Consultation Summary咨询总结

1、.Great Fen Masterplan Consultation ReportPublished 3 September 2010Executive SummaryThe Great Fen is one of the most important wildlife restoration projects ever undertaken in Britain. The Great Fen partners are committed to ensuring that the Great Fen delivers many benefits across the region, inclu

2、ding environmental, health, recreation and economic benefits. In order to achieve these outcomes and make effective planning decisions, the partners established the need for a Masterplan document, illustrating the partners vision for a range of features for the Great Fen Project area, including:

3、83; habitats and land management; · access zoning; · flood risk management area(s); · visitor facilities; · activity and recreation hubs; · signage and interpretation; · access links to surrounding communities; and· links to local attractions and amenitiesPhase 1:

4、Development of the first draft This report includes key findings from the Phase 1 (April to May 2009) consultation with key stakeholders, which was used to inform the development of the first draft of the Masterplan (produced by LDA Design, working on behalf of the Great Fen Project partners). Phase

5、 2: Public consultationThe first draft was then taken to consultation with the general public and stakeholder organisations between September and October 2009, to get further comments and feedback. The key findings of the Phase 2 consultation are also included in this report.Key findings from the in

6、itial Phase 1 consultation with stakeholders can be summarised as follows: Habitats and land managementThere was general support for the habitats proposed for the Project area. In Phase 1 there was a concern that all habitats were not represented in Zone 1 (quiet area, very limited access). The orie

7、ntation of Zone 1 was changed to accommodate this.Access zoningAccess zoning was viewed as a good way of managing people and wildlife, although it was suggested that the wilderness area could be extended south, and it was raised that access from the north was not direct (i.e. needed to go around Zon

8、e 1). Zone 1 was adapted in shape to incorporate more habitats and to provide better access.Visitor facilitiesThe proposed location of central new visitor facilities was supported overall, though the boating community were concerned about no access via waterway up to and from this site. Visitor hubs

9、 and other facilitiesThere was a strong feeling across groups that visitor hubs with possible parking and multi-modal forms of access into the project area could be created, which would also provide economic opportunities in terms of increased tourism and entrepreneurial opportunitiesThere was also

10、a strong feeling that raised viewing should be provided over the project area, for example, through tower hides or through more innovative means, such as treetop walks. These sorts of options will be considered in the futureA range of activities were proposed, including: boat, canoe and punt hire; c

11、ycling; angling; walking and dog walking; wildlife watching in both the traditional and in innovative senses; pony trekking; corporate team building and education; camping and caravanning, including wilderness camping or barn accommodation; ballooning; natural swimming; and game shootingThe need for

12、 phasing visitor facilities, access and activities was highlighted. Now that the Masterplan has been published, the partners are working on an action plan to identify priorities and phases to implement it.ParkingIt was proposed that parking within the Great Fen area be kept to the main visitor facil

13、ities for security and income generation reasons. Within the Great Fen area, the partners have done this. Extra parking provision outside the project area will be available at visitor hubs, to encourage use of local facilities such as pubs, shops, and restaurants.Access links to surrounding communit

14、iesA range of access improvements were suggested for the Great Fen area, centring on a multi-use network of circular paths and routes from surrounding communities and the visitor centre, with the potential for additional single use/ different surfaced/ ephemeral paths extending from these. There was

15、 a suggestion for a variety of access routes, including a linear PRoW route through the project linking to the Peterborough Green Wheel, a link to Ramsey using the old railway line, and suggestions for diverting existing PRoW to enable a wading area to develop west of Woodwalton Fen. These suggestio

16、ns have been incorporated. Locations for moorings and a turning point were suggested on New Dyke. These have been incorporated into the final Masterplan.Local attractions and amenitiesA list of existing access, amenities and services were suggested for inclusion on the map. activity and recreation h

17、ubs. These were included wherever possible.PromotionOpportunities for joint marketing and promotion was provided, particular with surrounding heritage facilities, and promotion that could be viewed from the railway lineBusiness and TourismThe business and tourism specialists felt that there were man

18、y opportunities for increased business and tourism in the area. It was pointed out that both summer and winter activities need to be provided to encourage visits all year round. It was also highlighted that overnight stays generate the most revenue for the local area.Key findings from the Phase 2 pu

19、blic consultation can be summarised as follows:Visitor CentreThe proposed new visitor centre and facilities were a very popular aspect of the Masterplan. There were many suggestions for potential activities and facilities to attract a range of users, including walking trails, wildlife and history ev

20、ents, boat rides, cycle hire, and natural adventure areas. The Great Fen will be looking into these ideas further as plans for the visitor centre progress.Improved access routesThere was a good response from the public to improved access routes suggested in the Great Fen and from local villages and

21、towns, with particular support for links from the Peterborough Green Wheel, off road routes, circular routes and the circular walking and cycling route from Ramsey.In response to conversations with local horse-riders, there will be more provision of bridleways planned in the Great Fen area, includin

