Agenda item

We received a report regarding a process for awarding grant funding in the setting of the Wye Valley National Landscape.

In doing so, the following information was noted:

·        With increased grant allocations on both the English and Welsh sides of the Wye Valley National Landscape, there is a need for a more systematic, evidence-based approach to funding projects outside the Wye Valley National Landscape where they still further the statutory purpose of conserving and enhancing the outstanding natural beauty of the nationally designated protected landscape.

·        It is proposed that a graded funding system is adopted, where work inside the National Landscape and within 1 km of its boundary receives full support, while eligible projects up to 5km away within the Wye catchment would receive funding based on a 10% reduction per kilometre distance and consequent diminished likely benefit.

·        The process should be reviewed annually and a more generous / less steep gradation (Option B), with 5% reductions per kilometre, could be considered.

·        The main considerations are related to habitat connectivity and improvements to water quality or flow within specific sub-catchment of the Wye, following The Lawton Review (2010) principles of ‘bigger – better – more joined up’.

It was noted that, as more grant funding has become available, the Wye Valley National Landscape Team has received an increasing number of applications for projects located outside the designated landscape boundary. Until now, decisions on these applications have been made on a largely ad hoc basis, depending on the nature of the project and available funding. With growing demand, the Team considered that a clearer and more consistent framework was needed to guide decisions on funding projects beyond the boundary.

Historically, different funding streams have applied different rules. Some schemes have allowed support for projects up to one kilometre outside the National Landscape boundary, while others, such as the Sustainable Development Fund, have focused on whether the majority of the project's benefits would be delivered within the National Landscape. To provide a more structured approach, a mapping system was developed showing a one-kilometre buffer around the boundary, within which projects would continue to receive full grant support. Beyond this zone, additional one-kilometre bands would apply, with grant rates reducing by 10% for each successive band.

The proposed approach also takes account of local geography and catchment boundaries. It was highlighted that some areas beyond the National Landscape remain highly relevant because they form part of tributaries and sub-catchments that feed into the River Wye. Conversely, some areas beyond the boundary drain into the River Severn or the Usk rather than the Wye, meaning that environmental improvements there would contribute less directly to the National Landscape's objectives. The framework is therefore intended to focus limited resources on projects that provide the greatest benefit to the Wye Valley.

The proposed 10% reduction per kilometre is intended as a practical starting point, although a less severe 5% reduction model was also considered. Officers suggested trialling the 10% approach and reviewing its effectiveness. In addition, it was proposed that no more than 10% of the overall grants budget should normally be allocated to projects located beyond the initial one-kilometre buffer. Last year, around 7% of the budget was spent on such projects, making the proposed cap broadly consistent with previous spending patterns.

JAC Members generally welcomed the proposal and considered it a sensible and pragmatic basis for future decisions. However, some suggested refinements. Particular attention was drawn to the Beachley Peninsula, where it was argued that, despite some of the area draining towards the Severn, much of the land still slopes towards the Wye and would benefit from environmental enhancement. It was suggested that reducing funding eligibility in this area may not fully reflect its ecological importance.

Further discussion focused on the potential for projects aimed at improving water quality. It was suggested encouraging successful applicants to undertake citizen science monitoring, particularly on smaller streams that are not regularly monitored by statutory agencies. Such monitoring could help measure the effectiveness of funded projects while expanding local environmental data collection. It was indicated that it could be promoted as part of future grant discussions with applicants.

We resolved to endorse the approach for allowing grants to projects outside, but within the setting of, the Wye Valley National Landscape based on the Option A principle of 10% reductions per kilometre up to a distance of 5km from the boundary within specified sub-catchments of the River Wye.