ABP Southampton
Environmental Statement for Port of Southampton: Berth 201/202 Works
Appendix E
Review of Nature Conservation Designations
Appendix E
Review of Nature Conservation Designations
Environmental Statement for Port of Southampton: Berth 201/202 Works Appendices
Appendix E. Review of Nature Conservation Designations
The following sections review the sites of international, national and local designated nature conservation interest in the study area and the non-statutory Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) that are relevant to the impact assessment.
Ramsar Sites
Under the 1972 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, it is a requirement of signatory states to protect wetland sites of international importance, including those that are important waterfowl habitats. The boundaries of the Ramsar sites in the study area are included in Figure 6.1 of the main Environmental Statement (ES) document.
Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar Site
The Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar Site, covering 5346ha, was designated in October 1998. The site comprises estuaries and adjacent coastal habitats, including intertidal flats, saline lagoons, shingle beaches, saltmarsh, reedbeds, damp woodland, and grazing marsh. The different habitats support internationally important numbers of wintering waterfowl, important breeding gull and tern populations and an important assemblage of rare invertebrates and plants.
The Solent and Southampton Water was designated a Ramsar site by meeting the qualifying criteria outlined below:
Criterion 1: The site is one of the few major sheltered channels between a substantial island and mainland in European waters, exhibiting an unusual strong double tidal flow with long periods of slack water at high and low tide. It comprises many wetland habitats characteristic of the biogeographic region: saline lagoons, saltmarshes, estuaries, intertidal flats, shallow coastal waters, grazing marshes, reedbeds, coastal woodland and rocky boulder reefs;
Criterion 2: The site supports an important assemblage of rare plants and invertebrates. At least 33 British Red Data Book invertebrates and at least eight British Red Data Book plants are represented on site;
Criterion 5: Supports internationally important assemblages of overwintering waterfowl; and
Criterion 6: Used regularly by species/populations occurring at levels of international importance. Qualifying species/populations (as identified at designation) that have peak counts in spring/autumn are ringed plover. Those having peak counts in winter are, dark-bellied Brent goose, Eurasian teal and black-tailed godwit.
Portsmouth Harbour Ramsar Site
Portsmouth Harbour Ramsar Site, covering 1249ha, was designated in February 1995. The harbour is a large industrialised estuary and includes large areas of mudflats, supporting eelgrass beds, and tidal
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creeks. The site supports internationally important numbers of wintering and nationally important numbers of waterfowl.
Portsmouth Harbour was designated a Ramsar site by meeting the qualifying criteria outlined below:
Criterion 3: The intertidal mudflat areas possess extensive eelgrass beds supporting the grazing dark-bellied Brent geese populations. The site also includes a number of saline lagoons hosting nationally important species; and
Criterion 6: Used regularly by species/populations occurring at levels of international importance. Qualifying species/population (as identified at designation) that has peak counts in winter is the dark-bellied Brent goose.
Chichester and Langstone Harbours Ramsar Site
Chichester and Langstone Harbours Ramsar Site, covering 5810ha, was designated in October 1987. The harbours are large, sheltered estuarine basins comprising extensive mud and sand flats exposed at low tide. The site is of particular significance for over-wintering wildfowl and waders and also a wide range of coastal and transitional habitats supporting important plant and animal communities.
Chichester and Langstone Harbours were designated a Ramsar site by meeting the qualifying criteria outlined below:
Criterion 1: Two large estuarine basins linked by the channel which divides Hayling Island from the main Hampshire coastline. The site includes intertidal mudflats, saltmarsh, sand and shingle spits and sand dunes;
Criterion 5: Supports internationally important assemblages of overwintering waterfowl;
Criterion 6: Used regularly by species/populations occurring at levels of international importance. Qualifying species/populations (as identified at designation) that have peak counts in spring/autumn are ringed plover, black-tailed godwit and common redshank. Qualifying species/populations (as identified at designation) that have peak counts in winter are dark- bellied Brent geese, common shelduck, grey plover and dunlin. Species/populations identified subsequent to designation for future consideration that are regularly supported during the breeding season are the little tern.
New Forest Ramsar Site
The New Forest Ramsar Site, covering 28,003ha, was designated in September 1993. The New Forest is an area of semi-natural vegetation including valley mires, fens and wet heath. Other wetland habitats include numerous ponds and a network of small streams mainly acidic in character, which have no lowland equivalent in the UK.
