Case study:Restoring the River Mease Catchment - Revision history

Alan Graham at 11:13, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T11:13:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:13, 26 February 2026
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	~~{{Project background~~
	~~\|Project started=2013-09-02~~
	~~\|Works started=2019-06-03~~
	~~\|Total cost category=100 - 500 k€~~
	~~\|Funding sources=Local Planning Authorities, Natural England, The Environment Agency~~
	\|Supplementary funding information=Works have taken place at many locations across the Mease catchment. Capital works have taken place at several sites along the main river and some of the key tributaries. All of the main delivery sites have had monitoring alongside to evidence the work completed, including photography and invertebrate monitoring. Engagement has taken place with farmers and landowners and stakeholders across the entire catchment, seeking to address land use and land management opportunities that trap pollution and naturalise flows, downstream in the main river.
	}}
	~~{{Case study status~~
	~~\|Approval status=Approved~~
	}}

	~~{{Location~~
	~~\|Location=52.70332, -1.52548~~
	}}
	~~{{Case study subcatchment~~
	~~\|Subcatchment=Gilwiskaw Brook from Source to River Mease~~
	}}
	~~\|Project title=Restoring the River Mease Catchment~~
	}}

	{{Project overview		{{Project overview
	\|Status=In progress		\|Status=In progress
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	\|Contact organisation url=www.trentriverstrust.org/		\|Contact organisation url=www.trentriverstrust.org/
	\|Partner organisations=Catchment Sensitive Farming, Derbyshire County Council, Environment Agency, Leicestershire County Council, Lichfield District Council, Natural England, North West Leciestershire District Council, South Derbyshire District Council, Staffordshire County Council		\|Partner organisations=Catchment Sensitive Farming, Derbyshire County Council, Environment Agency, Leicestershire County Council, Lichfield District Council, Natural England, North West Leciestershire District Council, South Derbyshire District Council, Staffordshire County Council
	\|Multi-site=No		\|Multi-site=Yes
	\|Project picture=Mease Meadows		\|Project picture=Mease Meadows
	\|Picture description=Restored reach of River Mease, showing re-profiled riverbank, vegetated buffer and in-channel vegetation.		\|Picture description=Restored reach of River Mease, showing re-profiled riverbank, vegetated buffer and in-channel vegetation.
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	The catchment is dominated by high quality agricultural land and supports an active, productive farming community. Ashby and Measham are the main urban centres. In 1998, the river was designated as an SSSI for its small but nationally important, populations of Spined Loach Cobitis taenia and Bullhead Cottus gobio.		The catchment is dominated by high quality agricultural land and supports an active, productive farming community. Ashby and Measham are the main urban centres. In 1998, the river was designated as an SSSI for its small but nationally important, populations of Spined Loach Cobitis taenia and Bullhead Cottus gobio.

	Like many lowland UK rivers, the Mease had long suffered from habitat loss, flooding, and pollution, particularly phosphate, at a time when food production was the priority. Few people, including the farmers, were aware of the Mease, its fish, or the pressures on its wildlife.		Like many lowland UK rivers, the Mease had long suffered from habitat loss, flooding and pollution, particularly phosphate, at a time when food production was the priority. Few people, including the farmers, were aware of the Mease, its fish, or the pressures on its wildlife.

	The SSSI/SAC designation in 2005 opened up funding that supported land use change and management practices that value nature. From the early 2000s, work began to bring farmers and stakeholders together. The early years were challenging; the protected status was unpopular with many farmers. The partnership strengthened significantly after TRT, and the EA came on board in 2013.		The SSSI/SAC designation in 2005 opened up funding that supported land use change and management practices that value nature. From the early 2000s, work began to bring farmers and stakeholders together. The early years were challenging; the protected status was unpopular with many farmers. The partnership strengthened significantly after TRT, and the EA came on board in 2013.
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	Surveys for freshwater aquatic invertebrates at key sites have been able to show how the river is starting to recover, once river restoration has been completed.		Surveys for freshwater aquatic invertebrates at key sites have been able to show how the river is starting to recover, once river restoration has been completed.

	Phosphate monitoring at ~~interventions~~ sites and on all the major tributaries has helped to evaluate schemes, as well as inform the future targeting of work, including the nutrient neutrality framework.		Phosphate monitoring at intervention sites and on all the major tributaries has helped to evaluate schemes, as well as inform the future targeting of work, including the nutrient neutrality framework.

