing National and European directives.  In 2017 WFD legislation was transposed into UK law under the Water Environment Regulations (WER). 

A requirement of the WFD is that River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) are produced on a 6 yearly basis.  These plans set out objectives and intervention measures to protect and improve the water environment.  Rather than being based on political or administrative boundaries RBMPs are based on geographic and hydrological areas.  The River Idle sits within the EA’s Idle & Torne Management Catchment, covered by the Humber RBMP.  The catchments are further divided in to more manageable water bodies for assessment and management purposes. There are approximately 30 individual surface water bodies (flowing and static) in the River Idle watershed.

The ecological and chemical condition (status) of each water body is assessed against a five point scale.  The status scale is used to identify water bodies that are either not impacted (high / good status) or impacted to a lesser (moderate status) or greater extent (poor / bad status) by anthropogenic impacts (human activity).  Actions laid out in RBMPs are then implemented to return failing water bodies to good or high status.

The tables below show classification status for surface water bodies in the Idle catchment during the most recent rounds of WFD classification (2016, Table 1, and 2019, Table 2):

Table 1: Ecological and chemical classification for surface waters | 2016 Cycle 2:

Table 2: Ecological and chemical classification for surface waters | 2019 Cycle 2:

Comparison of Tables 1 and 2 indicate a slight improvement in ecological status /potential with four (13%) rather than two (6%) water bodies being classified as good in 2019.  Nationally 6% of water bodies were classified as having good ecological status / potential in 2016 and 2019. 

The apparent increase in the number of water bodies failing the chemical status assessment in 2019 is due to a change in the process used for assessment rather than actual changes in water quality.  Nationally no water bodies achieved good chemical status in 2019.

In individual water bodies a number of ecological, chemical, hydrological and morphological ‘elements’ are assessed to determine the overall water body status.  Tables 3 -5 show an example of a water body assessment.

Assessments are made by collecting samples / undertaking surveys.  The results of these samples / surveys are compared with ‘expected’ results determined by computer modelling.  The modelled results are based on the physical characteristics of the water body.  ‘Expected’ results represent what should be present in the samples if there were no pressures acting on the water body.

Table 3: Overall water body WFD classification.  Example for water body GB104028058091 – Idle from Maun / Poulter to Tiln.

Table 4: Ecological classification for water body GB104028058091 – Idle from Maun / Poulter to Tiln.

The overall water body classification (moderate) is determined using a principal known as ‘one out all out’.  With this principal the lowest ‘element’ classification determines the overall classification.  In this example ecological classification is moderate because the macrophyte / phytobenthos (plants and algae) ‘element’ is classified as being moderate even though fish and invertebrates (aquatic insects) are classified as being high or good.

Investigations are undertaken to determine why a particular ‘element’ has failed and what can be done to improve the ‘element’ classification.  In this particular example monitoring has shown that phosphate also fails to achieve ‘expected’ levels in the water body.  As Table 5 shows phosphate has consistently been classified as achieving poor classification. 

Table 5: Physico - chemical classification for water body GB104028058091 – Idle from Maun / Poulter to Tiln.

As the amount of phosphate in the water is known to be a limiting factor in freshwater plant / algae community development it seems likely that the two failures are linked.  In this case a high phosphate load is allowing a plant / algae community to develop which has more nutrient tolerant species or an overabundance of nutrient tolerant species compared with the ‘expected’ plant / algae community in un impacted conditions.

In this particular example investigations suggested that the following Reasons For Failure (RFF) are probably causing the plant / algae community to deviate from the ‘expected’:

Table 6: RFF assigned to plant / algae failure in water body GB104028058091 – Idle from Maun / Poulter to Tiln.

Once RFF have been assigned resource (guidance / funding) can be put in to trying to improve ‘element’ classification to good.  These improvements are required under environmental law and help contribute to the EA’s new 25 Year Environment Plan.  The plan sets out a framework of strategic goals to provide an environment with clean and plentiful water (Katie asked to put a link in to 25 YEP).

The tables used in the example above have been copied from the EA’s Data Catchment Explorer which provides WFD information for all water bodies in the Idle & Torne catchment (please can we have a link to that as well).

Where sufficient monitoring data is collected it is possible to identify long term trends in ecological and chemical quality.  The example below shows how the plant community in the River Idle at Misterton has changed in recent years.  The graph shows an overall improving trend, in WFD classification, in the plant community (currently classified as being good (green segment of the graph) after a period of being classified as being moderate (amber segment) between 2010 and 2015).

Figure 1: Graph showing WFD classification for the plant community in the River Idle at Misterton (1995 – present).

