AMENITIES COMMITTEE MEETING AT NEW MILTON TOWN HALL, ASHLEY ROAD, NEW MILTON ON MONDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER AT 7.30 P.M.

ALL USERS OF THE LONG MEADOW AND RESIDENTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE WILL BE A PRESENTATION BY THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY REGARDING THE PROPOSED STREAM RESTORATION OF THE BECTON BUNNY.  THIS WILL INVOLVE RESULTS OF THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION HELD AT THE SEA SCOUT HUT ON 24TH AUGUST 2013 AND WILL THEN BE VOTED ON BY THE AMENITIES COMMITTEE AS TO WHETHER THEY WILL AGREE IN PRINCIPLE AND COMMIT TO THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY PROCEEDING TO THE NEXT STAGE.

IT WILL BE GREAT TO SEE AS MANY RESIDENTS AND USERS OF THE LONG MEADOW COME ALONG.

The residents of New Milton & Barton on Sea are invited to 

An Evening Talk


on Thursday 26th September 2013

at

Barton Methodist Church, Sea Road, Barton on Sea

6 - 7 p.m.

"RESTORATION OF THE BECTON BUNNY FOR PEOPLE & WILDLIFE"

by Dr. Naomi Ewald

In partnership with the New Forest Land Advice Service and on behalf of the New Forest Catchment Project

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• Understanding why there is a need to improve the Becton Bunny.
• How the Becton Bunny would be restored.
• How you can be involved in the process.

 PLEASE COME & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS AS THIS PROPOSED PROJECT INVOLVES ALL USERS OF THE LONG MEADOW - ALL WELCOME 



 

LONG MEADOW COMMUNITY GROUP
together with Barton Sea Scouts and The Friendly Dog Club

are holding a combined:

LONG MEADOW GRAND FAYRE

on SATURDAY 21st September 2013

from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Can you spare half an our or more either to:

1.  Assist in erecting stalls and marquees before 11 a.m.
2.  Support with manning of the stalls
3.  Selling Raffle Tickets
4.  Bake a cake for the cake stall

Your support & assistance will make all the difference to the success of this Fayre.
Please contact 01425 610630 if you are able to help.

Grand Fayre at Long Meadow on 21 September

Long Meadow in August Focus magazine

THE LONG MEADOW COMMUNITY GROUP'S MAIN QUESTION REGARDING THE PROPOSAL FROM THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY WITH REGARD TO THE STREAM RESTORATION OF BECTON BUNNY IN THE LONG MEADOW IS THAT WITHOUT TACKLING THE MAIN WATER POLLUTION AT SOURCE I.E. ROAD RUN OFF, IS THIS MODIFICATION GOING TO SOLVE THE POOR QUALITY IN THE BECTON BUNNY?
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ARTICLE IN THE AUGUST "FOCUS"

“Following the recent article in FOCUS and a presentation by the Environment Agency at the Amenities Committee, it is understood that local residents have a concern on these draft proposals.  The Environment Agency, facilitated by the Council, will be carrying out a public consultation during the last week of August.  The date will be published in the local press and it is hoped the venue will be the Scout Hut at Long Meadow.

To address some of the questions that have been asked:

The Becton Bunny has been extensively modified in the past, most noticeably, within Long Meadow where the Bunny now flows in a straight channel whereas it once meandered across the field.  These modifications have affected the quality of wildlife habitats, a situation, which has to be addressed in line with Water Framework Directive legislation.

At the moment, during and after heavy rain the stream water levels rise quickly.  By reinstating meanders (bends) the channel length will be increased significantly, providing more space for the same quantity of water to be stored and allowing it to flow more naturally.  The meanders (and vegetation to be planted) will also slow the water down as it moves downstream.  Grading the river banks will also increase storage capacity and reduce flooding risk.  A flood risk assessment for all of the proposed works will be taken before anything is done.

A geotechnical assessment of the ground conditions will also be undertaken before work is started, ensuring that there will be no risk of property subsidence due to excavations at Long Meadow.

