6-Jun-2006
- A partnership project that will help farmers
to adapt to changing priorities is beginning to
take shape in the Lower Clyst valley, just east
of Exeter.
The project addresses some important
environmental issues and is led by the Environment
Agency with support from English Nature, the RSPB,
Rural Development Service of Defra, and local
authorities.
The River Clyst flows into the
Exe Estuary near Topsham and is tidal up to Clyst
St Mary. Embankments were first built alongside
in the early 19th century to reclaim much of this
land for agriculture and are currently maintained
by the Environment Agency.
Government policy and guidance
now places less emphasis on defending agricultural
land, and making space for rivers to flood is
now positively encouraged.
The Environment Agency is looking
closely at whether it should continue to maintain
the old banks around the Clyst, since there is
very little risk to people or their homes.
Adrian Rushworth, flood risk
manager for the Environment Agency, said:’Our
priority is to prevent flooding of property, for
example at Clyst St Mary, but this may mean stopping
maintenance elsewhere.’
Defra’s new Environmental Stewardship
scheme will help farmers to adapt to these changes.
The project area is adjacent
to the Exe Estuary, an internationally important
wildlife site, and it is hoped that there will
be environmental benefits too.
Lower Clyst project officer
Katharine Land has been working closely with farmers
to explore how they might manage their land differently,
while continuing to farm successfully.
She said :’We want to show that
it is possible to combine economic farming and
wildlife.’
The project is still at a relatively
early stage of development. The next step is to
carry out a feasibility study to understand what
is possible and where best to carry out the various
options. It is hoped that Defra will be able to
fund this work, which will involve collecting
and analysing lots of information about the site,
together with wide ranging consultation with other
interested bodies.
This process has started with
a meeting with parish and other councillors, where
the project was explained and the way forward
outlined.
’The Lower Clyst Project will
only go ahead if landowners want it to and if
we can show that the environmental and community
benefits can be achieved without unacceptable
risk. We are working hard with all those involved
to ensure that we have answered all their questions,’
said Mike Williams, the Environment Agency’s project
manager.