Monitoring also enables ecologists to build up a picture of species which make up freshwater insect and plant communities.  The upper tributaries in the catchment (rivers Poulter, Meden and Ryton) are among the few areas in the country where conditions are suitable for Saucer Bugs (Aphelocheirus aestivalis) and Short leaved Water Starwort (Callitriche truncate) to form part of these communities.

Photograph of Aphelocheirus aestivalis (saucer bug)

Photograph of Callitriche truncate (short leaved water starwort)

Maintenance work

Our typical annual maintenance programme may include:

Winter – Treeworks to improve conveyance and removal of flood debris from the banks

Spring - Weed spraying and outfall maintenance

Summer – Weed cutting and grass cutting

Autumn – Full inspection of all assets and tree work preparation

Our current maintenance regime is dictated to us by DEFRA policy, this outlines how much funding is attracted to rural areas such as the River Idle - with the most money being allocated to people and property. We undertake the maintenance we are funded to complete under DEFRA guidelines. At this time, the local team are maximising the amount of funding we can allocate to this catchment. Our maintenance is in line with the approved WLMP and English Legislation for ecology. We have to undertake this maintenance under the guidance of our Biodiversity & Geomorphology and Fisheries teams to ensure our work does not cause environmental harm and we adhere to environmental legislation. We have also previously altered our maintenance routine based on input from others. For example, the area around Misson is home to grass snakes. We have delayed the start of our grass cutting season to the warmer months, enabling the snakes to become more active and avoid harm.

Surveys and investigation are carried out every 10 to 15 years to determine whether de-silting work is necessary, but this time scale can be modified due to either long periods of low flow or following periods of flooding. Historical evidence indicates that siltation has always been a problem in this section of river. Removal of debris from bridges and structures on the watercourse is undertaken in the event of high water and West Stockwith Pumping Station is operated as necessary.

Periodic inspection of the watercourse including flood defences is carried out to identify any necessary work requirements. Pest control and the filling of holes in the floodbanks caused by rabbits, moles and rodents is normally carried out three times a year or as required. To avoid obstructions to flood flows it is necessary to maintain trees and bushes and cut vegetation, and this is undertaken approximately once every three to four years. Checking, cleaning and painting of the flap valves is carried out routinely.

The majority of the floodbanks are mown three times a year, on average, using an AEBI ride-on mower or a tractor mounted long arm. Inaccessible areas are cut with pedestrian mowers and rough vegetation with motor scythes. Some relatively short lengths between Newington and Misson are grazed and, on average, these require only one annual cut. The section of major south embankment from Debdhill Farm at Haxey Gate to opposite Misson is not cut until late August. This provides a valuable undisturbed wildlife habitat throughout spring and summer. Re-seeding of damaged areas of turf on floodbanks is carried out as necessary.

As the River Idle discharges into the tidal reach of the Trent, it is necessary to maintain a sluice gate to prevent high tides, flood flows and silt from the Trent entering the River Idle. The sluice gate automatically opens (normally twice a day) to allow water to discharge from the River Idle into the Trent at low water level.

The prime function of the automatic control system is to control the Trent/Idle sluice gate, the sluice gate at the pumping station, the pumps and the discharge of water from the River Idle to the River Trent with minimum use of the pumps. To perform these functions the system is equipped with remote continuous water level measurement in the River Trent and River Idle at four locations. These levels are transmitted to the pumping station and used to control the operations.

Sluice gate position, pump status, power supply and ancillary equipment are also continuously monitored at the pumping station. When a rising tide is detected, the Trent/Idle sluice gate is automatically closed to prevent the tide running from the River Trent to the River Idle. The gate remains shut while the River Trent level tidally rises and falls to below the level of the River Idle, at which point the Trent/Idle sluice gate would open and allow gravity discharge. During periods of heavy rainfall and when the Trent/Idle sluice gate is closed, pumping is required. When the water levels upstream reach specified levels, the pumps are enabled. Pumping takes water from upstream of the pumping station sluice gate to below it; the pumping station sluice gate closes; when pumping starts the water level builds up in the river channel between the two sluice gates; when the water level between the sluice gates is higher than in the River Trent, the Trent/Idle sluice gate opens. Pumping continues until the River Idle water levels upstream of the pumping station are higher than in the River Trent. The pumps are then disabled and the pumping station sluice gate is opened to allow gravity discharge.

During dry summer periods, to assist with maintaining adequate supplies of water, the gravity gate will not allow the River Idle water level to fall below 1.7 metres AOD at West Stockwith through unnecessary discharges into the River Trent. During times of flood conditions, if the River Trent level does not fall below the River Idle, the gate is unable to operate, consequently the lower reach of the River Idle acts as a receiving pond for waters draining from the higher part of the catchment.