There may be a short period of time where some areas of Long Meadow will be closed to the public, due to the safety implications of large machinery operating on site.  It is hoped much of the other works, such as planting, will be carried out by local volunteers, with full public access maintained.  Through on going water quality testing, the aim is to identify some of the causes of stream pollution.  This, together with the realignment and planting, will provide a much better habitat for nature and for enjoyment by the community. 

With regard to the new route of the stream, there are some restrictions due to existing infrastructure such as sewerage and water pipes.  Old maps, etc. will be studied to replicate the historic channel route as far as possible.  The proposed new route will incorporate both the existing willow trees and bridges on Long Meadow.                                                                        Councillor Geoff Blunden – Chairman of TC Amenities Committee

THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY, FACILITATED BY THE COUNCIL, WILL BE CARRYING OUT A PUBLIC CONSULTATION  AT THE SEA SCOUT HUT ON LONG MEADOW ON SATURDAY 24^TH AUGUST BETWEEN 10 am - 5 pm

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IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING PLEASE ATTEND AS THERE WILL BE A QUESTIONNAIRE TO COMPLETE AND IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE EVALUATION OF THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION IS TRULY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY’S VIEW AND THEIR CONSIDERED OPINION ON THE PROPOSAL.

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If you are unable to attend the meeting or download the form online on the Environment Agency website and you wish to complete a questionnaire please contact 01425 610630

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WATCH THIS SPACE - DATE AND TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED.

Public Consultation Meeting at Sea Scout Hut, Long Meadow VERY SOON led by the Environment Agency.

To discuss and answer any questions raised regarding the proposal by the Environment Agency to meander the Becton Bunny stream flowing through the Long Meadow.  If you want to know what is happening please attend as it is important for all residents and users of the Long Meadow to be aware of the possible changes proposed that are imminent.

Stream Restoration in Long Meadow, Barton on Sea

Article featured in the "Focus" July 2013

Fears of flooding and erosion were raised as plans to restore the historic watercourse through Barton were unveiled.  In a presentation to the Town Council's Amenities Committee, Environment Agency officers explained how they intend to restore Becton Bunny.  The stream which flows into the sea near Barton Golf Course has apparently failed to meet required standards.  One of the criticisms is that, at its Long Meadow point, the channel is too straight and the banks too steep.  Measures which could be taken to bring it up to standard include meandering its course to slow the flow at intervals, adding vegetation and making it more habitable for wildlife.  The Long Meadow area of the Bunny also supports a limited number of invertebrates and types of vegetation .  To help encourage greater biodiversity, deeper, calmer areas of water are needed on the outside edges and shallower faster flowing areas.  However, there is concern that meandering the stream and removing concrete bank supports could result in Long Meadow being flooded along with homes in Mitchell Close.  But it was argued that widening the channel through the Meadow would reduce that risk.  It was emphasised at the meeting that no work would be carried out until extensive checks are made to ensure no flooding would be created.  Cost would be in tens of thousands of pounds.  Whilst opinion was that the matter should be left in the hands of the "experts", Councillor Beck made a proposal backed by the committee that a detailed professional appraisal should be carried out as well as a public consultation.

LONG MEADOW SURVEY WORKSHOP

FOR MEMBERS OF LONG MEADOW COMMUNITY GROUP AND RESIDENTS

THURSDAY 27TH JUNE 2013 

Angela Peters the New Forest National Park Community Wildlife Plans Project Officer will be leading this survey workshop on Thursday 27th June 2013  to look at the uncut areas and do a wildflower survey.  We can record the species and discuss the present state of the Long Meadow and any tweaking to the cutting regime that may be needed.

The session will commence at the usual meeting place at Becton Lane Car Park at 10.30 and will run to about 13.00/13.30.

It would be great if members of the Long Meadow Community Group  and residents who live on or around the  Long Meadow joined us on the day.

If you wish to reserve your place please contact us on contact@longmeadowcommunitygroup.co.uk