http://www.nwda.co.uk/pdf/ERVNEFINAL

The Economic and Regenerative Value of the Natural Environment in the North West NWDA, English Nature and Regional Partners in the North West Final Report August 2003

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

i

1.

INTRODUCTION

1

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5

STUDY AIMS BACKGROUND METHODOLOGY AUDIENCE REPORT STRUCTURE

1 3 3 8 8

2.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS

10

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIES OTHER STUDIES SUMMARY

10 12 14 15

3.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT

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3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4

INTRODUCTION REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT AND PROGRAMMES NATURAL ENVIRONMENT / BIODIVERSITY CONTEXT SUMMARY

16 16 25 28

4.

ERVNE PORTFOLIO OF PROJECTS

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4.1 4.2 4.3

ERVNE PORTFOLIO OF PROJECTS OTHER PROJECT PROPOSALS PROJECT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

30 50 51

5.

DELIVERY MECHANISMS

53

5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4

INTRODUCTION GETTING A NUMBER OF PROJECTS UP AND RUNNING IN THE SHORT-TERM LONGER-TERM DELIVERY MECHANISMS SUMMARY

53 53 54 62

ANNEX 1

WORKSHOP ATTENDEES

ANNEX 2

SUMMARIES OF ERVNE PROJECT PROPOSALS

ANNEX 3

ERVNE PROJECT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

ANNEX 4

ERVNE PROJECT PROFORMA

ANNEX 5

POTENTIAL PROJECT FUNDING SOURCES

Executive Summary “The region’s natural resources are a major but undervalued asset, contributing to both the quality of life and the economy of the region.

Further work is now required…to determine how these assets should be maintained and their contribution to the region’s economy maximised” – Regional Economic Strategy for the North West (NWDA, March 2003).

“The natural environment in parts of the region is…world class, and the opportunity exists to further develop these assets to secure existing employment and create new employment opportunities. This will be particularly important in the rural areas, where alternative employment opportunities outside of the traditional sectors are limited….The region will not move to a new and modern economy without addressing the environmental legacy of the past. The scale of dereliction at the neighbourhood level is considerable, and holds back both communities and individuals re-engaging with the mainstream economy” – EU Objective 2 Programme SPD for the North West (March 1999).

“A high quality environment …is important for the economic regeneration of the area…in the context of attracting investors and tourists, and retaining a skilled workforce by offering a high quality of life. This will require careful management of existing natural areas and…environmental improvement of existing areas of dereliction and neglect.” EU Objective 1 Programme for Merseyside SPD (May 2002).

Aims: To identify natural environment projects in the North West with the potential to contribute to the region’s core economic development, regeneration and sustainable development objectives.

This report presents the findings of the Economic and Regenerative Value of the Natural Environment (ERVNE) study commissioned by the NWDA and English Nature, working closely with regional partners (1).

It identifies projects in the North West which have the potential to generate significant economic and regeneration outcomes, as well as benefits for the natural environment, enhancement of regional image and quality of life. By integrating economic, environmental and social benefits, these projects will contribute to regional progress towards sustainable development.

The projects have the potential to fit into regional development and funding programmes across the region. Whilst the study does not guarantee funding of these projects, it has provided a mechanism for identifying practical actions which will enable the North West to capitalise on the significant economic resource provided by the region’s natural environment.

Building on regional experience: In 2000, the Environmental Economy of the NW accounted for over 100,000 jobs – 5.6% of total regional employment.

Significant opportunities exist for its future development.

The study takes forward previous work in the North West on “The (1) Organisations represented on the Steering Group: the NWDA, English Nature, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Environment Agency, Regional Assembly for the North West, Countryside Agency, Government Office for the North West, Cheshire County Council, Forestry Commission and the Environmental Advisory Service (EAS).

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Environmental Economy of the North West” (2000), which quantified the significant contribution of the environment and related activities to the region’s economy and economic development objectives. This showed that the ‘environmental economy’ as a whole accounted for an estimated 101,200 jobs and £2.96 billion annual turnover, representing 5.6% of total regional employment and 2.1% of regional GDP. Within these total figures, economic activities relating to the natural environment accounted for an estimated 62,000 jobs and £642 million GDP, through activities such as: •

recreation and tourism based on the natural environment;

•

the diversification of rural economies and farm based businesses associated with natural environment activities;

•

urban regeneration associated with improvements to the natural environment; and

•

direct employment and skills development relating to environmental enhancement and conservation activities.

The ‘Environmental Economy’ report concluded that there was significant potential to develop economic activities based on the natural environment in the future, and thereby create more jobs and further contribute to NWDA and regional development objectives.

The ERVNE study also builds on the considerable experience amongst public, private and voluntary sector organisations across the North West in implementing successful natural environment/economic projects on the ground. It is important to note that some natural environment / economy projects are already being funded by the NWDA and programmes such as the EU Objective 1 and 2 programmes.

How were ERVNE projects identified?

Potential ERVNE projects were identified through an extensive consultation process with public, private and voluntary sector organisations across the North West. This involved three sub-regional workshop events and the preparation of 87 project outlines by regional partners.

Project outlines were assessed against agreed criteria to identify projects with the potential to generate significant economic and regenerative outcomes, as well as natural environment benefits. The criteria were consistent with NWDA project appraisal criteria and also incorporated regional and sub-regional environmental and biodiversity objectives.

As well as projects identified as having particular potential to generate economic and natural environment benefits, the study also identified other projects which could generate significant environmental benefits but less in terms of economic outcomes. Clear potential exists for developing these projects through other funding and grant schemes provided by organisations and programmes such as the Heritage ERM

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Lottery Fund, the Countryside Agency, English Nature, New Deal, New Opportunities Fund and private sector project sponsors.

What types of projects have been identified?

Projects identified during the ERVNE study which have the potential to generate significant economic, regeneration and environmental outcomes cover a wide range of activities, including those outlined in Box 1.

Assessment of the 87 project outlines received from project developers across the North West, identified 39 projects with particular potential to generate economic and natural environment benefits, and therefore potentially suitable for NWDA and other regional economic development and regeneration funding programmes.

Summaries of the 39 ERVNE projects are shown at the end of this Executive Summary in Table 1, Table 2 and Figures 1 to 7.

An assessment of the potential economic and environmental outputs of each of the ERVNE projects is presented in Table 3.

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Box 1

Examples of Activities Covered by ERVNE Projects Tourism and recreation based on the high quality environment: • Coastal, estuarine projects – e.g. environmental enhancements, coastal walks, visitor attractions, access improvements, interpretation, bird watching etc – which attract visitors and related expenditure, creating opportunities for business and employment, as well as making areas more attractive places in which to live, work and invest.

•

Canals, Rivers and Waterway projects – environmental improvements and access improvements which attract visitors and related expenditure, improve local and regional image and provide opportunities for business and employment.

•

Wetlands, Meres and Mosses projects – provide visitor and recreational attractions as well as conservation and enhancement of natural environmental assets.

•

Access to the countryside projects – improvements to bridleways, public rights of way, uplands recreation and trails, related infrastructure and marketing – open up access to the countryside and can help increase visitor numbers and spend in the countryside, as well as bringing quality of life benefits for residents.

•

Regional biodiversity parks and centres – which attract visitors and income, at the same time as publicising natural environment attractions in the region and raising awareness of the natural environment and biodiversity issues.

Sustainable Forestry / Woodland projects: • Creation of community woodland projects – involving land reclamation, to make areas more attractive to investment, attract residents and visitors, provide opportunities for sustainable woodland industry, ‘timber stations’, tree nurseries, regeneration etc.

•

Projects to create woodlands and environmental improvements along strategic ‘gateways’ and transport corridors to improve the regional image and make the region / areas more attractive for investment.

•

Development of woodland based visitor attractions and centres – attracting visitors and related expenditure, plus opportunities for cycle hire etc

•

Projects which support the development of businesses relating to environmental enhancement – e.g. development of the wildflower industry in the NW.

Improvements to urban areas and investment sites: • Natural environment improvements on and around business parks, which improve their attractiveness to investors – thereby generating local employment opportunities – as well as enhancing quality of life for local communities.

•

Natural environment projects in deprived areas to address areas of dereliction – reclaiming and improving disused coalfield, industrial, landfill sites, providing improved community green spaces etc – improving quality of life for local residents and making areas more attractive to investment, as well as providing opportunities for skills development and community strengthening.

Skills Development and Access to Employment: • Conservation skills, ‘green gyms’, woodland management and sustainable rural land management skills – helping to develop new skills in rural and urban areas, as well as providing health and community strengthening benefits.

•

Development of social enterprises involved in environmental improvement activities – helping to develop entrepreneurship, jobs opportunities and economic inclusion in disadvantaged areas.

•

Environmental intermediate labour market (ILM) projects – helping economically excluded people to develop skills, confidence and improve access employment.

Sustainable Agriculture:

•

Projects to support the development of sustainable agricultural practices which link the development of economically viable land management practices to environmental improvements, farm diversification etc – habitat restoration, sustainable grazing, environmental management skills, farm based recreation / tourism attractions.

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Economic Outcomes of the ERVNE portfolio of projects: Identified projects have the potential to generate over 2,000 jobs in the region, as well as contribute to other core regional and sub-regional economic development targets.

Based on estimates from project developers, these 39 projects have the potential to generate 2,034 jobs in the region. This is likely to be an understatement of outcomes, since economic outcome data was incomplete for a number of the projects – particularly in relation to indirect job creation effects.

It is important to note that as well as job creation, other potential outcomes of the projects include: •

reclamation of over 1,000 hectares of brownfield land;

•

creation of 1,600 hectares of woodland;

•

provision of 5,865 skills development / training places; and

•

business creation, attraction of investment and improvements to regional image.

The potential outcomes of these projects fit firmly with the objectives and targets of the NWDA (1) and those of: •

the revised Regional Economic Strategy;

•

the Regeneration Prospectus;

•

the Regional Rural Recovery Plan and County Action Plans for Cumbria, Lancashire and Cheshire;

•

the Regional Tourism Vision;

•

the New Vision for North West Coastal Resorts;

•

EU Objective 1 and 2 Programmes in the North West;

•

urban regeneration strategies and action plans such as Manchester City Pride and the work of Urban Regeneration Companies such as Liverpool Vision and Westlakes Renaissance;

•

regional and local biodiversity objectives and targets; and

•

regional sustainable development objectives contained in Action for Sustainability.

Regional development strategies and programmes listed above highlight the important role that the natural environment and related activities can play in the achievement of regional, sub-regional and local economic and regeneration objectives. These programmes therefore provide ‘hooks’ for supporting ERVNE projects which generate clear economic and regeneration benefits at the same time as natural environment improvements.

(1) For example, NWDA output targets shown in NWDA’s Business Plan for 2002/03: − 15,732 jobs created or sustained; − 804 new businesses created or attracted; − 442 hectares of brownfield land remediated or recycled; − 32,792 learning opportunities created;

− −

2600 businesses assisted on skills needs; and 72 hectares of woodland created.

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How can ERVNE projects now be taken forward?

The ERVNE study has emphasised that there is no guarantee of funding for projects identified during the study. However, it is clearly important to take the study forward through the implementation of high quality projects. The report therefore provides recommendations for taking the ERVNE study findings forward and for co-ordinating the process of project funding and implementation. Objectives of the recommended delivery mechanisms include: •

Getting a number of projects up and running in the short-term (next six months) – i.e. ‘early project wins’.

•

Helping to bring projects forward over the longer-term – including:

•

-

helping projects to access appropriate funding, including coordinating funding for the ERVNE portfolio;

-

communication and strategic advocacy of ERVNE projects to external supporters in order to help gain commitment to funding ERVNE projects (e.g. NWDA and EU Structural Fund programmes);

-

providing expert advice to projects – on strengthening biodiversity and economic outputs (at project application stage, through to implementation);

-

building links and synergies between projects.

Monitoring progress in implementing the portfolio and providing regular reporting on the impacts of projects.

Short Term Delivery Priorities In order to get a number of projects up and running over the next 6 months, it is recommended that the portfolio of projects is discussed with key NWDA Area and Programme managers, as well as EU Objective 1 and 2 Programme managers, to identify particular projects that the NWDA or Objective 1 and 2 Programmes are interested in taking forward and potentially funding.

Any projects going forward for NWDA funding will need to go through the NWDA’s project appraisal process; similarly, projects for Objective 1 and 2 funding will need to go through ERDF project appraisal processes.

Project developers will need to provide additional project information and may well require assistance in taking the projects through the appraisal process. It is recommended that support is provided to assist in this process. This support could come from the NWDA and regional partners such as English Nature, the Environment Agency and the Countryside Agency.

In addition, it is recommended that discussions are held with Regional Rural Recovery Plan managers in the three counties of Cumbria (Cumbria Rural Regeneration Company), Cheshire and Lancashire. This will help to identify projects which could readily fit within the subERM

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regional RRRP programmes over the next 6 months.

Longer Term Delivery Mechanisms The report analyses various longer-term delivery options. This shows that future delivery mechanisms to assist in the implementation of ERVNE projects need to link closely with existing regional and subregional delivery structures. ERVNE study partners should help to promote projects to these delivery organisations, as well as economic development and regeneration programmes in the region.

It is also recommended that partners behind the ERVNE study provide resource to assist in project development. This should include: resource to enable promising projects to be developed further; advice to projects on how to maximise economic and natural environment outcomes; advice on accessing funding opportunities; and assistance in building links between projects in order to achieve concerted actions across the region rather than individual projects working in isolation.

It is recommended that regional partners examine the feasibility of establishing a ‘pot’ of funds to provide a single, central resource for funding and developing ERVNE projects. This could involve inputs from regional and national funding programmes.

Depending on progress in taking projects forward, partners should consider repeating the ERVNE ‘process’ in order to identify projects for the future. Monitoring the progress of ERVNE projects will also be important to ensure that momentum established by the study is maintained; and that the North West capitalises on the long-term economic and regenerative potential of the region’s environmental assets.

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Table 1

Project Proposals Sorted by Activity Type Project activity:

ERVNE Portfolio Project:

Sub-Region:

Biodiversity centres, attractions

3

Cheshire

Wetlands, mosslands

Coastal, waterfront

Rivers

Sustainable agriculture

Urban environmental regeneration

Access to the rural / natural environment Environmental improvements to industrial estate Sustainable woodlands

- Regional Biodiversity Park, Chester Zoo

32 - Hiding from View – Leighton Moss

Lancashire

60 - Bitternland - Lyth Valley Habitat Feasibility Study

Lancashire

72 - National Wildflower Centre

Merseyside

73 - National Wildflower Farm

Merseyside

79 - Seeds for Growth

Merseyside

4

- Mosslands of the Mersey Basin

Merseyside

6

- Wetlands for Wildlife and People

NW Region

20 - Peatlands for People

Cumbria

42 - Amberswood/Wigan Flashes

Lancashire

7

Merseyside

- Bromborough Waterfront Development Project

37 - Making the most of the North West Coast

North West Region

65 - Morecambe Bay Regional Park

Lancashire

83 - Ribble Estuary Regional Park

Lancashire

22 - Rivers of Cheshire

Cheshire

23 - Stanley Bank Triangle

Merseyside

39 - Liverpool Riverside Lands

Merseyside

85 - River Alt reclamation and community access scheme

Lancashire

11 - Sustainable Grazing Initiative

Cumbria

25 - Cumbria's Wealth for Wildlife

Cumbria

47 - Rural landscape regeneration

Mersey Belt

53 - Rural Economic Diversification and Biodiversity Project

Lancs, Mersey Belt

12 - Productive Landscapes

Merseyside

27 - Green Gym North West

North West Region

29 - East Lancashire Green Networks

Lancashire

43 - The reclamation of Gidlow Tip and Boundary Brook

Merseyside, Lancs

57 - River Ellen Corridor

Cumbria

36 - Wildlife for All

Cumbria

38 - The Living Landscape

Cumbria

40

- Fazakerley Regional Ecology Park and Alt Valley Park Regeneration

Merseyside Merseyside

51 - Astmoor Regeneration

Cheshire, Lancs

81 - Green Business Parks 44 - The Coppice Apprenticeship

Cumbria

49 - Cumbria Woodland Cycle Network

Cumbria

62 - Environmental Regeneration through Social Enterprise

Lancs, Mersey Belt

63 - Setting the Scene for Growth

NW Region

64 - Timber 21

Cumbria

68/1 Econet and Delamere Forest

Cheshire

67 - Woods for People

Cumbria

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Figure 1

Locations of ERVNE Project Proposals – Coastal Waterfront and Rivers

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Figure 2

Environmental Improvements on Industrial Estates Projects

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Figure 3

Access to the Rural / Natural Environment Projects

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Figure 4

Sustainable Agriculture Projects

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Figure 5

Sustainable Woodlands Projects

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Figure 6

Urban Environmental Regeneration Projects

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Figures 7

Biodiversity Attractions and Wetlands and Mossland Projects

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Table 2

Summaries of Project Proposals included in the ERVNE Portfolio ERVNE Project Activity

Biodiversity centres, attractions ERVNE project number 3

Project Summary: Regional Biodiversity Project at Chester Zoo - Chester Zoo, English Nature, Chester City Council, the region’s Universities et al. Creation of a 15ha Bio-Park containing habitats characteristic of the North West and signposting/marketing of natural environment attractions in the region; plus a 44ha Sustainability Centre promoting conservation good practice in farming and 20ha of improvements to wider agricultural land holdings. Project to research, demonstrate and communicate best practice in the conservation of regional biodiversity. Economic benefits are forecast to include: creation of 250 jobs, skills development, attracting 250,000 additional visitors each year and an additional £7,000,000 in tourism expenditure. Further analysis of potential project outputs will be provided by an on-going NWDA funded feasibility study. Total investment £43.1 million; funding gap £21.5 million.

32

Hiding from View, Upgrading Facilities at Leighton Moss – RSPB, North West Trains, Silverdale AONB. The project will improve visitor facilities at Leighton Moss (Morecambe Bay) nature reserve, a highly successful visitor attraction. It will involve improvements to hides, fitting CCTV, improving links to the local railway station and nature trail improvements. The project will increase visitors (currently 100,000 per year), increasing visitor expenditure and local job opportunities (existing visitor expenditure equates to 27 FTE jobs). The project fits with Rural Recovery Plan objectives to renew and strengthen sustainable recreation and tourism in the NW. Total investment £170k; funding gap £123k.

60

Bitternland: Lyth Valley Habitat Feasibility Study - Cumbria Wildlife Trust, RSPB, English Nature, Morecambe Bay Partnership et al. This project is a feasibility study to assess the suitability of the Lyth Valley as an area which could provide bittern breeding habitats, and the development of a nature reserve (‘Bitternland’) and related tourism activities. Potential economic benefits include: development of a unique natural environment attraction which would attract visitors and related expenditure; providing local business opportunities and helping to increase the ‘value’ of the local tourism and recreational ‘offer’, in line with the regional tourism and coastal towns strategies / visions. Total investment for the feasibility study: £60k; funding gap £35k.

72

National Wildflower Centre – Landlife, Knowsley BC, et al. The project will implement the masterplan for developing the National Wildflower Centre (35 acres) which has the potential to attract many visitors and related expenditure and further development of wildflower seed industry in the NW. Total investment £2.194 million; funding gap £590k.

73

National Wildflower Farm - Landlife. The project will develop the National Wildflower Farm (100 acres) which has the potential to attract many visitors and related expenditure and further development of wildflower seed industry in the NW. . Total investment £1.406 million; funding gap £750k.

79

Seeds for Growth Strategy – Landlife, local authorities et al. Project will develop the wildflower seed industry on Merseyside, bringing employment benefits (18 new jobs) and an estimated 55,000 new visitors to the region.; as well as the creation of substantial new natural habitats Total investment £5.552 million; funding gap £2.525 million.

Wetlands, Mosslands

Mosslands of the Mersey Basin Valley - Lancashire, Manchester & N. Merseyside Wildlife Trust, United Utilities, Environment Agency, Local Authorities et al. The project aims to link-isolated mossland sites, through land management (agrienvironment schemes) and acquisition, to provide a contiguous network of habitats, which can be utilised as a recreational and educational resource. Economic benefits are projected to include: creation of 20 jobs and safeguarding 50 jobs; support for

4

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary: diversification of rural agricultural businesses; training opportunities for young people via a Environmental Task Force project – including 35 jobs created through ILM and New Deal, and 25 people gaining accredited NVQ qualifications; opportunities for local businesses, and attraction of additional visitors to the area.

Total investment £1.258 million; funding gap £480k.

6

Wetlands for Wildlife and People - Environment Agency, RSPB, English Nature, Wildlife Trusts, Local Authorities, Community Groups and Tourist Boards. The project aims to develop high quality wetlands in the NW to provide visitor attractions and educational facilities; as well as making use of derelict land for biodiversity and flood defence improvements. It will focus on five core areas for wetland improvement (Cheshire Meres and Mosses, Manchester Mosslands, West Lancashire, Morecambe Bay and North and West Cumbria), which would each aim to attract 150,000 new visitors per year, generating 400 new jobs. Other benefits include skills development and ETF opportunities and physical improvements to improve the attractiveness of urban fringe areas to investment. The 1st phase would represent a feasibility study. Total investment £23.65 million; funding gap £6.725 million.

20

Peatlands for People - English Nature (on behalf of RSPB, Cumbria Wildlife Trust & Tullie Ho Museum, Carlisle et al). The project will provide habitat restoration in the internationally important South Solway mosses; providing recreational and tourism assets. Forecast economic benefits include: a potential 40,000 visitors per year; regeneration of market towns in the Solway / Carlisle area; conservation skills development; job creation through land management and tourism. Total investment £4.14 million; funding gap £400k.

42

Amberswood/Wigan Flashes: Campion Initiative - Wigan Council, Groundwork Wigan, Lancs Wildlife Trust, Wigan Council. The Wigan Flashes and Amberswood project is designed to realise the significant tourism potential of the region’s wetland assets, through the enhancement of the site’s capacity to accommodate visitor numbers. Wigan Flashes and Amberswood contain 8 sites of Biological Importance and a 68ha Site of Special Scientific Interest. Actions will include: further landscape improvements; major improvements to its infrastructure, including parking, greenways, cycle routes (the National Cycle Way Network is planned to run through the area), interpretation and signage. The project links to the adjacent Westwood Business Park and Pier Quarter. Forecast economic benefits include: 22 jobs created/safeguarded; 8 new businesses attracted; 18 ha of brownfield land remediated; 14 ha of woodland created; attraction of 20,000 visitors per year and related expenditure. Total investment £2.3 million; funding gap £800k.

Coastal, Waterfront

Bromborough Waterfront Development Project - Groundwork Wirral, Wirral MBC, Biffa Waste Services Ltd et al. The Bromborough Waterfront Development Project aims to “improve the environment in the area to attract jobs, private investment and improve the local community’s quality of life”. The project is designed to provide a more attractive waterfront environment. This is central to plans for economic regeneration within the Borough of Wirral. The project will provide environmental improvements linking to NWDA’s Wirral International Business Park along a high profile Mersey Coastal route. The creation of a new greenspace from a former landfill site will also help to improve the visual amenity of the area, promote biodiversity and provide a recreational and educational opportunity for local residents. Total investment £1.2 million; funding gap £810k.

7

37

Making the most of the North West Coast - North West Coastal Forum. The project will coordinate and deliver a coast-wide programme of works to protect and enhance 1,000 km of exceptional coastal environment from the Solway to the Dee, covering conservation, landscape management, access, interpretation, education and training. The project builds on an existing framework of NW coastal initiatives, providing longer-term action and programme of delivery. Forecast economic outcomes include: 50 FTE jobs; improvements to 200 ha of brownfield land; 1,000

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary: training places and NVQs; a 5% increase in visitors to the coast and associated increases in visitor expenditure leading to the development of coastal tourism businesses. The project fits firmly with the NW Regional Tourism Strategy, the Rural Recovery Plan, the Coastal Resorts Initiative and Regional Park proposals.

Total investment £6.565 million; funding gap £3.625 million.

65

Morecambe Bay Regional Park - Morecambe Bay Partnership. The project represents a programme of work to enhance landscape and environmental assets of Morecambe Bay, including work to: develop and market an identity for Morecambe Bay based on the quality of the natural environment; promoting understanding of the natural environment, building on existing schools and outreach programmes; delivering on-site interpretation, and improving access to the natural / coastal environment, building on the feasibility work of the NW coastal trail; and a recreation user group for water-based recreation. Projected economic benefits include: 25% increase in visitors and visitor expenditure; regeneration of the resort towns; at least 12 new businesses formed; at least 50 jobs created; improvements to the regional image. Total investment £1.782 million; funding gap £1.150 million.

83

Ribble Estuary Regional Park - RSPB, Environment Agency, English Nature, local authorities, Ribble Estuary Partnership et al. The project aims to create a landscape-scale resource, some 30km2 of new and enhanced environmental assets and to turn a largely unknown, inaccessible and unloved area of the Ribble Estuary into a publicly accessible wildlife landscape of the highest value. New visitor experiences will make this a centre for bird conservation excellence of European renown. By restoring habitat and improving access, interpretation and enjoyment, the project aims to create the largest area of visitor-friendly wetland in NW England and one of considerable national and European significance. Potential economic benefits are being examined by a feasibility study, but could include: attraction of at least 100,000 visitors per year; creation of 100 jobs; new business creation; enhancement of the regional image; diversification of the economy of coastal towns; and increasing the attractiveness of the local area to investment. Project costs are being identified in the feasibility study.

Rivers

Rivers of Cheshire – Mersey Basin Campaign, Environment Agency, British Waterways, Cheshire County Council et al. The project will develop a coordinated campaign to increase access to and raise the profile of Rivers in Cheshire in order to improve image and environment along river corridors; regenerate urban and rural waterside land; provide high quality tourism and recreational assets and related tourism expenditure and job creation. Further work is needed to develop quantitative estimates of economic outcomes. Total investment £900k; funding gap £400k.

22

23

Stanley Bank Triangle - Mersey Basin Campaign, St Helens BC, Groundwork. The project will regenerate and protect the Stanley Bank Triangle of St Helens as a natural environment attraction – providing an improved environmental resource, coupled with rural craft and heritage centre. Forecast economic benefits include: 3 jobs created; creation of a social enterprise; 5 environmental ILM posts; £437k annual visitor spend based on a 2% increase in visitors to St Helens; at least 18,000 visitors to the site per year; physical regeneration and image improvements; rural skills development training and educational projects for local schools. Total investment £1.48 million; funding gap £666k.

39

Liverpool Riverside Lands - Liverpool City Council, local land owners, Mersey Basin Campaign, Lancashire Wildlife Trusts, English Nature, Environment Agency et al. The project will develop the Liverpool side of the River Mersey Green Coastal Park, a regionally significant green space with nationally significant environmental impacts. It will contribute to ‘transformation of the Mersey waterfront, increasing tourism and visitor income’. Project details are at an early stage of development, but indicative potential economic outcomes include: 40 jobs created; 400 temporary jobs; creation of 2 new businesses; inward investment of £15 to £20 million; 100,000

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary: additional tourism visitors per year; and reclamation of 2 ha of brownfield land.

LCC requests funding to develop the project further, as well as a potential capital contribution. Total investment £18.9 million; funding gap £3.2 million.

85

River Alt reclamation, clearance and community access scheme - Alt Valley Cluster Partnership, Liverpool City Council, United Utilities, Groundwork et al. The project aims to develop a linear park (including a cycle and pedestrian pathway) along the River Alt; in order to improve the habitat for water species, wetland wildlife, and native flora. The project will also create jobs and training opportunities, developing it as a managed conservation area and recreational site.

Projected economic benefits include: 5 jobs created; NVQ accredited training places; expansion of local ILM activity; and physical environment improvements in order to improve the quality of life for local communities and make the area more attractive to investment, as well as including local disaffected young people in the improvement activities. Total investment £420k; funding gap £300k.

Sustainable Agriculture

The Sustainable Grazing Initiative - English Nature and Voluntary Action Cumbria. The project is a three-year pilot scheme to develop integrated land management in hill farming areas of Cumbria, focusing on areas which have Special Area of Conservation status. The project will: provide capital and maintenance funds for stock reductions to enable farm restructuring; carry out research into the economic impacts of those reductions; develop awareness of links between hill farming and cultural/nature conservation among farmers; develop economically viable sustainable management of hill farms, and promote co-operative marketing.

Forecast economic benefits include creation of 115 jobs in farm businesses and related tourism and local produce businesses; assist the restructuring of the hill farming industry; and will contribute to rural action plan objectives for Cumbria.

Total investment £7.1 million; funding gap £100k.

11

25

Cumbria’s Wealth of Wildlife - Cumbria Biodiversity Partnership, Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Tourist Board et al. The project will deliver bio-diversity improvement actions linked to countryside management and agri-environment activities in Cumbria as part of the Cumbria RAZ. Quantitative estimates of economic outcomes still need to be developed, but will include: safeguarding and creating jobs associated with land management and tourism in Cumbria; and increasing visitor numbers and expenditure. Total investment £939k; funding gap £235k.