The capacity of the pumping station is approximately half the peak flood flow of the River Idle. To cater for the situation where flow in the River Idle is greater than the pumping capacity, balanced storage will be taken up in the washlands by controlled spillage over the side weirs in the minor banks. In the area of the River Idle Washlands, two sites exist under the Reservoir Act 1975. These are defined as retaining more than 25,000 m3 of water. One area is to the east of Misson and the other to the west of Misson. The Environment Agency are the operators of the reservoirs and have ultimate responsibility for reservoir safety. The Environment Agency is the Enforcement Authority under the Water Act 2003 and we are keen to demonstrate total compliance and best practice, and we are subject to regular audits. The control regime of the pumps at West Stockwith allows all pumps to be operational before any overtopping of the minor banks occurs.

Positive Action in the Catchment

Strategies

1. The 25 Year Environment Plan

This plan describes the goals for improving the environment, it includes how we will work with other people to achieve this. There is a summary version here for you to read At a glance: summary of targets in our 25 year environment plan - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

2. Humber River Basin Management Plan

The RBMP is a 6 year plan that sets out the objectives and actions for the Humber river basin district. This sets out the current state of the water environment and the challenges it faces. You can read the plan here Humber river basin district river basin management plan - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

There is an updated plan due for release next year, which will detail the progress since 2009 and what we have achieved for the environment. There is currently a consultation on the draft version which you can respond to here https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environment-and-business/draft-river-basin-management-plans

3. Flood Risk Management Plan

There is currently a consultation on the draft version which you can respond to here https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/fcrm/draft-second-cycle-flood-risk-management-plans

4. Area Licensing Strategy

This strategy sets out how we manage water resources in the Idle & Torne Management Catchment. You can read it here Idle and Torne abstraction licensing strategy (ALS) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Environmental Land Management Scheme

ELMS is the new Environmental Land Management Scheme, this is to promote sustainable farming incentives through funding for nature and landscape recovery improvements.

High Flow abstraction study

The High Flow study aimed to improve understanding of the influences of high flows in the catchment and whether additional abstraction when the river was in spate would result in negative ecological impact. High flows are important for managing levels in the Idle Washlands SSSI. Spate flows are believed to wash out fines and stop the sedimentation of gravel river beds which is an important habitat consideration.  Further study is required.

Groundwater recharge and working with natural processes

Taking action to restore natural processes can help to make catchments more resilient to flood and drought events.  Slowing down the rate at which surface runoff enters river systems can increase infiltration storage within the groundwater of the catchment. Opportunity maps have been produced focusing on the catchments of the rivers Poulter, Meden and Maun to show where actions are most likely to be effective in supporting groundwater recharge. Actions include improving soil management, creation of water meadows, modifying the structure of the forest and partially blocking ‘dry’ valleys to enhance infiltration recharge rates.This report can be read here https://catchmentbasedapproach.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Idle-and-Torne-Working-With-Natural-Processes.pdf

Water for farmers and wildlife

In partnership with the RSPB, the project explores sustainable land management techniques and resilience to land flooding. It assesses the environmental, farming and flood risk management risk and benefits associated with occasional land inundation, including soil quality improvements, higher yields, reduced reliance on fertiliser and pesticides and improved habitats.

Agricultural water resources advice visits

Environment Agency and Natural England’s Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) officers have trialed new water resources advice visits at a number of farms in the Idle and Torne. These visits collated sustainable water-use best practice techniques and provided advice to farmers on improving their management of water.

Water resources communication and engagement work

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust project to engage schools and the agricultural sector. Engagement sessions in schools provided pupils with information resources to take home and improve domestic water usage. Please contact Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust for more information on this.

Climate change scenarios

Climate change projections indicate that summer low flows could be less than half current low flows by 2050. We may experience an increase in droughts and water restrictions. Higher winter rainfall will likely result in increased size and magnitude of flood flows. A Leeds University project is focusing on the impacts of climate change on the River Idle and provides an opportunity to better understand potential river flows and water availability impacts to abstractors. It will also consider how we can improve management of water resources in the future.

Detail of the project can be found on the project overview webpage hosted by Leeds University.

Activity in the Catchment

We work with internal and external partners every day to strive for environmental enhancement and protection. We have a dedicated team to work with partners to develop and deliver projects for the benefit of the environment, and we have a budget to contribute to such projects. We look to achieve multiple benefits in everything we do, we believe this is the most effective and efficient way to work, achieving the best value for public money.

