Annex 3 National Conservation Designations

Lavernock Point to St Ann’s Head SMP2 Appendix D: SEA Scoping Report Annex A: SEA Environmental Baseline Report (Theme Review) Annex 3: National Conservation Designations

Designation Biological/Geologic Summary % in Favourable Coastal Sections al Area (ha) Condition (Key below) Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Penarth Coast Biological & Thirteen metre 'Rhaetic' section resting on a conspicuously waterworn surface beneath the 'Sully Beds'. The Westbury 'bone bed' 66 A Geological development here yields the normal assemblage of fish and reptile debris. This coastal section is also the best available in the Blue (25.07% Lias of South Wales and is of importance for its comparisons with the 'littoral' more marginal rocks of the Lias further west in unfavourable Glamorgan. This through-section from the Keuper to the Lower Sinmurian is unrivalled in any other section in Wales and the site is recovering, 4.41% consequently regarded as one of Britain's most important stratigraphical localities. unfavourable no The site also includes: rich calcareous grassland and cliff-top scrub supporting a number of plant species of limited occurrence and change & 4.52% distribution in the former counties of Mid and South Glamorgan. unfavourable declining)

Sully Island Biological & Sea-cliff exposures - provide sections in the marginal facies of the Triassic Mercia Mudstone Group, (include a series of breccias and 51.24 A Geological sands, interpreted as lake-shore deposits which are overlain by nodular evaporites and carbonates). (48.76% unfavourable Underlain (unconformably) by a terraced surface of Carboniferous Limestone - demonstrates the regionally significant unconformity declining) between Carboniferous and Triassic rocks, as well as a range of sediments, facilitating study of the lake facies and palaeoenvironments prevalent in late Triassic times. The Taff-Sully system is a nationally important site for dunlin and redshank supporting over 17 of the British wintering populations of these species. The Taff-Sully system also constitutes an important part of the wider Severn Estuary which is an internationally important wintering area for redshank, knot and dunlin. Hayes Point to Biological & The whole length of the cliff-line and foreshore provides excellent exposures through important rock sections of Triassic age while the 48.26 A Bendrick Rock Geological vicinity of Bendrick Rock is one of the best localities in Britain for fossil footprints. (41.41% unfavourable no change & 10.34% unfavourable declining) Barry Island Geological Marginal facies of the Mercia Mudstone Group in a unique unconformable relationship with the Carboniferous Limestone. 0 A (Unfavourable Several horizontal to sub-horizontal terraces up to 15m wide are cut into the Carboniferous Limestone. These terraces are joined by declining) vertical cliffs up to 5 m high and covered by marginal lacustrine facies of the Mercia Mudstone Group. The terraces are covered by poorly sorted angular breccias, interpreted as fossil screes, and better sorted gravels associated with wave-rippled and desiccated finer sediments which are interpreted as lacustrine short zone (beach) sediments. The locality is unique in showing such a spectacular exposure of marginal Triassic facies. Cliff Wood – Golden Biological The best example of a mixed woodland in South Glamorgan which has a canopy of pedunculate oak, ash, maple and yew. The 0 A Sairs interesting, ungrazed ground flora and wooded cliff areas includes Purple Gromwell Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum which is (100% unfavourable restricted to a very small number of sites in the county. declining)

East Aberthaw Coast Biological Rocky and sandy shore, shingle spits, saltmarsh, relict sand dunes and Liassic limestone cliffs all support species of plants and animals 93.27 A that are of a limited distribution in the county. Adiantum capillus-veneris and Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum are species of note (5.26% unfavourable found on the limestone cliffs and in associated areas of scrub. Saltmarsh and shingle ridges support a good range of plant species. recovering, 0.77% Land and littoral invertebrates are particularly rich in this area and include Phanacis caulicola, Brachinus crepitans and Lima pontia . unfavourable no change & 0.70% unfavourable declining)