47

Rural landscape regeneration - Bury MBC et al. The project will operate a pilot grant scheme to assist in the development of sustainable/economically viable farm businesses based on diversification and new land management practices for wildlife/landscape benefits. It will provide business planning support and operate in the Mersey Belt and focus on the region’s network of wildlife corridors. Potential economic benefits require further development and quantification, but include diversification of farm businesses on the urban fringe and associated employment benefits (estimated 55 jobs created and safeguarded), linked to local food and produce, organic produce, farm based recreation, traditional landscape skills and environmental improvements. Total investment £737k; funding gap £494k.

53

Rural Economic Diversification and Biodiversity Project (REDBiP) - Lancashire Biodiversity Partnership, including FWAG, Lancashire Wildlife Trust et al. The REDBiP initiative will pioneer new approaches to working with rural businesses that could be replicated across the North West region, helping farmers to generate an economic return from the sustainable management of the natural environment assets on their land. The Project will: identify land on which new environmentally focused rural businesses may be created; assist owners /occupiers /managers of the land, including a site-specific plan recommending ways to supplement incomes from use of natural environment assets; and provide practical help and training to businesses through grants to help develop business opportunities arising from sustainable management of biodiversity. Forecast economic benefits include: 15

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary: jobs created; 250 businesses advised and 250 training ‘places’; formation of 25 new businesses; as well as attraction of additional visitors; improvements to the regional image and overall diversification of the rural economy. Total investment £539k; funding gap £269.5k.

Urban Environmental Regeneration 12

Productive Landscapes - Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside, local authorities, BTCV, Groundwork and many other regional / local partners. The project will turn underused, undervalued open spaces in the NW into productive assets for community use. It will focus on areas of significant deprivation in 12 boroughs. The Project will provide a “Productive Landscapes” team with skills in community, environmental, education and regeneration work.

The project will involve: audit of green space and community consultation to identify priority areas and develop action plans; environmental improvements with community involvement – e.g. community gardens, tree nurseries, community allotments and urban nature reserves, SUD’s schemes e.g. reedbeds, urban wildflower meadows; provide training to improve skills, and build capacity through technical support, training and networking. Economic benefits forecast include: 130 jobs created/safeguarded, including 100 unemployed people gaining jobs through New Deal / ILMs; 250 people gaining NVQ qualifications; 3000 weeks training; support for 6 community enterprises; 100 businesses advised; as well as improvements to the physical environment. Total investment £6.03 million; funding gap £2.995 million.

27

Green Gym North West – British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV), local community groups, health professionals. The project will undertake environmental conservation work which provides health and community regeneration/economic inclusion benefits for participants across the NW through the development of a network of Green Gyms in the Region. BTCV will work closely with health professionals and local community groups. The project will contribute to RES objectives to improve access to employment for those excluded from the labour market and provide local environmental regeneration benefits in deprived urban areas, and provision of green space for community use. Total investment £953k million; funding gap £818k.

29

East Lancashire Green Network - East Lancashire Partnership, including local authorities and Groundwork Trusts in East Lancs. The project will regenerate and improve ‘green networks’ in East Lancashire, ie investment in green spaces such as waterways, canals, rivers, woodlands, local community green spaces- to stimulate recreation (30km of cycle ways), leisure, tourism activity, physical regeneration of urban areas and improvements in quality of life and the attractiveness of areas for investment. Forecast economic benefits include: 8 new businesses established; 100,000 additional day visits and a 10% increase in tourism expenditure; 150 NVQs qualifications; 360 training; and improvements in image and quality of life for residents. Total investment £9.9 million; funding gap £4.5 million.

43

The Reclamation of Gidlow Tip and the Rehabilitation and Restoration of Boundary Brook - Groundwork Wigan & Chorley, Forestry Commission, Wigan Council et al. The aim of the scheme is to reclaim a former Coal Washing Tip which is presently derelict and contaminated with a view to creating an environment suitable for a new Community Forest. The partnership involved in the scheme proposes capping the tip, constructing a passive leachate treatment system to address the long term problem of water pollution, and stream and habitat rehabilitation of Boundary Brook in order to improve water quality and access to the stream. Benefits of the project include: physical regeneration of this disadvantaged area to help attract investment, employment and improved quality of life for residents; 16 jobs created/safeguarded; 4 new businesses established; 24 ha of brownfield land remediated; 7 ha of woodland created; 5,000 additional visitors per year. Total investment £1.55 million; funding gap £1.1 million.

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary:

57

River Ellen Corridor, Maryport, West Cumbria - Groundwork West Cumbria, Cumbria Tourist Board, Maryport Development Ltd et al. The project aims to create a ‘corridor’ of linked natural spaces and routes to enhance access to improved habitats and interpretation between the River Ellen and Maryport town centre, harbour and residential environments. The project will contribute to the town’s regeneration by attracting additional visitors and generating related employment and income; as well as helping to improve the local image and attractiveness to investment. Projected economic outputs include: 10 jobs safeguarded; 250 training weeks; 10 local businesses created; 2 ha of brownfield land regeneration; additional visitors and expenditure (not yet quantified). The project fits with the New Vision for Furness and West Cumbria and coastal regeneration initiatives. Total investment £440k; funding gap £210k.

Access to the Rural/natural environment

Wildlife for All in Cumbria - East Cumbria Countryside Project, Cumbria County Council, local authorities, English Nature, Forestry Commission, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Cumbria Tourist Board and voluntary sector organisations. The project aims to improve access to Cumbria’s wildlife by providing high quality footpaths, boardwalks, hides, ‘wildlife safaris and package tours’, visitor facilities and activities etc, as well as developing marketing and ‘signposting’ of attractions by Cumbria Tourism Board and others. Potential economic benefits include: 3 jobs created; 12 jobs safeguarded; development of local tourism enterprises; increases in tourism and recreational visits and related expenditure in the local economy; physical regeneration of derelict and industrial land through urban forestry and landscaping; contributing to regeneration of market towns and development of tourism business clusters in Cumbria. Total investment £3.5 million; funding gap £2.07 million.

36

38

The Living Landscape - Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, local landowners, local authorities, National Park, Environment Agency, English Heritage, Lottery Bodies et al. The project/programme will deliver conservation and enhancement of the natural, built and cultural heritage in the of the Yorkshire Dales Lancashire/Cumbria border, South Lakelands, Forest of Bowland area. It will run over 5 years and comprise approximately 250 capital revenue, education and training projects. The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust is based on the Lancashire/ Cumbria border. It works with a broad range of partners (English Heritage, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission amongst others) and has the ability to deliver a minimum of 20 projects in Cumbria during 2003/04 (£287k) if matched funding from NWDA is forthcoming. Economic benefits will include: skills development in conservation work; increases in visitor numbers and related expenditure and employment. Total investment £3.7 million; funding gap £2.2 million. The scale of NWDA investment can be scaled up or down depending on the interest of the agency.

Environmental Improvements to Industrial Estates

Fazakerley Regional Ecology Park and Alt Valley Park Regeneration - Liverpool City Council, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Mersey Forest et al. The project will deliver environmental improvements to the Fazakerley Regional Ecology Park (NE of Liverpool city centre) and surrounding area; and contribute to the attraction of inward investment and employment to the area; as well as physical regeneration by leading to the development of a green corridor – fitting with the “Action Plan for the City Region” of Liverpool and Merseyside and the A580 development plan, River Alt improvement plan and Aintree Master Plan. Total investment £3.93 million; funding gap £420k.

40

51

Astmoor Regeneration - Halton Borough Council and Industrial Estate Land Owners. The project will regenerate the Astmoor Industrial Estate which is currently in a poor physical state and unattractive to investors and businesses.

Improvement will incorporate enhancements to benefit the local natural environment – not least to safeguard rural areas of Halton from greenfield

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Sustainable Woodlands 44

Project Summary: development by encouraging businesses to locate on existing industrial estates.

Projected economic benefits include: 200 jobs created; 10 new businesses; and 10 inward investing businesses. Benefits will also be provided for local communities by improving the quality of the local physical environment and protecting surrounding rural areas. Total investment £1 million; funding gap £500k.

Green Business Parks – Groundwork et al. The project aims to work with companies and other partners such as local authorities, to improve the natural environment of selected industrial estates, in order to enhance the attractiveness of these estates to investment, improve local image and generate natural environment improvements. In time, these improvements will be integrated with other aspects of Groundwork Beacon Green Business Park activities such as waste minimisation and exchange, security, traffic and transport improvements. Projected economic outcomes include: 15 jobs created/safeguarded; 100 ha of previously developed land recycled; 25 ha of woodlands created; 400 businesses receiving land management advice; as well as inward investment benefits and enhancing the physical environment for the benefits of local communities. Total investment £3.015 million; funding gap £2.4 million.

The Coppice Apprenticeship - Cumbria Woodlands, Cumbria County Council, Forestry Commission et al. The project will lead to the development of coppice management skills in Cumbria – providing opportunities for local employment and natural environment improvements to woodlands. It will manage coppice worker apprenticeships, with the long term goal of creating trained woodland workers who would be involved in managing Cumbria’s forestry resources, as well as developing businesses involved in woodland products. Total investment £256k; funding gap £195k.

49

Cumbria Woodland Cycle Network - Forestry Commission, Cumbria County Council, Groundwork West Cumbria, National Trust, local land owners et al. The project will examine the feasibility and provide case studies of creating a range of woodland-based off-road cycling venues throughout Cumbria linking into existing cycle networks and bridleways. Venues will initially be located in woodlands with high public and tourism use. Potential economic benefits include: creation of 30 jobs; formation of new businesses (cycle hire, visitor accommodation etc); attraction of additional visitors to the region; regeneration of market towns (e.g. Keswick and Coniston); provision of recreational facilities for local residents; and diversification of existing woodland and estate businesses. Total investment £2.025 million; funding gap £1.01 million.

62

Environmental Regeneration through Social Enterprise - Community Forests Northwest (Red Rose Forest, the Mersey Forest, Pennine Edge Forest, Mersey Basin Campaign), local landowners, local authorities et al. The project aims to develop social enterprises in the NW relating to environmental regeneration activities. Local people would become engaged in the long-term management of the natural environmental resources in the Mersey Belt – providing benefits such as: skills development; developing entrepreneurship; helping disadvantaged people to access employment; and local community strengthening in deprived urban and rural areas. Projected outputs include: 12 jobs safeguarded or created; 20 ILM related jobs; 260 training ‘places’; 50 ha of land improved along strategic corridors and related benefits to regional image and attractiveness to investment and quality of life. Total investment £4.515 million; funding gap £3.3 million.

63

Setting the scene for growth - Community Forests Northwest et al. This is an umbrella project to deliver opportunities for economic development and regeneration of the Mersey Belt, through improvements to the physical environment, particularly the development of community woodland. The project aims to: transform the image of the area as a place to live, work, visit etc through improvements to its high quality environment; establish a mosaic of greenspace along transport and habitat corridors; contribute to the marketable identity of the Mersey Belt; co-ordinate existing activities; and promote tourism and recreation

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary: opportunities. Forecast economic benefits include: 100 jobs created / safeguarded; 2 new businesses formed; 2 new businesses attracted; remediation of brownfield land; 200 businesses assisted with skills development; and improvements to the regional image. Total investment £23.9 million; funding gap £19.85 million.

68 / 1

64

Timber 21: Growing the Timber Economy of the North West - Community Forests Northwest. A feasibility study is planned to examine the potential for a project to deliver best practice in woodland management and waste minimisation in the NW through the creation of a centre of excellence for Community Forests and development of a network of timber supply chain businesses which follow sustainable forestry management principles. The centre will be a ‘green’ building for demonstration /arts /interpretation, showcasing of timber products and recycling, and workspace for timber-related businesses. Potential economic benefits (subject to the feasibility study) include: creation of 60 jobs; formation of 5 new businesses; 50 ha of woodland created. Project costs are to be developed in the light of the feasibility study.

67

Woods for People: three large scale community woodland creation projects in the NW - Woodland Trust. The project will create 3 significant (75-100ha) woodland parks, one in each of the NWDA sub-regions, as part of the Woodland Trust’s campaign to involve children and the community in woodland creation. Land will be acquired or secured through partnerships with landowners. Locations of projects will be determined by biodiversity criteria, community demand, potential to provide access to woodland for large numbers of people, NWDA strategic priorities, and Forestry Commission community woodland guidance. Each woodland park will have facilities for visitors, and will be delivered in partnership with local organisations. Potential economic benefits include: 80 jobs created; regeneration of brownfield land; improvements to the regional image; provision of recreational and tourism assets and generation of related expenditure and business opportunities; leverage of substantial funding into the region to fund natural environmental improvements. Total investment £3.9 million; funding gap £1 million.

Restoring the Wetlands of Delamere Forest and the Cheshire Econet Project – Partners include the Forestry Commission, Cheshire County Council, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and English Nature. The project will complete a major restoration programme for 101 hectares of ancient peatland and water bodies (the meres), the majority of which are found within Delamere Forest. This will also link to the EcoNet heathland restoration plan which will implement large scale restoration of heathland in the south of the county 74 hectares of which lie within Delamere Forest, together delivering a major ecological network. This will provide a major natural environment recreational / educational attraction for communities and visitors. It will also provide business opportunities. It will include a forest centre will generate sufficient income through, cycle hire, catering and other recreational activity to sustain the long-term management of the centre and the restored habitats and species. The project will draw in new investment and support for rural economies; provide lifelong learning and recreational opportunities to improve health and quality of life. Potential economic benefits (preliminary estimate) include: at least 22 jobs created or safeguarded. Total investment £7.371 million; funding gap £5.391 million.

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Table 3

Project Proposals Included in the ERVNE Portfolio

Project Title

Economic Benefits

Cost Total (£’000)

Gap funding Gap (£’000) funding %

Jobs

Skills Bu Brown- Woodland s field dev

Touris m

Environmental Benefits Market towns

Enhance Rura Inwar Imag Spatial DesignNonBio Specie Acces Sust l Div d Inv e ated (ha) statutor target s s woodland / y (ha) s preserve

Biodiversity centres and attractions: 3 Regional Biodiversity Project at Chester Zoo 32 Hiding from View - Upgrading Facilities at Leighton Moss 60 Bitternland - Lyth Valley Habitat Feasibility Study

£43,105

£21,552

50%

£170

£127

75%

350

£60

£35

58%

-

72 National Wildflower Centre

£2,194

£590

27%

8

73 National Wildflower Farm

£1,604

£750

47%

5

79 Seeds for Growth

£5,552

£2,525

45%

18

1,000

Wetlands, Mosslands: 4 Mosslands of the Mersey Basin

£1,258

£480

38%

70

6 Wetlands for Wildlife and People

£23,650

£6,725

28%

438

ETF

20 Peatlands for People

£4,140

£400

10%

-

160

42 Amberswood/Wigan Flashes

£2,300

£800

35%

22

18

£1,200

£810

68%

-

ETF

37 Making the most of the North West Coast

£6,565

£3,625

55%

50

1,000

65 Morecambe Bay Regional Park

£1,782

£1,150

65%

50

-

-

-

100

£900

£400

44%

-

£1,500

£666

44%

3

2,000 14

Coastal, Waterfront: 7 Bromborough Waterfront Development Project

83 Ribble Estuary Regional Park

Urban regen 200

10,000

1,000

57,473

Rivers: 22 Rivers of Cheshire 23 Stanley Bank Triangle 39 Liverpool Riverside Lands 85 River Alt reclamation, clearance and community access scheme

£18,920

£3,200

17%

40

£420

£300

71%

5

£7,100

£100

1%

115

SE 100

14.97 Urban regen

9

25 53

Sustainable Agriculture: 11 Sustainable Grazing Initiative 25 Cumbria's Wealth for Wildlife

£939

£235

25%

-

47 Rural landscape regeneration

£737

£493

67%

55

53 Rural Economic Diversification and Biodiversity Project (REDBiP)

£539

£269

50%

15

180 250

25

15

Urban environmental regeneration:

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12 Productive Landscapes

£6,033 Total (£’000)

27 Green Gym North West

£2,995

50%

Gap funding Gap (£’000) funding %

Urban regen

30

50

Jobs

Skills Bu Brown- Woodland s field dev

£952

£818

86%

5

£9,900

£4,500

45%

64

£1,550

£1,100

71%

16

£440

£210

48%

10

55

2

36 Wildlife for All

£3,508

£2,074

59%

15

100

50

38 The Living Landscape (no ratings given)

£3,720

£2,240

60%

-

40 Fazakerley Regional Ecology Park and Alt Valley Park Regeneration

£3,900

£420

11%

10

200

55

51 Astmoor Regeneration

£1,000

£500

50%

200

81 Green Business Parks

£3,015

£2,400

80%

15

950

125

25

£256

£195

76%

1

49 Cumbria Woodland Cycle Network

£2,025

£1,010

50%

30

62 Environmental Regeneration through Social Enterprise

£4,515

£3,300

73%

32

210

50

20

63 Setting the Scene for Growth

£23,919

£19,851

83%

100

2,500

200

900

64 Timber 21

£7,500

£7,500

100%

60

500

100

50

67 Woods for People

£3,900

£1,100

28%

80

£7,371

£5,391

73.14%

22

£208,141

£100,838

48%

29 East Lancashire Green Networks The reclamation of Gidlow Tip and the rehabilitation and restoration of 43 Boundary Brook 57 River Ellen Corridor

Touris m

Market towns

150 Enhance Rura Inwar Imag Spatial DesignNonBio Specie Acces Sust l Div d Inv e ated (ha) statutor target s s woodland / y (ha) s preserve

100 24

7

Access to rural / natural environment:

Environmental Improvements to Industrial Estates: Urban regen

55

Sustainable Woodlands: 44 The Coppice Apprenticeship

1/68 Econet / Delamere Forest Totals

2,034 5,865

10

Urban regen Urban regen

450

300

1,043

1,611

69,487

2,733

Key Significant potential outputs Good potential outputs Some potential outputs No potential outputs

Note: The definitions of ‘Significant’, ‘Good’ and ‘Some’ outputs are provided in Annex 3.

Note 1: Cost data for projects still be developed.

ETF = Environmental Task Force project.

SE = Social enterprise project.

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1.

INTRODUCTION

This report presents the findings of the “Economic and Regenerative Value of the Natural Environment (ERVNE)” study commissioned by the NWDA and English Nature, working closely with regional partners. The report has been prepared by Environmental Resources Management (ERM), guided by the study’s Steering Group. The NWDA wishes to acknowledge the financial support of English Nature, the assistance provided by the Steering Group and valuable inputs from all those who attended the study workshops and who provided information on potential projects.

The Steering Group comprised the following organisations: the NWDA, English Nature, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Environment Agency, Regional Assembly for the North West, the Countryside Agency, Government Office for the North West, Cheshire County Council, the Forestry Commission and Sefton Borough Council.

1.1

STUDY AIMS The primary aim of the study is to identify a portfolio of strategic natural environment projects in the North West with the potential to generate significant economic benefits, as well as to enhance and protect the region’s natural environment and biodiversity. Whilst there is no guarantee of funding for projects identified in the study, the study also aims to identify delivery mechanisms for taking forward projects for funding by the NWDA and/or other organisations in the future.

As well as natural environment projects which generate clear economic benefits, the study has also identified other projects which have the potential to generate significant natural environment outcomes, but less in terms of economic outcomes. These projects are less likely to attract funding from the NWDA or other economic development funding programmes, so recommendations are provided for alternative sources of funding, and for supporting the future development of these projects.

Specific study aims, as identified in the Study Brief, are shown in Box 1.1.

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Box 1.1

Specific Study Aims per the Study Brief The study aims to: • • • •

Identify a portfolio of strategic natural environment / conservation projects in the North West region that could deliver significant economic and regenerative outcomes in the next 5 years.

Quantify the capital and revenue costs of each project in the portfolio and potential funding sources for each.

Quantify the economic benefits to the region that could be accrued by completion of each project in the portfolio.

Identify, evaluate and recommend suitable delivery mechanisms for individual projects and the portfolio as a whole.

The study will also: a) Build upon the Natural Environment/Conservation recommendations of the Environmental Economy of the North West report in strengthening the links between economic and environmental development of the Region. b) Research, using primary and secondary data sources, natural environment initiatives that can deliver significant economic and regenerative outcomes, within the North West of England, in the next five years. Initiatives should be categorised in terms of their contribution towards: • Spatial Ecological Frameworks • Nationally and internationally designated nature conservation sites (PSA targets) • Non-statutory Sites • Regional biodiversity and local biodiversity action plan targets • Regional species targets • Green space targets The Northwest Biodiversity Forum report to the North West Regional Assembly on the Action of Sustainability Review is a key document that explains these. Initiatives should also be categorised by Sub-regional partnership area. c) Provide a methodology for selecting suitable projects for evaluation. d) Quantify the likely whole life costs of each project, detailed per financial year, and the contributions of potential funding sources/partners. e) Quantify the benefits of each project in terms of: contribution towards the aims and objectives of the Regional Economic Strategy including any positive or negative impacts to the sustainable development of the region; strategic Tier 2 and Tier 3 Regional Outcome Targets where appropriate; supplementary indicators; quality of life of the people especially in the most deprived communities; contribution to removing environmental deficit; and contribution towards delivery of regional biodiversity and nature conservation targets. f) Identify opportunities to enhance and promote access to the natural environment to existing users and user groups that currently under-use the resource (including disabled and minority groups) and opportunities to contribute to the benefits of sustainable tourism. g) Identify any gaps in the biodiversity delivery of the projects and opportunities for filling these. New project proposals have been identified as part of the Regional Economic Strategy review process and others will emerge through consultation.

h) Identify, evaluate and recommend suitable delivery and promotion mechanisms for individual projects and the portfolio as a whole.

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1.2

BACKGROUND In September 2000, regional partners in the North West published the report “The Environmental Economy of the North West”. This quantified the significant contribution of the environment to the region’s economy and development objectives. It showed that the ‘environmental economy’ accounted for an estimated 101,200 jobs and £2.96 billion annual turnover in the North West, representing some 5.6% of total regional employment and 2.1% of regional GDP. Jobs, income and other economic benefits in the environmental economy stem from activities such as: •

urban regeneration (physical, economic and social) associated with improvements to the natural environment;

•

recreation and tourism activities based on the natural environment;

•

the diversification of rural economies and farm based businesses associated with natural environment activities;

•

direct employment and skills development relating to environmental enhancement and conservation activities and benefits in terms of economic inclusion and improving access to employment; and

•

environmental improvements which improve the region’s image and help to attract businesses, visitors and investment.

The ‘Environmental Economy’ report concluded that there was significant potential to develop these activities in the future, create more jobs and further contribute to NWDA and regional development objectives.

In late 2002, the NWDA and English Nature commissioned the ERVNE study to take forward the findings from the Environmental Economy report and identify specific projects that could be supported over the next five years in order to capitalise on the economic and regenerative opportunities associated with the natural environment in the North West.

1.3

METHODOLOGY In order to identify projects with clear potential to generate significant economic and environmental benefits, the study methodology involved a number of steps, summarised in Figure 1.1 and described below.

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Figure 1.1

Summary of ERVNE Study Methodology

1.

Develop project assessment criteria / selection tool

2. Identify potential projects

Dec 2002

Sub-Regional Workshops (x3)

3.

Project developers submit project outlines

4.

First screening / assessment of projects

5.

Projects submit additional information.

6.

Second screening / assessment of projects

7. Study Report – Portfolio and delivery mechanisms

Jan 2003

Feb 2003 Short-list of potential ERVNE Projects April 2003 Selection of ERVNE Projects June 2003

Step 1 - Development of Project Assessment Criteria / Selection Tool: In order to identify projects with the potential for significant economic and natural environment benefits, early stages of the study involved establishing the criteria against which projects would be assessed and selected for the ERVNE portfolio. These criteria focus on economic, regenerative and natural environment objectives for the region, and fit firmly with existing NWDA funding criteria, combined with additional criteria relating to the natural environment. Box 1.2 sets out the criteria and Box 1.3 shows regional biodiversity objectives which form the basis of natural environment criteria.

The project assessment methodology is described in more detail in Annex 3.

Step 2 - Identification of Potential Projects and Sub-Regional Workshops: Having established the project assessment criteria, three sub-regional workshops were held to introduce the study to regional organisations and identify potential projects for inclusion in the ERVNE portfolio: •

Cheshire Workshop – 12th December at NWDA Warrington;

•

Lancashire, Merseyside and Gtr Manchester Workshop – 17th January at Government Office NW; and

•

Cumbria Workshop – 20th January at the Environment Agency Penrith.

We are grateful for the assistance provided by the NWDA, the GONW, the Environment Agency and other regional partners in organising these events.

In total, 110 individuals attended the workshops, representing a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. Annex 1 lists the workshop attendees.

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Box 1.2

Project Assessment / Selection Criteria Economic and Regeneration Benefits The potential for projects to contribute to: • •

• • • • • •

Regional Economic Strategy (RES) and sub-regional objectives.

NWDA tier 2 / 3 indicators and targets, eg.

- employment and employment per size of NWDA investment; - gross value added in the regional economy; - new start businesses; - hectares of brown-field land remediated or recycled; - number of businesses receiving specialist advice; - hectares of woodland created; - skills development; and - number of businesses assisted on skill need.

Regeneration of the rural economy.

Regeneration of disadvantage urban areas.

Additional visitors to the region.

Additional tourism spend in the region.

Inward investment in the region.

Improving the image of the region.

Natural Environment and Biodiversity Benefits The potential for projects to contribute to: •

• • •

Regional and national nature environment and biodiversity objectives such as: protection or enhancement of nationally and internationally designated nature conservation sites; protection or enhancement of non-statutory designated sites; enhancement of ‘spatial ecological frameworks’; contribution to regional and local biodiversity action plan targets and working with Local Biodiversity Action Plan partnerships; contribution to regional species targets; and contribution to accessible natural greenspace targets.

These regional biodiversity objectives, as identified by the NW Biodiversity Forum(1), are outlined in the box below.

Improvements to access to the natural environment and contribution to Greenspace targets.

Enhancement or protection of natural landscapes.

Creation of woodlands and sustainable woodland management.

Social criteria: In addition, potential project developers were also asked to provide information on social benefits, because of their relevance to the region’s regeneration objectives, for example: • • •

Social benefits / enhancing quality of life.

Benefits and involvement of disadvantaged or socially excluded groups.

Involvement of stakeholders – especially the local community – in the development/implementation of the project.

(1) “Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Targets – Recommendations from the NW Biodiversity Forum for the NW Action for Sustainability” - NW Biodiversity Forum, April 2002 (available from English Nature).

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Box 1.3

Regional Biodiversity Objectives Regional biodiversity objectives, identified by the NW Biodiversity Forum, are described below. Projects were encouraged to briefly describe how they will contribute to one or more of these objectives.

•

Protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These sites form part of a series across England that represents the range and diversity of the best remaining habitats and geological features. European sites (Special Areas for Conservation & Special Protection Areas) and National Nature Reserves are all designated as SSSIs. This objective relates to both preventing loss in area of SSSIs and to improving their management in order to achieve good condition of the relevant habitat or feature.

•

Protection and enhancement of non-statutory designated sites. These sites represent regionally and locally important wildlife and geological sites. This objective relates to improving their protection and management in order to enhance the value of the relevant habitat or feature.

•

Enhancement of Spatial Ecological Frameworks. These Frameworks comprise networks of interconnected habitats across the landscape that are necessary for the viability of species and habitats, and for helping make provision for species to respond to the impact of climate change. This objective relates to enhancing, or creating new links between existing habitats to improve the network.

•

Contribution to achievement of regional and local biodiversity targets. This objective relates to the achievement of published NW regional biodiversity targets (in Draft Regional Planning Guidance), and local targets (in Local Biodiversity Action Plans). Regional targets comprise the maintenance, restoration and expansion of natural habitats identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and found in the NW.

•

Contribution to regional species targets. The importance of groups of species as indicators of the health of the countryside is recognised by Government in its identification of populations of wild birds as a headline indicator for sustainable development. This objective relates to reversing the decline in the farmland bird category in the NW, and is the regional equivalent of the national indicator.

•

Contribution to accessible natural greenspace targets. This includes land, water or geological features which have been naturally colonised by plants and animals and are accessible on foot to the local community. Provision of this space, and the ability of people to reach and feel safe using it, are important for improving quality of life particularly in urban areas.

Source: “Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Targets – Recommendations from the NW Biodiversity Forum for the NW Action for Sustainability” - NW Biodiversity Forum, April 2002.

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Step 3 – Preparation of Project Outlines: Potential project developers provided project outlines to ERM in February 2003, using proformas agreed with the steering group – as shown in Annex 4. In total, 87 project outlines were received. Summaries of these project outlines are provided in Annex 2.

Step 4 - First Screening / Assessment of Projects: ERM provided an independent assessment of the project outlines, using the criteria shown in Box 1.2. For the purposes of the ERVNE study, this assessment did not involve detailed examination of forecast project costs and outcomes (as would be done in a full project appraisal). If projects are taken forward in the future, additional information will be required to support the financial and outcome forecasts. The basis for rating projects against the different criteria is described in Annex 3. The assessment findings were discussed and reviewed with the Steering Group. In the light of the assessments, projects were classified into three categories: •

Category 1 Projects – potential ERVNE portfolio projects which rated highly in terms of their potential economic and natural environment outcomes.

