This is the plan! However, the Environment Agency hope to have their planning application for the Barrier Bank enlargement in by the end of 2018. Subject to approval this would mean a start of site works from April 2019 with a desired conclusion in March 2021. It may also involve using a large area of the Cornfield arable as a works compound, which may being prepared in March 2019. This, of course, affects our funding as we would have to seek permission from Natural England to end the Countryside Stewardship agreement currently worth over £6000 per annum, our sole income for managing more than 40 acres. As more than a hectare of SSSI will be permanently lost, and a similar amount lost temporarily there will have to be mitigation and restoration paid for by the Environment Agency. The site also has a number of highly protected species, which has its own effect on the EA plans. All of this will have to be dealt with in an Environmental Impact Assessment tied to the planning application. This leaves the Friends in a state of limbo with regards to the area until all this can be agreed in detail sometime in the next nine months. We hope to hold a public meeting about this, and the EA are currently promising their own consultation as it will probably involve taking much of Rawcliffe Meadows out of public access for at least two years.

There may be some variation of tasks due to water levels. Sunday work parties from 10:30 am until about 13:00 pm. Thursday from 6:30 pm until dark. 

Volunteers are always welcome anytime to keep site safe, clean and secure.