	Engagement has been a key focus. We maintain an engagement tracker which helps to strengthen our understanding of landowner and communities’ interests in the methods used.		Engagement has been a key focus. We maintain an engagement tracker which helps to strengthen our understanding of landowner and communities’ interests in the methods used.
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	The evidence is assessed on a regular basis to report the impact, influence future work and raise awareness of achievements.		The evidence is assessed on a regular basis to report the impact, influence future work and raise awareness of achievements.
	\|Lessons learn=Engagement and collaboration is key. We are restoring and rivers, and finding places to protect nature within a farmed landscape. The concept is unfamiliar to many landowners and stakeholders. Naturally functioning rivers that are connected to their floodplain create habitats, store water and trap pollution. Yet they take up space, especially when in flood. Farmers and landowners in the Mease historically would farm right up to the bank top, and are reluctant to lose productive land. It can take several years for a farmer to agree to a scheme. It ~~need~~ to blend into their wider farmer management, utilising buffers, margins and field corners. It might include areas that lie wet. Schemes are best secured with a grant such as a Countryside Stewardship Scheme or Sustainable Farm Incentive.		\|Lessons learn=Engagement and collaboration is key. We are restoring and rivers, and finding places to protect nature within a farmed landscape. The concept is unfamiliar to many landowners and stakeholders. Naturally functioning rivers that are connected to their floodplain create habitats, store water and trap pollution. Yet they take up space, especially when in flood. Farmers and landowners in the Mease historically would farm right up to the bank top, and are reluctant to lose productive land. It can take several years for a farmer to agree to a scheme. It needs to blend into their wider farmer management, utilising buffers, margins and field corners. It might include areas that lie wet. Schemes are best secured with a grant such as a Countryside Stewardship Scheme or Sustainable Farm Incentive.

	Allow time to talk to the farmer / landowner.		Allow time to talk to the farmer / landowner.
	Look at the site from the landowners ~~eyes~~, understand where they are able to amend their management, and what grant revenue might ~~off set~~ any production losses.		Look at the site from the landowners' perspective, understand where they are able to amend their management, and what grant revenue might offset any production losses.
	Survey for ecology, archaeology and services, they all can have a big influence on how a scheme can take shape.		Survey for ecology, archaeology and services, they all can have a big influence on how a scheme can take shape.
	Present plans to the farmer at an early stage.		Present plans to the farmer at an early stage.
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	Engage with the regulatory bodies early, such as the Lead Local Flood Authority or the Environment Agency. It can take time to get the permissions in place.		Engage with the regulatory bodies early, such as the Lead Local Flood Authority or the Environment Agency. It can take time to get the permissions in place.
	The best time for capital works is June to September, outside of bird breeding season, the fish spawning season and when river levels and flood risk is low.		The best time for capital works is June to September, outside of bird breeding season, the fish spawning season and when river levels and flood risk is low.
	Talk to a contractor early, get in indication of price. Make sure your funder is aware of the constraints and ~~time line~~. Allow some extra budget for contingency. Usually something doesn't go quite to plan!		Talk to a contractor early, get an indication of price. Make sure your funder is aware of the constraints and timeline. Allow some extra budget for contingency. Usually something doesn't go quite to plan!
	\|Project title=Restoring the River Mease Catchment		\|Project title=Restoring the River Mease Catchment
	}}		}}
			{{Project background
			\|Project started=2013-09-02
			\|Works started=2019-06-03
			\|Total cost category=100 - 500 k€
			\|Funding sources=Local Planning Authorities, Natural England, The Environment Agency
			\|Supplementary funding information=Works have taken place at many locations across the Mease catchment. Capital works have taken place at several sites along the main river and some of the key tributaries. All of the main delivery sites have had monitoring alongside to evidence the work completed, including photography and invertebrate monitoring. Engagement has taken place with farmers and landowners and stakeholders across the entire catchment, seeking to address land use and land management opportunities that trap pollution and naturalise flows, downstream in the main river.
			}}
			{{Case study status
			\|Approval status=Approved
			}}

			{{Location
			\|Location=52.70332, -1.52548
			}}
			{{Case study subcatchment
			\|Subcatchment=Gilwiskaw Brook from Source to River Mease
			}}
			\|Project title=Restoring the River Mease Catchment
			}}


	{{Case study status		{{Case study status
	\|Approval status=Draft		\|Approval status=Draft

