On Friday 6 March we re-visited the Wey & Arun site in Guildford. It was great to return at a different time of the year - the first visit was in October 2008 - and experience it at spring season.
The long grasses that obscured most of the views had been cut back, as were the stinging nettles, surprising most and leaving us with new ideas for revisiting the project and our initial design.
My major issues now, are focussing more on the realities in proposing a canal, the changes in water levels between Cranleigh waters on either side (approx 2-4ft rise and fall), including a lock to deal with the level change, and new proposals for biodiversity and habitat creation. 
I 'd like to retain at least part of the productive woodland and coppiced woodland proposed before, but now that the understanding is that the canal is a wet corridor through a wet landscape, a wet productive woodland would be more suited. Doesn't really change the initial selection of foliage - they are all suitable for damp/wet conditions. The foraging aspect will also remain, with the potential to drive towards a sustainable community. 
I suppose to sum the project up in a few words/sentences would be 'to create a recreational space with new opportunities for wildlife and habitat creation, whilst allowing the neighbouring community to define open spaces for their own interventions.'
My focus now and over the Easter break is defining what type of edges for the canal, with major consideration to vegetation and bio-engineering, flood prevention using basins and ponds with specific intentions for habitat creation and possible integration of water filtration systems (since the canal will link up with a navigable river). I will carry over elements from the first semester project to compliment the new proposals. Wheeewww.
Some pics of the return to the Wey and Arun below...
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