Land Drainage

2006-03-272006-04-18NR172BPThe District of Breckland1.01810252.516377NR17 2BPTSO (The Stationery Office), St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1PD, 01603 622211, customer.services@tso.co.uk57958119119

East Harling Internal Drainage Board

THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (LAND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS) REGULATIONS 1999
KENNINGHALL AND BANHAM FENS WITH QUIDENHAM MERE SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

The East Harling Internal Drainage Board gives notice that it proposes to carry out works to Kenninghall and Banham Fens with Quidenham Mere Site of Special Scientific Interest. The works are required for the implementation of the Water Level Management Plan prepared by the East Harling Internal Drainage Board. The aims of the plan are to: Raise and maintain water levels on Banham Fen to provide target water level regime for swamp reed and sedge communities. Improve water levels of Kenninghall Fen to provide target water level regime for mire communities. Maintain high water levels in Quidenham Mere during the summer, while preventing flood conditions in winter. The proposed works will involve the following: Install a system of adjustable sluices and dams in Banham Fen to capture water arising from high land, raise water levels and feed water into the Mere. Widen the River Wittle delta at the entrance and exit to the Mere to assist in the discharge of winter flows. Remove remains of the abandoned sheet pile dam across the mouth of the channel out of the Mere. Provide a sluice on the River Wittle channel downstream from the Boathouse channel outlet to the River Wittle with a fixed spill level of 24.7 metres AOD, and adjustable boards to allow for raising summer water levels. Increase the capacity of the River Wittle to assist in the discharge of winter flows and reduce water levels in the Mere during the winter months. Remove the pipe in the creek leading from the Mere boathouse to the River Wittle to assist with discharge of winter flows. The East Harling Internal Drainage Board considers that the improvement works are not likely to have significant detrimental effects on the environment. Copies of the Water Level Management Plan and associated reports can be inspected during normal working hours at the Board’s offices at the address given below. Any person wishing to make representations in relation to the likely environmental effects of the proposed improvement works should do so in writing to the address specified below, within 28 days of the date of publication of this notice. C D Wright, Clerk, East Harling Internal Drainage Board, Greenland Houchen, The Pines, Connaught Road, Attleborough NR17 2BP. 27 March 2006.