Some examples of recent or ongoing projects:

• We are working with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Severn Trent Water on the Idle Washlands SSSI’s to better understand the functioning of the washlands and to seek opportunities to improve them for water quality and wildlife purposes. We have undertaken multiple interventions to capture overland flows to treat and slow flows, we have installed fencing to prevent wildlife disturbance by dogs and people, created scrapes & ditches to provide vital edge habitat for birds and storage of water, delivery of public engagement events and an interpretation board and finally a corner bund to slow and store flows, which will allow sediment to drop out on the floodplain and preventing sedimentation of the river.
• We have worked with a large estate in the upper reaches of the Idle on a tributary to install numerous interventions to slow and store flows for the benefit of water quality and wildlife. This includes, coir rolls as edge habitat and channel narrowing/meandering, leaky dams, woody debris, woodland coppicing, ponds, scrapes and designs for large scale river restoration.

Ongoing Investigations

Watercourses can be vital to maintain land drainage for food production and to reduce flood risk, but any work on them must be undertaken in an environmentally sensitive way. In the past, river management often worked against natural processes.

In recent years scientific evidence has proved that more natural and sustainable management often affords greater flood protection to people and property, while also providing significant benefits to wildlife, water quality and the landscape.

The RIMP group are aware of the EA’s current plans to look into making the River Idle a more efficient catchment which, if approved, will include a redevelopment of West Stockwith Pump Station and a review of the assets in the area such as flood banks and a further review into the conveyance of the river. 

West Stockwith Pumping Station – High Voltage Improvement Works

West Stockwith Pumping Station drains the River Idle catchment and works in tandem with two major sluice gates that help to manage water levels and flood flows from the River Idle into the tidal River Trent.  

This project aims to deliver required improvements to the West Stockwith pump station High Voltage switchboard systems to address modern procedures for operation and ensuring the sustained safe operation of the asset into the future.

We are aiming to complete the works in 2022.

West Stockwith Pumping Station Investigation works done to date

It has been identified through planned preventative maintenance that some components in the station are coming up for renewal or refurbishment. Investigative works that have been undertaken over the past 12 months to understand the condition of the varying components in the station, in particular the pumps and the High Voltage  equipment.

We have produced an updated future scheduled maintenance regime to enable the sustained operation of the asset. This balances the planned and preventative maintenance needs of the station with the available funding. To do this on the pumps we have reviewed the number of hours that the pumps originally had as a design life and compared this with the pump run hour records for the station. This has shown that the pumps are not yet at the end of their design life despite their age, and will not form part of the investment in the station at this stage.

LIAMS

The Lower Idle Asset Management Scheme (LIAMS) has been allocated £415k of Trent RFCC Funding at the recent Finance Sub-Committee meeting.

The scheme includes the refurbishment of West Stockwith Pumping station and wider catchment measures to provide an optimum standard of flood risk to communities along the Lower River Idle.

The project will provide wider environmental benefits including opening up the River Idle to fish and eel passage. It is also the Midlands Hub Net Zero Carbon Pilot Project – promoting ways of reducing the carbon footprint of both the construction and whole life carbon cost of FCRM assets, in line with the Environment Agency’s 2030 Carbon aims and aspirations.

Funding Opportunities

NEIRF

• This is the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund
• We have completed applications for the first round and the second round is now open for applications – the deadline is 3^rd February 2022
• Apply for a grant from the natural environment investment readiness fund - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

WEIF

• This is the Water Environment Improvement Fund, provided by the Environment Agency. For more information on how to obtain funding, contact your local Catchment Coordinator or get involved with the Idle Catchment Partnership hosted by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Find the link in the links section.

Severn Trent Water

• There are several funding opportunities available through Severn Trent Water and these do change from time to time, so we would recommend looking at their website directly. At the time of writing, these are their current funding schemes;
  1. 1. Severn Trent Community Fund | About Us | Severn Trent Water (stwater.co.uk) This community fund is open all year round for applications
     2. Severn Trent launches Great Big Nature Boost campaign | News releases | Media | Severn Trent Plc The Great Big Nature Boost releases fuds each year for applications. Keep checking the website for updates or get involved with the Idle Catchment Partnership for regular updates about the catchment and funding.
     3. STEPS (Severn Trent Water Environmental Protection Scheme) Severn Trent Environmental Protection Schemes (STEPS) | Catchment Management | Environment | About Us | Severn Trent Water (stwater.co.uk)

Local Levy

• These are funds raised by Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCC) for regional flood risk management priorities
• Bids are made on a project by project basis and reviewed by the RFCC
• The LIAMS scheme has £415,000 allocated to help bridge the likely funding gap to complete the scheme.

Woodland

1. 1. Forestry England: England Woodland Creation Offer

England Woodland Creation Offer application form - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

CSF

• If you are in a Catchment Sensitive Farming area with a Natural England Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer (CSFO), then depending on options, suitability and criteria, you may be eligible for a grant.
• You can look at the areas here Catchment Sensitive Farming: reduce water and air pollution - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)