•

Category 2 Projects – projects which could potentially be included in the ERVNE portfolio but which required further information in terms of, for example, their economic or natural environment benefits. Further information on these projects was requested from the project developers.

•

Category 3 Projects – projects which would not be included in the ERVNE portfolio because the assessment concluded that they were unlikely to generate clear economic and natural environmental outcomes in line with the ERVNE assessment criteria. Recommendations for possible alternative sources of funding for these projects were provided in feedback letters to the project developers.

ERM issued feedback letters to all project developers, setting out the assessment conclusions; requesting further information from Category 2 projects; outlining the next steps; and providing suggestions for alternative funding sources for Category 3 projects.

Step 5 - Projects Provide Additional Information: Additional information was requested, primarily from ‘Category 2’ projects, in order to obtain more of an understanding of project activities and economic and environmental benefits. This information was used by ERM in a further assessment to decide whether or not to include ‘Category 2’ projects in the ERVNE portfolio of projects.

During this stage, a number of organisations held meetings to examine opportunities for developing links and synergies between projects, particularly at the sub-regional level. Further development of these links will be important in order to maximise the outputs of projects during future project implementation.

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Step 6 – Selection of Projects for the ERVNE Portfolio: ERM provided the Steering Group with a recommended short-list of projects for inclusion in the ERVNE portfolio – taking into account the additional information provided by projects in Step 5. As well as projects for inclusion in the ERVNE portfolio, other projects with clear potential natural environment benefits, but less in terms of economic benefits, were identified.

Step 7 – Study report and recommended delivery mechanisms: In preparing the ERVNE report, proposals were developed with the Steering Group for taking forward the findings of the ERVNE study and for assisting future project delivery.

Comments on how the methodology could be developed further, for possible future rounds of the ERVNE study process, are provided in Section 5.

1.4

AUDIENCE This report is intended to inform economic development and funding organisations in the North West of specific projects that could be developed to capitalise on the economic development and regeneration opportunities associated with natural environment projects in the region. The audience therefore includes: the NWDA, EU Structural Fund programme managers and sub-regional organisations responsible for delivering economic development and regeneration across the region, in rural and urban areas.

The report also aims to help inform organisations involved in environmental projects about types of economic outcomes that projects need to generate in order to secure funding from economic development programmes.

In addition, the report will raise awareness of project ideas being developed across the region and will help to build links and synergies between potential projects. It also seeks to foster increased networking and joint working amongst natural environment / economy project developers.

The report therefore aims to help accelerate progress in the North West in developing natural environment projects which contribute to the achievement of regional economic development and regeneration objectives.

1.5

REPORT STRUCTURE The report consists of the following sections: •

Section 2: Natural Environment Projects and Economic Benefits Describes the linkages between natural environment activities and economic benefits.

•

Section 3: Strategic Context and Opportunities for Development Provides the strategic context and opportunities for environmental projects which contribute to regional economic development and natural

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environment objectives in the North West.

•

Section 4: ERVNE Portfolio of Projects - Presents the ERVNE portfolio of projects, as well as other potential natural environment projects in the North West.

•

Section 5: Delivery Mechanisms - Provides recommendations for taking forward the ERVNE study findings and delivering projects identified in the study.

In addition, the report contains the following Annexes: •

Annex 1

Workshop attendees.

•

Annex 2

Summaries of ERVNE Project Proposals.

•

Annex 3

ERVNE Project Assessment Methodology.

•

Annex 4

ERVNE Project Proforma.

•

Annex 5

Potential Project Funding Sources.

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2.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS

2.1

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS As highlighted in the “Environmental Economy of the North West” (2000) a wide range of activities relating to the natural environment can generate economic and regeneration benefits. These are outlined below. The ERVNE portfolio of projects includes activities in many of these categories.

2.1.1

Tourism and recreation based on the high quality environment •

Coastal, estuarine projects – e.g. environmental enhancements, coastal walks, visitor attractions, access improvements, interpretation, bird watching etc – which attract visitors and related expenditure, creating opportunities for business and employment, as well as making areas more attractive places in which to live, work and invest.

•

Canals, Rivers and Waterways projects – environmental improvements and access improvements which attract visitors and related spend, improve local and regional image and provide opportunities for business and employment.

•

Wetlands, Meres and Mosses projects – provide visitor and recreational attractions as well as conservation and enhancement of natural environmental assets.

•

Access to the countryside projects – improvements to bridleways, public rights of way, uplands recreation and trails, related infrastructure and marketing – open up access to the countryside and can help increase visitor numbers and spend in the countryside, as well as bringing quality of life benefits for residents.

•

Regional biodiversity parks and centres – which attract visitors and income, at the same time as publicising natural environment attractions in the region and raising awareness of the natural environment and biodiversity issues.

Case Study – Leighton Moss: Leighton Moss, situated in Silverdale, Lancashire was established in 1964, attracts approximately 100 000 visitors per year and is the RSPB’s most successful NW bird reserve. It includes open water, reedbeds, woodland, scrub and grassland and supports many species including breeding bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers.

The RSPB have undertaken surveys to estimate the economic impact of the reserve and have published their research. The reserve employs 10 full time equivalent staff directly, and supports an additional two FTE (full time equivalent) jobs through spending in the local economy to support the reserve’s shop, tearoom and contracting requirements. According to a survey of visitors carried out in 1999, 85 percent of all visitors had travelled more than 20 miles to visit the reserve, and 30 percent had travelled over 100 miles. Fifty nine percent of respondents stated that birds and wildlife were the main reason for their visit, with local scenery being an important secondary motivation.

Visitors spent an average of £13.56 each (£14.76 in 2002 prices), of which about one fifth was spent in the reserve itself, with the rest on food and drink and accommodation. In all, it is estimated that the birds and wildlife of Leighton Moss and neighbouring scenery attract annual visitor spending of £1.8 million (2002 prices) within 20 miles of the reserve, which helps to support local businesses and employment. As well as the 10 FTE direct jobs, spending is estimated to support an additional 49 FTE indirect jobs, making 59 in all.

Source: RSPB (2001) with ERM updating

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2.1.2

Sustainable Forestry / Woodland projects: •

Creation of community woodland projects – involving land reclamation, to make areas more attractive to investment, attract residents and visitors, provide opportunities for sustainable woodland industry, ‘timber stations’, tree nurseries, regeneration etc.

•

Projects to create woodlands and environmental improvements along strategic ‘gateways’ and transport corridors to improve the regional image and make the region / areas more attractive for investment.

•

Development of woodland based visitor attractions and centres – attracting visitors and related expenditure, plus opportunities for cycle hire etc

•

Projects which support the development of businesses relating to environmental enhancement – e.g. development of the wildflower industry in the NW.

Case Study – Forest Futures. Forest Futures is the woodlands element of the Cumbria Rural Action Zone proposal and is delivered by Cumbria Woodlands. The scheme provides £300k per annum to land owners for woodland creation. These funds help provide new public access close to market towns and villages, new native woodlands which meet biodiversity action plan targets, and productive woodlands contributing to the rural economy. An equivalent annual sum is being made available for woodland management while the programme provides some £100k per annum to woodland businesses providing alternative uses for woodlands, such as woodland tourism initiatives, wood and charcoal ventures etc.

Project outcomes of the Forest Futures programme include 500 hectares of new woodland, 700 hectares of managed woodland, 12 training courses, 25 new jobs created and some 140 jobs safeguarded.

Source: Forestry Commission.

Case Study - Newlands (New Economic Environments via Woodlands) is a strategic programme of brownfield land regeneration across North West England managed by the Forestry Commission. Its aim is to ’improve the region’s living and working environments, and to make the North West a more exciting and viable choice for investment opportunities.’ The programme restores derelict or underused land into community woodland, and ensures that the sites are managed to secure public benefits. The impact of Newlands will affect economic, social, environmental and health agendas across the whole region.

Appropriate sites for regeneration are selected through the Public Benefit Recording System, which seeks to ensure that the sites on which woodland regeneration are carried out are those which enable social, economic and environmental benefits to be maximised.

Source: Forestry Commission.

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2.1.3

2.1.4

2.1.5

Improvements to urban areas and investment sites •

Natural environment improvements on and around business parks, which improve their attractiveness to investors – thereby generating local employment opportunities – as well as enhancing quality of life for local communities.

•

Natural environment projects in deprived areas to address areas of dereliction – reclaiming and improving disused coalfield, industrial and landfill sites, providing improved community green spaces etc – improving quality of life for local residents and making areas more attractive to investment, as well as providing opportunities for skills development and community strengthening.

Skills Development •

Conservation skills, ‘green gyms’, woodland management and sustainable rural land management skills – helping to develop new skills in rural and urban areas, as well as providing health and community strengthening benefits.

•

Development of social enterprises involved in environmental improvement activities – helping to develop entrepreneurship, jobs opportunities and economic inclusion in disadvantaged areas.

•

Environmental intermediate labour market (ILM) projects – helping economically excluded people to develop skills, confidence and improve access to employment.

Sustainable Agriculture •

2.2

Projects to support the development of sustainable agricultural practices which link the development of economically viable land management practices to environmental improvements , access improvements etc – habitat restoration, sustainable grazing, environmental management skills, farm based recreation / tourism attractions – providing opportunities for diversification of farm businesses.

REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIES Links between the environment and the regional economy have been researched for many English and Scottish regions during a series of studies carried out since 2000, commissioned mainly by Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and regional partners. These studies have estimated the size of the ‘environmental economy’ (using broadly similar definitions) split into different parts – environmental technology based industries, land based industries (defined as environmental improvement and conservation activities in land based sectors such as agriculture and forestry) and the ‘capitalising on a high quality environment’ sector (which includes tourism dependent on a ‘high quality environment’ and the role of the environment in attracting investment into the region).

The economic significance of these environmental activities was assessed for each region and expressed in terms of the sectors’ contribution to regional gross domestic product and employment. Most of the projects which appear ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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in the ERVNE portfolio would fit into either the ‘land based industry’ category or the ‘capitalising on a high quality environment’ category.

Figure 2.1 below shows the size of these two categories for selected English regions that make interesting comparators to the North West. It indicates that the North West’s ‘high quality environment’ generates a contribution to gross domestic product of an estimated £570 million per annum – largely through environmentally driven tourism. The North West’s land based industry sectors, generates GDP of around £75m per annum and is comparable with the sectors in Yorkshire and the Humber and the East and West Midlands.

Figure 2.1

Contribution to Regional Gross Domestic Product (£m) 800 Land Based

700

Capitalising on HQE

£ millions

600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Yorks & the

West

Humber

Midlands

North West

North East

East Midlands

Source: ERM, Environmental Economy studies by region

Figure 2.2

Contribution to Regional Employment (Full Time Equivalent Jobs)

60000

Land Based

Capitalising on HQE

50 0 0 0

40000

30000

20000

10 0 0 0

0 Yo rks & t he Humb er

Wes t M id land s

No rth Wes t

No rt h Eas t

Eas t M id land s

Source: ERM, Environmental Economy studies by region

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In terms of employment sustained (Figure 2.2), environmental economy jobs in the land based industries/conservation sector and ‘capitalising on a high quality environment’ total an estimated 62 000 jobs in the North West. This is amongst the highest of English regions.

2.3

OTHER STUDIES The economic value of the natural environment and conservation activities has also been highlighted in a number of other recent studies, including: •

National Trust “Valuing the Environment” (2001) - Research by the National Trust has shown that in rural areas across England and Wales, 60% to 80% of all employment in tourism depends directly on a high quality environment.

•

RSPB’s “Conservation Works” (2001) – Examines employment and local economic benefits of nature conservation activities across the UK. It estimates that these activities generate 18,000 full time equivalent jobs through direct employment, tourism expenditure and expenditure by conservation organisations and schemes.

•

RSPB’s “RSPB Reserves and Local Economies” (2002) – This report summarises the economic benefits for local economies derived from the RSPB’s 176 nature reserves across the UK. The total local employment attributable to these reserves is 1003 full time equivalent jobs.

•

English Nature’s “Revealing the Value of Nature” (2002) –Describes the economic value of the natural environment and includes case studies and summaries of studies from different English regions. It highlights the value of a range of natural habitats including wetlands, woodlands, upland habitats, geologically important areas, coastal and urban habitats.

•

“Valuing Our Environment – The Economic Value of the National Trust’s Work in Cumbria” (2001) – Describes the contribution of the National Trust to the economy of Cumbria, including its natural environment and historic built assets. Headline figures include estimates that the Trust supports 4,033 tourism jobs in Cumbria (15% of Cumbria’s total), as well as generating many less quantifiable economic and quality of life benefits.

•

NW Tourist Board and English Tourism Council data - “UK residents made 33 million overnight trips to the countryside in 2000. While there, they spent over £4bn Tourism supports 380,000 jobs in England’s Rural areas”. ETC 2001.

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2.4

SUMMARY This section has highlighted the ways in which the natural environment and related activities can generate economic and regeneration outcomes. Section 3 examines how these activities can contribute to regional economic development and regeneration objectives in the North West, and how this therefore provides funding opportunities or ‘hooks’ for natural environmental economy projects.

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3.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT

3.1

INTRODUCTION This section outlines the strategic context which supports the links between environmental projects and the contribution they can make to regional economic development and regeneration in the North West. These links provide ‘hooks’ or opportunities for developing and funding natural environmental economy projects.

As well as stressing economic links, this section also identifies how environmental projects contribute to regional biodiversity and sustainable development objectives.

The following regional and sub-regional strategies and programmes are covered: • • • • • • • • •

Regional Economic Strategy.

Rural Renaissance: The Regional Rural Recovery Plan.

Tourism Vision for England’s Northwest.

A New Vision for Northwest Coastal Resorts.

Sub-Regional and Local development strategies.

EU Structural Fund Programmes in the North West.

Other EU Programmes, e.g. Interreg and Life Nature.

North West Action for Sustainability.

UK and Regional Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans.

3.2

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT AND PROGRAMMES

3.2.1

Regional Economic Strategy for the North West The revised Regional Economic Strategy (RES) for the North West (NWDA, March 2003) provides the economic development framework for the North West to 2020, and will guide the work and investment of the NWDA and regional partners from 2003 to 2006. The strategy identifies five strategic objectives: business development; regeneration; skills and employment; infrastructure; and image; as well as regional opportunities and targets (‘Tier 2’ targets) for the NWDA such as raising GDP and brownfield land re-use.

The RES identifies the region’s natural environmental assets as a real opportunity for generating economic development: “The region’s natural resources are a major but undervalued asset, contributing to both the quality of life and the economy of the region.

Further work is now required involving English Nature, Environment Agency and the NWDA to determine how these assets should be maintained and their contribution to the region’s economy maximised”.

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Projects identified in the ERVNE portfolio have the potential to contribute to RES objectives in a range of different ways, including: •

Business Development Strategic Objective - strengthening and growing the tourism sector, (one of 15 clusters specifically identified for growth); providing opportunities for diversification of rural businesses and creation of new businesses.

•

Regeneration Strategic Objective - delivering urban renaissance and rural recovery by reclaiming derelict and underused land, improving the physical environment in deprived areas in order help attract investment and improve quality of life, and diversifying rural economies and farm based incomes. ERVNE projects have the potential to contribute to strategic aims and key actions identified in the RES and RES Action Plan, including: “Creating sustainable rural economies through economic development opportunities that place priority on, safeguard and protect, valued landscapes and biodiversity”.

Key Activity 4.3 “Develop and implement proposals for regenerating coastal resorts to support diversification and stimulate business growth including tourism”.

Key Activity: 4.4 “Develop and implement co-ordinated approaches to the reclamation of derelict and underused land in and adjacent to urban areas, including the development of regional park resources”.

Key Activity: 5.2 “Implement the RRRP through regional initiatives, e.g.

Planning Facilitations Service, NW Farm Tourism Initiative, NW Speciality Foods and sustainable land use practices” Key Activity: 6.2 “Develop social enterprises, including community businesses”.

Key Activity: 6.5 “Develop intermediate labour market initiatives”.

•

Skills and Employment Strategic Objective – providing opportunities for individual learning and skills development, generating employment opportunities and improving labour market activity rates, in rural and disadvantaged urban areas.

•

Infrastructure Strategic Objective - increasing access to valuable recreational and tourism resources in rural and coastal areas, and improving the attractiveness of employment sites to investment.

•

Regional Image Strategic Objective - investing in and improving the quality of the region’s tourism assets and improving the quality of the physical environment in urban and rural areas for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. ERVNE projects have the potential to contribute to RES actions to improve the regional image, for example:

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Activity: 10.3 “Develop and implement a Regional Tourism Strategy and action plan aimed at improving the region’s tourism offer and its take-up”.

•

Regional Opportunities – The RES Action Plan also identifies actions to capitalise on regional opportunities such as the region’s natural resources, providing opportunities for the development of ERVNE projects: Key Activity NR1: Assess how the region’s natural resources should be maintained and developed to maximise their contribution to the regional economy and quality of life.

NR1: “Undertake an assessment of the potential economic contribution of the region’s natural resources”.

NR2: “Prepare and commence implementation of an action plan that identifies major opportunities arising from the assessment, and strategic actions that have strong and clear economic benefit in terms of improving the region’s tourism product, regeneration and image”.

NR3: “Undertake an assessment of the current marketing value of the region’s natural resources and provide recommendations for future actions to harness this to improve the image of the Northwest”.

3.2.2

Rural Renaissance: The Regional Rural Recovery Plan (RRRP) The North West Regional Rural Recovery Plan (NWDA, April 2002) aims to support the sustainable development of the region’s rural economy. It refers specifically to ways in which the natural environment can help to diversify and develop rural economies within and beyond agriculture. The strategic objectives of the plan are to: •

Broaden the economic base of rural areas through diversification.

•

Renew and strengthen sustainable recreation and tourism.

•

Assist in the restructuring of agriculture.

•

Enhance the competitiveness and capability of primary agriculture.

•

Strengthen the skills of people living in rural areas.

•

Develop and promote food and other countryside products.

•

Ensure environmental sustainability in rural communities.

•

Deliver social and community regeneration by retaining rural services, support networks, overcoming property/housing exclusion and supporting community and social enterprises.

•

Support policy actions aimed at improving rural conditions such as the reform of the common agricultural policy, promotion of agri-environment measures, and review of the England Rural Development Plan, etc.

Natural environment projects in the ERVNE portfolio have clear potential to contribute to these objectives, particularly in terms of sustainable recreation and tourism. The NWDA believes that tourism is likely to remain a long-term contributor to the rural economy in the region and that the increase in leisure ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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and recreation activities is set to continue. It identifies the need to broaden the range of tourist and leisure activities and increase the value of the regional tourism offer to ensure that the region can increase its market share of future growth (NWDA, April 2002). This links to the development of ‘A Tourism Vision for England’s North West’ (see below) which identifies tourism as the ‘hidden giant’ of the regional economy. The development of environment based tourism activities will help to grow the ‘giant’.

Specific actions in the RRRP to achieve its strategic objectives include: •

“Supporting high quality wildlife habitats to improve the landscape and tourism product and raise the profile of eco-tourism”. (p. 38).

•

“Provision of environmentally friendly ‘diversification’ business support / development advice and /or intermediaries.”

•

“Assistance to identify and secure diversification potential through targeted woodland creation and management programme”

•

“rural skills training to target, amongst other things, skills for making environmental enhancements”

•

“supporting environmental conservation work which generates economic activity in its own right”

The RRRP is being implemented by rural recovery action plans in Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire. These county plans have the same overall strategic objectives. Significant opportunities therefore exist for ERVNE projects to be implemented via these three county plans.

The economic opportunities associated with the natural environment identified in the RRRP, echo similar opportunities highlighted in the Curry Report on the “Future of Farming and Food” (Jan 2002). Some of these opportunities are flagged in the Box 3.1 below.

Box 3.1

Extracts from the Curry Report on the “Future of Farming”, 2002 “The rural environment is valuable not just for its own sake. It is the biggest competitive advantage for the rural economy — a proven key factor in companies’ decisions to relocate in rural areas. A flourishing countryside is the sustainer of rural tourism. Research by the National Trust has shown that 40% of all employment in tourism depends directly on a high quality environment, while in rural areas this rises to between 60% to 80% “More visitors each year seek the authentic experience of the countryside. Links with the wider rural economy are particularly important here. Tourism is a key earner in rural areas, and a healthy, attractive and diverse farmed landscape is the foundation for its future”.

“For many farmers the environment will be part of their brand, presenting direct marketing opportunities”.

“For farmers too the countryside ought to be a valuable potential part of their brand, and an earning opportunity through diversification into their own farm tourist businesses”.

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3.2.3

Tourism Vision for England’s Northwest The Tourism Vision for England’s Northwest, commissioned by the NWDA sets out a strategic framework for the development of tourism within the region over the next 10 years. The vision is to encourage more British and overseas people to spend time in the North West and make the region an increasingly important tourism destination in Europe. Tourism is linked to regeneration, and a key element of the Tourism Vision is improving the quality of life for local people – to which the natural environment and potential ERVNE projects can make a valuable contribution. The Vision highlights the importance of capitalising on the region’s ‘premier assets’, “These premier assets include..Our great natural resources, including England’s finest National Park” (Tourism Vision for England’s Northwest).

The Vision also identifies ‘winning themes’ around which to develop the region’s tourism offer. These themes are closely linked to the natural environment and ERVNE projects. Firstly, ‘The Countryside’ which obviously includes natural environment attractions such as the national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and wildfowl sites of international significance – this is seen as key strength of the North West which should be capitalised upon and developed by ‘emphasising all the time the quality of the environment’. Secondly, the ‘On the Waterfront’ theme, including coastline, harbours, sea life, lakes, canals and rivers. The Vision notes the ‘many opportunities to use our waterfronts as key tourism attractors’ including ‘signature projects‘ in areas such as the Lake District. Projects included in the ERVNE portfolio, through their links with tourism, have clear potential to contribute to the Vision.

3.2.4

New Vision for Northwest Coastal Resorts The New Vision for Northwest Coastal Resorts (March 2003) provides a long term vision and strategy for Coastal Resorts in the Northwest. It presents a fourtier framework for creating this co-ordinated vision.

•

Tier 1: Themes that the coastal region could develop as a whole that could be distinctive and of the highest quality. Suggested themes include the Eco Coast (see below).

•

Tier 2: Sub regional brands based on geographic sections of the coast.

•

Tier 3: A hallmark called Classic Resorts, the attributes of which include the “pristine natural environment”.

•

Tier 4: Visions for each resort.

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Box 3.2

Extract from The New Vision for Northwest Coastal Resort

“The Eco Coast: The Coast is lined from north to south with sites of special environmental importance and, in particular, world-class birdwatching opportunities. Again, every section of the coast boasts its particular strength in this respect, and it would seem logical to develop and promote this in tandem.

As with the golf niche, there is a sizeable group of people who are potential customers. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has over 1 million members in the UK, with 90% renewing their membership each year. It has begun to market its own birdwatching holidays both in the UK and abroad. The North Norfolk Coast is one such destination.

In 1999 the RSPB conducted an assessment of the economic benefits that an attractive coastline (in terms of wildlife) brings to the local economy. Visitors to six sites on the Norfolk coast were estimated to spend £21 million in the local area per annum, supporting 135 FTE jobs.

Birdwatching is not, of course, the only activity that could be covered under the Eco Coast banner. It offers substantial opportunity for a creative linking of eco-products and themes.

Both Southport and Morecambe, for example, are already advancing Eco Centre projects and it would seem to make sense to tie them into a regional product”.

Source: The New Vision for Northwest Coastal Resorts (March 2003)

ERVNE projects therefore clearly have the potential to make a significant contribution to the achievement of this Vision for coastal resorts.

3.2.5

Sub-Regional and Local Development Strategies Like the three county implementation plans for the RRRP, other sub-regional and local development strategies and action plans which are being funded by, amongst others, the NWDA, place considerable emphasis on environmental improvements in underpinning economic development and regeneration.

ERVNE projects have significant potential to contribute to these sub-regional and local strategies which include Manchester City Pride (see Box 3.1) and Local Strategic Partnership Community Strategies.

Community Strategies provide overarching development priorities at the local area level, and often include objectives relating to improvements to the natural and physical environment in order to underpin local economic development and regeneration. ERVNE projects have the potential to engage with Local Strategic Partnerships and thereby contribute to the achievement of local Community Strategy objectives and sustainable development.

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Box 3.3

Example of Sub-Regional Strategies – Manchester City Pride

Manchester City Pride is a sub-regional partnership supported by the NWDA and other funding initiatives covering the Greater Manchester local authorities of Manchester City, Salford, Trafford and Tameside.

In 2001 an Economic Development Plan was prepared by the Four City Pride Authorities working in partnership through Manchester Enterprises, the newlyestablished economic development agency for the area. The plan provides the strategic context for each local authority’s economic development statement and community strategy. The overarching objective of the plan is to promote the area as a European regional capital, a centre for investment growth with outstanding commercial, cultural and creative potential. The strategic priority areas for 2001 to 2004 are: • • • • • •

Building better businesses.

Attracting and sustaining investors.

Creating a world class labour force.

Delivering local economic benefit.

Ensuring the best transition to working life for all young people.

Developing physical infrastructure to drive economic improvement.

A number of the priority actions identified in these areas are closely linked to ERVNE projects, including: •

Land improvement: o

To continue the programme of general environmental improvements ensuring that derelict and under-utilised land is brought back into use using European, national and regional funds - based on priority used and contaminated sites identified in action plans by local authorities and reviewed by NWDA.

o

Undertaking general environmental improvements based around major road corridors and reflecting the practice of re-using and adapting older buildings.

•

Developing the social economy:

•

Developing intermediate labour markets and training for the socially excluded:

Organisations involved in environmental projects, social enterprises and ILMs, such as Groundwork Trusts, are specifically identified as sub-contractors in delivering local economic benefit through environmental improvements and intermediate labour market activities.

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3.2.6

EU Structural Fund Programmes Objective 1 Programme for Merseyside: The EU Objective 1 Programme aims to support the development and structural adjustment of regions where gross domestic product falls below 75 percent of the EU average. Within the North West, Merseyside falls within this category and qualifies for Objective 1 funding. In total, the Objective 1 programme for Merseyside 2000 to 2006 is worth an estimated Euro 3.3bn.

The vision of the Programme is to create “A world class city-region that attracts people to live, work, invest and visit”. It aims to bring GDP and employment rates in Merseyside in line with the UK average and its strategic priorities relate to: developing business; developing people; developing locations; and developing pathways communities. Cross-cutting themes include environmental sustainability.

A number of measures within these four priorities relate closely to natural environment related activities within the ERVNE portfolio – as shown in Box 3.4. ERVNE projects have the potential to contribute to these priorities and measures.

Box 3.4

Objective 1 Programme for Merseyside – Priorities and Measures relating to ERVNE

Priority 1 - Developing Business • Forestry sector development.

• Arts, culture and tourism sector development.

• Adaptation & Development of Rural Areas.

• Sites and premises.

Priority 2 - Developing People • Skills development and economic inclusion actions.

Priority 3 - Developing Locations • Improving the Built and Natural Environment.

Priority 4 - Developing Pathways • Promoting social inclusion for access to the labour market.

Objective 2 Programme for the North West: An allocation of £500m has been made available to the North West region under the EU Objective 2 Structural Fund programme, which runs from 20002006. The three objectives of the programme in the North West are to:

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•

Contribute to the creation of a 21st century economy, through developing new employment sectors, and through improving the competitiveness of existing enterprise and knowledge focused businesses.

•

Help all people to access income and employment opportunities.

•

Address the environmental legacy of the past through supporting opportunities which help create new income and employment while restoring or maintaining regional environmental and heritage assets.

The Objective 2 programme places considerable emphasis on capitalising on the economic and social opportunities provided by the region’s high quality environment, whilst at the same time stressing the necessity to address environmental dereliction in other parts of the region. The Objective 2 Single Programming Document states for example that: “The natural environment in parts of the region is…world class, and the opportunity exists to further develop these assets to secure existing employment and create new employment opportunities. This will be particularly important in the rural areas, where alternative employment opportunities outside of the traditional sectors are limited” “The region will not move to a new and modern economy without addressing the environmental legacy of the past. The scale of dereliction at the neighbourhood level is considerable, and holds back both communities and individuals reengaging with the mainstream economy”.

“Although Objective 2 Programmes are primarily concerned with economic goals, there are many areas where environmental and social objectives overlap, and a win-win situation can be developed. On a similar note, there are a number of social and environmental issues, which if not addressed, will hinder the achievement of economic objectives. This particularly relates to …the costs and lost opportunity of degraded environmental assets, particularly land”. Source: Objective 2 SPD. Objective 2 coverage applies to much, but not all, of the North West: a total of 610 wards are eligible for support in 35 of the region’s local authorities. These authorities are located in Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester (Merseyside fitting in under Objective 1) and cover mostly industrial areas, though there is a significant rural legacy from the previous Objective 5b programme which focused largely on rural areas. The area includes parts of three national parks, four areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs), three Ramsar sites, one heritage coast (St Bees Head), 24 national nature reserves, 19 special protection areas (SPAs), 69 special areas of conservation (SACs) and 426 sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs).