recovering, 3.23% unfavourable no change & 46.10% unfavourable declining) Southerndown Coast Biological & Of special interest for its rock exposures, and for the vegetation of the cliff-tops and valleys which includes species-rich neutral, 100 A Geological calcareous and maritime grassland, scrub and woodland and supports several rare plant species. The nationally rare tuberous thistle Cirsium tuberosum , purple gromwell Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum and shore dock Rumex rupestris, (listed under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)), occur in the southern part of the site. Nationally scarce species include maidenhair fern Adiantum capillus-veneris , wild cabbage Brassica oleracea , sea stork’s bill Erodium maritimum and stinking hellebore Helleborus foetidus . Features: • Excellent three dimensional sections through Triassic alluvial fan deposits, channelled into the underlying Carboniferous Limestone. - an important site for the study of Triassic sediments, palaeoenvironments and geography. • Coastal sections between Ogmore-by-Sea and Southerndown expose mineralisation developed along the unconformity between Mezozoic rocks and underlying Carboniferous Limestone. • Epigenetic expressions of an early Jurassic mineralising event in the Carboniferous and Triassic rocks, and syngenetic aspects in the strata of early Jurassic age. • Classic British examples of lateral facies changes in ancient sediments. • A key locality for demonstrating the diachronous relationships of facies by means of faunal evidence. Merthyr Mawr Biological • Merthyr Mawr is of special interest for its saltmarsh, sand dune habitats and for its associated coastal habitats including 76.55 B calcareous grassland, swamp and intertidal habitats. (18.83% unfavourable • assemblages of higher plants, fungi and invertebrates associated with the sand dunes. recovering, 3.46% • The rare weevil Glocianus pilosellus , a rare Gasteromycete fungus Tulostoma melanocyclum and a rare liverwort unfavourable no Petalophyllum ralfsii are also features of interest. change & 1.16% unfavourable declining)

Lavernock Point to St Ann’s Head SMP2 Appendix D: SEA Scoping Report Annex A: SEA Environmental Baseline Report (Theme Review) Annex 3: National Conservation Designations Designation Biological/Geologic Summary % in Favourable Coastal Sections al Area (ha) Condition (Key below) Kenfig Biological Special Interest features: 100 B • Extensive sand dune habitats and standing waters together with a mixture of associated coastal habitats including saltmarsh, intertidal areas, swamp, woodland and scrub. • Assemblages of plants, fungi and invertebrates that are associated with the sand dunes and standing waters. • Individual species also of special interest: petalwort Petalophyllum ralfsii , the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis , the fen orchid Liparis loeselii , the shrill carder bee Bombus sylvarum , the hairy dragonfly Brachytron pratense and a weevil Pachytychius quinquepunctatus . Crymlyn Burrows Biological One of the last remaining sections of the Swansea Bay Coastline which has remained substantially unmodified by industrial 0 B development. Over the past one hundred and fifty years, parallel sand dune ridges have developed at right angles to the River (Unfavourable No Neath and these are continuing to accumulate at the present time. Salt water is able to gain access to the system at high tide via Change) the river channel, with the result that the dunes are interspersed by tongues of saltmarsh. • The rare fen orchid Liparis loeselii is found occasionally within the slacks, whilst the sea stock Matthiola sinuata which was re- recorded in 1964 following its earlier disappearance, is widespread along the strandline and in the dunes. • The rare strandline beetle Eurynebria complanata has been recorded from the site. • This part of the Neath estuary is also used by part of the population of small waders overwintering in Swansea Bay. Blackpill, Swansea Biological Swansea Bay provides an overwintering and passage site for a larger number of waders. Although forming part of a complex which 89.35 B includes the Gwendraeth, Burry and Severn Estuaries, it supports significant proportions of some species in its own right. (8.26% unfavourable recovering & 2.40% • Counts for Ringed Plover and Sanderling exceed 1% of both British and Western European populations, making the Bay of unfavourable international importance in this respect. declining) • Other species, such as Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot and Dunlin are all of local significance. • The topography and seasonal remoteness of the foreshore at low tide are important for the maintenance of the scientific interest, while suitable roosting spots, outside of the SSSI, are necessary on the highest tides. • Part of Bird Sanctuary declared under Protection of Birds Act 1954 Bracelet Bay Geological Rock outcrops within this site provide excellent exposures of geological structures formed during the Variscan mountain building 100 B episode (orogeny) which took place during the Carboniferous Period. The exposures provide a cross section through the core of a major upwarped fold structure, the Langland Anticline, which extends across the whole Gower Peninsula and brings the Carboniferous limestone to the surface. This fold and its associated minor structures, such as its faults, fractures and veins, have been studied in considerable detail here and this work has made a substantial contribution to the understanding of the geological structure of the Variscan Orogeny in South Wales. Langland Bay Geological A series of well exposed sections records the best evidence available for the limit of Late Devensian glaciation on east Gower. 100% B (Rotherslade) Ipswichian raised beach sediments occur near the base of the exposures and are overlain by head and glacial deposits. The interpretation of these sediments is crucial both to the understanding of Late Pleistocene events and to the reconstruction of the Devensian ice margin in the area. The sections at Langland Bay provide contrasting evidence to that at Hunts Bay and Western and Eastern Slade which demonstrate ice-free conditions during the Devensian. The precise origin of the glacial sediments is unresolved and adds to the interest of the site. Caswell Bay Biological & Fine cliff sections through Carboniferous Limestone sequence with evidence of strong earth movements and glacial deposits resting 95.67 B Geological on a raised beach. Plant species with limited distribution in Britain, Juniperus communis, Helianthemum canum, Potentilla (4.33% unfavourable tabernaemontani and Sorbus rupicola occur in grassland at Newton Cliffs and Seven Slades. declining) Contiguous with the coastal section of Pwll Du Head and Bishopston Valley. Site of Special Scientific Interest, and includes a Glamorgan Naturalists' Trust Reserve at Redley Cliff. Within Gower AONB.