The New Forest was designated a Ramsar site by meeting the qualifying criteria outlined below:
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Criterion 1: Valley mires and wet heaths are found throughout the site and are of outstanding scientific interest. The mires and heaths are within catchments whose uncultivated and undeveloped state buffer the mires against adverse ecological change. This is the largest concentration of intact valley mires of their type in Britain;
Criterion 2: The site supports a diverse assemblage of wetland plants and animals including several nationally rare species. Seven species of nationally rare plant are found on the site, as are at least 65 British Red Data Book species of invertebrate;
Criterion 3: The mire habitats are of high ecological quality and diversity and have undisturbed transition zones. The invertebrate fauna of the site is important due to the concentration of rare and scarce wetland species. The whole site complex, with its examples of semi-natural habitats is essential to the genetic and ecological diversity of southern England.
Special Protection Areas
The EC Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) requires all member states to identify areas to be given special protection for the rare or vulnerable waterbird species listed in Annex 1 (Article 4.1) and for regularly occurring migratory species (Article 4.2) and for the protection of wetlands, especially wetlands of international importance. The boundaries of the SPA sites in the study area are included in Figure 6.1 of the main ES document.
Solent and Southampton Water SPA
The Solent and Southampton Water SPA, covering 5506ha, was designated in October 1998. The SPA comprises 48% tidal rivers, estuaries, mudflats, sandflats and lagoons (including saltwork basins), 18% saltmarshes, salt pastures and salt steppes, 17% humid and mesophile grassland, 10% shingle, sea cliffs and islets, 3% bog, marsh, water fringed vegetation and fens, 3% coastal sand dunes, sand beaches and machair, and 1% broad-leaved deciduous woodland.
The Solent and Southampton Water SPA qualifies under the EC Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) given that it achieves the following:
Article 4.1 - regularly supports an internationally important population of breeding Annex I species, comprising Mediterranean gull, little tern, roseate tern, common tern, sandwich tern; and
Article 4.2 - supports an internationally important assemblage of birds over winter, and internationally important populations of regularly occurring migratory species, including Eurasian teal, dark-bellied Brent goose, ringed plover, and black-tailed godwit.
Portsmouth Harbour SPA
The Portsmouth Harbour SPA, covering 1249ha, was designated in February 1995 and updated in February 1999. The SPA comprises 85% tidal rivers, estuaries, mudflats, sandflats and lagoons (including saltwork basins), 14% saltmarshes, salt pastures and salt steppes and 1% humid and mesophile grassland.
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Portsmouth Harbour SPA qualifies under the EC Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) given that it achieves the following:
Article 4.2 - supports an internationally important overwintering population of dark-bellied Brent goose, dunlin, black-tailed godwit and red-breasted merganser.
Chichester and Langstone Harbours SPA
The Chichester and Langstone Harbours SPA, covering 5810ha, was designated in October 1987 and updated in February 1999. The SPA comprises 63% tidal rivers, estuaries, mudflats, sandflats and lagoons (including saltwork basins), 22% saltmarshes, salt pastures and salt steppes, 12% improved grassland, 2% humid and mesophile grassland, and 1% of a range of habitats, including broad-leaved deciduous woodland, bog, marsh, water fringed vegetation, fens and inland water bodies (standing water, running water).
Chichester and Langstone Harbours SPA qualifies under the EC Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) given that it achieves the following:
Article 4.1 - During the breeding season the area regularly supports little tern, common tern and sandwich tern. Over winter the area regularly supports bar-tailed godwit; and
Article 4.2 - Over winter the area regularly supports an internationally important assemblage of birds, including northern pintail, northern shoveler, common teal, Eurasian widgeon, ruddy turnstone, dark-bellied Brent goose, sanderling and dunlin, ringed plover, red-breasted merganser, curlew, grey plover, shelduck, redshank.
Special Areas of Conservation
The EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) requires the establishment of a European network of important high-quality conservation sites that will make a significant contribution to conserving the 189 habitat types and 788 species identified in Annexes I and II of the Directive (as amended). The boundaries of the SAC sites in the study area are included in Figure 6.1 of the main ES document.
Solent Maritime SAC
The Solent Maritime SAC, covering 11,325ha, was proposed as eligible as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) in October 1998, and designated as SAC in April 2005. The SAC comprises 59% tidal rivers, estuaries, mudflats, sandflats and lagoons (including saltwork basins), 23% salt marshes, salt pastures and salt steppes, 14% marine areas and sea inlets, 3% shingle, sea cliffs and islets, and 1% coastal sand dunes, sand beaches, machair, and broad-leaved deciduous woodland.
Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site are:
Spartina swards (Spartinion maritimae); Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae); and Estuaries.
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Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature for selection of this site are:
Sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time; Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide; Coastal lagoons; Annual vegetation of drift lines; Perennial vegetation of stony banks; Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand; and Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (“white dunes”).
Annex II species present as a qualifying feature for site selection is:
Desmoulin`s whorl snail, Vertigo moulinsiana.
