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V25-162 : RIVER WAVENEY REGENERATION PROJECT

The Director of Community Services reported that the River Waveney Regeneration Project (RWRP) was established from an initiative by a number of angling clubs on the upper stretches of the River Waveney to upgrade that part of the river between Redgrave Fen and Bungay.

From this initial stage where the aim was to bring pressure to bear on the Environment Agency to improve the management of the upper Waveney, the project had grown to encompass other issues including tourism, footpaths, cycling, canoeing and angling amenities.

The project group wanted to see a partnership putting forward applications for funds from the various sources that may be available. To date there had been varying amounts of involvement from the relevant local authorities including Waveney District Council, South Norfolk District Council, Mid Suffolk District Council and the Broads Authority. The principal player was, of course, the Environment Agency, which had the statutory duty to maintain the waterway.

The Environment Agency was currently preparing a feasibility study into relevant parts of the project, and the study would be referred to Leicester University. However, they were not prepared to say whether they would be partners in the application process until the feasibility study had been analysed.

The project had been estimated at a cost in the region of £7m. The project group was currently investigating the formation of a Trust which would become the applicant to the various funding bodies, including the Sports and Heritage National Lottery, European Objective 5b, and the RDC. The Government Office for the Eastern Region had already given advice on the subject of European funding.

The project was at an early stage and was a very complicated one, not least because of the number of landowners that might be involved. To date the Council had been represented at officer level, however, the Director of Community Services felt that member involvement would be useful at this stage.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Whatling be nominated to attend future meetings of the River Waveney Regeneration Project Group, and attendance be authorised as an approved duty.

Volume 25 Minute 162

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