22、g a north-south link through the centre of the project area.Some people suggested separate provision for dog walkers, and others suggested dog activity areas. The partners put forward the idea of a mixture of routes: green (dogs off leads), amber (dogs under close control/ on leads) and red (no dogs

23、) routes to accommodate a wide range of users.TrafficA number of solutions were also put forward by the public as to how to reduce the impact of traffic to the visitor centre, for example, through linking with local community transport schemes and public transport. The Great Fen team will be looking

24、 into these solutions over the coming years. Concerns over peoples impact on wildlifeThere was a common concern that people could have a negative impact on wildlife which will be addressed by having different access zones, with some very quiet areas for wildlife, and some very busy areas, like the v

25、isitor centre and its surrounding facilities.Concerns about loss of intensive agricultureThere were consultees who were concerned about taking productive land out of intensive agricultural production. Others were concerned that the Great Fen needed to provide better information to the public on this

26、 issue. It was also suggested that the story of farming, and its importance, could be included as part of Great Fen work with schools and the community. The Great Fen education and community team are already taking these suggestions forward.The partners highlight that aim of the project is to provid

27、e many different benefits for the area, including a large recreation space, a place for endangered and threatened wildlife, and a boost to the local economy, business and tourism. It will also help to protect surrounding farmland, towns and villages from flooding during heavy rainfall, by provide ne

28、w areas to store floodwater. Arable farming of root vegetables have been very successful in the fens because of the rich peat soils, but tilling the soils causes the peat to erode away. In some areas it has already disappeared forever. By providing natural plant cover, the Great Fen will stop this p

29、eat loss. Although the land will not be used for intensive vegetable crops, there will still be produce from the land of the Great Fen in the future, such as conservation grade beef, reed for thatching (most of which is currently imported) and even potentially sustainable biofuel. PromotionA number

30、of people felt that promotion of the Great Fen needed to be increased throughout the local area, as it was felt that many people still didnt know about the project. The team now has the capacity to do much more promotion and asks people to continue to feedback possible outlets where they could put u

31、p posters about events in the local area. OtherSome updates to the map were highlighted such as missing Bed and Breakfasts, which have been added and amended.Stakeholders suggested a range of amendments and additions to the text in the Masterplan report, including emphasising the importance of farmi

32、ng, and adding information on heritage and archaeologyThis report was produced by the Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Great Fen Project partners (Environment Agency; Huntingdonshire District Council; Middle Level Commissioners; Natural England; and the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire

33、, Northamptonshire and Peterborough) with input from LDA Design.GlossaryBHSBritish Horse SocietyCCCCambridgeshire County CouncilCLAFCambridgeshire Local Access ForumEEDAEast of England Development AgencyGOBAGreat Ouse Boating AssociationHDCHuntingdonshire District CouncilIWAInland Waterways Associat

34、ionNNRNational Nature ReservePCCPeterborough City CouncilPRoW/RoW Public Rights of Waythe partnersthe Great Fen Project partners (Environment Agency;Huntingdonshire District Council; Middle Level Commissioners; Natural England; and the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshir

35、e and Peterborough)the Projectthe Great Fen ProjectThe Wildlife TrustThe Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and PeterboroughContents1. Background81.1 The Great Fen Project81.2 The Masterplan process81.3 Previous consultation91.4 Phase 1 of the Masterplan consultation (

36、April-May 2009)101.5 Phase 2 of the Masterplan consultation (September-October 2009)101.6 Further consultation from 2010122. Phase 1 consultation summary132.1 Habitats and Land Management132.2 Flood risk management162.3 Access zones172.4 Existing access202.5 Existing activity areas212.6 Existing ame

37、nities and services222.7 Visitor facilities232.7.1 Visitor facilities at Ramsey Heights Countryside Classroom and Nature Reserve232.7.2 Visitor facilities at Woodwalton Fen NNR232.7.3 Visitor facilities at Holme Fen National Nature Reserve232.7.4 Timescale for introduction of new visitor facilities

38、at New Decoy232.7.5 New visitor centre and surrounding facilities242.7.6 Visitor projections252.7.7 Visitor gateways and local village based facilities262.8 Access to and within the Great Fen Project area272.8.1 General access and management issues27Access for people with disabilities (see also sect

39、ion 2.7.5 New visitor centre and surrounding facilities)282.8.2 Roads and car parking292.8.3 Footpaths, cycleways and bridleways312.8.4 Waterways and moorings352.8.5 Public transport links372.8.6 Panoramic views and raised viewpoints372.8.7 Information, signage and interpretation382.9 Activity provi

40、sion392.9.1 Boat, canoe or punt hire392.9.2 Cycle hire392.9.3 Horse riding392.9.4 Angling402.9.5 Wildlife Watching402.9.6 Walking and dog walking412.9.7 Camping and caravanning422.9.8 Teambuilding and educational activities422.9.9 Additional suggestions for activities and attractions432.10 Education