Alan Graham at 11:06, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T11:06:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:06, 26 February 2026
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	~~{{Case study status~~
	~~\|Approval status=Approved~~
	}}
	{{Project background		{{Project background
	\|Project started=2013-09-02		\|Project started=2013-09-02
	\|Works started=2019-06-03		\|Works started=2019-06-03
	\|Total cost category=100 - 500 k€		\|Total cost category=100 - 500 k€
	\|Funding sources=~~Envrionement Agency,~~ Local Planning Authorities, Natural England		\|Funding sources=Local Planning Authorities, Natural England, The Environment Agency
	\|Supplementary funding information=Works have taken place at many locations across the Mease catchment. Capital works have taken place at several sites along the main river and some of the key tributaries. All of the main ~~deliver~~ sites have had monitoring ~~along side,~~ to evidence the work completed, including photography and invertebrate monitoring. Engagement has taken place with farmers and landowners, and ~~stakeholder~~ across the entire catchment, seeking to address land use and land management opportunities that trap pollution and naturalise flows, downstream in the main river.		\|Supplementary funding information=Works have taken place at many locations across the Mease catchment. Capital works have taken place at several sites along the main river and some of the key tributaries. All of the main delivery sites have had monitoring alongside to evidence the work completed, including photography and invertebrate monitoring. Engagement has taken place with farmers and landowners and stakeholders across the entire catchment, seeking to address land use and land management opportunities that trap pollution and naturalise flows, downstream in the main river.
			}}
			{{Case study status
			\|Approval status=Approved
	}}		}}

	{{Location		{{Location
	\|Location=52.70332, -1.52548		\|Location=52.70332, -1.52548

JoshRRC at 16:11, 25 February 2026

2026-02-25T16:11:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:11, 25 February 2026
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			{{Case study status
			\|Approval status=Approved
			}}
	{{Project background		{{Project background
	\|Project started=2013-09-02		\|Project started=2013-09-02
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	\|Project title=Restoring the River Mease Catchment		\|Project title=Restoring the River Mease Catchment
	}}		}}
	~~{{Case study status~~
	~~\|Approval status=Draft~~
	}}
	{{Project overview		{{Project overview
	\|Status=In progress		\|Status=In progress

Ruth Needham at 15:58, 25 February 2026

2026-02-25T15:58:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 25 February 2026
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			{{Project background
			\|Project started=2013-09-02
			\|Works started=2019-06-03
			\|Total cost category=100 - 500 k€
			\|Funding sources=Envrionement Agency, Local Planning Authorities, Natural England
			\|Supplementary funding information=Works have taken place at many locations across the Mease catchment. Capital works have taken place at several sites along the main river and some of the key tributaries. All of the main deliver sites have had monitoring along side, to evidence the work completed, including photography and invertebrate monitoring. Engagement has taken place with farmers and landowners, and stakeholder across the entire catchment, seeking to address land use and land management opportunities that trap pollution and naturalise flows, downstream in the main river.
			}}
	{{Location		{{Location
	\|Location=52.70332, -1.52548		\|Location=52.70332, -1.52548
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	{{Site}}		{{Site}}
	~~{{Project background}}~~
	{{Motivations}}		{{Motivations}}
	{{Measures}}		{{Measures}}

Ascarr at 14:17, 25 February 2026

2026-02-25T14:17:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:17, 25 February 2026
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	{{Case study subcatchment		{{Case study subcatchment
	\|Subcatchment=Gilwiskaw Brook from Source to River Mease		\|Subcatchment=Gilwiskaw Brook from Source to River Mease
			}}
			\|Project title=Restoring the River Mease Catchment
			}}
			{{Case study status
			\|Approval status=Draft
	}}		}}
	{{Project overview		{{Project overview
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	\|Approval status=Draft		\|Approval status=Draft
	}}		}}


	{{Image gallery}}		{{Image gallery}}

Ascarr at 14:13, 25 February 2026

2026-02-25T14:13:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:13, 25 February 2026
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			{{Location
			\|Location=52.70332, -1.52548
			}}
	{{Case study subcatchment		{{Case study subcatchment
	\|Subcatchment=Gilwiskaw Brook from Source to River Mease		\|Subcatchment=Gilwiskaw Brook from Source to River Mease
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	\|Approval status=Draft		\|Approval status=Draft
	}}		}}
	~~{{Location~~
	~~\|Location=52.70332, -1.52548~~
	}}

	{{Image gallery}}		{{Image gallery}}

Ruth Needham at 18:49, 20 February 2026

2026-02-20T18:49:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:49, 20 February 2026
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			{{Case study subcatchment
			\|Subcatchment=Gilwiskaw Brook from Source to River Mease
			}}
	{{Project overview		{{Project overview
	\|Status=In progress		\|Status=In progress
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	{{Toggle button}}		{{Toggle button}}
	{{Toggle content start}}		{{Toggle content start}}
	~~{{Case study subcatchment}}~~
	{{Site}}		{{Site}}
	{{Project background}}		{{Project background}}