Lavernock Point to St Ann’s Head SMP2 Appendix D: SEA Scoping Report Annex A: SEA Environmental Baseline Report (Theme Review) Annex 3: National Conservation Designations Designation Biological/Geologic Summary % in Favourable Coastal Sections al Area (ha) Condition (Key below) Pwll-Du Head and Biological A steep sided partially wooded valley in Carboniferous Limestone. The woodland is predominantly ash with pedunculate Oak, 100 B Bishopston Valley maple and elm, with lime locally abundant, particularly along the lower edge, with shrub layers including hazel, spindle, privet. dogwood and guelder rose. The ground flora varies from Lonicera-Oxalis associations in the driest places through Primula-Mercurialis associations to Filipendula, Allium and Chrysosplenium in the flushes. The valley also exhibit s quarried cliffs, limestone block scree, and a series of sinks and resurgences. The coastal section exposes the Patella beach overlain by both colluvial and solifluction deposits whilst Bacon Hole contains important deposits of Ipswichian age. Within Gower AONB. Minchin Hole Geological Minchin Hole is a large, coastal fissure cave containing vital evidence for the Pleistocene history of South Wales. 84.81 B The sequence of deposits in this large coastal cave provides a succession of faunas from more than one phase on an interglacial, (10.44% almost certainly the Ipswichian. The faunas, which are therefore of considerable interest and importance include lion, spotted unfavourable hyaena, an extinct rhino Dicerorhinus hemitoechus , horse, wild boar, fallow deer and many small mammals. recovering, 2.41% unfavourable no Within Gower AONB. change & 2.35% unfavourable declining) Penard Valley Biological Within Gower AONB 45.84 B (54.16% A meandering river valley with a diversity of habitats typical of the carboniferous limestones of Gower. Plant communities range from unfavourable those of the rocky salt spray zone, together with one of the few shingle beaches in the former county of West Glamorgan, through to declining) saltmarsh, dunes and limestone grassland. On its western bank the Penard Pill is flanked by a strip of ash-wych elm woodland, immediately beneath which can be found a small area of species rich fen. The dunes south-east of the castle are especially notable as the most southerly station of the British endemic the Isle of Man Cabbage Rhynchosinapis monensis . More typical of the dune and limestone grasslands is the occurrence of such attractive species as squinancywort Asperula cynanchica , purging flax Linum catharticum , sheep's-bit Jasione montana and bloody cranesbill Geranium sanguineum . The small shingle beach supports a range of typical species including sea holly Eryngium maritimum , sea sandwort Honkenya peploides and common orache Atriplex patula . Immediately behind the beach the lightly grazed saltmarsh is particularly interesting as the site of the uncommon rock sea lavender Limonium binervosum . Oxwich Bay Biological Although cliff vegetation is present on other parts of the coast, heath and dense mixed scrub is particularly well represented on the 0 B exposed slopes of Oxwich Point, which also bears the regionally rare shrub Juniper Juniperus communis , and the nationally rare (66.99% Purple Gromwell Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum . On the Nicholaston side, the sand covered cliffs represent conditions which are unfavourable no scarce in Swansea county and elsewhere. change & 33.01% unfavourable Rare species found: declining) • Rock Whitebeam Sorbus rupicola • Stinking Hellebore Helleborus foetidus • Gentianella uliginosa , • Fen Orchid Liparis loeselii • Larger Wintergreen Pyrola rotundifolia • strandline beetle Eurynebria complanata Within Gower AONB