The Objective 2 Single Programming Document contains strong ‘hooks’ for ERVNE projects (where they meet geographical requirements) in its main priorities – business, people and communities, and strategic regional investment (see Box 3.5).

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Box 3.5

3.2.7

Objective 2 Programme for the North West – Priorities and Measures relating to ERVNE

•

People and Communities - it aims to raise sustainable employment and economic activity, improve access to employment and learning opportunities and make environmental improvements to the built and natural environment.

•

Strategic Regional Investment - will help fund feasibility studies, reclamation works, landscaping, and environmental improvements where this will directly enhance development potential. In addition, one of the goals of the strategic regional investment priority is the need to maximise the economic potential of the North West’s natural, cultural and other heritage assets – which is clearly linked to the focus of the ERVNE study.

NW Action for Sustainability (AfS) NW Action for Sustainability (1999) is North West England’s framework for Sustainable Development. Objectives are defined under four headings: Live, Protect, Save and Grow. Whilst AfS is not a programme of development or funding, it is intended to feed into other strategies for developing the region – including the RES and EU Structural Fund programmes. It links strongly to the natural environment and the objectives of ERVNE, including objectives to: •

increase investment and employment and development of sustainable leisure and tourism; and

•

improve the image of the North West.

A review of AfS is underway. The next edition will be more of an “action plan” than a strategy.

Projects within the ERVNE portfolio have significant potential for contributing towards regional progress towards sustainable development by generating economic and social benefits, at the same time as natural environment and biodiversity benefits.

3.3

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT / BIODIVERSITY CONTEXT

3.3.1

Biodiversity Strategy for England ‘Working with the Grain of Nature: a Biodiversity Strategy for England’ was launched in October 2002. The Strategy (prepared by the Government, in partnership with public, voluntary and private sector stakeholders), seeks to ensure that biodiversity considerations become embedded in all main sectors of public policy and sets out a programme for the next five years to make the changes necessary to conserve, enhance and work with the grain of nature and ecosystems rather than against them.

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The Strategy sets out a series of actions that will be taken by the Government and its partners to make biodiversity a fundamental consideration in: •

Agriculture: encouraging the management of farming and agricultural land so as to conserve and enhance biodiversity as part of the Government's Sustainable Food and Farming Strategy.

•

Water: aiming for a whole catchment approach to the wise, sustainable use of water and wetlands.

•

Woodland: managing and extending woodland so as to promote enhanced biodiversity and quality of life.

•

Marine and coastal management: so as to achieve the sustainable use and management of our coasts and seas using natural processes and the ecosystem-based approach.

•

Urban areas: where biodiversity needs to become a part of the development of policy on sustainable communities and urban green space and the built environment.

Other measures set out in the Strategy include: •

Continued work to meet the biodiversity targets in the Habitat and Species Action Plans and, with clear policy goals and objectives, using these and other relevant indicators to measure progress.

•

To continue to support, build and rely on the widest possible partnership across the statutory, voluntary, private, academic and business sectors.

•

To develop and support biodiversity partnerships in the English regions and at more local levels.

•

To involve people and help make biodiversity part of their everyday lives through information, communication and education.

•

To develop a mechanism for involving children and young people in the development of biodiversity policy.

•

To make sure that we use the best possible and most up to date scientific information and professional, technical and academic expertise to support actions.

The Strategy also identifies the economic importance of biodiversity.

Development of ERVNE projects will play an important role in the achievement of national strategy objectives.

3.3.2

Regional Biodiversity Objectives Regional biodiversity objectives, identified by the NW Biodiversity Forum, are shown in Box 3.6.

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Box 3.6

North West Regional Biodiversity Objectives •

Protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These sites form part of a series across England that represents the range and diversity of the best remaining habitats and geological features.

European sites (Special Areas for Conservation & Special Protection Areas) and National Nature Reserves are all designated as SSSIs. This objective relates to both preventing loss in area of SSSIs and to improving their management in order to achieve good condition of the relevant habitat or feature.

•

Protection and enhancement of non-statutory designated sites. These sites represent regionally and locally important wildlife and geological sites. This objective relates to improving their protection and management in order to enhance the value of the relevant habitat or feature.

•

Enhancement of Spatial Ecological Frameworks. These Frameworks comprise networks of interconnected habitats across the landscape that are necessary for the viability of species and habitats, and for helping make provision for species to respond to the impact of climate change. This objective relates to enhancing, or creating new links between existing habitats to improve the network.

•

Contribution to achievement of regional and local biodiversity targets. This objective relates to the achievement of published NW regional biodiversity targets (in Draft Regional Planning Guidance), and local targets (in Local Biodiversity Action Plans).

Regional targets comprise the maintenance, restoration and expansion of natural habitats identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and found in the NW.

•

Contribution to regional species targets. The importance of groups of species as indicators of the health of the countryside is recognised by Government in its identification of populations of wild birds as a headline indicator for sustainable development. This objective relates to reversing the decline in the farmland bird category in the NW, and is the regional equivalent of the national indicator.

•

Contribution to accessible natural greenspace targets. This includes land, water or geological features which have been naturally colonised by plants and animals and are accessible on foot to the local community. Provision of this space, and the ability of people to reach and feel safe using it, are important for improving quality of life particularly in urban areas.

Source: “Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Targets – Recommendations from the NW Biodiversity Forum for the NW Action for Sustainability” - NW Biodiversity Forum, April 2002.

In the North West, there are now five Local Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) at the sub-regional level. In addition, many local authorities in the North West have produced local BAPs at the district level. The broad aims of the BAPs are to: •

• •

ensure those national targets for habitats and species, as specified in the UK Action Plan, are translated into effective action at the local level; identify targets for species and habitats appropriate to the local area, and reflecting the values of local people; raise the awareness of the need for biodiversity conservation.

Brief summaries of the region’s five sub-regional BAPs and the numbers of habitats and species covered by each are presented below.

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Box 3.5

Summaries of Sub-Regional Biodiversity Action Plans in the North West

Cheshire: The Cheshire Region Local Biodiversity Action Plan is known as the Countdown Programme and was established in 1997. Currently, it includes action plans for 17 habitats and 60 species, though as with the other action plans, species (and more rarely) habitats can change with each new iteration of the plan.

The species identified are within the reptile, plant, mammal, invertebrate, fish, bird and amphibian groups. Among the habitats identified are coastal saltmarsh, fens, meres, ponds, reedbeds and roadside verges.

Cumbria: The Cumbria Biodiversity Action Plan contains detailed action plans for 18 habitats, 21 vulnerable species and background details to the biodiversity process in Cumbria. The action plans contain essential background information such as distribution of species and habitats within Cumbria, prevalent issues causing loss or decline of these and existing initiatives. They also set out a detailed set of targets and a timetable for actions that has been developed and agreed by the groups and individuals who will implement the plan.

Greater Manchester: Greater Manchester’s BAP has just been published and identifies 18 habitat and species action plans. It will initially identify nine habitats and nine species. The habitat types are acid grassland; canals; lowland broadleaved woodland; marsh and marshy grassland; mossland; ponds; unimproved neutral grassland; upland oak wood; and urban greenspace. Species action plans are for bats; bittern; brown hare; floating water plantain; great crested newt; nightjar; song thrush; twite; and water vole.

Lancashire: The Lancashire BAP includes species action plans for nearly thirty key species in Lancashire, these are in bird, mammal, amphibian, insect, other invertebrates or plant groups. It also contains habitat action plans for ten of Lancashire's most important habitats. These are broadleaved and mixed woodland; species-rich neutral grassland; calcareous grassland; reedbed; mosslands; moorland/fell; limestone pavement; arable farmland; sand dune and rivers.

North Merseyside: The North Merseyside BAP covers Knowsley, City of Liverpool, St Helens MBC and Sefton MBC. It reflects the aims and objectives of the national plans for the habitats and species found in the local area. Species for which action plans have been developed fall within the following groups: birds, mammals, amphibians, plants, reptiles and insects. Priority habitats include canals, ponds, urban grasslands, urban trees, broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland and coniferous woodland.

3.4

SUMMARY The regional development strategies and programmes outlined above highlight the important role that the natural environment can play in the achievement of regional, sub-regional and local economic and regeneration objectives. They also make it clear that failure to capitalise on the economic potential of the region’s environmental assets will lead to missed opportunities for economic development and regeneration, and will even ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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hinder regional development.

Regional development funding programmes therefore provide ‘hooks’ for supporting projects which generate economic and regeneration benefits at the same time as natural environment improvements.

Projects included in the ERVNE portfolio, described in Section 4, have the potential to make a significant contribution to the achievement of regional economic development objectives and also to natural environment and biodiversity objectives and targets.

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4.

ERVNE PORTFOLIO OF PROJECTS

This section presents information on projects included in the ERVNE portfolio. A total of 87 project outlines were received from project developers across the North West. Assessment identified 39 projects with particular potential to generate economic and natural environment benefits, and therefore potentially suitable for NWDA and other regional development funding.

4.1

ERVNE PORTFOLIO OF PROJECTS Based on estimates from project developers, these 39 projects identified within the ERVNE portfolio have the potential to generate 2,034 jobs in the region.

This is likely to be an understatement of outcomes, since economic outcome data was incomplete for a number of the projects – particularly in relation to indirect job creation effects. Other potential outcomes of the 39 projects include: •

reclamation of over 1,000 hectares of brownfield land;

•

creation of 1,600 hectares of woodland;

•

provision of 5,865 skills development / training places; and

•

business creation, attraction of investment and improvements to regional image.

Table 4.2 summarises project proposals included within the ERVNE portfolio in terms of area of activity; Table 4.2 summarises information on project costs and quantified outputs, and a review of how each project was rated against a range of economic and environmental criteria. Further information on each project is provided in Table 4.3. Figures 4.1-4.7 provide maps of project locations. Table 4.4 summarises cost per job information. Cost per job estimates range from £5,000 to £500,000 depending on the nature of the project. It is important to note that many projects, including those with high cost per job ratios, also generate other valuable economic or regeneration outcomes.

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Table 4.1

Project Proposals Sorted by Activity Type

Project activity:

ERVNE Portfolio Project:

Sub-Region:

Biodiversity centres, attractions

3

Cheshire

Wetlands, mosslands

Coastal, waterfront

- Regional Biodiversity Park, Chester Zoo

32 - Hiding from View – Leighton Moss

Lancashire

60 - Bitternland - Lyth Valley Habitat Feasibility Study

Lancashire

72 - National Wildflower Centre

Merseyside

73 - National Wildflower Farm

Merseyside

79 - Seeds for Growth

Merseyside

4

- Mosslands of the Mersey Basin

Merseyside

6

- Wetlands for Wildlife and People

NW Region

20 - Peatlands for People

Cumbria

42 - Amberswood/Wigan Flashes

Lancashire

7

Merseyside

- Bromborough Waterfront Development Project

37 - Making the most of the North West Coast

North West Region

65 - Morecambe Bay Regional Park

Lancashire

83 - Ribble Estuary Regional Park

Lancashire

22 - Rivers of Cheshire

Cheshire

23 - Stanley Bank Triangle

Merseyside

39 - Liverpool Riverside Lands

Merseyside

85 - River Alt reclamation and community access scheme

Lancashire

11 - Sustainable Grazing Initiative

Cumbria

25 - Cumbria's Wealth for Wildlife

Cumbria

47 - Rural landscape regeneration

Mersey Belt

53 - Rural Economic Diversification and Biodiversity Project

Lancs, Mersey Belt

12 - Productive Landscapes

Merseyside

27 - Green Gym North West

North West Region

29 - East Lancashire Green Networks

Lancashire

43 - The reclamation of Gidlow Tip and Boundary Brook

Merseyside, Lancs

57 - River Ellen Corridor

Cumbria

Access to the rural / natural environment

36 - Wildlife for All

Cumbria

38 - The Living Landscape

Cumbria

Environmental improvements to industrial estate

40 - Fazakerley Regional Ecology Park and Alt Valley Park Regeneration

Merseyside

51 - Astmoor Regeneration

Cheshire, Lancs

Rivers

Sustainable agriculture

Urban environmental regeneration

Merseyside

81 - Green Business Parks Sustainable woodlands

44 - The Coppice Apprenticeship

Cumbria

49 - Cumbria Woodland Cycle Network

Cumbria

62 - Environmental Regeneration through Social Enterprise

Lancs, Mersey Belt

63 - Setting the Scene for Growth

NW Region

64 - Timber 21

Cumbria

68/1 Econet and Delamere Forest

Cheshire

67 - Woods for People

Cumbria

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Figures 4.1-4.7

Locations of ERVNE Project Proposals

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Table 4.2

Project Proposals Included in the ERVNE Portfolio

Project Title

Economic Benefits

Cost Total (£’000)

Gap funding (£’000)

Gap funding %

Jobs

£43,105

£21,552

50%

350

£170

£127

75%

Skills Bus Browndev field

Woodland Tourism

Environmental Benefits Market towns

Rura Inwar Image Spatial l Div d Inv

Enhance/ DesignNonBio Species Access Sust ated (ha) statutory targets woodland preserve (ha)

Biodiversity centres and attractions: 3 Regional Biodiversity Project at Chester Zoo 32 Hiding from View - Upgrading Facilities at Leighton Moss 60 Bitternland - Lyth Valley Habitat Feasibility Study

£60

£35

58%

-

72 National Wildflower Centre

£2,194

£590

27%

8

73 National Wildflower Farm

£1,604

£750

47%

5

79 Seeds for Growth

£5,552

£2,525

45%

18

4 Mosslands of the Mersey Basin

£1,258

£480

38%

70

6 Wetlands for Wildlife and People

438

1,000

Wetlands, Mosslands: ETF

£23,650

£6,725

28%

20 Peatlands for People

£4,140

£400

10%

-

160

42 Amberswood/Wigan Flashes

£2,300

£800

35%

22

18

2,000 14

Coastal, Waterfront: £1,200

£810

68%

-

ETF

37 Making the most of the North West Coast

7 Bromborough Waterfront Development Project

£6,565

£3,625

55%

50

1,000

65 Morecambe Bay Regional Park

£1,782

£1,150

65%

50

-

-

-

100

83 Ribble Estuary Regional Park

Urban regen 200

10,000

1,000

57,473

Rivers: 22 Rivers of Cheshire

£900

£400

44%

-

23 Stanley Bank Triangle

£1,500

£666

44%

3

39 Liverpool Riverside Lands

£18,920

£3,200

17%

40

£420

£300

71%

5

11 Sustainable Grazing Initiative

£7,100

£100

1%

115

25 Cumbria's Wealth for Wildlife

£939

£235

25%

-

47 Rural landscape regeneration

£737

£493

67%

55

53 Rural Economic Diversification and Biodiversity Project (REDBiP)

£539

£269

50%

15

£6,033

£2,995

50%

30

85 River Alt reclamation, clearance and community access scheme

SE 100

14.97 9

25

Urban regen

53

Urban regen

150

Sustainable Agriculture:

180 250

25

15

Urban environmental regeneration: 12 Productive Landscapes

50

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Total (£’000)

Gap funding (£’000)

Gap funding %

Jobs

£952

£818

86%

5

£9,900

£4,500

45%

64

£1,550

£1,100

71%

16

£440

£210

48%

10

55

2

36 Wildlife for All

£3,508

£2,074

59%

15

100

50

38 The Living Landscape (no ratings given)

£3,720

£2,240

60%

-

40 Fazakerley Regional Ecology Park and Alt Valley Park Regeneration

£3,900

£420

11%

10

200

55

51 Astmoor Regeneration

£1,000

£500

50%

200

81 Green Business Parks

£3,015

£2,400

80%

15

950

125

27 Green Gym North West 29 East Lancashire Green Networks The reclamation of Gidlow Tip and the rehabilitation and restoration of 43 Boundary Brook 57 River Ellen Corridor

Skills Bus Browndev field

Woodland Tourism

Market towns

Rura Inwar Image Spatial l Div d Inv

Enhance/ DesignNonBio Species Access Sust ated (ha) statutory targets woodland preserve (ha)

100 24

7

Access to rural / natural environment:

Environmental Improvements to Industrial Estates: Urban regen

55

450

25

Sustainable Woodlands: 44 The Coppice Apprenticeship 49 Cumbria Woodland Cycle Network

£256

£195

76%

1

£2,025

£1,010

50%

30

62 Environmental Regeneration through Social Enterprise

£4,515

£3,300

73%

32

210

50

20

Urban regen

63 Setting the Scene for Growth

£23,919

£19,851

83%

100

2,500

200

900

Urban regen

64 Timber 21

£7,500

£7,500

100%

60

500

100

50

67 Woods for People

£3,900

£1,100

28%

80

£7,371

£5,391

73.14%

22

£208,141

£100,838

48%

1/68 Econet / Delamere Forest Totals

10

300

2,034 5,865

1,043

1,611

69,487

2,733

Key

Significant potential outputs Good potential outputs Some potential outputs No potential outputs

Note: The definitions of ‘Significant’, ‘Good’ and ‘Some’ outputs are provided in Annex 3.

Note 1: Cost data for projects still be developed.

ETF = Environmental Task Force project.

SE = Social enterprise project.

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Table 4.3 Project Proposals included in the ERVNE Portfolio ERVNE Project Activity

Biodiversity centres, attractions ERVNE project number 3

Project Summary: Regional Biodiversity Project at Chester Zoo - Chester Zoo, English Nature, Chester City Council, the region’s Universities et al. Creation of a 15ha Bio-Park containing habitats characteristic of the North West and signposting/marketing of natural environment attractions in the region; plus a 44ha Sustainability Centre promoting conservation good practice in farming and 20ha of improvements to wider agricultural land holdings. Project to research, demonstrate and communicate best practice in the conservation of regional biodiversity. Economic benefits are forecast to include: creation of 250 jobs, skills development, attracting 250,000 additional visitors each year and an additional £7,000,000 in tourism expenditure. Further analysis of potential project outputs will be provided by an on-going NWDA funded feasibility study. Total investment £43.1 million; funding gap £21.5 million.

32

Hiding from View, Upgrading Facilities at Leighton Moss – RSPB, North West Trains, Silverdale AONB. The project will improve visitor facilities at Leighton Moss (Morecambe Bay) nature reserve, a highly successful visitor attraction. It will involve improvements to hides, fitting CCTV, improving links to the local railway station and nature trail improvements. The project will increase visitors (currently 100,000 per year), increasing visitor expenditure and local job opportunities (existing visitor expenditure equates to 27 FTE jobs). The project fits with Rural Recovery Plan objectives to renew and strengthen sustainable recreation and tourism in the NW. Total investment £170k; funding gap £123k.

60

Bitternland: Lyth Valley Habitat Feasibility Study - Cumbria Wildlife Trust, RSPB, English Nature, Morecambe Bay Partnership et al. This project is a feasibility study to assess the suitability of the Lyth Valley as an area which could provide bittern breeding habitats, and the development of a nature reserve (‘Bitternland’) and related tourism activities. Potential economic benefits include: development of a unique natural environment attraction which would attract visitors and related expenditure; providing local business opportunities and helping to increase the ‘value’ of the local tourism and recreational ‘offer’, in line with the regional tourism and coastal towns strategies / visions. Total investment for the feasibility study: £60k; funding gap £35k.

72

National Wildflower Centre – Landlife, Knowsley BC, et al. The project will implement the masterplan for developing the National Wildflower Centre (35 acres) which has the potential to attract many visitors and related expenditure and further development of wildflower seed industry in the NW. Total investment £2.194 million; funding gap £590k.

73

National Wildflower Farm - Landlife. The project will develop the National Wildflower Farm (100 acres) which has the potential to attract many visitors and related expenditure and further development of wildflower seed industry in the NW. . Total investment £1.406 million; funding gap £750k.

79

Seeds for Growth Strategy – Landlife, local authorities et al. Project will develop the wildflower seed industry on Merseyside, bringing employment benefits (18 new jobs) and an estimated 55,000 new visitors to the region.; as well as the creation of substantial new natural habitats Total investment £5.552 million; funding gap £2.525 million.

Wetlands, Mosslands

Mosslands of the Mersey Basin Valley - Lancashire, Manchester & N. Merseyside Wildlife Trust, United Utilities, Environment Agency, Local Authorities et al. The project aims to link-isolated mossland sites, through land management (agrienvironment schemes) and acquisition, to provide a contiguous network of habitats, which can be utilised as a recreational and educational resource. Economic benefits are projected to include: creation of 20 jobs and safeguarding 50 jobs; support for

4

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary:

diversification of rural agricultural businesses; training opportunities for young people via a Environmental Task Force project – including 35 jobs created through ILM and New Deal, and 25 people gaining accredited NVQ qualifications; opportunities for local businesses, and attraction of additional visitors to the area.

Total investment £1.258 million; funding gap £480k.

6

Wetlands for Wildlife and People - Environment Agency, RSPB, English Nature, Wildlife Trusts, Local Authorities, Community Groups and Tourist Boards. The project aims to develop high quality wetlands in the NW to provide visitor attractions and educational facilities; as well as making use of derelict land for biodiversity and flood defence improvements. It will focus on five core areas for wetland improvement (Cheshire Meres and Mosses, Manchester Mosslands, West Lancashire, Morecambe Bay and North and West Cumbria), which would each aim to attract 150,000 new visitors per year, generating 400 new jobs. Other benefits include skills development and ETF opportunities and physical improvements to improve the attractiveness of urban fringe areas to investment. The 1st phase would represent a feasibility study. Total investment £23.65 million; funding gap £6.725 million.

20

Peatlands for People - English Nature (on behalf of RSPB, Cumbria Wildlife Trust & Tullie Ho Museum, Carlisle et al). The project will provide habitat restoration in the internationally important South Solway mosses; providing recreational and tourism assets. Forecast economic benefits include: a potential 40,000 visitors per year; regeneration of market towns in the Solway / Carlisle area; conservation skills development; job creation through land management and tourism. Total investment £4.14 million; funding gap £400k.

42

Amberswood/Wigan Flashes: Campion Initiative - Wigan Council, Groundwork Wigan, Lancs Wildlife Trust, Wigan Council. The Wigan Flashes and Amberswood project is designed to realise the significant tourism potential of the region’s wetland assets, through the enhancement of the site’s capacity to accommodate visitor numbers. Wigan Flashes and Amberswood contain 8 sites of Biological Importance and a 68ha Site of Special Scientific Interest. Actions will include: further landscape improvements; major improvements to its infrastructure, including parking, greenways, cycle routes (the National Cycle Way Network is planned to run through the area), interpretation and signage. . The project links to the adjacent Westwood Business Park and Pier Quarter. Forecast economic benefits include: 22 jobs created/safeguarded; 8 new businesses attracted; 18 ha of brownfield land remediated; 14 ha of woodland created; attraction of 20,000 visitors per year and related expenditure. Total investment £2.3 million; funding gap £800k.

Coastal, Waterfront

Bromborough Waterfront Development Project - Groundwork Wirral, Wirral MBC, Biffa Waste Services Ltd et al. The Bromborough Waterfront Development Project aims to “improve the environment in the area to attract jobs, private investment and improve the local community’s quality of life”. The project is designed to provide a more attractive waterfront environment. This is central to plans for economic regeneration within the Borough of Wirral. The project will provide environmental improvements linking to NWDA’s Wirral International Business Park along a high profile Mersey Coastal route. The creation of a new greenspace from a former landfill site will also help to improve the visual amenity of the area, promote biodiversity and provide a recreational and educational opportunity for local residents. Total investment £1.2 million; funding gap £810k.

7

37

Making the most of the North West Coast - North West Coastal Forum. The project will coordinate and deliver a coast-wide programme of works to protect and enhance 1,000 km of exceptional coastal environment from the Solway to the Dee, covering conservation, landscape management, access, interpretation, education and training. The project builds on an existing framework of NW coastal initiatives, providing longer-term action and programme of delivery. Forecast economic outcomes include: 50 FTE jobs; improvements to 200 ha of brownfield land; 1,000

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary:

training places and NVQs; a 5% increase in visitors to the coast and associated increases in visitor expenditure leading to the development of coastal tourism businesses. The project fits firmly with the NW Regional Tourism Strategy, the Rural Recovery Plan, the Coastal Resorts Initiative and Regional Park proposals.

Total investment £6.565 million; funding gap £3.625 million.

65

Morecambe Bay Regional Park - Morecambe Bay Partnership. The project represents a programme of work to enhance landscape and environmental assets of Morecambe Bay, including work to: develop and market an identity for Morecambe Bay based on the quality of the natural environment; promoting understanding of the natural environment, building on existing schools and outreach programmes; delivering on-site interpretation, and improving access to the natural / coastal environment, building on the feasibility work of the NW coastal trail; and a recreation user group for water-based recreation. Projected economic benefits include: 25% increase in visitors and visitor expenditure; regeneration of the resort towns; at least 12 new businesses formed; at least 50 jobs created; improvements to the regional image. Total investment £1.782 million; funding gap £1.150 million.

83

Ribble Estuary Regional Park - RSPB, Environment Agency, English Nature, local authorities, Ribble Estuary Partnership et al. The project aims to create a landscape-scale resource, some 30km2 of new and enhanced environmental assets and to turn a largely unknown, inaccessible and unloved area of the Ribble Estuary into a publicly accessible wildlife landscape of the highest value. New visitor experiences will make this a centre for bird conservation excellence of European renown. By restoring habitat and improving access, interpretation and enjoyment, the project aims to create the largest area of visitor-friendly wetland in NW England and one of considerable national and European significance. Potential economic benefits are being examined by a feasibility study, but could include: attraction of at least 100,000 visitors per year; creation of 100 jobs; new business creation; enhancement of the regional image; diversification of the economy of coastal towns; and increasing the attractiveness of the local area to investment. Project costs are being identified in the feasibility study.

Rivers

Rivers of Cheshire – Mersey Basin Campaign, Environment Agency, British Waterways, Cheshire County Council et al. The project will develop a coordinated campaign to increase access to and raise the profile of Rivers in Cheshire in order to improve image and environment along river corridors; regenerate urban and rural waterside land; provide high quality tourism and recreational assets and related tourism expenditure and job creation. Further work is needed to develop quantitative estimates of economic outcomes. Total investment £900k; funding gap £400k.

22

23

Stanley Bank Triangle - Mersey Basin Campaign, St Helens BC, Groundwork. The project will regenerate and protect the Stanley Bank Triangle of St Helens as a natural environment attraction – providing an improved environmental resource, coupled with rural craft and heritage centre. Forecast economic benefits include: 3 jobs created; creation of a social enterprise; 5 environmental ILM posts; £437k annual visitor spend based on a 2% increase in visitors to St Helens; at least 18,000 visitors to the site per year; physical regeneration and image improvements; rural skills development training and educational projects for local schools. Total investment £1.48 million; funding gap £666k.

39

Liverpool Riverside Lands - Liverpool City Council, local land owners, Mersey Basin Campaign, Lancashire Wildlife Trusts, English Nature, Environment Agency et al. The project will develop the Liverpool side of the River Mersey Green Coastal Park, a regionally significant green space with nationally significant environmental impacts. It will contribute to ‘transformation of the Mersey waterfront, increasing tourism and visitor income’. Project details are at an early stage of development, but indicative potential economic outcomes include: 40 jobs created; 400 temporary jobs; creation of 2 new businesses; inward investment of £15 to £20 million; 100,000

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary:

additional tourism visitors per year; and reclamation of 2 ha of brownfield land.

LCC requests funding to develop the project further, as well as a potential capital contribution. Total investment £18.9 million; funding gap £3.2 million.

85

River Alt reclamation, clearance and community access scheme - Alt Valley Cluster Partnership, Liverpool City Council, United Utilities, Groundwork et al. The project aims to develop a linear park (including a cycle and pedestrian pathway) along the River Alt; in order to improve the habitat for water species, wetland wildlife, and native flora. The project will also create jobs and training opportunities, developing it as a managed conservation area and recreational site.

Projected economic benefits include: 5 jobs created; NVQ accredited training places; expansion of local ILM activity; and physical environment improvements in order to improve the quality of life for local communities and make the area more attractive to investment, as well as including local disaffected young people in the improvement activities. Total investment £420k; funding gap £300k.

Sustainable Agriculture

The Sustainable Grazing Initiative - English Nature and Voluntary Action Cumbria. The project is a three-year pilot scheme to develop integrated land management in hill farming areas of Cumbria, focusing on areas which have Special Area of Conservation status. The project will: provide capital and maintenance funds for stock reductions to enable farm restructuring; carry out research into the economic impacts of those reductions; develop awareness of links between hill farming and cultural/nature conservation among farmers; develop economically viable sustainable management of hill farms, and promote co-operative marketing.

Forecast economic benefits include creation of 115 jobs in farm businesses and related tourism and local produce businesses; assist the restructuring of the hill farming industry; and will contribute to rural action plan objectives for Cumbria.

Total investment £7.1 million; funding gap £100k.

