For other projects taking place on Mill Field please visit the Land and Nature Team page
New Exciting Project:
Rock Ramp Fish Pass
In 2024 Evenlode Catchment Partnership commissioned a feasibility study to explore installing a rock ramp fish pass at the Mill Field weir on the River Evenlode. The existing weir is in poor condition, and a fish pass would allow fish to migrate upstream without requiring costly weir repairs. After assessing multiple options, the study concluded that a rock ramp is the most effective and feasible solution, benefiting fish movement while maintaining water levels for the local canoe club. The study also considered environmental, heritage, and construction factors, recommending further assessments before proceeding with the project.
Following this feasibility study, the Evenlode Catchment Partnership (ECP) is now funding the design phase of the rock ramp fish pass, and Fishtek was awarded the contract to carry out the work. The next step is an ecology survey to assess potential environmental impacts. We expect to receive the final design results by the end of March, bringing us one step closer to improving fish passage on the River Evenlode.
Mill Field Micro Hydro Project Feasibility Study
BACKGROUND
In November 2019 the Town Council declared a climate emergency. In May 2021 the council further decided one of its missions should be to deliver on its commitment to act on the climate and ecological emergencies by actively preparing Charlbury and its environment for a zero-carbon, biodiverse and sustainable future.
Part of that mission involves seeking to produce clean, local and sustainable energy for the people of Charlbury. To that end, a site on council owned land has been identified as a potential Micro-Hydro suitable site. This project will seek to utilise the existing Mill Race and Sluice Gate that diverts water from the River Evenlode to produce electricity using an Ultra-Low Head Micro-Hydro Turbine.
The site (Fig 1) is the existing Sluice Gate and Mill Race for the Charlbury Mill that once occupied this site. It is situated at the end of Mill Lane in Charlbury, Oxfordshire at Grid Reference 51.874839, -1.486988
The site is close to several places that could use the electricity, including potentially EV Charging points for community use.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives of the overall project are to:
- Provide cost effective low carbon energy to satisfy a local electrical demand
- Feed surplus electricity to the National Grid if required
The council has recently been given a grant by the Rural Community Energy Fund to cover the costs of a detailed feasibility study into this proposed project.
Update March 2023
Following receipt of the first stage of the feasibility study, it has been agreed not to proceed further with this project. Although the study demonstrated that a turbine on the sluice would be feasible, the Environment Agency has stated that it would not be desirable as the majority of the water should run down the natural river channel and not the mill race as would be necessary if the turbine was installed.
We thank RCEF for their funding and the opportunity to investigate this project.