MIMRAM VALLEY LANDSCAPE

Our aim is to help protect the heritage and ecologically-rich environment of the Mimram Valley and its wonderful chalk stream.

The project is supported by all 11 local councils through whose areas the Mimram flows.  These are:  King’s Walden, St Paul’s Walden, Kimpton, Knebworth, Codicote, Welwyn, Tewin, and Hertingfordbury Parish Councils; Ayot St Peter and Ayot St Lawrence Parish Meetings and Hertford Town Council.

The project is also supported by many District, Borough and County Councillors whose wards include the valley.

We have sent the proposal to the three Local Planning Authorities involved: East Herts and North Herts District Councils and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.  We have asked them to include Local Landscape Designation for the Valley in their statutory plans.  This will most probably be at the next revise of their Local Plans.

Some quotes about the Mimram and its valley:

“The Mimram and its valley is a jewel in the Hertfordshire countryside and it deserves to be fully enjyed by all.”

TIM HAGYARD  (Chalk Stream Reflections  2023) 

“The Mimram goes through a dozen historic parishes, and its great scenic beauty, coupled with its closeness to London has attracted many wealthy people to build country houses and to create parks along it”. 

TONY ROOK  (River Mimram 2014)    

“The whole of the beautiful valley from Welwyn (sic) to Hertford, including Digswell, Tewin Water, Panshanger and Cole Green, belonging to the same noble family …..  While each possesses its independent privacy and seclusion their united woods and lawns will, by extending through the whole valley enrich the general face of the county”.

HUMPHRY REPTON  (Red Book 1799-1800)    

Identity – Recognition that the valley means more than just part of the countryside or semi-rural area.

Statutory – Once incorporated into statutory planning policies, the valley will represent more than ‘a material consideration’ in planning terms and be a primary determinant in decision making

Strategic – It will provide planning policy continuity across (currently) three local planning authorities

Holistic – The valley will underpin the whole area’s homogeneity and the connectivity of its environmental assets.

Permanence – A Landscape Designation is based on physical environmental features making it more resilient to policy change – unlike Green Belt policy

Financial – Designation will add emphasis to complementary projects seeking financial assistance under DEFRA’s Environmental Land Management Scheme and grants under other government initiatives.

Awareness – Heightened awareness of the valley’s rich past will help future decision makers and investors act in a sensitive way. Designation will help to raise awareness of the ‘jewels’ which exist within it and encourage sympathetic investment in its assets.

Education – Framing the valley area as an entity will provide an educational opportunity for all, showing how the valley’s social history evolved over time, and how rare habitats can, and should be protected.