11

25

Cumbria’s Wealth of Wildlife - Cumbria Biodiversity Partnership, Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Tourist Board et al. The project will deliver bio-diversity improvement actions linked to countryside management and agri-environment activities in Cumbria as part of the Cumbria RAZ. Quantitative estimates of economic outcomes still need to be developed, but will include: safeguarding and creating jobs associated with land management and tourism in Cumbria; and increasing visitor numbers and expenditure. Total investment £939k; funding gap £235k.

47

Rural landscape regeneration - Bury MBC et al. The project will operate a pilot grant scheme to assist in the development of sustainable/economically viable farm businesses based on diversification and new land management practices for wildlife/landscape benefits. It will provide business planning support and operate in the Mersey Belt and focus on the region’s network of wildlife corridors. Potential economic benefits require further development and quantification, but include diversification of farm businesses on the urban fringe and associated employment benefits (estimated 55 jobs created and safeguarded), linked to local food and produce, organic produce, farm based recreation, traditional landscape skills and environmental improvements. Total investment £737k; funding gap £494k.

53

Rural Economic Diversification and Biodiversity Project (REDBiP) - Lancashire Biodiversity Partnership, including FWAG, Lancashire Wildlife Trust et al. The REDBiP initiative will pioneer new approaches to working with rural businesses that could be replicated across the North West region, helping farmers to generate an economic return from the sustainable management of the natural environment assets on their land. The Project will: identify land on which new environmentally focused rural businesses may be created; assist owners /occupiers /managers of the land, including a site-specific plan recommending ways to supplement incomes from use of natural environment assets; and provide practical help and training to businesses through grants to help develop business opportunities arising from sustainable management of biodiversity. Forecast economic benefits include: 15

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary:

jobs created; 250 businesses advised and 250 training ‘places’; formation of 25 new businesses; as well as attraction of additional visitors; improvements to the regional image and overall diversification of the rural economy. Total investment £539k; funding gap £269.5k.

Urban Environmental Regeneration 12

Productive Landscapes - Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside, local authorities, BTCV, Groundwork and many other regional / local partners. The project will turn underused, undervalued open spaces in the NW into productive assets for community use. It will focus on areas of significant deprivation in 12 boroughs. The Project will provide a “Productive Landscapes” team with skills in community, environmental, education and regeneration work.

The project will involve: audit of green space and community consultation to identify priority areas and develop action plans; environmental improvements with community involvement – e.g. community gardens, tree nurseries, community allotments and urban nature reserves, SUD’s schemes e.g. reedbeds, urban wildflower meadows; provide training to improve skills, and build capacity through technical support, training and networking. Economic benefits forecast include: 130 jobs created/safeguarded, including 100 unemployed people gaining jobs through New Deal / ILMs; 250 people gaining NVQ qualifications; 3000 weeks training; support for 6 community enterprises; 100 businesses advised; as well as improvements to the physical environment. Total investment £6.03 million; funding gap £2.995 million.

27

Green Gym North West – British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV), local community groups, health professionals. The project will undertake environmental conservation work which provides health and community regeneration/economic inclusion benefits for participants across the NW through the development of a network of Green Gyms in the Region. BTCV will work closely with health professionals and local community groups. The project will contribute to RES objectives to improve access to employment for those excluded from the labour market and provide local environmental regeneration benefits in deprived urban areas, and provision of green space for community use. Total investment £953k million; funding gap £818k.

29

East Lancashire Green Network - East Lancashire Partnership, including local authorities and Groundwork Trusts in East Lancs. The project will regenerate and improve ‘green networks’ in East Lancashire, ie investment in green spaces such as waterways, canals, rivers, woodlands, local community green spaces- to stimulate recreation (30km of cycle ways), leisure, tourism activity, physical regeneration of urban areas and improvements in quality of life and the attractiveness of areas for investment. Forecast economic benefits include: 8 new businesses established; 100,000 additional day visits and a 10% increase in tourism expenditure; 150 NVQs qualifications; 360 training; and improvements in image and quality of life for residents. Total investment £9.9 million; funding gap £4.5 million.

43

The Reclamation of Gidlow Tip and the Rehabilitation and Restoration of Boundary Brook - Groundwork Wigan & Chorley, Forestry Commission, Wigan Council et al. The aim of the scheme is to reclaim a former Coal Washing Tip which is presently derelict and contaminated with a view to creating an environment suitable for a new Community Forest. The partnership involved in the scheme proposes capping the tip, constructing a passive leachate treatment system to address the long term problem of water pollution, and stream and habitat rehabilitation of Boundary Brook in order to improve water quality and access to the stream. Benefits of the project include: physical regeneration of this disadvantaged area to help attract investment, employment and improved quality of life for residents; 16 jobs created/safeguarded; 4 new businesses established; 24 ha of brownfield land remediated; 7 ha of woodland created; 5,000 additional visitors per year. Total investment £1.55 million; funding gap £1.1 million.

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary:

57

River Ellen Corridor, Maryport, West Cumbria - Groundwork West Cumbria, Cumbria Tourist Board, Maryport Development Ltd et al. The project aims to create a ‘corridor’ of linked natural spaces and routes to enhance access to improved habitats and interpretation between the River Ellen and Maryport town centre, harbour and residential environments. The project will contribute to the town’s regeneration by attracting additional visitors and generating related employment and income; as well as helping to improve the local image and attractiveness to investment. Projected economic outputs include: 10 jobs safeguarded; 250 training weeks; 10 local businesses created; 2 ha of brownfield land regeneration; additional visitors and expenditure (not yet quantified). The project fits with the New Vision for Furness and West Cumbria and coastal regeneration initiatives. Total investment £440k; funding gap £210k.

Access to the Rural/natural environment

Wildlife for All in Cumbria - East Cumbria Countryside Project, Cumbria County Council, local authorities, English Nature, Forestry Commission, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Cumbria Tourist Board and voluntary sector organisations. The project aims to improve access to Cumbria’s wildlife by providing high quality footpaths, boardwalks, hides, ‘wildlife safaris and package tours’, visitor facilities and activities etc, as well as developing marketing and ‘signposting’ of attractions by Cumbria Tourism Board and others. Potential economic benefits include: 3 jobs created; 12 jobs safeguarded; development of local tourism enterprises; increases in tourism and recreational visits and related expenditure in the local economy; physical regeneration of derelict and industrial land through urban forestry and landscaping; contributing to regeneration of market towns and development of tourism business clusters in Cumbria. Total investment £3.5 million; funding gap £2.07 million.

36

38

The Living Landscape - Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, local landowners, local authorities, National Park, Environment Agency, English Heritage, Lottery Bodies et al. The project/programme will deliver conservation and enhancement of the natural, built and cultural heritage in the of the Yorkshire Dales Lancashire/Cumbria border, South Lakelands, Forest of Bowland area. It will run over 5 years and comprise approximately 250 capital revenue, education and training projects. The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust is based on the Lancashire/ Cumbria border. It works with a broad range of partners (English Heritage, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission amongst others) and has the ability to deliver a minimum of 20 projects in Cumbria during 2003/04 (£287k) if matched funding from NWDA is forthcoming. Economic benefits will include: skills development in conservation work; increases in visitor numbers and related expenditure and employment. Total investment £3.7 million; funding gap £2.2 million. The scale of NWDA investment can be scaled up or down depending on the interest of the agency.

Environmental Improvements to Industrial Estates

Fazakerley Regional Ecology Park and Alt Valley Park Regeneration - Liverpool City Council, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Mersey Forest et al. The project will deliver environmental improvements to the Fazakerley Regional Ecology Park (NE of Liverpool city centre) and surrounding area; and contribute to the attraction of inward investment and employment to the area; as well as physical regeneration by leading to the development of a green corridor – fitting with the “Action Plan for the City Region” of Liverpool and Merseyside and the A580 development plan, River Alt improvement plan and Aintree Master Plan. Total investment £3.93 million; funding gap £420k.

40

51

Astmoor Regeneration - Halton Borough Council and Industrial Estate Land Owners. The project will regenerate the Ashmoor Industrial Estate which is currently in a poor physical state and unattractive to investors and businesses.

Improvement will incorporate enhancements to benefit the local natural environment – not least to safeguard rural areas of Halton from greenfield

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ERVNE Project Activity

81

Sustainable Woodlands 44

Project Summary:

development by encouraging businesses to locate on existing industrial estates.

Projected economic benefits include: 200 jobs created; 10 new businesses; and 10 inward investing businesses. Benefits will also be provided for local communities by improving the quality of the local physical environment and protecting surrounding rural areas. Total investment £1 million; funding gap £500k.

Green Business Parks – Groundwork et al. The project aims to work with companies and other partners such as local authorities, to improve the natural environment of selected industrial estates, in order to enhance the attractiveness of these estates to investment, improve local image and generate natural environment improvements. In time, these improvements will be integrated with other aspects of Groundwork Beacon Green Business Park activities such as waste minimisation and exchange, security, traffic and transport improvements. Projected economic outcomes include: 15 jobs created/safeguarded; 100 ha of previously developed land recycled; 25 ha of woodlands created; 400 businesses receiving land management advice; as well as inward investment benefits and enhancing the physical environment for the benefits of local communities. Total investment £3.015 million; funding gap £2.4 million.

The Coppice Apprenticeship - Cumbria Woodlands, Cumbria County Council, Forestry Commission et al. The project will lead to the development of coppice management skills in Cumbria – providing opportunities for local employment and natural environment improvements to woodlands. It will manage coppice worker apprenticeships, with the long term goal of creating trained woodland workers who would be involved in managing Cumbria’s forestry resources, as well as developing businesses involved in woodland products. Total investment £256k; funding gap £195k.

49

Cumbria Woodland Cycle Network - Forestry Commission, Cumbria County Council, Groundwork West Cumbria, National Trust, local land owners et al. The project will examine the feasibility and provide case studies of creating a range of woodland-based off-road cycling venues throughout Cumbria linking into existing cycle networks and bridleways. Venues will initially be located in woodlands with high public and tourism use. Potential economic benefits include: creation of 30 jobs; formation of new businesses (cycle hire, visitor accommodation etc); attraction of additional visitors to the region; regeneration of market towns (e.g. Keswick and Coniston); provision of recreational facilities for local residents; and diversification of existing woodland and estate businesses. Total investment £2.025 million; funding gap £1.01 million.

62

Environmental Regeneration through Social Enterprise - Community Forests Northwest (Red Rose Forest, the Mersey Forest, Pennine Edge Forest, Mersey Basin Campaign), local landowners, local authorities et al. The project aims to develop social enterprises in the NW relating to environmental regeneration activities. Local people would become engaged in the long-term management of the natural environmental resources in the Mersey Belt – providing benefits such as: skills development; developing entrepreneurship; helping disadvantaged people to access employment; and local community strengthening in deprived urban and rural areas. Projected outputs include: 12 jobs safeguarded or created; 20 ILM related jobs; 260 training ‘places’; 50 ha of land improved along strategic corridors and related benefits to regional image and attractiveness to investment and quality of life. Total investment £4.515 million; funding gap £3.3 million.

63

Setting the scene for growth - Community Forests Northwest et al. This is an umbrella project to deliver opportunities for economic development and regeneration of the Mersey Belt, through improvements to the physical environment, particularly the development of community woodland. The project aims to: transform the image of the area as a place to live, work, visit etc through improvements to its high quality environment; establish a mosaic of greenspace along transport and habitat corridors; contribute to the marketable identity of the Mersey Belt; co-ordinate existing activities; and promote tourism and recreation

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ERVNE Project Activity

Project Summary:

opportunities. Forecast economic benefits include: 100 jobs created / safeguarded; 2 new businesses formed; 2 new businesses attracted; remediation of brownfield land; 200 businesses assisted with skills development; and improvements to the regional image. Total investment £23.9 million; funding gap £19.85 million.

64

Timber 21: Growing the Timber Economy of the North West - Community Forests Northwest. A feasibility study is planned to examine the potential for a project to deliver best practice in woodland management and waste minimisation in the NW through the creation of a centre of excellence for Community Forests and development of a network of timber supply chain businesses which follow sustainable forestry management principles. The centre will be a ‘green’ building for demonstration /arts /interpretation, showcasing of timber products and recycling, and workspace for timber-related businesses. Potential economic benefits (subject to the feasibility study) include: creation of 60 jobs; formation of 5 new businesses; 50 ha of woodland created. Project costs are to be developed in the light of the feasibility study.

67

Woods for People: three large scale community woodland creation projects in the NW - Woodland Trust. The project will create 3 significant (75-100ha) woodland parks, one in each of the NWDA sub-regions, as part of the Woodland Trust’s campaign to involve children and the community in woodland creation. Land will be acquired or secured through partnerships with landowners. Locations of projects will be determined by biodiversity criteria, community demand, potential to provide access to woodland for large numbers of people, NWDA strategic priorities, and Forestry Commission community woodland guidance. Each woodland park will have facilities for visitors, and will be delivered in partnership with local organisations. Potential economic benefits include: 80 jobs created; regeneration of brownfield land; improvements to the regional image; provision of recreational and tourism assets and generation of related expenditure and business opportunities; leverage of substantial funding into the region to fund natural environmental improvements. Total investment £3.9 million; funding gap £1 million.

1 / 68

Restoring the Wetlands of Delamere Forest and the Cheshire Econet Project – Partners include the Forestry Commission, Cheshire County Council, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and English Nature. The project will complete a major restoration programme for 101 hectares of ancient peatland and water bodies (the meres), the majority of which are found within Delamere Forest. This will also link to the EcoNet heathland restoration plan which will implement large scale restoration of heathland in the south of the county 74 hectares of which lie within Delamere Forest, together delivering a major ecological network. This will provide a major natural environment recreational / educational attraction for communities and visitors. It will also provide business opportunities. It will include a forest centre will generate sufficient income through, cycle hire, catering and other recreational activity to sustain the long-term management of the centre and the restored habitats and species. The project will draw in new investment and support for rural economies; provide lifelong learning and recreational opportunities to improve health and quality of life. Potential economic benefits (preliminary estimate) include: at least 22 jobs created or safeguarded. Total investment £7.371 million; funding gap £5.391 million.

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Table 4.4

Cost per Job Estimates for ERVNE Projects Ref:

Gap Estimated Estimated Total cost Gap jobs Cost per (£’000) funding Funding % job (£’000) (£’000) of total

Project:

(1)

51 Astmoor Regeneration 47 Rural landscape regeneration

£1,000

£500

50%

200

£5 £13

£737

£494

67%

55

4 Mosslands of the Mersey Basin

£1,259

£480

38%

70

£18

65 Morecambe Bay Regional Park

£1,782

£1,150

65%

50

£36

53 Rural Economic Diversification and Biodiversity (REDBiP)

£539

£270

50%

15

£36

57 River Ellen Corridor

£440

£210

48%

10

£44

£3,900

£1,100

28%

80

£49

67 Woods for People

£23,650

£6,725

28%

438

£54

11 Sustainable Grazing Initiative

6 Wetlands for Wildlife and People

£7,100

£100

1%

115

£62

49 Cumbria Woodland Cycle Network River Alt reclamation, clearance and community access 85 scheme Gidlow Tip Reclamation and Restoration of Boundary 43 Brook

£2,025

£1,010

50%

30

£68

£420

£300

71%

5

£84

£1,550

£1,100

71%

16

£97

42 Amberswood/Wigan Flashes

£2,300

£800

35%

22

£105

£43,105

£21,553

50%

350

£123

64 Timber 21

£7,500

£7,500

100%

60

£125

37 Making the most of the North West Coast

£6,565

£3,625

55%

50

£131

62 Environmental Regeneration through Social Enterprise

£4,515

£3,300

73%

32

£141

29 East Lancashire Green Networks

£9,901

£4,500

45%

64

£155

3 Regional Biodiversity Project at Chester Zoo

27 Green Gym North West

£952

£818

86%

5

£190

81 Green Business Parks

£3,015

£2,400

80%

15

£201

12 Productive Landscapes

£6,033

£2,995

50%

30

£201

36 Wildlife for All

£3,509

£2,074

59%

15

£234

63 Setting the Scene for Growth

£23,919

£19,851

83%

100

£239

44 The Coppice Apprenticeship

£256

£195

76%

1

£256

72 National Wildflower Centre

£2,194

£590

27%

8

£274

79 Seeds for Growth

£5,552

£2,525

45%

18

£308

73 National Wildflower Farm

£1,604

£750

47%

5

£321

40 Fazakerley Ecology Park and Alt Valley Park Regeneration

£3,900

£420

11%

10

£390

39 Liverpool Riverside Lands

£18,920

£3,200

17%

40

£473

23 Stanley Bank Triangle

£1,500

£666

44%

3

£500

38 The Living Landscape

£3,720

£2,240

60%

n/a

-

£170

£127

75%

n/a

-

32 Hiding from View - Upgrading Facilities at Leighton Moss 60 Bitternland - Lyth Valley Habitat Feasibility Study

£60

£35

58%

n/a

-

£1,200

£810

68%

n/a

-

-

-

-

100

-

22 Rivers of Cheshire

£900

£400

44%

n/a

-

25 Cumbria's Wealth for Wildlife

£939

£235

25%

n/a

-

£7,371

£5,391

73%

22

-

£4,140

£400

10%

n/a

-

£208,141

£100,838

48%

2,034

£102

7 Bromborough Waterfront Development Project 83 Ribble Estuary Regional Park

1/68 Econet / Delamere Forest 20 Peatlands for People Totals

Note: Cost per job figures should be considered in the light of other economic and regeneration outcomes generated by projects.

N/av = data not available

(1) Cost per job is based on total project cost divided by total project jobs.

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4.2

OTHER PROJECT PROPOSALS Table 4.5 lists projects which were not included in the short-list because the assessment concluded that the economic or natural environmental benefits did not appear as strong, or the information on potential outputs was not sufficiently developed to give an understanding of the likely benefits relative to cost. It is important to point out that these projects could be developed in the future in order to fit more closely with the economic or natural environment assessment criteria. In particular, projects with particular scope for future development included projects 21, 24, 41, 45, 56 and 61.

Summaries of these projects are provided in Annex 2.

Table 4.5

Other Project Proposals not included in the Portfolio No Project Title

Location / Sub-Region

Cost Total Project Cost

2 Regeneration of the West Pennine Moors Catchment

Lancashire

£637,000

Gap funding Gap Funding as a Required percentage £185,000 29%

5 Introduce Yourself to the Countryside

Blackburn

£65,000

£25,000

8 Bidston Moss Future Management

Merseyside

£565,000

£200,000

38% 35%

9 Raising the Profile of the Natural Environment in England's NW region Northwest 10 Conservation Tourism Northwest NW region

£97,000

£97,000

100%

£179,000

£55,000

30%

£4,043,569

£427,069

10% 53%

13 rECOrd - the Resource to Underpin Cheshire's Natural Environment 14 The Structure of the Cheshire Region

Cheshire Cheshire

£526,320

£280,320

15 Cheshire's Historical Natural History Heritage

Cheshire

£4,390,325

£208,875

5%

16 Skills Development and Transference in Biodiversity

Cheshire

£654,730

£273,233

42%

17 Capture of Priority Biodiversity Data

Cheshire

£513,662

£371,640

72%

18 Sustainable Management for the Northwest Uplands

NW regional uplands

£9,925,000

£2,225,000

22% 83%

19 Altrincham Natural Environmental Management Project

Altrincham

£600,000

£500,000

21 Leesbrook Nature Park

Oldham

£400,000

£200,000

50%

24 Biodiversity and Resource Management Education Centre

Merseyside

£4,000,000

£1,500,000

37%

26 Engaging NW Businesses in the biodiversity agenda

NW region

£65,000

£65,000

100%

28 Environmental Skills ILM

Cumbria

£489,000

£394,000

81%

£2,850,000

£1,010,000

35%

-

-

Morecambe

£144,501

£109,501

76%

34 Merseyside Local Biodiversity Network

Merseyside

£1,463,493

£270,000

18%

35 Solway Firth Partnership

Solway

£324,977

£54,162

17%

41 Restoring Eden Project

Cumbria

£3,400,000

-

45 The Heartwood Centre

Cumbria

£3,990,000

£3,100,000

78%

46 One Cumbrian Tree

Cumbria

£240,000

£130,000

54%

30 Best Farming Practice - Profiting from a Sound Environment NW region 31 Upland catchment management on the United Utilities Estate 33 2nd Tern of Events

NW regional uplands

48 Green Shoots in the Northwest

NW region

£290,000

£145,000

50%

50 Down to Earth

Cumbria

£200,626

£60,188

30%

52 National Pondlife Centre

Merseyside

£7,000,000

-

54 Southern Pennine Heritage, Education and Access Network Lancashire

-

-

55 Pennine Edge Forest

Lancashire

-

-

56 Southern Pennines Upland Regeneration (SPUR)

Lancashire

£2,400,000

£500,000

21%

58 Topsoil Inversion

Manchester / Liverpool

£337,440

£167,440

50%

59 Moat Vale Cumbrian Trees

Cumbria

£30,000

-

61 Sustainable Development through enhancement of inland waterways

NW region

£196,000

£50,000

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25%

No Project Title

Location / Sub-Region

Cost

66 Natureworks

Lancashire

£752,000

Gap funding Gap Funding as a Required percentage £376,000 50%

69 Morecambe Bay and Cumbria Beach Care

Lancashire and Cumbria

£330,000

£117,000

70 Using Waste as a Catalyst

NW region

£4,334,570

£2,037,248

47%

71 Water for the Ribble

Lancashire

£3,800,000

£2,500,000

66%

74 Break new Ground

Merseyside

£459,000

£156,000

34%

75 Bluebell Recovery Project - Production Phase

Merseyside

£317,000

£159,000

50%

76 Wastes for Wildflowers

Merseyside

£680,000

£680,000

100% 63%

Total Project Cost

77 Cornucopia

Merseyside

£230,000

£145,000

78 Modern Moats

Merseyside

£300,000

£150,000

50%

80 Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration

Cumbria

£11,275,000

£6,721,000

60%

82 Ravenglass Coastal Partnership

Cumbria

-

-

84 Improving the Access Asset

Cumbria

£950,000

£750,000

79%

86 Toxteth TV - Environmental Production in the New Digital Content Economy

Merseyside

£2,420,000

£220,000

9%

Totals

4.3

35%

£118,970,213 £48,167,176

PROJECT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES In addition to RDA and EU Structural Fund funding opportunities, other potential funding sources for projects included in the ERVNE portfolio and other projects which did not rate as highly in terms of economic or regeneration outcomes include those listed below. These cover a range of public, voluntary and private sector sources - details of different schemes will be provided in an Annex 5.

New Opportunities Fund: • Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities • Transforming Your Space • Wildspace (NOF and English Nature) • Social, Economic and Environmental Development Programme (SEED) • Renewable Energy Programme • Transforming Waste ‘Public’ Sector: • Landfill tax credit scheme • Heritage Lottery Fund • English Nature - Volunteer Action Groups • English Nature – Reserves Enhancement Scheme • English Nature – Biodiversity Grant Scheme • Forestry Commission Woodland Grants Scheme • English Rural Development Programme funding • Countryside Agency - Doorstep Greens • Countryside Stewardship Scheme • SRB • Aggregates Tax Scheme (currently closed)

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40%

EU Programmes: • EU LIFE Environment • EU LIFE Nature • EU Interreg Voluntary Sector / Charitable Trusts: • Heritage Lottery Fund • Coalfields Regeneration Trust • BTCV – People’s Places • The Granada Trust • Esmee Fairbairn Foundation • Woodroffe Benton Foundation Private Sector: • Shell Better Britain Campaign • Triados Bank • Co-operative Bank • Hanson Environment Fund • BiffAward • United Utilities In view of the large number of potential alternative funding sources, and the potential challenges for projects in identifying and accessing appropriate funding sources, Section 5 includes recommendations to help projects access alternative sources of funding.

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5.

DELIVERY MECHANISMS

5.1

INTRODUCTION The ERVNE study has emphasised that there is no guarantee of funding for projects identified during the study. However, it is clearly important to take the study forward through the implementation of high quality projects. This section provides recommendations for taking forward the ERVNE study findings and co-ordinating the process of funding and implementing projects.

In aiming to take the ERVNE study findings forward, objectives of the delivery mechanisms should include: •

Getting a number of projects up and running in the short-term (next six months) – i.e. ‘early project wins’.

•

Helping to bring projects forward over the longer-term – through:

•

-

helping projects to access appropriate funding, including co-ordinating funding for the ERVNE portfolio;

-

communication and strategic advocacy of ERVNE projects to external supporters in order to help gain commitment to funding ERVNE projects (e.g. NWDA and EU Structural Fund programmes);

-

providing expert advice to projects – on strengthening biodiversity and economic outputs (at project application stage, through to implementation);

-

building links and synergies between projects.

Monitoring progress in implementing the portfolio and providing regular reporting on the impacts of projects.

In addition, there is the important short-term step of keeping organisations, which have submitted project outlines to ERVNE, up-to-date on progress with taking the ERVNE study and their individual projects forward.

5.2

GETTING A NUMBER OF PROJECTS UP AND RUNNING IN THE SHORT-TERM In order to get a number of projects up and running over the next 6 months (some ‘early wins’), it is recommended that the portfolio of projects is discussed with key NWDA Area and Programme managers, as well as EU Objective 1 and 2 Programme managers, in order to identify particular projects that the NWDA or Objective 1 and 2 Programmes are interested in taking forward and potentially funding.

Any projects going forward for NWDA funding will need to go through the NWDA’s project appraisal process; similarly, projects for Objective 1 and 2 funding will need to go through ERDF project appraisal processes. Project developers will need to provide additional project information and may well ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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require assistance in taking the projects through the appraisal process. It is recommended that support is provided to assist the projects through this appraisal process. This support could come from the NWDA and regional partners such as English Nature, the Environment Agency and the Countryside Agency.

In addition, it is recommended that discussions are held with Regional Rural Recovery Plan managers in the three counties of Cumbria (Cumbria Rural Regeneration Company), Cheshire and Lancashire. This will help to identify projects which could readily fit within the sub-regional RRRP programmes and funding over the next 6 months.

5.3

LONGER-TERM DELIVERY MECHANISMS As noted above, in order to implement projects over the longer-term and generate maximum economic and natural environment benefits, it will be important to develop delivery mechanisms which meet the objectives presented in Section 5.1 above.

A number of alternative delivery models are outlined below in Figures 5.1 to 5.5. The options outlined are: • • • • •

Business As Usual Model.

Use of existing delivery structures such as the RRRP programmes.

Single Brokerage Role Model.

Single ERVNE “Pot” Model.

“Non-pot” Model.

Different models meet the objectives to different degrees; the description of the models below provides a summary of their strengths and weaknesses.

5.3.1

Option 1: Business As Usual Model The business as usual model, as illustrated in Figure 5.1, basically involves individual projects applying for funding from NWDA and sub-regional programmes, EU Structural Fund programmes etc. Pros and cons of this model are shown in Table 5.1. This highlights that the “business as usual” model fails to provide assistance in terms of: helping projects to access funding; helping funders to identify high quality projects; providing advice to projects on strengthening biodiversity and economic outputs; building links and synergies between projects; and monitoring future progress in implementing the ERVNE style projects in the region. As such, there appears to be a clear need to move away from the current / business as usual model, and develop alternative delivery mechanisms.

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Figure 1.1

The “Business as Usual” Model

Funding “pots”

Projects

Table 5.1

Pros and Cons of the “Business as Usual” Model Criteria for assessing delivery models: Helping projects to access funding

Pros:

Cons: •

Selecting high quality projects to go forward for funding

•

Providing advice to projects on economic and biodiversity outputs

• •

Building links / synergies between projects Monitoring future progress Resource needs Other

•

Fails to bring together significant funding.

Limits innovation in funding the projects.

Funders may maintain small and inflexible pots.

Funders may find it difficult to identify projects.

Key funders could be swamped with project applications.

Weak links to strategic objectives.

Maintains split of biodiversity and socio-economic outcomes.

Limited existing advice.

No efficient mechanisms for providing advice to projects.

Fails to build links.

•

No mechanisms for monitoring.

•

Inefficiencies of separate projects all chasing funding.

• •

Helping funding programmes to identify projects

5.3.2

•

Funders retain control over the types of projects they support.

• •

•

•

Low

Option 2: Single Brokerage Model As illustrated in Figure 5.2, the single brokerage model involves a key organisation, such as the NWDA, playing a central role in helping individual projects access funding from different funding streams. Whilst this model provides a clear point of contact for projects and funders, its weaknesses ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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include: potential failure to engage other regional partners in the process of project development; and placing a significant resource burden on the central organisation.

Figure 5.2

The Single Brokerage Model

Funding “pots”

NW DA Brokering Projects

Table 5.2

Pros and Cons of the Single Brokerage Model

Criteria for assessing delivery models: Helping projects to access funding.

Pros:

Cons:

• Single brokering agency provides clear point of contact for projects.

• Projects may still require support / advice in accessing funds.

Helping funding programmes to identify projects

• Single brokering agency provides clear point of contact for funders.

• Funders retain control over the projects they support.

Selecting high quality projects to go forward for funding Providing economic & bio-diversity advice.