41、, training and volunteering442.11 Social, economic and tourism considerations442.12 Partnerships, marketing and promotion462.13 Phasing and delivery472.14 Public perception, involvement and future consultations473. Phase 2 consultation summary493.1 Habitats and Land Management493.2 Flood risk manage

42、ment513.3 Access zones523.4 Existing access533.5 Existing amenities and services533.6 Visitor facilities543.6.1 Visitor facilities at Ramsey Heights Countryside Classroom and Nature Reserve543.6.2 Visitor facilities at Woodwalton Fen NNR543.6.3 Visitor facilities at Holme Fen National Nature Reserve

43、543.6.4 Timescale for introduction of new visitor facilities at New Decoy553.6.5 New visitor centre and surrounding facilities553.6.6 Visitor projections573.6.7 Visitor gateways and local village based facilities573.7 Access to and within the Great Fen Project area583.7.1 General access and manageme

44、nt issues58Access for people with disabilities (see also section 3.7.5 New visitor centre and surrounding facilities)583.7.2 Roads and car parking603.7.3 Footpaths, cycleways and bridleways623.7.4 Waterways and moorings693.7.5 Public transport links703.7.6 Panoramic views and raised viewpoints703.7.

45、7 Information, signage and interpretation713.8 Activity provision713.8.1 Boat, canoe or punt hire713.8.2 Cycle hire and biking activities713.8.3 Horse riding723.8.4 Fishing723.8.5 Local wildlife723.8.6 Walking and dog walking733.8.7 Discovering local history733.8.8 Camping and caravanning733.8.9 Pic

46、nic areas743.8.10 Play facilities and adventure activities743.8.11 Events and activities743.8.12 Arts753.8.13 Visiting local shops/ pubs/ cafes753.8.14 Visiting churches and museums753.8.15 Bring friends and family753.8.16 Additional suggestions for activities and attractions763.9 Education, trainin

47、g and volunteering773.10 Funding783.11 Social, economic and tourism considerations793.12 Partnerships, marketing and promotion793.13 Phasing and delivery803.14 Public perception, involvement and future consultations811. Background1.1 The Great Fen Project The vision statement for the Great Fen Proje

48、ct is as follows:"The Great Fen Project Vision: A restored fenland landscape providing a rich variety of habitats for people and wildlife, now and in the future".The Great Fen Project, born out of concern for the future of two National Nature Reserves, Holme Fen and Woodwalton Fen, is an a

49、mbitious 50 year vision to bring into nature conservation management approximately 9,000 acres of land. The project will create fenland habitats on a landscape scale, for the benefit of both wildlife and people. The Great Fen Project will safeguard the integrity of nationally and internationally imp

50、ortant nature conservation sites, and be a major boost to the achievement of key local and national Biodiversity Action Plan targets for both habitats and species.The Great Fen partners have established the following aims:Nature Conservation: to create a resilient and sustainable wetland habitat;Cou

51、ntryside Access: to provide access to a vast and inspirational wetland wilderness for a wide range of users in an area largely devoid of public footpaths and to transform the area into a significant tourist destination, and thus enhance peoples enjoyment of the natural environment, and particularly

52、of the Great Fen;Environmental Awareness: to actively raise public awareness and knowledge of the environment and environmental challenges and provide opportunities for learning about fenland heritage, helping people develop the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, skills and participation that will sup

53、port conservation of local heritage; andCommunity Benefit and Financial Viability: to contribute to diversification in the local economy, creating opportunities for new jobs and income streams through profitable land management and visitor enterprises and to develop community involvement in the proj

54、ect through volunteering.1.2 The Masterplan processThe Great Fen Project partners have now developed a Masterplan of the Great Fen Project area. The Masterplan process seeks to develop the vision of the Great Fen Project into a physical reality.The Masterplan process has involved the research and an

55、alysis of a wealth of information setting out issues as follows:· The site and its context;· Opportunities and constraints;· Physical features (e.g. drainage, ecology, access, landscape features, environmental and cultural designations);· Socio-economic studies; · Stakeholde

56、r consultation outcomes.Once all of these issues have been considered, a set of aims and objectives are defined which are measurable aspirations which the Masterplan must deliver.The Masterplan is a comprehensive plan which provides an inter-linked solution to what can be achieved on the ground. It

57、is a spatial plan used to guide the long term delivery of the Great Fen Vision and Aims and Objectives.1.3 Previous consultationConsultation with stakeholders has been ongoing since the beginning of the project in 2001. A consultation project was undertaken in Autumn 2007 to find out more about the

58、kinds of access, activities and facilities people would like to see at the Great Fen, as part of development work for the Heritage Lottery Fund project.This consultation included a public survey, stakeholder questionnaire and meetings with key organisations, including representatives of disability groups, Black and Minority E