Dear Natural ,

Highcliffe Beach Retreats I believe you are aware of the proposed beach retreats at Highcliffe, which is a SSSI related to its underlying geology. I live a mile west of Highcliffe, at , where the coastline is ringed with beach huts and otherwise intensively developed. If we want to see birds and wildlife, my wife and I have to walk east towards Highcliffe, which we do on five days each week. That takes us through Steamer Point nature reserve, grounds and then into the Highcliffe SSSI. Although these areas are, to a trained ecologist, degraded environments, combined, they complement each other and create a rich environment. Chiff chaffs call repeatedly in the castle grounds, ravens visit, the occasional adder is seen, and we regularly see greenfinch, linnets, meadow pipits, stonechats, kestrels and wheatears. A myriad of butterflies are seen including clouded yellow and meadow brown, as well as burnet moths. As far as the wildlife is concerned, the area is a haven because it is devoid of human development.

Far from degrading the environment, the coastal defence works have placed rocks above ground and created a unique landscape. Perhaps it is this that has nurtured the adders. The stunted native oaks are flourishing, goat willow is present, sea pinks are returning and, at some stage, a degree of naturalness might be reached that refutes that demeaning word ‘degraded’. I would also argue that the contrast in these environments, in how groundcover and lichen flourishes at Highcliffe, but is absent under the Holm oaks in the castle grounds, is a perfect educational resource for children. In view of these observations, I would ask you to protect this environment, and do what you can to oppose this proposal. I am not asking you to be involved in the politics, but purely to speak for the natural world and how it will be damaged if these beach retreats are approved. It needs to be understood that living here, we do not have easily accessed, pristine, natural environments. These exist inDorset, but to see them we have to use a car and thereby contribute to air pollution. Also, environmental honeypots such as Marsh are effectively destroyed by the weight of people visiting them, constantly disturbing the wildlife with their presence, and their dogs. Surely, having alternative environments such as Highcliffe removes visitor pressure from places like Stanpit. Above all, my point is that Highcliffe, degraded as it is, is our wild area, our special place, one that so many people walk to and enjoy; it is all we have.

Ken West MBE, Hon MA Durham, DMS, ILAM (Dist) ICCM (Dip)