Presentation from Kathryn Hardcastle of the Nene Valley Regional Park CIC on how they developed their catchment management plan.

1. Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan pilot study
In March 2011, Richard Benyon, Minister for Natural
Environment and Fisheries, announced that these pilots
should:
• Provide a clear understanding of the issues in the catchment
•Involve local communities in decision-making by sharing
evidence and listening to their ideas
•Work out priorities for action and
•Seek to deliver integrated actions that address local issues, in
a cost effective way, to protect local resources

2. Nene Integrated Catchment Management
pilot study area

3. Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan pilot study
outline methodology for engagement
• Draw together existing information
• Identify relevant studies, strategies, policies and plans
• Identify major initiatives
• Identify key partners and stakeholders
• Adopt a bottom up approach to engagement
• Establish initial issues and priorities

4. The Nene Valley
Strategic Plan

7. Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan pilot study
issues in the Nene catchment area
• Growth and development (good ecological status and no
deterioration a major challenge with proposed scale of growth)
• Mineral extraction
• Water abstraction & sewage treatment discharge
• Nature conservation – Upper Nene Gravel Pits SPA/SSSI
• River modification
• Rural areas - largely addressed through CSF, Revital-ISE & NIA

9. A need to focus on urban areas under pressure

10. Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan pilot study
outline of urban plan preparation
• Engage partners and stakeholders on urban walkovers
• Draw together organisations that might not otherwise meet
• Provide opportunity for stakeholders to access waterside sites
• Outline key issues and provide an open forum
• Provide opportunities for questions, input and suggestions
• Record comments, map proposals and photograph
• Prepare maps showing key issues and proposals

13. Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan pilot study
Lessons learned
• A dedicated lead / co-ordination role is essential
• Engagement must start early and be ongoing
• Local authorities and regulators need to be on board
• Important to have a shared vision
• Partnership working is more than the sum of its parts
• Resources go further when shared
• Shared information increases opportunities for wider action

14. Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan
into Catchment Partnership
• Undertake more detailed and widespread engagement
• Working towards the formation of the Partnership under the
umbrella of the Local Nature Partnership
• Initial Integrated Catchment Plan to be formally adopted by LAs,
and the Leadership Group (& partners)
• Embed NICMP in planning process
• Catchment Partnership to undertake a prioritisation process for
the proposed projects
• Achieve good ecological status for catchment
• Secure social, economic and environmental benefits