Summit to Sea is developing with strong interest from residents and landowners across East Lammermuir. The project is exploring how to restore habitats and improve water management in the Dry and Spott burn catchments.
Community ideas and visits
The recent advisory group meeting brought together a broad cross-section of the community. Landowners shared their experiences of the project, and attendees contributed ideas to help shape its direction. Sustaining Dunbar is also exploring opportunities for future engagement with Innerwick Primary School.
Jenny is available to visit residents in the Dry and Spott burn catchments as part of the NRF Development project, to discuss Summit to Sea and ways to get involved. Email jenny@sustainingdunbar.org if you would like a visit.
Working with landowners
Jenny has been connecting landowners on slowing water in the catchment, restoring habitats along watercourses through tree planting and buffer zones, and considering a more collaborative approach to water management.
Discussions with Forth Rivers Trust directors are exploring landscape-scale restoration models, including a possible Landscape Enterprise Network (LENS) approach to build shared knowledge and co-fund changes across the landscape. This remains an approach under exploration.
Discussions with NFUS have considered ineligible areas and how these might be included in Single Farm Payments. Summit to Sea recognises that these often-overlooked areas can be important biodiversity havens, and that clearer government incentives could encourage farmers to protect and enhance them. No payment eligibility change is confirmed here.
Designs and next steps
Draft designs have been prepared for around 11 of the 22 landholdings in the Dry and Spott burn catchments. Discussions are under way on landowner agreements and maintenance responsibilities for restoration work delivered in the next phase.
The Development project is funded until the end of March 2027. Further funding would allow the project to build on this progress, continue development and explore future restoration work across the catchment.