Ruth Needham at 18:47, 20 February 2026

2026-02-20T18:47:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:47, 20 February 2026
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	\|Contact organisation=Trent Rivers Trust		\|Contact organisation=Trent Rivers Trust
	\|Contact organisation url=www.trentriverstrust.org/		\|Contact organisation url=www.trentriverstrust.org/
	\|Partner organisations=Environment Agency, Natural England~~, Catchment Sensitive Farming~~, North West Leciestershire District Council, South Derbyshire District ~~Council, Lichfield District Council, Leicestershire County Council, Derbyshire County~~ Council, Staffordshire County Council		\|Partner organisations=Catchment Sensitive Farming, Derbyshire County Council, Environment Agency, Leicestershire County Council, Lichfield District Council, Natural England, North West Leciestershire District Council, South Derbyshire District Council, Staffordshire County Council
	\|Multi-site=No		\|Multi-site=No
			\|Project picture=Mease Meadows
			\|Picture description=Restored reach of River Mease, showing re-profiled riverbank, vegetated buffer and in-channel vegetation.
	\|Project summary=The Mease catchment project demonstrates how coordinated, collaborative action can improve river health, support nature recovery, and sustain food production.		\|Project summary=The Mease catchment project demonstrates how coordinated, collaborative action can improve river health, support nature recovery, and sustain food production.

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	The evidence is assessed on a regular basis to report the impact, influence future work and raise awareness of achievements.		The evidence is assessed on a regular basis to report the impact, influence future work and raise awareness of achievements.
			\|Lessons learn=Engagement and collaboration is key. We are restoring and rivers, and finding places to protect nature within a farmed landscape. The concept is unfamiliar to many landowners and stakeholders. Naturally functioning rivers that are connected to their floodplain create habitats, store water and trap pollution. Yet they take up space, especially when in flood. Farmers and landowners in the Mease historically would farm right up to the bank top, and are reluctant to lose productive land. It can take several years for a farmer to agree to a scheme. It need to blend into their wider farmer management, utilising buffers, margins and field corners. It might include areas that lie wet. Schemes are best secured with a grant such as a Countryside Stewardship Scheme or Sustainable Farm Incentive.

			Allow time to talk to the farmer / landowner.
			Look at the site from the landowners eyes, understand where they are able to amend their management, and what grant revenue might off set any production losses.
			Survey for ecology, archaeology and services, they all can have a big influence on how a scheme can take shape.
			Present plans to the farmer at an early stage.
			Look for wider benefits in addition to river restoration, such as trapping pollution or flood storage.
			Engage with the regulatory bodies early, such as the Lead Local Flood Authority or the Environment Agency. It can take time to get the permissions in place.
			The best time for capital works is June to September, outside of bird breeding season, the fish spawning season and when river levels and flood risk is low.
			Talk to a contractor early, get in indication of price. Make sure your funder is aware of the constraints and time line. Allow some extra budget for contingency. Usually something doesn't go quite to plan!
	\|Project title=Restoring the River Mease Catchment		\|Project title=Restoring the River Mease Catchment
	}}		}}

Ruth Needham at 18:25, 20 February 2026

2026-02-20T18:25:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:25, 20 February 2026
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	{{Project overview		{{Project overview
	\|Status=In progress		\|Status=In progress
			\|Project web site url=rivermease.co.uk
	\|Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Fisheries, Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity, Hydromorphology, Land use management - agriculture, Monitoring, Urban, Water quality		\|Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Fisheries, Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity, Hydromorphology, Land use management - agriculture, Monitoring, Urban, Water quality
	\|Country=England		\|Country=England
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	\|Contact organisation=Trent Rivers Trust		\|Contact organisation=Trent Rivers Trust
	\|Contact organisation url=www.trentriverstrust.org/		\|Contact organisation url=www.trentriverstrust.org/
			\|Partner organisations=Environment Agency, Natural England, Catchment Sensitive Farming, North West Leciestershire District Council, South Derbyshire District Council, Lichfield District Council, Leicestershire County Council, Derbyshire County Council, Staffordshire County Council
	\|Multi-site=No		\|Multi-site=No
	\|Project summary=The Mease catchment project demonstrates how coordinated, collaborative action can improve river health, support nature recovery, and sustain food production.		\|Project summary=The Mease catchment project demonstrates how coordinated, collaborative action can improve river health, support nature recovery, and sustain food production.

Ruth Needham at 18:21, 20 February 2026

2026-02-20T18:21:43Z

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 {{Project overview
 |Status=In progress
 |Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Fisheries, Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity, Hydromorphology, Land use management - agriculture, Monitoring, Urban, Water quality
@@ Line 16: / Line 9: @@
 |Contact organisation url=www.trentriverstrust.org/
 |Multi-site=No
 }}
 {{Image gallery}}
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