Adjacent to Crawley Wood, part of the Oxwich Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest. The site is part of Oxwich Bay National Nature Reserve and is within the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Nicholaston Wood is part of Gower Ashwoods Special Area of Conservation which supports woodland vegetation assignable to the habitat type ‘Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines’ listed on Annex 1 of the EC Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and Wild Flora and Fauna). Horton, Eastern and Biological & 100% B Western Slade Geological The site is of special interest for its geology which comprises landforms and unconsolidated Pleistocene deposits. Sections in the Quaternary deposits at Horton contribute significant evidence for interpreting changing environmental conditions and geomorphological processes in south Gower during the Late Pleistocene. The special interest also extends to a variety of associated habitats including maritime heath and calcareous grassland. Small areas of marshy grassland are also of interest, together with a nationally important assemblage of solitary bees and wasps.

Gower Coast: Rhossili Biological & The whole section of coastline represents one of the most extensive exposures of the south crop of the South Wales Coalfield with 73.11 B & C to Port Eynon Geological steep cliffs of Carboniferous Limestone rising 70 metres above sea level. The site is noted especially for the range of habitats from (19.26% intertidal rocks and the exposed maritime grasslands of Worms Head to blackthorn and hazel scrub within the more sheltered valleys unfavourable towards Port Eynon which it supports. In addition, features of national geological and physiographic interest occur, as well as recovering, 4.90% regionally important seabird nesting sites and a rich invertebrate fauna. unfavourable no Plant communities range from those of the salt-spray zone, typically including golden samphire Inula crithmoides and rock sea change & 2.74% lavender Limonium binervosum to cliff tops on which gorse and bracken may be conspicuous. Others occur on the cliff slopes, destroyed/part occupying rock ledges, scree, thin limestone soils, and deeper acidic drift. destroyed)

Rhossili Down Biological & Rhossili Down is notable in demonstrating important evidence for the glacial and periglacial history of west Gower. Possibly the finest 64.57 C Geological example of a solifluction terrace in South Wales occurs at the foot of Rhossili Down, and head deposits are exposed for some 2 (35.43% kilometres. unfavourable recovering) In biological terms Rhossili Down is of interest for its wide range of heathland communities developed over podsols derived from the underlying Old Red Sandstone. The central ridge supports the largest single resource of dry acid heath remaining in Cower and is dominated by ling Calluna vulgaris in association with other typical species such as western gorse Ulex gallii , bell heather Erica cinerea and tormentil Potentilla erecta . The rocky summit rises to a height of 632 feet and supports many species of moss and lichens characteristic of low atmospheric pollution levels.

Whiteford Burrows Biological Twyni Chwitffordd, Morfa Landimôr a Bae Brychdwn/Whiteford Burrows, Landimore Marsh and Broughton Bay is of special interest for 100 C its coastal and marine habitats, including estuarine mud and sandflats, zoning through grazed saltmarsh to calcareous dunes and slacks via a species-rich transition along the freshwater seepage at the eastern dune edge. In addition, the site is of interest for the assemblages of flowering plants, fungi and invertebrates associated with the sand dunes. A number of individual plant species, a rare terrestrial snail and a nationally scarce polychaete worm are of special interest. The site supports a proportion of the population of overwintering waders and wildfowl that make the Burry Inlet internationally important. A sequence of geological exposures at Broughton Bay is also of special interest.