Building links / synergies between projects Monitoring future progress Resource needs:

• Fit with NWDA objectives.

• May fail to provide biodiversity advice.

• Lack of involvement of other partners in the region could weaken links between projects.

• Provides a means of tracking progress of projects.

• Reliance on externals for monitoring of biodiversity impacts.

• High resource need placed on the central organisation.

• Lack of resource provided by other regional organisations may reduce ‘ownership’/commitment.

• Could place significant resource burden on a single organisation.

• May not get active involvement of other players in the region.

Other

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5.3.3

Option 3: Single ERVNE “Pot” Model As illustrated in Figure 5.3, the single ERVNE “pot” model involves securing dedicated funding from a number of key funders such as the NWDA, Objective 1 and 2, Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) etc. These funds would then be allocated to individual projects which meet the funding criteria (e.g. economic and environmental) established for the “pot”. The “pot” could be managed by a Management Group representing the different funders and other relevant regional partners, which would make the funding decisions; and serviced by a secretariat which would be responsible for administering the “pot” funds and liasing with applicants and projects. This model could include sub-regional co-ordination of projects to strengthen synergies between projects and technical advice inputs on biodiversity and economic outputs.

This model provides a discrete fund for ERVNE projects, and a means for helping projects to access funding, and vice versa; providing advice to projects on strengthening biodiversity and economic outputs at the application and implementation stages; building links and synergies between projects; and monitoring progress in implementing ERVNE projects.

Similar approaches have been adopted elsewhere in the UK, e.g. the Environment Business Growth Action Plan in the West Midlands, which has established a central “pot” for environmental business support projects using Objective 2 and Advantage West Midlands funds.

However, organisations may be reluctant to see programme funds going into a single pot, potentially out of their direct control; and resource needs for the model are likely to be high. The model could be adapted to also provide a link to funding programmes which did not wish to put funds into the “pot”, but nevertheless wished to link to regional partners and projects (potentially HLF, for example). This model could also establish links to the rural development programmes in the North West – e.g. the county level RRRP programme managers.

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57

Figure 5.3

Single ERVNE “Pot” Model O bjective 1 O bjective 2 NW D A H LF

etc

ERVNE Pot M anagement G roup (and secretariat)

ERVN E technical inputs – biodiversity and economic

Sub-regional co-ordination

Projects

Table 5.3

Pros and Cons of the Single ERVNE “Pot” Model Criteria for assessing delivery models: Helping projects to access funding.

Pros:

Cons:

• Provides clear point of contact for projects.

• Streamlines the process for projects to access different funds.

• Unlikely to bring in funds from, e.g. LIFE Nature or LIFE Environment, or private sector

Helping funding programmes to identify projects

• Provides clear point of contact for funders to contact project applicants.

• Helps funders meet their spend budgets / ‘profiles’.

• Non-funders may have limited role in managing funding decisions

Selecting high quality projects to go forward for funding

• Uniform funding criteria – which fit with ERVNE aims.

• Transparency of funding decisions.

• Model would include project assessment criteria, which fit with NWDA / Structural Fund objectives.

• Funders may be concerned about control over the types of projects supported.

Providing advice to projects - economic & bio-diversity outputs Building links / synergies between projects

• Includes mechanisms for providing technical advice to projects.

Monitoring future progress Resource needs: Other

• Includes tracking and monitoring of projects.

• Has the potential for building links between projects.

• Provides a way of matching the NWDA pot.

• Active involvement of a range of regional partners.

• Could be applied flexibly to allow for some funders who were reluctant to join the “pot”.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

• May duplicate various regional initiatives – e.g. RAZ, biodiversity programmes

• High • Will need well defined management team / secretariat resources.

• May not get active involvement of some funders.

NWDA, ENGLISH NATURE & REGIONAL PARTNERS

58

5.3.4

Option 4: “Non-Pot” Model The “Non-Pot” model (Figure 5.4) is similar to Option 3 except for the fact that it does not include a single “pot”. Instead, the management group provides a co-ordinating link between projects and a range of different funding programmes. It is also similar to Option 2 “Single Brokerage”, but would involve a wider range of partners (e.g. ERVNE steering group members) in facilitating the link between high quality projects and funding programmes.

This model could be appropriate if funding programmes were reluctant to provide funds for a single ERVNE “pot” and wished to retain closer control over the funding decisions. ERVNE steering group members could be responsible for bringing projects to the attention of different funders, as well as providing advice to strengthen and build synergies between projects.

Figure 5.4

“Non-Pot” Model

Individual Funding “Pots”

ERVNE Management Group

Projects

Sub-regional co-ordination

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Table 5.4

5.3.5

Pros and Cons of the “Non-Pot” Model Criteria for assessing delivery models: Helping projects to access funding.

Pros:

Cons:

Helping funding programmes to identify projects

• Provides project ideas to funders and allows project funders to select the projects to meet their programme objectives.

Selecting high quality projects to go forward for funding Providing advice to projects - economic & bio-diversity outputs Building links / synergies between projects

• Transparency of funding decisions.

Monitoring future progress

• Includes tracking and monitoring of portfolio and projects.

Resource needs: Other

• Medium • Provides a way of matching the NWDA pot.

• Active involvement of a range of regional partners.

• Allows for funders who were reluctant to join the “pot”.

• Streamlines the process for projects of accessing different funds.

• Requires significant effort in coordinating links with different funders.

• Includes mechanisms for providing technical advice to projects.

• Has the potential for building links between projects; and links between funders.

• Medium • Requires significant effort in coordinating links with different funders – inputs from ERVNE partners.

Option 5: Use of Existing Sub-Regional Delivery Structures This option would involve the use of existing structures to deliver projects – notably the three county level Regional Rural Recovery Plan managers in Cumbria (the Cumbria Rural Regeneration Company), Cheshire and Lancashire. This will help to identify projects which could readily fit within the sub-regional RRRP programmes and funding over the next 6 months.

Projects could either be funded out of agreed budgets or additional funding could be provided to support the ERVNE projects.

This model would have the benefit of making use of delivery structures that are already up and running; help build links between ERVNE projects and other key sub-regional players and projects; link firmly to the existing implementation of rural development activities such as farm diversification projects; and would be resource efficient. However, these RRRP structures only apply to the three rural counties, ie. not urban areas such as Liverpool or Manchester, where many ERVNE projects could potentially be implemented.

In the urban areas, links could be made to Urban Regeneration Companies and sub-regional partnerships (e.g. Manchester Pride and Liverpool Vision) and to Objective 1 (Merseyside) and Objective 2 (NW) EU Structural Fund ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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60

programmes.

Figure 5.5

“Use of Existing Sub-Regional Delivery Structures” Model

Existing rural and urban programme delivery structures RRRP for 3 counties

Urban Regen Companies

EU Obj. 1

EU Obj. 2

ERVNE partners assist in brokering ERVNE projects to the existing delivery structures

Projects

Table 5.4

Pros and Cons of the “Existing Sub-Regional Delivery Structures” Model Criteria for assessing delivery models: Helping projects to access funding.

Pros:

Helping funding programmes to identify projects

• Provides project ideas to funders and allows project funders to select the projects to meet RRRP and urban regen programme objectives.

Selecting high quality projects to go forward for funding

• Valuable links could be made with other rural recovery and urban regen projects.

Providing advice to projects - economic & bio-diversity outputs Building links / synergies between projects

Cons:

• Streamlines the process for projects of accessing RRRP funds.

• Could also link to Urban Regen Companies and Objective 1 and 2 programmes.

• Mechanisms for advising on biodiversity would not necessarily exist.

• Has the potential for building links between projects; and links between funders.

Monitoring future progress

• Includes tracking and monitoring of portfolio and projects.

Resource needs:

• Makes use of existing delivery structures.

Other

• Provides strong links to other rural development projects.

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5.4

SUMMARY Future delivery mechanisms to assist in the implementation of ERVNE projects need to link closely with existing regional and sub-regional delivery structures. ERVNE study partners should promote projects amongst these delivery organisations, as well as economic development and regeneration programmes in the region.

It is also recommended that the partners behind the ERVNE study provide dedicated resource to assist in project development. This should include: resource to enable promising projects to be developed further; advice to projects on how to maximise economic and natural environment outcomes; advice on accessing funding opportunities; and assistance in building links between projects in order to achieve concerted actions across the region rather than individual projects working in isolation.

It is recommended that regional partners examine the feasibility of establishing a ‘pot’ of funds to provide a single, central resource for funding and developing ERVNE projects. This could involve inputs from regional and national funding programmes.

Depending on progress in taking forward projects identified in this study, partners should consider repeating the ERVNE ‘process’ in order to identify projects for the future. Monitoring the progress of ERVNE projects will also be important to ensure that the momentum established by the study is maintained; and that the North West capitalises on the long-term economic and regenerative potential of the region’s environmental assets.

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Annex 1

ERVNE Workshop Attendees

WARRINGTON WORKSHOP: 12TH DECEMBER Christine Smyth

Michelle Young Will Williams Paul Green Sarah Peet

Biodiversity Officer Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council Biota Cheshire Landscape Trust Cheshire Moth Survey Group Cheshire Wildlife Trust Chester Zoo Regional Biodiversity Park Chester Zoo Regional Biodiversity Park Countdown Programme Countryside Support Officer, Cheshire County Council English Nature English Nature English Nature Environment Agency

Rob McHale

Environment Agency

Sharon Cosgrove

Environmental Planning, Cheshire County Council Groundwork Trust Life ECOnet Life ECOnet Life ECOnet Liverpool Museum Mersey Basin Campaign North West Regional Assembly Project Development Officer, Mersey Forest rECOrd rECOrd Vale Royal Borough Council Warrington Borough Council Weaver Valley Regional Park (CCC) Wildlife Sites Woodland Trust Woodland Trust Woodland Trust Liverpool University

Paul Hill John Gittins Adrian Wander Chris Mahon Lindsay Sharples Sarah Bird Fiona Gardner George Broughton

Jane Staley Katherine Horsley Mike Wellman Alun Evans Dr Steve Judd Dr Amanda Wright Jayne Ashley Lee Dudley Steve McWilliam Prof. David Norman Derek Richardson David Bell Dave Blackburn Colin Hayes Simon Mageean Peter Leeson Jo Burris Keith Hatton

christinesmyth@wirral.gov.uk pmh@biota.co.uk cheshire@landscape-trust.fsnet.co.uk a.wander@dl.ac.uk cmahon@cheshirewt.cix.co.uk l.sharples@chesterzoo.co.uk s.bird@chesterzoo.co.uk fgardener@cheshirewt.cix.co.uk BROUGHTONG@cheshire.gov.uk

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

A1.1

michelle.young@english-nature.org.uk will.williams@english-nature.org.uk paul.green@english-nature.org.uk Sarah.peet@environmentagency.gov.uk Rob.mchale@environmentagency.gov.uk COSGROVES@cheshire.gov.uk Jane.Staley@groundwork.org.uk c/o MARSHALLIC@cheshire.gov.uk c/o MARSHALLIC@cheshire.gov.uk c/o MARSHALLIC@cheshire.gov.uk Steve.judd@nmgm.org a.wright@MERSEYBASIN.org.uk Jayne.Ashley@nwra.gov.uk

steve@record-lrc.co.uk david.norman@physics.org drichardson@valeroyal.gov.uk dbell@warrington.gov.uk blackburnd@cheshire.gov.uk colin@ecology-first.com simonmageean@woodland-trust.org.uk peterleeson@woodland-trust.org.uk JoBurris@woodland-trust.org.uk kjhatton@liverpool.ac.uk

LIVERPOOL WORKSHOP: 17TH JANUARY John Ryden Darren Bell Cath Ferguson Peter Birch Paul Howse Martin Moss Clare Mumford Steve Whittam

Blackburn BC Blackburn BC British Waterways British Waterways Chester Zoo Countryside Agency CPRE Lancs EA Central Area

John.ryden@blackburn.gov.uk Darren.bell@blackburn.gov.uk Cath.Ferguson@britishwaterways.co.uk peter.birch@britishwaterways.co.uk

Will Williams Paul Green Pia Wagner Annette Pinner

English Nature English Nature Envirolink Northwest Environment Agency

John Thompson

Environment Agency

Peter Fox Alan Jemmett /Chris Bennett David Lowe Mike Callery Tabatha Boniface Peter Wilmers, Mike O’Brien Suzanne Carr Peter Davis David Lyon Sheena Crombie Tim Mitcham Tony Serjeant Mick Weston Steve White Joyce Lynch Dave Brackley John Barwise Richard Scott/Grant Luscombe Kevin Curran Christine Darbyshire Mick Jackson

Environment Agency Environmental Advisory Service

Martin.Moss@countryside.gov.uk clare@mumford66.fsnet.co.uk Stephen.whittam@environmentagency.gov.uk will.williams@english-nature.org.uk paul.green@english-nature.org.uk P.Wagner@envirolinknorthwest.co.uk Annette.pinner@environmentagency.gov.uk john.thompson@environmentagency.gov.uk Peter.fox@environment-agency.gov.uk manager.eas@sefton20.u-net.com

Forest Enterprise, Friends of River Yarrow GMEU Groundwork Groundwork Groundwork Groundwork Halton Borough Council Highways Agency Lancashire Wildlife Trust Lancashire Wildlife Trust Lancashire Wildlife Trust Lancashire Wildlife Trust Lancs County Council Lancs County Council Lancs Wildlife Trust Landlife

David.Lowe@forestry.gov.uk callery@aveyan.demon.co.uk tabatha.boniface@mail.tameside.gov.uk pwilmers@groundwork.org.uk Mike.obrien@groundwork.Org.uk brenda.losekoot@groundwork. Org.uk Peter.davis@groundwork.org.uk David.lyon@halton-borough.gov.uk Sheena.crombie@highways.gsi.gov.uk tmitcham@lancswt.cix.co.uk tserjeant@lancswt.cix.co.uk mweston@lancswt.cix.co.uk swhite@lancswt.cix.co.uk Joyce.lynch@env.lancscc.gov.uk daveb@env.lancscc.gov.uk qol@sustainableprojects.co.uk rscott@landlife.org.uk

Liverpool City Council Liverpool City Council Lune Habitat Group

Kevin.Curran@liverpool.gov.uk Christine.darbyshire@liverpool.gov.uk 01524 770008 –: 47 Hall Drive, Caton, Lancaster, LA2 9QF

Chris Littlefield Amanda Wright Claire Wilson Gareth Mayhead Carl Smethurst Andrew Brockbank Kirsten Proctor

Lune Habitat Group Mersey Basin Campaign Mersey Basin Campaign Mersey Forest Mersey Forest National Trust National Trust

a.wright@MERSEYBASIN.org.uk c.Wilson@merseybasin.org.uk garethmayhead@merseyforest.org.uk carlsmethurst@merseyforest.org.uk MFOAMB@grpwse.ntrust.org.uk kirsten.proctor@nationaltrust.org.uk

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

A1.2

Margaret Sumner Andrew Hull Tony Hothersall Dr M Horner Philip Lord Tim Melling Laurence Rose Andrew Hall Lise Roberts Dave Mcaleavy Ceri Chamberlain Stephen Fisher Ros Park Ceri Jones John Entwhistle Ian Roberts

Oldham Council Ponds Research Unit, Liverpool John Moores University Red Rose Forest Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust RSPB RSPB Sefton Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council Sustainability Northwest University Enterprise Department, John Moores University Wigan MBC Wigan MBC Wirral Borough Council (planning officer) Wyre Rivers Trust

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

A1.3

ppr.margaret.sumner@oldham.gov.uk A.P.Hull@livjm.ac.uk tony@redroseforest.co.uk cowark619@aol.com Tim.melling@rspb.org.uk Laurence.rose@rspb.org.uk Andrew.hall@planning.sefton.gov.uk lise.roberts@leisure.sefton.gov.uk Dave.mcaleavy@leisure.sefton.gov.uk c.chamberlain@snw.org.uk s.fisher@livjm.ac.uk r.park@wiganmbc.gov.uk c.jones@seftonmbc.gov.uk johnentwistle@wirral.gov.uk 01925 730593 fax: 01925 730845

PENRITH WORKSHOP: 20TH JANUARY Peter Ashworth Charlotte Robinson Frances Richardson Lindsey Sharples Richard Pealing Rob Terwey, Andrew Fairey Ian Stephens David Calway Peter Bullard Lois Mansfield Phillip Gray Alistair Maltby Ian Soane Paul Glading Will Williams John Pinder Fred French David Simpson Edward Holt Susannah Bleakley Ian Crosher Paul Bisson Norman Holton Stephen Richards Alex Mckenzie Paul Phillips Isabel Thorne,

ADAS BTCV BTCV Chester Zoo Cumbria County Council Cumbria County Council Cumbria Farm Link Cumbria Tourist Board Cumbria Tourist Board Cumbria Wildlife Trust Dept. of Environmental Management , University of Lancaster East Cumbria Countryside Project Eden Rivers Trust English Nature English Nature English Nature Environment Agency Furness and South Cumbria Fisheries Consultative Association Furness and South Cumbria Fisheries Consultative Association Land Agent, United Utilities Morecambe Bay Partnership RDS Penrith RSPB RSPB South Lakeland District Council Sustainability Manager, Cumbria County Council United Utilities Voluntary Action Cumbria

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

A1.4

Peter.ashworth@adas.co.uk c.robinson@btcv.org.uk f.Richardson@btcv.org.uk l.sharples@chesterzoo.co.uk Richard.pealing@cumbriacc.gov.uk rob.terwey@cumbriacc.gov.uk Andrew@elder-cottage.freeserve.co.uk dcalway@btc.org.uk peterb@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk lmansfield@uclan.ac.uk philg@eccp.org.uk amaltby@edenriverstrust.freeserve.co.uk ian.soane@english-nature.org.uk paul.glading@english-nature.org.uk will.williams@english-nature.org.uk John.pinder@environmentagency.gov.uk fredfrench@nascr.net D E Simpson, 35 Birkett Drive, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 9LS Edward.holt@uuplc.co.uk sb@morecambebay.org.uk ian.crosher@defra.gsi.gov.uk Paul.bison@rspb.org.uk Norman.Holton@rspb.org.uk S.Richards@southlakeland.gov.uk alex.mckenzie@cumbriacc.gov.uk Paul.Phillips@uuplc.co.uk isabelthorne@ruralcumbria.org.uk

Annex 2

Summaries of ERVNE Project Proposals

OTHER PROJECT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED TO THE ERVNE No. 2

5 8

9

10 13

14

15

16

17

18

Project Details Regeneration of the West Pennine Moors Catchment, Lancashire County Council. A project working to bring about economic, social and environmental benefits within a catchment. The project involves a wide partnership representing many diverse stakeholders.

Introduce Yourself to the Countryside, Blackburn with Darwen Council. Encouraging the urban population to make better use of local countryside assets.

Bidston Moss Future Management, Groundwork Wirral and partners. Restoration of former waste incinerator site at Bidston Moss, involving Groundwork, landowners Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority, the community, Wirral BC, Forestry Commission etc. Aims to continue existing restoration work and the project to develop a management structure involving the community to management to site in the long term.

Raising the Profile of the Natural Environment in England’s NW, Sustainability Northwest (lead). The project is to produce a ‘high quality publication’ to showcase ERVNE project activities and outputs, and stage a regional conference, to disseminate best practice and reinforce a ‘positive regional profile’.

Conservation Tourism North West, BTCV. This is an EoI for BTCV’s interest in developing sustainable and conservation tourism in the region. rECOrd — the Resource to Underpin Cheshire’s Natural Environment, rECOrd. Project to consolidate rECOrd as a vital resource underpinning all environmental, wildlife, development and land management projects in the Cheshire sub-region. The project will cover: • sourcing, collection, collation, validation, management & storage of a timeline of species- and sitebased biodiversity data; • provision of wide access to the data to enable its use over a broad front of issues;.

• generation, increase and improvement of identification & survey skills for habitats & species within the Cheshire sub-region; • provision of access over a wide-front to the managed data; • sharing experiences and best practice with the emerging record centres elsewhere in the region, to benefit the whole of the NorthWest.

• allow capacity building within rECOrd and the recording community, and demonstrate the worth of and underlying need for, a local record centre in the Cheshire sub-region The Structure of the Cheshire Region, rECOrd. rECOrd will manage a rolling program of Phase-i Habitat Survey work across the Cheshire sub-region with each Borough having a percentage of its land area surveyed each year. This survey work will result in digitized maps to be shared with all partners to provide up to date mapping of all habitats and features (with species records). The last full survey was undertaken in 1984.

Cheshire’s Historical Natural History Heritage,. Project to identify historic data sources and build relationships to gain access to the data for digitisation and for access and usage over a broad front; digitisation of the data into an electronic form in the national standard database tool (Recorder-2002); validation of the data, requiring partnerships with the data providers and also with experts in each taxonomic field to allow its use with confidence and to maximum effect; and, provision of access to the data.

Skills Development & Transference in Biodiversity, rECOrd. Project will provide multiple levels of training/education in species and habitat identification, and various surveying skills to enable a wider appreciation of our own requirements for a healthy and wildlife rich environment as well as providing the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure continuation of the information supply to underpin future developments in the Cheshire environment Capture of Priority Biodiversity Data, rECOrd. The project would employ 2 people as priority data extractors and keyers to liaise with key data owners/holders to liberate their data into rECOrd for usage and access and to extract the data for priority species (LBAP, UKBAP, RDB and Nationally Notable species) for entry into the rECOrd database thereby providing access to such data at a faster rate than would otherwise be possible with complete data entry. This would build capacity of priority species data within rECOrd thereby making its services more attractive and to demonstrate rECOrd’s worth as the Pilot Local Record Centre for England Sustainable Management for the Northwest Uplands, The Moorland Association Achieve sustainable management of moorland and other landscapes at whole farm or estate/common level across the NW region through: • Awareness raising, development and promotion • Preparation, agreement and implementation of integrated land management plans • Delegated grant scheme to fund capital investments by landowners and farmers • Support and funding from existing sources, eg Countryside Stewardship

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Altrincham Natural Environmental Management Project, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council.

Implementation of environmental improvements to an urban greenspace, King George V Pool, including access, signage, seating, bins, toilets, information boards, parking, and fabric of the pool Leesbrook Nature Park, Mersey Basin Campaign. Provision of environmental improvements in the 50 hectare Leesbrook Nature Park, to create and enhance habitats, provide participation for the local community and improve access/safety in the park Biodiversity and Resource Management Education Centre, The University of Liverpool Ness Botanic Gardens. The project aims to establish a Biodiversity and Resource Management Education Centre targeted at the public, industry and education at all levels.

Engaging NW businesses in the biodiversity agenda, Sustainability Northwest (SNW). To enable businesses to contribute to national and regional biodiversity targets: • 5 workshops (minimum) to promote awareness/understanding of, and commitment to, the biodiversity agenda within businesses, • 5 capacity-building sessions (minimum) for organisations with statutory and policy responsibilities for biodiversity or with influence to bring about biodiversity improvements, to help them work more effectively with business The workshops aim to provide a mechanism to identify activities, tools and partnerships to enable businesses to take the biodiversity agenda forward within their own organisations.

Environment Skills ILM, BTCV. Provision of training in practical landscape management skills — development of small enterprises.

Best Farming Practice - Profiting from a Sound Environment, Cumbria Farming and Wildlife Group and partners. The project aims to deliver advice to farmers on best farming practice and habitat management through one to one farm visits and follow up farm environmental plans. The project aims to deliver sound and practical advice to farmers in the North - West how to get their farm businesses up to a standard to meet: • The Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for Soil, Water and Air • Best Farming Practice guidelines • Current environmental legislation including SSAFO regulations, Groundwater Regulations and Nitrate Vulnerable Zones.

Upland Catchment Management on the United Utilities Estate, RSPB. To establish best practice upland catchment management on over 50k hectares of land. Project will promote sustainable agriculture, sustain local communities and enhance biodiversity 2nd Tern of Events, RSPB. Project aims to encourage awareness of Morecambe Bay’s biodiversity (in particular its birdlife). Employment creation opportunities are also claimed by the project.

Merseyside Local Biodiversity Network, Sefton Council. Providing access to biological information for stakeholders, through the establishment of an electronically-linked network of biodiversity databases for North Merseyside, including: • A one-stop-shop for biodiversity information through refurbishment of a building • Open access for all sectors of the community • Interpretation of natural resources • Provision of outreach workers Solway Firth Partnership, Solway Firth Partnership. Integrated coastal zone management of the Soiway Firth, with project delivery, through: • Maintenance/development of Soiway Firth Partnership • Implementation of Strategy Action Plan • ICZM • Education and awareness raising • Joint use of resources and expertise • Monitoring and review of Solway and Solway Firth Strategy Restoring Eden Project, Eden Rivers Trust. A full catchment river restoration project including everything from physical works for river habitat enhancement to integrated land management for farmers and education of communities.

The Heartwood Centre, Cumbria Woodlands. Project will develop a woodland visitor centre in Cumbria to include a shop and interpretation, plus serviced low cost workshop units to foster the development of woodland businesses.

One Cumbrian Tree, Cumbria Woodlands. Project will promote locally produced timber products through exhibiting a range of products all made from a single tree Green Shoots in the North West, The British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Contributing to knowledge/management of biodiversity on land used for shooting.

‘Down To Earth’ — A Geodiversity and Geotourism project for the North Pennines AONB, North Pennines AONB Partnership. The project will build on the North Pennines AONB Partnership’s current work to

produce the first ‘Geodiversity Action Plan’ for an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and its ongoing efforts to establish the area as the first ‘European Geopark’ in Britain. It will: conserve geological sites in the North Pennines; develop geotourism; and promote the importance of geology and earth science

52 54 55

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74 75 76 77 78 80

in the development of the landscape and of settlement / industry. The project will involve conservation of at least 30 sites of geological importance across the North Pennines (at least 10 in the North West Region).

The National Pondlife Centre, Liverpool John Moores University. Creation of a national centre focusing on the ecology and management of ponds.

Southern Pennine Heritage Education and Access Network, Rochdale MBC. Not clear what the project is for and what it intends to do, beyond that it relates to the above set up and concerns the South Pennines.

Pennine Edge Forest, Rochdale MBC (lead). An Action Plan for the Pennine Edge Forest (PEF) is presently being produced (with financial support from NWDA) and a forest coordinator has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the plans. Detailed outputs will be presented in these plans; a key output of the PEF will be transformation of 1000 hectares of land by woodland led regeneration.

Southern Pennines Upland Regeneration, United Utilities. The aim of the project is to ‘manage the environmental, economic and social change in the Southern Pennine Uplands to produce a vibrant, thriving and living landscape consistent with the concept of sustainable open space’.

Assessment of topsoil inversion as a method to enhance biodiversity, attractiveness and recovery from eutrophication in woodland, heathland and grassland creation schemes, Manchester Metropolitan University. Assessment of topsoil inversion for habitat creation through pilot projects in the NW, to inform other environmental enhancement activities. Assessment in terms of: • Soil characteristics • Tree growth • Ground flora, heathland or grassland species • Colonisation and seedbank • Invertebrates, birds etc Findings to be disseminated to practitioners, academics etc, and recommendations made on practical implementation of the technique.

Moat Vale Cumbrian Trees, Emma Austen and Ewen Nugent. Provide Cumbrian-sourced seedlings for woodlands and hedgerows, 2-3 yr old saplings for farmers and land managers for use in agri-environment schemes, conservation projects etc. Seeds sourced from approved sites in Cumbria, with accreditation to that effect. Aim for initial production of 43,000 trees annually.

Sustainable Development Through Enhancement of Inland Waterways as Strategic Ecological Frameworks, British Waterways. BW and their partners seek to deliver biodiversity enhancements which will contribute to the further development of the ecological framework.

Natureworks, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. Aims to engage businesses of all sizes in the BAP process, including: A pilot project in year 1 with 5 businesses, assessing the feasibility of integrating LBAPs for their landholdings into their formal EMSs, which if successful would be rolled out more generally with other EMS certified companies in the area. Engagement of other businesses in CSR, employee involvement etc in biodiversity issues and BAP development Morecambe Bay and Cumbria Beach Care, Morecambe Bay Partnership. Improve the coastline and beaches of Morecambe Bay and Cumbria by: • Promotion and marketing of the coastline • Improved access and amenity on priority beaches — each priority site to have a visitor management plan covering access and toilet facilities • Cleaner beaches through support from local groups on litter collection ‘Using Waste as a Catalyst’for Enhancing the Natural & Economic Environment, Groundwork NW Trust (GW Blackburn). The project aims to provide an innovative package of Domestic Waste Minimisation and Management initiatives which engage with local authorities, businesses and communities in waste minimisation, waste management, environmental protection and enhancement, and prudent use of natural resources.

Water for the Ribble, Mersey Basin Business Foundation/Environment Agency. The project will implement the pilot Water Framework Directive in the Ribble Catchment via community action to achieve good chemical and ecological status, and will promote sustainable water consumption within the catchment.

Break new ground, Landlife. The project will develop a new cultivation technique Bluebell Recovery Project - Production phase, Landlife. Project to provide bluebells for sowing in the region.

Wastes For Wildflowers, Landlife. Project to use compostable wastes for flower cultivation.

Cornucopia, Landlife. Project will provide planting of cornflowers on sites in the NW. Modern Moats, Landlife. Project will develop moats around new industrial business sites for biodiversity and security benefits Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration, Environment Agency. The project aims to reverse the environmental deterioration of Bassenthwaite Lake (lake District) by restoring land around it to ‘a natural capacity’ (e.g.

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more natural vegetation - heather, native woodland etc).

Ravenglass Coastal Partnership, Ravenglass Coastal Partnership. No detailed information was submitted on this project.

Improving the Access Asset, Lake District National Park Authority and partners. To improve access opportunities for open air recreation and public enjoyment of the countryside for people from all walks of life by identifying gaps in the rights of way network for each user group. Connecting and improving the rights of way and permitted path network in order to improve access for these groups, thereby widening the availability of access to all. Resurfacing routes and upgrading access furniture where appropriate, to better meet the requirements of specific user groups e.g. people with limited mobility, wheelchair users, cyclists. The quality of sign posting and way marking will also be improved. Connecting bus and railway stations, car parks and waterbuses to attractions including the rights of way and permitted path network will be an important part of the project.

Toxteth TV. -Environmental Production in the New Digital Content Economy.

Annex 3

ERVNE Project Assessment Tool

ERVNE PROJECT ASSESSMENT TOOL The following describes the approach developed during the ERVNE study for assessing and selecting projects in terms of their likely contribution to economic and natural environment benefits. This is intended to provide the basis for identifying projects in the future and could also be used by regional partners for providing initial assessments of economic and natural environment benefits of projects. It sets out: • • •

the project assessment criteria (Section 1.1); the project assessment form (Section 1.2); and guidance on the star rating used in the project assessment form (Section 1.3).

It is important to note that the approach aims to complement existing project appraisal processes in the region, such as for the NWDA’s Single Programme funding and EU Structural Fund programmes.

A3.1.1

PROJECT ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The ERVNE study has aimed to identify a portfolio of strategic natural environment projects in the North West which could generate significant economic benefits (as well as wider social benefits) and which would contribute to protecting and enhancing the region’s natural environment and biodiversity over the next 5 years.

A range of criteria was used to identify projects for inclusion in the ERVNE portfolio – please see Box 3.1. These are consistent with the NWDA’s project appraisal system and strategic regional documents such as the Regional Economic Strategy and Rural Action Plan.

Applicants proposing projects for inclusion in the portfolio were asked to demonstrate how projects would generate economic, social and environmental outcomes such as those outlined below. Projects were not, however, required to generate every one of the different outcomes shown below. Project management and delivery issues were also considered in the assessment.

As far as possible, projects were assessed on quantitative terms, for example, jobs created. Applicants were, therefore, asked to attempt to quantify project outcomes.

It is recognised that not all projects have this information - best estimates of outcomes were therefore requested where quantifiable information was not readily available.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

ERVNE ANNEX 3

A3.1

Box 3.1

Project Assessment / Selection Criteria Economic and Regeneration Benefits The potential for projects to contribute to: • •

• • • • • •

Regional Economic Strategy (RES) and sub-regional objectives.

NWDA tier 2 / 3 indicators and targets, eg.

- employment and employment per size of NWDA investment; - gross value added in the regional economy; - new start businesses.

- hectares of brown-field land remediated or recycled - number of businesses receiving specialist advice - hectares of woodland created - skills development - number of businesses assisted on skill need Regeneration of the rural economy.

Regeneration of disadvantage urban areas.

Additional visitors to the region.

Additional tourism spend in the region.

Inward investment in the region.

Improving the image of the region.

Natural Environment and Biodiversity Benefits The potential for projects to contribute to: •

•

Regional and national nature environment and biodiversity objectives (please see further details and definitions in Box 3.2) such as: - Protection or enhancement of nationally and internationally designated nature conservation sites.

- Protection or enhancement of non-statutory designated sites.

- Enhancement of ‘spatial ecological frameworks’.

- Contribution to regional and local biodiversity action plan targets and working with Local Biodiversity Action Plan partnerships.

- Contribution to regional species targets.

- Contribution to accessible natural greenspace targets.

These regional biodiversity objectives, as identified by the NW Biodiversity Forum(1), are outlined in the box below.

Improvements for access to the natural environment and contribution to Greenspace targets.

Enhancement or protection of natural landscapes.

•

Creation of woodlands and sustainable woodland management.

•

Social criteria: In addition, potential project developers were also asked to provide information on social benefits, because of their relevance to the region’s regeneration objectives, for example: • • •

Social benefits / enhancing quality of life.

Benefits and involvement of disadvantaged or socially excluded groups.

Involvement of stakeholders – especially the local community – in the development/implementation of the project.

(1) “Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Targets – Recommendations from the NW Biodiversity Forum for the NW Action for Sustainability” - NW Biodiversity Forum, April 2002. Available from English Nature – caroline.riley@EnglishNature.org.uk ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

ERVNE ANNEX 3

A3.2

Box 3.2

Regional Biodiversity Objectives Regional biodiversity objectives, identified by the NW Biodiversity Forum, are outlined below.

Projects are encouraged to briefly describe how they will contribute to one or more of these objectives.

•

Protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These sites form part of a series across England that represents the range and diversity of the best remaining habitats and geological features. European sites (Special Areas for Conservation & Special Protection Areas) and National Nature Reserves are all designated as SSSIs. This objective relates to both preventing loss in area of SSSIs and to improving their management in order to achieve good condition of the relevant habitat or feature.

•

Protection and enhancement of non-statutory designated sites. These sites represent regionally and locally important wildlife and geological sites. This objective relates to improving their protection and management in order to enhance the value of the relevant habitat or feature.

•

Enhancement of Spatial Ecological Frameworks. These Frameworks comprise networks of interconnected habitats across the landscape that are necessary for the viability of species and habitats, and for helping make provision for species to respond to the impact of climate change.

This objective relates to enhancing, or creating new links between existing habitats to improve the network.

•

Contribution to achievement of regional and local biodiversity targets. This objective relates to the achievement of published NW regional biodiversity targets (in Draft Regional Planning Guidance), and local targets (in Local Biodiversity Action Plans). Regional targets comprise the maintenance, restoration and expansion of natural habitats identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and found in the NW.

•

Contribution to regional species targets. The importance of groups of species as indicators of the health of the countryside is recognised by Government in its identification of populations of wild birds as a headline indicator for sustainable development. This objective relates to reversing the decline in the farmland bird category in the NW, and is the regional equivalent of the national indicator.

•

Contribution to accessible natural greenspace targets. This includes land, water or geological features which have been naturally colonised by plants and animals and are accessible on foot to the local community. Provision of this space, and the ability of people to reach and feel safe using it, are important for improving quality of life particularly in urban areas.

Source: “Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Targets – Recommendations from the NW Biodiversity Forum for the NW Action for Sustainability” - NW Biodiversity Forum, April 2002.

A3.1.2

PROJECT ASSESSMENT FORM Project developers were asked to provide project outlines using the project proforma shown in Annex 2. Projects were then assessed against the project selection criteria outlined in Box 1.1. The assessment findings were recorded on the following “Project Assessment Form”. Guidance on the star-ratings used on the assessment form is provided in Section 1.3 below.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

ERVNE ANNEX 3

A3.3

PROJECT ASSESSMENT FORM: Project code: Project name: Organisation: Brief description of project: Total project value: NWDA funding: Star rating (0 – 3): Ì

ECONOMIC BENEFITS: 1. Strategic fit with Regional and Sub-Regional objectives - RES / NWDA Business Plan, RAZ etc.

2. Jobs – created and safeguarded:

3. Skills and learning (training places, qualifications etc):

4. New business formation:

5. Brownfield land reclamation (ha):

6. Woodland created (ha):

7. Attraction of additional visitors and increases in tourism expenditure:

8. Urban regeneration:

9. Regeneration of market and coastal towns – jobs, skills, business formation:

10. Diversification of rural economies:

11. Contribution to the attraction of inward investment in to the NW:

12. Improving the image of the region:

SUMMARY OF ECONOMIC BENFITS:

Summary star rating

Summary comment:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

ERVNE ANNEX 3

A3.4

Star rating (0 – 3): ĂŒ

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT BENEFITS: 1. Contribution to Spatial Ecological Frameworks

2. Management or enhancement of nationally and internationally designated sites.

3. Management or enhancement of Non-statutory sites.

4. Contribution to regional and local biodiversity targets

5. Species - contributing to reversing decline in farmland bird species.

6. Contribution to increases in accessible natural greenspace.

7. Contribution to the sustainable woodland management in the NW:

8. Contribution to enhancement or preservation of natural landscapes in the NW:

SUMMARY OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT BENFITS:

Summary star rating

Summary comment:

SOCIAL BENFITS:

WHY SHOULD THE RDA BE INVOLVED? Is there a strong case for RDA support / involvement. Why would another organisation not be better placed to do it? Is this appropriate activity for the Agency?

CONCLUSION: Economic benefits

Summary star rating Summary star rating

Natural environment benefits Summary comment:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

ERVNE ANNEX 3

A3.5

A3.1.3

GUIDANCE ON STAR RATINGS The following provides guidance on the star-ratings used in the assessment form in Section 1.2. These star-ratings are based on a combination of quantitative measures (e.g. jobs created per pound spent) and assessment of qualitative issues (e.g. strategic fit with RES or sub-regional objectives).

A degree of subjective judgement is required in rating the more qualitative measures, but also because many projects are at a relatively early stage of development, and will not have quantifiable output forecasts available. The more quantitative ratings provided below (especially relating to the natural environment benefits) are therefore intended to provide a guide in rating projects, rather than being applied on a strictly quantitative basis.

A3.1.1.1

Economic Benefits – Star Ratings: Strategic fit with Regional and Sub-Regional development objectives - RES / Business Plan objectives and targets etc: ÌÌÌ Strong links to strategic regional / sub-regional development objectives – RES, NWDA Business Plan objectives and targets, RAZ etc. ÌÌ Good links. Ì Some links.

No apparent links to RES or NWDA business plan objectives and targets.

Jobs – created and safeguarded: ÌÌÌ Significant job creation / safeguarding potential and good value for money (£20k NWDA cost per job). ÌÌ Good job creation potential, and moderate cost per job (£60k NWDA cost per job). Ì Some job creation potential, but high cost per job (£100k NWDA cost per job).

Very little job creation potential.

Skills and learning (training places, qualifications etc): ÌÌÌ Significant contribution to NWDA skills targets (e.g. NWDA target of 2,600 businesses assisted on skills needs in 2002/03). ÌÌ Good contribution. Ì A few skills and learning outputs.

No skills and learning benefits.

New business formation: ÌÌÌ Significant potential for forming new businesses – refer to unit costs (new businesses per NWDA investment). ÌÌ Good potential. Ì Some potential.

No potential.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

ERVNE ANNEX 3

A3.6

Brownfield land reclamation: ÌÌÌ Significant contribution to NWDA brownfield land reclamation targets (e.g. NWDA target of 422 ha in 2002/03). ÌÌ Good contribution. Ì A little brownfield land reclamation.

No brownfield land reclamation.

Woodland created (ha): ÌÌÌ Significant contribution to NWDA woodland creation target (e.g. NWDA target of 72 ha in 2002/03). ÌÌ Good contribution. Ì Some contribution.

No woodland creation.

Attraction of additional visitors and increases in tourism expenditure: ÌÌÌ Significant potential for attracting visitors and increasing spend. ÌÌ Good potential. Ì Some potential.

-

No potential for attracting visitors and increasing spend.

Urban Regeneration: ÌÌÌ Significant potential for contributing to regional and sub-regional urban regeneration objectives (refer to sub-regional strategies: East Lancs, Merseyside, West Lancs, Furness and West Cumbria, Liverpool, New East Manchester etc). ÌÌ Good potential. Ì Some potential.

No potential for contributing to urban regeneration.

Regeneration of market and coastal towns – in terms of increased employment, skills levels, business formation: ÌÌÌ Significant potential for regenerating market towns (refer to strategies such as “New Vision for NW Coastal Resorts” and NW Rural Recovery Plan). ÌÌ Good potential. Ì Some potential.

No potential contribution.

Delivering rural renaissance / diversifying the rural economy: ÌÌÌ Significant potential for regenerating and diversifying rural economies (refer to the objectives of the Regional Rural Recovery Plan through county action plans for Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire). ÌÌ Good potential. Ì Some potential.

No potential contribution.

Contribution to the attraction of inward investment in the NW: ÌÌÌ Significant potential contribution to attracting inward investment. ÌÌ Good potential. Ì Some potential.

No potential.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

ERVNE ANNEX 3

A3.7

Improving the image of the region: ÌÌÌ Significant potential contribution to generating a positive perception of the region and promoting the region’s assets. ÌÌ Good potential. Ì Some potential.

No potential.

A3.1.1.2

Natural Environment / Biodiversity Benefits (developed by English Nature): 1) Contribution to Spatial Ecological Frameworks ÌÌÌ

ÌÌ Ì -

A project that includes a clear plan for identifying an Ecological Framework over a significant sub-regional area e.g. County, District, Community Forest area or a project which clearly contributes to delivery of an enhanced Ecological Framework over a significant sub-regional area A project that clearly contributes to delivery of enhanced Ecological Frameworks over an area smaller than in a. above i.e. smaller than district A project that includes small enhancement to part of an Ecological Framework e.g. enhancement of ½ km of hedgerow No contribution or unclear

2) Nationally and internationally designated sites ÌÌÌ

ÌÌ

Ì -

A project that includes a clear plan for delivery of management leading to favourable conditions on a large, specified nationally or internationally designated sites A project that includes a clear plan for delivery of management leading to favourable conditions on specified nationally or internally designated sites (but smaller scale than 3 star rating).

Lesser benefits for a specified nationally or internally designated sites No contribution or unclear

3) Non-statutory sites ÌÌÌ ÌÌ

Ì -

A project that includes a clear plan for delivery of management leading to favourable conditions on a large area of non-statutory site(s) A project that includes a clear plan for delivery of management leading to favourable conditions on area of non-statutory site(s) (but smaller scale than 3 star rating).

Lesser benefits for non-statutory sites.

No contribution or unclear

4) Contribution to Regional and local biodiversity targets A project that includes a clear plan for delivery of, either: • maintenance, restoration or expansion of priority habitat as identified in "Regional Biodiversity Targets for NW England" (see Box 1.2 above) or habitats identified as important in one or more Local Biodiversity Action Plans in the region or ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

ERVNE ANNEX 3

A3.8

•

significant increase in the population of a priority species as identified in the UK species list or species identified as important in one or more Local Biodiversity Action Plans in the region over areas according to the Table below:

ÌÌÌ

Maintenance >50 ha

Restoration >30 ha

ÌÌ

10-50 ha

5-30ha

Ì

<10 ha

<5 ha

Expansion >10 ha upland or coastal >5 ha terrestrial lowlands 2-10 ha upland or coastal 2-5 ha terrestrial lowlands <2 ha

0 or unclear

0 or unclear

0 or unclear

5) Contribution to Species Targets ÌÌÌ A project that includes a clear plan for contributing to reversing decline in farmland bird species as identified in Annex X (to be added) over an area of farmland landscape covering a significant sub-regional area ÌÌ A project that includes a clear plan for contributing to reversing decline in farmland bird species as identified in Annex X (to be added) over an area smaller than in a. above e.g. a small number of farms Ì A project that includes a clear plan for contributing to reversing decline in farmland bird species as identified in Annex X (to be added) over an area smaller than above e.g. 1 farm No contribution or unclear

6) Accessible natural greenspace ÌÌÌ

ÌÌ

Ì -

A project that includes a clear plan for contributing to delivery of an improved network of accessible natural greenspace over a significant area within a subregion e.g. a Local Authority district A project that includes a clear plan for contributing to delivery of an improved network of accessible natural greenspace over a smaller area than a. e.g. a number of sites A project that includes a clear plan for contributing to delivery of an improved network of accessible natural greenspace over a smaller area than above.

No contribution or unclear

7) Contribution to the sustainable woodland management in the NW: ÌÌÌ Significant potential in the light of regional woodlands (e.g. NWDA target of 72 ha in 2002/03). ÌÌ Ì -

No potential.

8) Contribution to enhancement or preservation of natural landscapes in the NW: ÌÌÌ Significant potential (judgement). ÌÌ Ì -

No potential.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

ERVNE ANNEX 3

A3.9

Annex 4

ERVNE Project Proforma

DEVELOPING A PORTFOLIO OF STRATEGIC NATURAL ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS IN THE NORTH WEST PROJECT PROFORMA

This document has been prepared to introduce the above study to partners in the North West. It contains a proforma which project developers should complete to provide outlines of proposed projects. Please submit these project proformas to ERM (emma.mauger@erm.com Fax 01865 384 848) by 21st February 2003.

Project submissions will then be assessed in order to identify a short-list of projects for inclusion in the portfolio of projects that could potentially be taken forward for funding by the NWDA and/or other organisations. Short-listed projects will then be asked to provide additional information by 28th March before final selection of projects during April 2003. It should be noted, however, that there is no guarantee of NWDA funding, even for those projects that make the final selection.

If you have any questions regarding the process, please contact ERM: Steve Owen (T. 01865 384 876; stephen.owen@erm.com) or Howard Walker (T. 0161 958 8844; howard.walker@erm.com). Address: ERM, Suite 8.01, 8 Exchange Quay, Manchester M5 3EJ.

1.

STUDY AIMS

The study has been commissioned by the NWDA and English Nature, working closely with regional partners. Its primary aim is to identify a portfolio of strategic natural environment projects in the North West which could generate significant economic benefits (as well as wider social benefits) and which would contribute to protecting and enhancing the region’s natural environment and biodiversity over the next 5 years.

The project consultants, ERM, will advise project ‘owners’ in developing their project plans in line with funding criteria from a range of potential sources, including the NWDA. Examples of projects might include existing natural environment projects/programmes that could be enhanced to increase their value to the economy or potential projects that improve the image of the region, promote tourism or act towards urban or rural regeneration.

It is also envisaged that the study will identify other projects which generate significant environmental outcomes, but less in terms of economic outcomes. The study will provide recommendations for alternative funding sources and future development of these projects.

2.

STRATEGIC PROJECTS:

Strategic projects are defined as projects that demonstrate a significant contribution to the attainment of regional economic, environmental and social objectives and targets, as set out in the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) and other strategic regional documents.

This means that projects will need to demonstrate quantifiable impacts or outcomes in terms of regional development objectives such as job creation, business growth and economic regeneration. It is recognised that not all projects will have this quantifiable information available, in which case, estimates are acceptable in the project proforma provided below.

It will be important for projects to link to and integrate with other programmes and projects in the region to implement RES objectives. Scope for replication and synergies with other ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

ERVNE ANNEX 4

A4.1

projects will be important characteristics of strategic projects. Project ‘owners’ may be advised during the study on developing synergies with other projects to make them more strategic in nature.

Projects for inclusion in the portfolio could cover a wide range of activities relating to the natural environment which generate economic benefits, including activities in areas such as: coastal, urban, rural, woodland, forestry, uplands, canals and waterways, countryside access and recreation.

3.

PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA:

A range of criteria will be used to identify projects to include in the portfolio. These are consistent with the NWDA’s project appraisal criteria and strategic regional documents such as the Regional Economic Strategy and NW Action for Sustainability.

Applicants proposing projects for inclusion in the portfolio will need to demonstrate how projects will generate economic, social and environmental outcomes such as those outlined below. Projects will not, however, need to generate every one of the different outcomes shown below. Projects will also be assessed in terms of the clarity of plans for project management and delivery.

Please note that as far as possible, projects will be assessed on quantitative terms, for example, jobs created. Applicants should, therefore, attempt to quantify project outcomes. It is recognised that not all projects will have this information - best estimates of outcomes are therefore acceptable where quantifiable information is not currently available.

Examples of Economic Outcomes: • •

Contribution to RES objectives.

Contribution to NWDA targets, such as: - job creation; - increase in regional Gross Domestic Product; - increase in skill levels (training places, qualifications etc); - regeneration of market towns; - formation of new businesses; - amount of inward investment attracted; - quantity of brownfield land reclaimed.

• Improving the image of the region.

• Regeneration of urban and rural land.

• Diversification of rural economies.

• Attraction of additional visitors to the region.

• Increases in tourism expenditure in the region.

Examples of Natural Environment / Biodiversity Outcomes: • •

Contribution to protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

Contribution to protecting and enhancing wildlife and biodiversity, including contribution to regional nature conservation and biodiversity objectives such as: - Protection or enhancement of nationally and internationally designated nature conservation sites.

- Protection or enhancement of non-statutory designated sites.

- Enhancement of ‘spatial ecological frameworks’.

- Contribution to regional and local biodiversity action plan targets and working with Local Biodiversity Action Plan partnerships.

- Contribution to regional species targets.

- Contribution to accessible natural greenspace targets.

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• •

These regional biodiversity objectives, as identified by the NW Biodiversity Forum(2), are outlined in the box below.

Contribution to enhancement or protection of natural landscapes.

Contribution to the creation of woodlands and sustainable woodland management.

Examples of Social Outcomes: • • • • • •

Enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors.

Access to the natural environment for socially excluded groups.

Contribution to Greenspace targets and promotion of social access to the natural environment.

Additional day visits from local people.

Involving stakeholders – especially local community – in the development/implementation of the project.

Links to schools and educational projects.

Project delivery criteria: • • • •

Ability to begin generating outcomes within a 5 year timeframe.

Quality of management and delivery mechanisms.

Long-term project sustainability (forward strategy / financially self-sustainable).

A fair assessment of project risks – financial, technical, managerial.

(2) “Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Targets – Recommendations from the NW Biodiversity Forum for the NW Action for Sustainability” - NW Biodiversity Forum, April 2002. Available from English Nature – caroline.riley@English-Nature.org.uk ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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Regional Biodiversity Objectives: Regional biodiversity objectives, identified by the NW Biodiversity Forum, are outlined below.

Projects are encouraged to briefly describe how they will contribute to one or more of these objectives.

•

Protection and enhancement of nationally and internationally designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These sites form part of a series across England that represents the range and diversity of the best remaining habitats and geological features. European sites (Special Areas for Conservation & Special Protection Areas) and National Nature Reserves are all designated as SSSIs. This objective relates to both preventing loss in area of SSSIs and to improving their management in order to achieve good condition of the relevant habitat or feature.

•

Protection and enhancement of non-statutory designated sites. These sites represent regionally and locally important wildlife and geological sites. This objective relates to improving their protection and management in order to enhance the value of the relevant habitat or feature.

•

Enhancement of Spatial Ecological Frameworks. These Frameworks comprise networks of interconnected habitats across the landscape that are necessary for the viability of species and habitats, and for helping make provision for species to respond to the impact of climate change.

This objective relates to enhancing, or creating new links between existing habitats to improve the network.

•

Contribution to achievement of regional and local biodiversity targets. This objective relates to the achievement of published NW regional biodiversity targets (in Draft Regional Planning Guidance), and local targets (in Local Biodiversity Action Plans). Regional targets comprise the maintenance, restoration and expansion of natural habitats identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and found in the NW.

•

Contribution to regional species targets. The importance of groups of species as indicators of the health of the countryside is recognised by Government in its identification of populations of wild birds as a headline indicator for sustainable development. This objective relates to reversing the decline in the farmland bird category in the NW, and is the regional equivalent of the national indicator.

•

Contribution to accessible natural greenspace targets. This includes land, water or geological features which have been naturally colonised by plants and animals and are accessible on foot to the local community. Provision of this space, and the ability of people to reach and feel safe using it, are important for improving quality of life particularly in urban areas.

Source: “Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Targets – Recommendations from the NW Biodiversity Forum for the NW Action for Sustainability” - NW Biodiversity Forum, April 2002.

4.

DEVELOPING THE PORTFOLIO OF PROJECTS:

NWDA and English Nature are aware that there are a number of on-going and proposed projects in the area of the natural environment in the region. In order to develop the portfolio, this study is seeking to identify eligible proposals from project developers. The series of questions set out below are designed to help both project developers and the sponsors of this project begin that process.

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5.

PROJECT PROFORMA – PLEASE PROVIDE AN OUTLINE OF YOUR PROJECT – BY 21ST FEBRUARY:

Question 1 – General Information Name of project

Named contact

Lead organisation Address / telephone / fax / e-mail

Question 2 – Project partners Give details of any other organisations that will help deliver the project. Specify the role of each partner.

Question 3 – Project objectives Question 3 In 150 words (max) state simply what the project will do. What will be its main activities?

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Question 4 – Outcomes Please state simply what the project aims to deliver in terms of economic, natural environment / biodiversity and social outcomes – please refer to outcomes outlined in Section 3 above. These should be quantified where possible.

Economic outcomes:

Natural Environment / Biodiversity outcomes:

Social outcomes:

Question 5 – Beneficiaries

Question 5 In 150 words (max) identify who will benefit from the work of the project. Beneficiaries might include local communities, visitors to the region, people gaining jobs or training places etc.

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Question 6 – Contribution to regional targets

Question 9 In 200 words (max) tell us why the project is needed and why it should attract NWDA support (indicating how it will help to deliver NWDA targets – please see the selection criteria in Section 3 of this document).

Question 7 – Strategic Fit

2: Strategic Fit In 200 words (max) link the aims of your project to the priorities of the NWDA as stated in the Regional Economic Strategy and the Business Plan, both of which are on the NWDA’s website (www.nwda.co.uk).

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Question 8 - Funding Please use the table to show expected costs of the project, including potential sources of funding.

Total expected project cost: Source

Year 1

ÂŁ Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Total

NWDA Element Other public sector (please specify) Private sector (please specify) Voluntary sector (please specify) Total funding

Please email or fax your project outlines to Emma Mauger at ERM by 21st February: emma.mauger@erm.com

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Fax 01865 384 848

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Annex 5

Potential Project Funding Sources

A5.1

POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES FOR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT PROJECT

Information is provided below on the following funding opportunities relating to natural environment projects: New Opportunities Fund: • • • • • •

Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities Transforming Your Space Wildspace (NOF and English Nature) Social, Economic and Environmental Development Programme (SEED) Renewable Energy Programme Transforming Waste

‘Public’ Sector: • • • • • • • • • •

Landfill tax credit scheme Heritage Lottery Fund English Nature Volunteer Action Groups English Nature Reserves Enhancement Scheme English Nature Biodiversity Grant Scheme Forestry Commission Woodland Grants Scheme Countryside Agency Doorstep Greens Countryside Stewardship Scheme SRB Aggregates Tax Scheme (currently closed) -

-

-

-

EU Programmes: • • •

EU LIFE Environment EU LIFE Nature EU Interreg

Voluntary Sector: Charitable Trusts: • • • • • •

Heritage Lottery Fund Coalfields Regeneration Trust BTCV People’s Places The Granada Trust Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Woodroffe Benton Foundation -

Private Sector: • •

Shell Better Britain Campaign Triados Bank

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• • •

Co-operative Bank Hanson Environment Fund Biff Award

Regional Development Agency: • •

NWDA single programme funding Rural Action Plan funding

EU Structural Fund Programmes:: • •

A5.1.1

Objective 1 for Merseyside Objective 2 for the North West

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND – GREEN SPACES AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES Under the New Opportunities Transforming Communities programme, there are a number of funds available for work on environmental projects.

A total of £125m is available for projects that are transforming green spaces, or projects designed to help urban and rural communities throughout the UK understand, improve or care for their natural environment. The funds are administered by Barnardo’s and Children’s Play Council, BTCV, English Nature, RSNC, The Countryside Agency, Sport England, and Sustrans.

A5.1.1.1

Funding Criteria Applicants do not need to be registered as charities.

How to apply Further details of all of the above funds can be found at http://www.nof.org.uk/contents/env/england.cfm#2 Visit http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk to run a search of all of the lottery funds available for a project.

A5.1.2

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND - TRANSFORMING YOUR SPACE Under the New Opportunities Fund Transforming Communities programme, there are a number of funds available for work on environmental projects. £38.75m is available in England under the Transforming Your Space Fund for projects that will improve local environments, enabling communities to make them safer, healthier, greener, cleaner, better designed, more welcoming and accessible to all.

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Funding Criteria This initiative is run under the fair share scheme, which means it is only available to certain disadvantaged areas that have not had their fair share of lottery funds. The following districts are eligible for support in the North West: Blackpool, Bolton, Burnley, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Hyndburn, Knowsley, Oldham, Pendle, Salford, Sefton, St. Helens, Tameside, Trafford, West Lancashire, Wigan and Wirral.

How to apply Transforming Your Space website http://www.nof.org.uk/index.cfm?loc=env&inc=space Guidance Notes http://www.nof.org.uk/contents/env/download/pdf/ transforming_space_gn.pdf Application Form http://www.nof.org.uk/contents/env/download/pdf/fransforming_space_ app.pdf FAQs http://ww.nof.org.uk/index. Cfm?loc-env&inc=space_england_faq New Opportunities Fund 2nd Floor, Highlander House 58 Waterloo Street Glasgow G2 7DA Telephone - 0845 0000 123 Email - enguiries@nof.org.uk Website - www.nof.org.uk

A5.1.3

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND/ENGLISH NATURE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; WILDSPACE English Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wildspace Scheme will involve local communities in the improvement, care and enjoyment of their local environment.