For the greater part, the river meanders over a flat valley floor, re-working previously deposited river sediments. Though rock sections are uncommon, the orientation of the river course indicates that it is controlled by features in the underlying solid geology, such as faults or folds in the rocks of the valley floor. Generally, ashes, sandstones and limestones give rise to solid areas of river bed. The areas of shale and mustone are occupied by glacial till or river alluvium. These latter deposits are frequently exposed in small river cliffs, displaying evidence of the historical development of the river basin.

Characteristic vegetation of the exposed gravel shoals include submerged aquatic plants present in stretches of moderate flow in the river channel, unstable communities which are subject to periodic inundation and marginal vegetation. Much of the river bank is subject to active erosion and the species composition, often dominated by tall ruderals and ephemerals reflects this. Tree cover is sparse along the banks of the Afon Tywi, the adjacent flood plain dominated mainly by intensive dairy farming with improved grassland running down to the river. Below Carmarthen, but especially in the lowest reaches of the river, a diverse range of saltmarsh communities covering over 150 hectares has developed. There are also important transitions to wet grassland, freshwater mire and dune.

The river is an important habitat for otter (Lutra lutra) twaite and allis shad, ( Alosa fallax and A. alosa), sea trout Salmo trutta trutta , Atlantic salmon Salmo salar , eel Anguilla anguilla , the river lamprey Lampetra fluviatillis and the sea lamprey Petromyzon marius . Non migratory brown trout Salmo trutta fario and bullhead Cottus gobbio are also present. Craig – Ddu- Wharley Geological & These shelter Old Red Sandstone cliffs located between the Taf and Tywi estuaries are noted for their botanical, ornithological and C Point Cliffs Biological invertebrate interest.

The frost-tender maidenhair fern Adiantum capillus-veneris , sea spleenwort Asplenium marinum and madder Rubia peregrina are good examples; likewise the centipedes Lithobius pilicornis and Hydroschendyla submarina , which otherwise are mostly found only in south-west England.

Near the cliff tops, maritime scrub (with much dogwood Thelycrania sanguinea ) and low woodland has developed, though where the cliffs are steeper or where only rather skeletal soils are found, there is a more open herbaceous plant community, with localised species such as bloody cranesbill Geranium sanguineum and Portland spurge Euphorbia portlandica . A well developed maritime lichen flora also occurs, including notable calcicoles such as Dermatocarpon miniatum and Physcia tribacia . A small outcrop of Lower Limestone shales above Craig Ddu has a distinctive base-demanding flora that includes ivy broomrape Orobanche hederae , southern polypody Polypodium cambricum , early dog-violet Viola reichenbachiana and bee orchid Ophrys apifera .

The snail Pomatias elegans , a southern thermophilus species, and here near the edge of its range, has populations at Craig Ddu, whilst the small subterranean snail Cecihoides acicula is another local species of note. Also at Craig Ddu, a woodlouse of very restricted distribution, Halophiloscia couchi , is found under rocks near high water mark. There is a long-established heronry of about twenty pairs and the peregrine falcon is a regular nester at one cliff-top site.

Saundersfoot – Biological & The site is of special interest for its intertidal communities and geological exposures. It is located at the far south-eastern end of 86.58 C Telpyn Coast Geological Pembrokeshire, stretching along the coast from the town of Saundersfoot in the west, through the village of Amroth to the border (4.81% unfavourable with Carmarthenshire. recovering & 8.61% unfavourable no change) Waterwynch Bay to Biological & The site is of special interest for its Upper Carboniferous geology, marine biological communities, coastal scrub and a mixture of 0 C Saundersfoot Geological maritime heath, maritime grassland and crevice communities. (Unfavourable Harbour recovering) - This is the best natural exposure of lower Westphalian A (Upper Carboniferous) rocks in Britain. - Nationally scarce vascular plants occur at several locations. Portland spurge Euphorbia portlandica and ivy broomrape Orobanche hederae grow on the slopes of Monkstone Point. Dotted sedge Carex punctata and numerous large stands of royal fern Osmunda regalis are a feature of the freshwater seepages on these cliffs. Tenby Cliffs and St. Biological & The site is of special interest for its littoral rock and sandy shore communities, including two nationally scarce seaweed and piddock 100 C Catherine’s Island Geological communities, and specialised cave and overhang communities, an assemblage of nationally rare and scarce plants and two areas of geological importance for Carboniferous Limestone and Millstone Grit cliff exposures.