A5.1.3.1

Funding Criteria Applications are welcome from organisations involved or interested in managing and developing Local Nature Reserves, such as local authorities, local councils, wildlife trusts and charitable groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas that lack access to natural open space.

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Grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available for project costs, grants of up to £20,000 for the employment of community liaison officers, and grants of up to £25,000 for the purchase of land. Grants are available for a maximum of five years.

How to apply Contact: LNR Grants Management Team, English Nature, Northminster House, Peterborough, PE1 IUA t: 01733 455415 e: enquiries@englishnature.org.uk. For an application form t: 0845 0000 121. the local English Nature Team can give you advice on eligibility t: 01872 262 550 and provide details of the conservation officer in your area.

A5.1.4

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND -SOC1AL, ECONOM1C AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (SEED) The SEED programme is funded by the New Opportunities Fund, a National Lottery ‘good cause’ distributor, through its Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities Initiative.

Grants are available from the SEED Programme for projects requesting between £500 and £4,999 for smaller community projects and £5,000 to £100,000 for major projects.

Applications for the SEED Programme are encouraged from community groups, voluntary organisations, not-for-profit community businesses and local authorities in partnership with community groups. The range of projects that may be supported should fall under one of the following project themes: Local food initiatives, waste minimisation, re-use and recycling, energy efficiency, biodiversity, consumption and lifestyles, sustainable transport, environmental education and community enterprise.

For further information contact: RSNC, The Kiln, Waterside, Mather Road, Newark, Notts, NG24 1WT t: 0870 0360101 e: seed©rsnc.cix.co.uk w:www.seed.rsnc.org

A5.1.5

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND - RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMME Under the New Opportunities Transforming Communities programme, there are a number of funds available for work on environmental projects. £50m is available to offer support for the generation of electricity from renewable sources. At least £33 million of this is available to fund projects generating electricity from energy crops, at least £10 million to build offshore wind projects, and at least £3 million for small-scale biomass heating schemes.

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How to apply Details on eligibility and how to apply at http: //www.nof.org.uk/index.cfm?loc=env&inc=energyfaq

A5.1.6

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND - TRANSFORMING WASTE Under the New Opportunities Transforming Communities programme, there are a number of funds available for work on environmental projects. £49.5m is available for projects expanding community sector waste reuse, recycling or composting. Administered in England by the Royal Society for Nature Conservation.

A5.1.6.1

Funding Criteria The main aims of the programme are: •

To establish new waste recycling, reuse or composting schemes in areas where they do not currently exist

•

To expand existing waste recycling, reuse or composting schemes through for example, collection of additional materials or expanding the geographical area covered

•

To increase the weight of material recycled, reused or composted through education or awareness raising activities relating to new or existing schemes Community groups in disadvantaged areas are particularly targeted, and local involvement in projects is encouraged.

•

How to Apply Royal Society for Nature Conservation http://www.rsnc.org Download an Application Form at http: //www.nof.org.uk/contents/env/download/pdf/transforming_waste_en gland_app.pdf Guidance Notes http: //www.nof.org.uk/contents/env/download/pdf/transformingwaste_en gland_gn.pdf Frequently Asked Questions http: / /www.nof.org.uk/index.cfm?loc=env&inc=wastefaqs ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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For an application pack telephone 0845 0000 121 For detailed enquiries, email cred@rsnc.cix.co.uk or telephone 0870 0361 000

A5.1.7

LANDFILL TAX The landfill tax credit scheme (http://www.ltcs.org.uk) enables landfill site operators to redirect up to 20 per cent of their landfill tax liability to environmental projects in return for a 90 per cent tax credit. The scheme is regulated by ENTRUST (http://www.entrust.org.uk).

Community groups can apply for funding providing that they are within 10 miles of a registered landfill site. Funding available varies but may be up to £50,000 and often third party funding of 10% has to be found.

A5.1.7.1

Funding Criteria Projects should be seeking to provide environmental benefits eg conserving natural habitats, encouraging sustainable waste management practices, or improving community facilities. Funding is available for projects that: • • • •

• • •

Reclaim land, the use of which has been prevented by some previous activity Reduce or prevent pollution on land Encourage sustainable waste management through research, education or information dissemination Encourage the development of products from waste or markets for recycled products through research, education or information dissemination Provide or maintain public amenities or parks within 10 miles of a landfill site Restore or repair buildings for religious worship, or of architectural or historical interest within 10 miles of a landfill site Fund the cost of administrative, financial or other similar services, supplied to other enrolled environmental bodies

How to Apply Applicants can either register directly with ENTRUST, or alternatively approach a third party already registered as a ‘distributing environmental body’ - which are often organisations set up by landfill operators to administer their landfill tax funds.

For a list of regional distributing environmental bodies, visit http: //www.ltcs.org.uk/map/map.asp Alan Howarth Central Area Manager (including North West) ENTRUST Central Office Acre House ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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2 Town Square Sale, Cheshire M33 7WZ Tel 0161 973 1177 Fax 0161 972 0055 Email alanhowarth@entrust.org.uk Web www.entrust.org.uk & www.ltcs.org.uk An example of a project that has received landfill tax credits is given in Box 5.1.

Box 5.1

Landfill Tax Project Example - Play Areas and Recycled Materials (PARM) Under the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, Groundwork Wigan and Chorley applied for funding to investigate the potential for using recycled, reclaimed and sustainable materials in childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play areas.

This included a demonstration playground in Chorley, Lancashire, the first play area maximising the use of recycled materials in the UK. The final report and guidance addresses the general issues of developing a playground, covering details such as safety, legal requirements and financial and technical considerations.

The report concludes with an estimation of potential demand for recycled or reclaimed materials in play areas and how this could generate more demand and therefore production of more items made from recycled materials. The demonstration playground used 19.29 tonnes of recycled material, which effectively diverted these reusable materials away from landfill.

If these guidelines were implemented by every local authority in the UK, ie every new or refurbished play area used recycled or reclaimed materials, it is estimated that 3261.94 tonnes of materials would be saved from landfill every year.

For further information on the PARM project contact Alison Whitehead, Groundwork Wigan and Chorley on 01942 821444 or email wigan@groundwork.org.uk

A5.1.8

ENGLISH NATURE - VOLUNTEER ACTION GROUPS There are a number of different funding opportunities available from English Nature for projects involving nature conservation.

A5.1.8.1

Funding Criteria To enable voluntary organisations to put more volunteers into the field to work on projects furthering nature conservation through reimbursing travel expenses. Grants of up to a maximum of ÂŁ1,000 per organisation, per year.

How to apply Apply to the local English Nature Team on 01872 262 550.

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ENGLISH NATURE - RESERVES ENHANCEMENT SCHEME There are a number of different funding opportunities available from English Nature for projects involving nature conservation.

This grant scheme is aimed at Voluntary Conservation Organisations who manage Sites of Special Scientific Interest as nature reserves.

How to apply These five-year grants contribute to the day-to-day management of such sites.

Further details can be obtained from Dick Lambert or Duncan Macfarlane on t: 01733 455 140 or t: 01733 455 138 respectively.

A5.1.10

ENGLISH NATURE - B1ODIVERSITY GRANT SCHEME The Biodiversity Grant Scheme aims to restore priority species and habitats.

A5.1.10.1

Funding Criteria Any organisation or individual who can demonstrate their project will contribute to the objectives of English Nature’s Species Recovery Programme (SRP) or the delivery of Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets. Projects are only applicable to species and habitats listed in the national BAP and those qualifying under the Species Recovery Programme. This is limited to species and habitats that are uncommon in the region and therefore you must check whether this species/habitat occurs in your area. Your land may include a national BAP habitat and you are unaware!

Grants of between £250 to £5,000 based on 50% of project costs.

How to apply For mare information contact David Stone on t: 01733 455112 or visit the English Nature website w: www.english-nature.org.uk

A5.1.11

FORESTRY COMMISSION WOODLAND GRANTS SCHEME The scheme aims to encourage the creation of new woodlands, and the good management and regeneration of existing woodlands.

All woodlands and forests can be considered for grants under the Woodland Grant Scheme. However, areas of trees too small or narrow to be thought of as woodland will not be eligible.

A5.1.11.1

Funding Criteria Normally, the woodlands will have to be a quarter of a hectare in area and at least 15 metres wide, but smaller woods may be eligible if the aims of the ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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scheme are met. The grants are paid as part of a contract in which applicants agree to look after the woodlands and do the approved work to the reasonable satisfaction of the Commission.

Applicants for new planting are competitive and are judged twice a year on 31 May and 31 October. However you can apply at any time; your application will be checked on receipt to ensure that it is acceptable, then held until the judging time. Applications that do not include new planting can be submitted at any time.

How to apply For a full application pack contact: The Forestry Commission, 231 Corstophine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT t: 0131 334 0303 e: enquiries@forestry.gsi.gov.uk w: www.forestry.gov.uk

A5.1.12

COUNTRYSIDE AGENCY - DOORSTEP GREENS This Countryside Agency programme aims to help people create a place to play and relax on their doorstep, if they live in a community with no green facility.

A5.1.12.1

Funding Criteria 200 communities across England will be able to access funds to support features such as natural gardens, small orchards and footpath links or play spaces that incorporate local design.

Community involvement and support is a must, as is a plan to encourage the natural environment within the context of local planning constraints.

Applications are welcome from community partnerships, local authorities and even informal groups.

Expert help can be purchased with the money, which can also support training in certain circumstances if it helps support the development of the Green - from book keeping or project management, to tree maintenance and running community arts events. Grants are likely to average ÂŁ3,500 to plan and develop the project or support a land valuation if a purchase needs to go ahead. If these plans are successful, you will be invited to apply for the main grant to acquire and create your doorstep green. Projects requiring over ÂŁ10,000 grant support will be considered.

The amount and rate of funding will depend on local need and the permanence of the created green. You will need to find some matched funding locally. Long term planning, multi use and maximum access to the green space are all musts.

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How to apply For further information contact the helpline on 0845 0000 121

A5.1.13

COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP Aims to improve the natural beauty and diversity of the countryside e.g. enhance, restore and recreate targeted landscapes, wildlife habitats, and historic features and improve opportunities for public access.

A5.1.13.1

Funding Criteria Available to farmers and non-farming landowners and managers (including voluntary bodies, local authorities and community groups) where land is covered by target landscapes and habitats. Annual payments vary according to the land management option and can range between £4 and £525 per hectare. Capital grants are also available. Schemes are for 10 years.

How to apply Application forms and guidance notes are available at the rural development page on www.defra.gov.uk or alternatively contact the Rural Development Service of DEFRA at Bristol on 0117 959 1000

A5.1.14

SINGLE REGENERATION BUDGET (SRB) The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) provides funding to support regeneration activities in England carried out by local groups. It is an important tool in the Government’s drive to tackle social exclusion and promote equality of opportunity. The main aim of SRB is to improve the quality of life of local people in areas of need by reducing the gap between deprived and well off areas, and between the less well off and better off groups of people. This includes addressing the disadvantage met by ethnic minority communities.

SRB’s objective is to help to enhance the quality of life of local people in areas of need by reducing the gap between deprived and other areas, and between different groups. SRB partnerships should represent the key organisations and interests that have a stake in the area, in particular voluntary and community groups. SRB resources can be used to build the capacity of local communities, to equip them with the skills to play an active role in the design and delivery of the area’s regeneration activities.

Successful partnerships in each round are eligible for SRB funding for between one to seven years, resources permitting. SRB Rounds 1 to 6 have resulted in over 900 schemes that are expected to receive more than £5.6 billion of SRB grant over their lifetime of up to 7 years.

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The SRB supports activities that will make a real and long lasting difference in less well off areas. It funds schemes which work with and add value to other programmes and initiatives both public and private and which build on good practice and give value for money. SRB supports the development of local groups which include the local community and which give the local community a voice in regeneration activities.

-

-

At a regional level, the SRB is an important tool in delivering the Regional Development Agency’s goals of economic development, raising skills and regeneration.

A5.1.14.1

Funding Criteria The SRB is a flexible programme, which supports schemes that have a mix of the following objectives: • • • • •

Improving the employment prospects, education and skills of local people.

Addressing social exclusion and improving opportunities for the disadvantaged.

Promoting sustainable regeneration, improving and protecting the environment and infrastructure, including housing.

Supporting and promoting growth in local economies and businesses.

Reducing crime and drug abuse and improving community safety.

How to apply For further information about regeneration visit the DEFRA web site at www.defra.gov.uk.

A5.1.15

EU LIFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME The specific objective of LIFE-Environment is to contribute to the development of innovative techniques and methods by co-financing demonstration projects.

A5.1.15.1

Funding Criteria The LIFE Regulation defines five areas eligible for funding: • • • • •

land-use development and planning; water management; reduction of the environmental impact of economic activities; waste management; reduction of the environmental impact of products through an integrated product policy.

LIFE-Environment does not finance research or investment in existing technologies or infrastructure. The purpose of the programme is to bridge the gap between research and development results and their large-scale ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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application. To this end, demonstration projects based on the results of projects which have been supported under past or ongoing technological research and development programmes are encouraged.

The European Union has allocated approximately 300 million euros for LIFEEnvironment for the period 2000-2004.

The rate of Community co-financing can be up to 30% for projects generating substantial net revenue, 50% in other cases.

How to apply More details on how and when to apply at http://europa.eu.int/ comm/environment/life/home.htm Administrated in the UK by: Robbie Craig UK National Authority EU LIFE-Program Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs European Environment Department Zone 5/H15 Ashdown House 123 Victoria Street London SW1E 6DE Tel 020 7944 6227 Fax 020 7944 3089 Email life.env@defra.gsi.gov.uk Box 5.2 gives an example of a project supported by LIFE Environment.

Box 5.2

EU Life Environment Project Example – Wise use of floodplains (RSPB) Wise use of floodplains - a demonstration of techniques to evaluate and plan floodplain restoration (RSPB and partners, 1999-2002) This project developed appraisal techniques to assess the economic, social and environmental benefits and costs of wetland restoration options. These combined multi-criteria analysis with techniques for community participation in the decision-making process, such as focus groups, participatory rural appraisal and citizens’ juries.

Our management of water is becoming increasingly complex. Past practices have resulted in the disconnection of rivers from floodplains — with a resultant loss in biodiversity and a requirement for complex, expensive and sometimes damaging flood defence schemes. Many of our current demands are incompatible with each other. For example, we want functioning floodplains for flood management and important biodiversity, but people want to live by rivers and we need space to build houses to account for changing demographics.

Five catchments were used as demonstration sites to develop and test a range of techniques from public participation through to the sustainability appraisals of floodplain management options.

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More information is available on the project website www.floodplains.org.uk Total Budget: 2,108,110.30€ Life Contribution: 1,052,044.45 €

A5.1.16

EU LIFE NATURE PROGRAMME The European Union has allocated approximately 300 million euros tor LIFENature for the period 2000-2004. The specific objective of LIFE-Nature is to contribute to the implementation of Community nature protection legislation.

This includes the EU Birds Directive, the Habitats Directive and in particular the establishment of the Natura 2000 network for the in situ management and conservation of Europe’s most remarkable fauna and flora species and habitats.

A5.1.16.1

Funding Criteria Nature conservation projects which contribute to maintaining or restoring natural habitats and! or species populations to a favourable conservation status within the meaning of the Habitats Directive are eligible for LIFENature. Projects must concern Special Protection Areas or Sites of Community Importance and the species listed in these Directives.

How to apply Administrated in the UK by: European Wildlife Division, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs: -

Mr. Eddie O’Sullivan Zone 1/07 Temple Quay House 2 The Square Temple Quay Bristol BS1 6EB Fax 0117 372 8340/372 8119 Email Eddie.OSullivan@defra.gsi.gov.uk Box 5.3 gives an example of a recent UK project supported by LIFE-Nature.

Box 5.3

EU Life Nature Project Example - Caledonian Partnership, 2001-2005

Project Background The project targets two priority woodland habitat types of Community importance: TilioAcerion forests, alluvial forests, and one endemic to the British Isles: Old oak woods. Altogether 12 sites have been chosen for the project scattered throughout Scotland. They represent the best examples of their habitat but nevertheless, due to a lack of awareness of their conservation value, they have all suffered from insufficient or insensitive management. Particular threats include invasion by Rhododendron ponticum; displacement of native species by planted or

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invasive exotics, a high level of grazing which limits regeneration and a general lack of positive management sometimes exacerbated by multiple ownership of sites.

Project Objectives The project will undertake immediate measures to remove or mitigate these threats.

Landowners and management staff will be encouraged to undertake work, or mobilise contractors, develop management plans, remove exotics, repair and establish fencing, and to carry out necessary structural modifications to promote regeneration. At the end of the project it is expected that all sites will be brought back up to a favourable condition and that the natural forest resources will have been expanded over 350ha of land immediately adjacent to the SCIs. An innovative tripartite approach to funding these activities will also be developed involving the Forestry Commission’s Woodland Grant Scheme (WSG), Scottish Natural Heritage’s budget and LIFE. In the case of private land this will be able to cover the costs of one-off intensive restoration work to kick start the process of restoration, for instance for Rhododendron which can be a very expensive undertaking. Subsequent long-term maintenance can then be funded through specific initiatives under the new Rural Development Plan for Scotland. Thus, the project will act as an effective pump primer for longer-term conservation through other EU funding mechanisms wherever appropriate.

Project Administration Total Budget: 3,186,358.00€ Life Contribution: 1,274,543.00 €

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HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND The Heritage Lottery fund is one of the distributing bodies of the revenues raised from the National Lottery. From every pound spent on a lottery ticket, 28p goes to good causes, and the Heritage Lottery distributes 4.66p of this to projects involving the local, regional and national heritage of the United Kingdom.

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Funding Criteria Funding is available for projects that involve: • Building repairs and conservation work • Buying items, land or buildings which are important to our heritage • Making it easier for people to gain access to and enrich their experience in heritage.

In addition, the Heritage Lottery Fund supports activities that: • • • •

Are designed to increase learning about our heritage, for people of all ages and backgrounds Aim to widen participation especially from people who have not been involved in heritage before, and disadvantaged groups Increase popular involvement in recording and conserving heritage Involve volunteers and the local community in our heritage.

Funding is available for projects being undertaken in the UK only.

An example of an environmental project that has received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund is given in Box 1.4.

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How to apply Full details of the application procedure are at: http:/ /www.hlf.org.uk/cgi-bin/hlfframemast.pl?K=30&S=EI

Heritage Lottery Fund North West Office 9th Floor, 82 King Street, Manchester, M2 4WQ Tel 0161 831 0850 Fax 0161 831 0851 Central Office: Tel 020 7591 6042 Fax 020 7591 6271 enquire@hlf.org.uk www.hlf.org.uk Box 5.4

Heritage Lottery Project Example – Toby’s Hill Nature Reserve Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust received £29,179 in February 1997 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the purchase of Toby’s Hill reserve area, near St. Helens in Lincolnshire. Toby’s Hill is a remnant of a 700-year old dune system, which was separated from the present-day coastline by 19th century land reclamation. The reserve is named after the main hill, possibly the highest dune summit on the Lincolnshire coast; it is believed to have been artificially raised to improve its use as a war-time watchpoint / beacon site. The reserve is largely dune grassland with scrub and is of considerable botanical interest. The common grassland butterflies are all found on the reserve in very good numbers and there is a large breeding population of ‘garden’ birds.

The site had been protected from recreation or development damage but due to the lack of appropriate management, the nature conservation interest had been declining with the grassland largely dominated by coarse grasses and the area of scrub steadily increasing. The Trust now manages the reserve with the aim of enhancing floral diversity; grazing has been reintroduced and the amount of scrub is reduced. Small shallow scrapes have been excavated and some of these will be managed to encourage breeding by Natterjack toads, which already occur on the nearby Saltfleetby Dunes NNR.

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COALFIELDS REGENERATION TRUST The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is an independent grant making body registered with the Charity Commissioners and dedicated exclusively to the regeneration of our coalfield communities.

Since its launch in 1999, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust has become a key agency promoting and achieving social and economic regeneration in the coalfield communities of England, Scotland and Wales.

Following a successful first round, the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) has given a further £45 million for the Trust to continue its work in England’s most hard-hit coalfield areas.

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Funding Criteria The Trust has supported initiatives which help to restore healthy and prosperous communities such as Credit Unions, schemes to support training and jobs including intermediate labour market schemes, community and resource centres and projects which tackle health issues and financial exclusion.

How to apply Kate Williams Regeneration Manager NW Coalfields Regeneration Trust Bold Business Centre Bold Lane Sutton St Helens WA9 4TX Tel 01925 222066 Fax 01925 222047 Email katew@coalfields-regen.org.uk Web www.coalfields-regen.org.uk

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BTCV - PEOPLE’S PLACES BTCV’s People’s Places grant programme is run in partnership with English Nature and supported by Rio Tinto. BTCV will award grants to support the creation and renovation of green spaces across England.

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Funding Criteria Applications are welcome from projects actively involving people from the local community, especially in disadvantaged areas with little or no access to green space. BTCV can offer support to guide groups through the application process and provide training to help groups plan projects that can improve the local environment.

BTCV will make 1,000 grant awards ranging from £3,000 to £10,000 over five years.

How to apply Contact details: BTCV, People’s Places Award Unit, 36 St Mary’s Street, Wallingford OX1O OEU. For an application pack t: 01491 821 600 e: information@btcv.org.uk.

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THE GRANADA TRUST

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Funding Criteria This new trust gives grants to registered charities of between £100 to £5,000 for community development; Tourism, Arts and arts facilities, conservation and the environment; education, training and job creation; and for children and young adults.

How to apply Applications in writing (a two page letter only) to: Mrs H. Tautz Assistant Secretary The Granada Trust Stornoway House 13 Cleveland Row London SW1A 1GG. Tel 020 7451 6425 Fax 020 7451 3026 Email htautz@granada.co.uk.

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ESMEE FAIRBAIRN FOUNDATION

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Funding Criteria Funding is available for environmental projects that: • • • • • • •

Enhance the quality of community life through schemes which favour pedestrians, cyclists and public transport Develop the market in local goods and services and encourage greater consumer awareness of the implications of their choices Improve and care for urban open space for wildlife and the public Encourage resource efficiency, including more recycling within an overall reduction in waste, and reduced production of greenhouse gases Protect UK species and their habitats under threat or in decline Encourage land husbandry and policies that supports balanced, less intensive land use Conserve of the marine environment and promote sustainable fisheries.

Funding is available under the Small Grants Scheme (up to £5,000) or the Large Grants Scheme (over £5,000). The largest award is £250,000.

Applicant groups need not be registered as a charity, but must have charitable purposes.

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How to apply More information is available on the website.

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation 11 Park Place London SW1A1LP Telephone 020 7297 4700 Fax 020 7294 4701 Email info@esmeefairbairn.org.uk Web Site www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk A5.1.21.2

Example Project Box 5.5 gives an example of a project that has benefited from the support of the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

Box 5.5

Esmee Fairbairn Project Example – Community Recycling Network The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation awarded the Community Recycling Network £52,940 in 2001 towards salaries for core staff, to provide the community waste sector with on-going coordination and representation, particularly to maximise take-up of new funding opportunities.

The Community Recycling Network is a membership organisation promoting communitybased sustainable waste management as a practical and effective way of tackling the UK’s growing waste problem.

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WOODROFFE BENTON FOUNDATION Between £100,000 and £150,000 is allocated by this foundation each year. Of its four stated preferences for grant-aid there is ‘the conservation and improvement of the environment with an emphasis on public access’ or ‘support of people who are disadvantaged by social, economic or medical circumstances’.

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Funding Criteria Organisations that are registered charities and/or operate primarily in the UK are eligible, but local ‘branches’ of a national organisation are not.

The average grant amounts are between £500 to £1,000 and rarely exceeds £2,000. Decisions are made quarterly by the trustees.

How to apply For an application form and guidance notes contact: Woodroffe Benton Foundation 16 Fernleigh Court Harrow ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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Middlesex HA2 6NA Tel 020 8421 4120 Email alan.king3@which.net Enclose a stamp addressed envelope when you return the completed application form and do not send any other supporting documentation eg business plan, accounts, newsletters, plans, etc.

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SHELL BETTER BRITAIN CAMPAIGN The Shell Better Britain Campaign aims to support community groups who are working to improve the quality of life in their neighbourhood.

Free membership of the Campaign’s Network gives access to an introductory information pack, a regular newsletter, information sheets on a range of topics and project profiles. Grants of up to £2,000 are available to support community based environmental projects.

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Funding Criteria The Shell Better Britain Campaign awards grants (of up to £2000) to a large number of community projects each year that meet the following criteria: • • •

Projects that are led by the local community Projects that make a positive difference to the local environment Projects that address wider environmental issues Projects that help to bring the community closer together

Any community-based group can apply.

How to apply For a copy of the information pack contact: Shell Better Britain Campaign King Edward House 135a New Street Birmingham B2 40J Email enquiries@sbbc.co.uk Web Site www.sbbc.co.uk A5.1.23.2

Example Project Boxes 5.6 and 5.7 provide examples of projects the Shell Better Britain Campaign has supported.

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Box 5.6

Shell Better Britain Project Example - Brockwell Community Greenhouses Brockwell Community Greenhouses received £1700 from Shell Better Britain in December 2002 towards the further development of the Brockwell Park community food growing site in Lambeth. Over the last five years the volunteers have restored greenhouses and created a vegetable and fruit-growing area on a formerly derelict and fly-tipped site. Their future plans include a wildlife area with a pond and bog garden to encourage more beneficial wildlife onto the site.

Box 5.7

Shell Better Britain Project Example - Workwise Project Recycling Team Workwise Recycling in Kent received £1500 from Shell Better Britain in June 2002 towards the purchase of containers and protective clothing which will assist the team with their aluminium can recycling project based at Cavendish Road, Herne Bay. This is one of a number of enterprises set up by the Shaw Trust, a national charity which provides work skills and training for disadvantaged people. The team of eight local people are already collecting around 2 tons of cans a month from businesses, hospitals and leisure centres in the area and they aim to expand this with the help of the new equipment.

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TRIODOS BANK

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Criteria Triodos lends money at competitive rates and terms only to businesses, projects and charitable initiatives that deliver social and environmental benefits. It has deposits from corporate businesses and individuals, mainly in the form of saver accounts and ISAs, totalling £170 million and currently has lending worth £60 million. It aims to be at least 70% lent (now just over 30%) and so has considerable capacity to lend more, but has difficulty in finding ‘bankable projects’ that meet its investment criteria and credit analysis.

Loan applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis to analyse a project’s social and environmental ‘added value’ alongside its financial performance.

Triodos will lend against grants to projects from third parties, using a grant as the equity component to reduce gearing on the loan. This means that grant aid from EU, RDA or English Nature could qualify as equity/collateral for a project loan.

Social venture current account enquiries - 0800 328 2181 How to apply Apply for an account or a loan: Triodos Bank Brunel House 11 The Promenade Bristol BS8 3NN ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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Tel 0117 973 9339 Email mail@triodos.co.uk Web www.triodos.co.uk The approach of the Co-operative Bank is guided by the principles of the cooperative movement, and their ethical policy. The bank offers a Community Direct account that is tailored to the needs of community organisations.

How to apply The Co-operative Bank p.l.c.

P0 Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP Community Direct Account Enquiries 0800 764 764 Customer Services Tel 08457 212 212 Email customerservice@co-operativebank.co.uk Web www.co-operativebank.co.uk.

Loans are also available to banking customers — further details of interest rates at: http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/business/interestrates_loans.html

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HANSON ENVIRONMENT FUND The Hanson Environment Fund will fund projects within 10 miles of Hanson operations only.

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Funding Criteria The fund offers two levels of support; Community Grants Scheme - grants between £250 and £4,000 for community amenities, wildlife and habitat conservation and the promotion and instigation of recycling and re-use of waste; or Main Grants Scheme - grants between £4,001 and £25,000 for the introduction for the introduction of local recycling and re-use of waste, and the creation and improvement of parks and public amenities.

How to apply For more information or an application form contact Royal Society for Nature Conservation on 0870 036 1000 or Hanson Environmental Fund: http://www.hansonenvfund.org

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BIFFAWARD The aim of Biffaward is to support schemes and projects that will be of lasting environmental benefit by accelerating sustainable waste management practices and by improving community in areas within 10 miles of a Biffa waste management operation.

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Funding criteria The guiding principle behind Biffaward’s strategy for giving is ‘sustainability’, a concept embracing social, economic and environmental factors. The Royal Society for Nature Conservation (RSNC) manages these funds from Landfill Tax Credits for Biffa.

Projects must address either: sustainable waste management through research, educational or recycling/re-use initiatives to reduce the amount of landfill; or improvement of community facilities including buildings and open spaces.

How to apply To find out more about funding for green spaces under this initiative visit the website www.biffaward.org

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