Biological: The limestone cliffs support species-rich crevice communities, typified by plants such as thrift Armeria maritima , sea plantain Plantago maritima , rock sea-spurrey Spergularia rupicola and the noteworthy rock sea-lavender Limonium binervosum and golden-samphire Inula crithmoides . A small but persistent population of the Red Data Book species, small restharrow, grows amongst the therophyte communities of the limestone cliffs and has been monitored for the past 20 years. Other notable plants include Portland spurge Euphorbia portlandica and sea stork’s-bill Erodium maritimum . Narrow-leaved everlasting-pea Lathyrus sylvestris grows at Trewent Point and green-winged orchids Orchis morio are found above Barafundle Bay. The variety of habitats encourage an abundance of invertebrates. Butterflies such as the small blue Cupido minimus , the dark green fritillary Argynnis aglaja and the grayling Hipparchia semele have been observed here. Of the other invertebrate species present, ants are particularly noticeable by virtue of their copious nest mounds Stackpole Biological Stackpole is an exceptionally biologically diverse site incorporating a wide range of internationally and nationally important habitats 61.79 C and species. Terricolous lichen communities of international significance occur over the extensive dune and cliff complex. The (38.21% Carboniferous Limestone sea-cliffs include exposed and sheltered 30 metre elevations with numerous caves, arches, crevices and unfavourable no blow-holes. There are two sheltered sandy bays with both open and wooded dune systems, as well as an older dune formation, change) Stackpole Warren, perched on a classic coastal plateau surface. Interspersed with tracts of maritime and calcareous grassland are areas of calcareous heath on shallow rocky soils, and these are especially rich in rare lichens. The nationally important freshwater lake system, Bosherston Lake, occupies three narrow, drowned valleys in the Carboniferous Limestone. This shallow highly calcareous water body is renowned for its charophytes and associated marl formations. Many scarce epiphytic lichens occur within the anci ent and secondary woodland of ash Fraxinus excelsior and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus and on calcareous scrub, as well as amongst grey willow Salix cinerea / alder Alnus glutinosa carr adjacent to the lake. Amongst the numerous rare higher plants are two Red Data Book species. Several invertebrate groups are of interest in their own right including snails, caddis flies, bees and wasps and dragonflies. Otters breed and nine species of bat are present. About 70 species of bird breed and overwintering waterfowl include coot and pochard. Chough regularly feed and one pair breeds. The cliffs hold seabird colonies and the rocky foreshore is also of marine biological importance.

Biological The exposed limestone sea-cliffs of the Castlemartin Range are of the highest importance for maritime vegetation. Numerous rare plants occur, including the goldilocks aster (Aster Linosyris) and small restharrow Ononis Reclinata . The area supports the largest concentration of breeding seabirds on the Pembrokeshire mainland, with about 5,800 individual guillemots, and 530 razorbills, and some 400 kittiwake pairs nesting at Stack Rocks. Rare breeding birds include 13-14 pairs of chough at its main breeding location in West Wales, and there are several notable invertebrates. At the western end, a large calcareous dune system has an extensive natural transition to the fen of Frainslake. The foreshore is of marine biological importance. Broom Hill Burrows Biological One of 'Pembrokeshire's largest dune systems with the most extensive and most diverse dune slack vegetation. Species-rich dune 100 D grassland overlying Old Red Sandstone is also especially well represented, along with the more mobile elements of dune vegetation. Numerous notable plants occur, including scarce lichens. Notable insects include several rare beetles, flies, bugs and moths. Vestigial strandline vegetation occurs on the narrow shingle ridge at the top of the wide and extremely exposed sandy shore, with spear-leaved orache Atriplex prostrata, frosted orache A. laciniata, Babington's orache (A.glabriuscula) and sea sandwort Honkenya peploides. Angle Penninsula Biological & Arfordir Penrhyn Angle/Angle Peninsula Coast is of special interest for its geology, its wide range of intertidal rock, sand, and gravel 100 D Coast Geological habitats and communities, particularly rockpools, caves, tide-swept and under-boulder communities, and for its population of roosting and feeding chough. West Angle Bay is an extremely important and controversial site with significant implications for the glacial and interglacial chronology of Wales; potentially one of the most important Pleistocene sites in Wales. Several species of interest include: golden samphire, Inula crithmoides , rock sea lavender Limonium procerum ssp. procerum , sea aster Aster trifolium and both Portland and woodland spurge Euphorbia portlandica . Milford Haven Biological & Milford Haven Waterway is of special interest for its geology, ancient woodland, marine biology, saltmarsh, swamp, saline lagoons, 0 D Waterway Geological rare and scarce plants and invertebrates, nationally important numbers of migratory waterfowl, greater and lesser horseshoe bats (100% unfavourable Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and R. hipposideros , and otter Lutra lutra . no change) The cliffs and foreshore at Little Castle Head provide exposures of two air-fall tuff horizons within the Sandy Haven Formation of the Lower Old Red Sandstone.

National Nature Reserve (NNR) Merthyr Mawr The reserve consists of an old dune system with dunes rising to 200 feet, the send tallest dunes in Europe. It is part of the dune system B Warren that once stretched from the Ogmore River to the Gower peninula.

There are many local and national rarities such as variegated horsetail, sea spurge, hutchinsia, rock sea lavender, curved hard-grass, round-leaved wintergreen and dune fescue. Kenfig Pool and Some of the dunes of Kenfig, near Porthcawl, cover the site of an ancient town and castle. Sand, blown by gales, smothered the B Dunes town in the 16th century and only the castle tower remains above ground. The site harbours interesting animals and flowers such as the rare fen orchid. There are hides for birdwatching and the county council, whose staff manage the reserve, arranges walks and talks for visitors Oxwich Occupying most of the attractive Oxwich Bay in south Gower, this reserve has one of the richest varieties of coastal habitat in Britain. B

The foreshore, dunes, marshes and woodlands hold many species, particularly flowers, birds and insects. Over six hundred kinds of flowering plants alone have been found! A range of interesting management sustains the wildlife, including mowing, cutting, grazing and dredging. The reserve is easy to explore and is particularly suitable for field studies. Gower Coast This reserve, managed by the National Trust, consists of the Worm's Head tidal island and a section of limestone cliffs. The varied plant B life is heavily influenced by wind, sea and sun and is at it's most attractive in late spring and early summer. Breeding birds include kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills and, occasionally, peregrines and choughs. Whiteford 3000 acres of sand dunes, beach, marsh and mud flats, on the edge of the Gower Penisula on the banks of the Burry Inlet. Wide C range of seabirds, ducks geese and waders including oystercatchers, snipe, curlew, lapwing, redshank. reed and sedge warblers and buntings. Butterflies: Common and Small blues, Dark Green fritillaries, Graylings. Stackpole Stackpole, in south Pembrokeshire, is exceptionally diverse, being important for coastal and freshwater habitats and species, and C archaeological remains. It is managed in partnership with the National Trust, by the Countryside Council for Wales.

Limestone sea-cliffs, with numerous caves and arches, fall 3 0 metres to the sea. There are two sheltered bays with open and wooded sand dunes, plus an older dune formation, Stackpole Warren, perched on the coastal plateau. The reserve is especially rich in rare soil lichens and is a stronghold for choughs and greater horseshoe bats. The freshwater Bosherston lakes, created about 200 years ago, occupy three narrow drowned limestone valleys. These shallow water bodies are renowned for stoneworts and associated marl formations. On lakeside paths, you may see water lilies, otters and a wealth of invertebrates.

Lavernock Point to St Ann’s Head SMP2 Appendix D: SEA Scoping Report Annex A: SEA Environmental Baseline Report (Theme Review) Annex 3: National Conservation Designations