South Wight Maritime SAC
South Wight Maritime was proposed as eligible as SCI in October 1998, and designated as SAC in April 2005. The SAC covers 19,863ha and comprises 96% marine areas and sea inlets, 1% shingle, sea cliffs and islets, 1% heath, scrub, maquis and garrigue, and phygrana, 1% dry grassland and steppes, 1% coastal sand dunes, sand beaches, machair and broad-leaved deciduous woodland.
Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site are:
Reefs; Vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic coasts; and Submerged or partially submerged sea caves.
River Itchen SAC
The River Itchen was proposed as eligible as SCI in March 1998, and designated as SAC in April 2005. The SAC covers 309ha and comprises 40% inland water bodies (standing water, running water), 27% bog, marsh, water fringed vegetation and fens, 19% humid and mesophile grassland, 10% broad- leaved deciduous woodland, 2% mixed woodland, 1% improved grassland, and 1% non-forest areas cultivated with woody plants (including orchards, groves, vineyards and dehesas).
Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site are:
Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho- Batrachion vegetation.
Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site are:
Southern damselfly, Coenagrion mercuriale; and Bullhead, Cottus gobio.
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Annex II species that are a qualifying feature for site selection are:
White-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes; Brook lamprey, Lampetra planeri; Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar; and Otter, Lutra lutra.
New Forest SAC
The New Forest was proposed as eligible as SCI in June 1995 and designated as SAC in April 2005. The SAC covers 29,262ha and comprises 34% heath, scrub, maquis, garrigue and phygrana, 29% broad-leaved deciduous woodland, 17% coniferous woodland, 10% dry grassland and steppes, 7% bog, marsh, water fringed vegetation and fen, and 3% humid grassland and mesophile grassland.
Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site are:
Oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals of sandy plains, Littorelletalia uniflorae; Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoeto-Nanojuncetea; Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix; European dry heaths; Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils; Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion; Atlantic acidophilous beech forests with Ilex and sometimes also Taxus in the shrublayer (Quercion robori-petraeae or Ilici-Fagenion); Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests; Old acidophilous oak woods with Quercus robur on sandy plains; Bog woodland; and Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae).
Annex I habitats that are a qualifying feature for site selection are:
Transition mire and quaking bog; and Alkaline fen.
Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site are:
Southern damselfly, Coenagrion mercuriale; and Stag beetle, Lucanus cervus.
Annex II species that are a qualifying feature for site selection are:
Great crested newt, Triturus cristatus.
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European Marine Sites
The requirements of the EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) have been transposed into UK legislation through the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994, known as the Habitats Regulations. SACs and SPAs are defined as European Sites in the Habitats Regulations. Where the European Site lies below the highest astronomical tide, i.e. covered continuously or intermittently by tidal waters, or any part of the sea, in or adjacent to Great Britain, up to the seaward limit of territorial waters, it is described as a European Marine Site. The following European Marine Sites and corresponding international designations are located in the study area.
Solent European Marine Site
Solent Maritime SAC; Solent and Southampton Water SPA and Ramsar site; Portsmouth Harbour SPA and Ramsar site; and Chichester and Langstone Harbours SPA and Ramsar site.
South Wight Maritime European Marine Site
South Wight Maritime SAC.
The proposed Berth 201/202 works and disposal ground are outside of the boundaries for these European Marine Sites and therefore any impact will be via indirect pathways. The boundaries of these sites are presented in Figure 6.2 of the main ES document.
Natural England has produced advice for these European Marine Sites under Regulation 33(2) of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (English Nature, 2001a; 2001b). Natural England is tasked with defining conservation objectives that reflect the quality of the site for the features listed in the citation at the time of the designation and to assist in the future maintenance of the individual features. The Regulation 33(2) Advice has been considered in greater detail in the provision of information for an Appropriate Assessment (AA), which is included in Appendix D.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
At a national level, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are notified by the nature conservation agencies, such as Natural England, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Under the Act, the conservation agencies are required “to notify land which in their opinion is of special interest for its plants, animals, geological or physiographical features”. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 has strengthened the protection of SSSIs.
The proposed Berth 201/202 works and disposal ground are outside of the boundaries for the SSSI designations in Southampton Water and the Solent and therefore any impact will be via indirect pathways. The SSSIs that are within the study area are shown in Figure 6.3 of the main ES document and summarised in Table E.1.
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Table E.1 Summary of SSSIs in the study area
SSSI Date Notified Area (Ha) Key Interests Condition of Units The site comprises one of the most extensive reed Phragmites beds on the south Lower Test 1971 (Under 1949 Act) coast. 139 8 Favourable Valley Dec 1986 (Under 1981 Act) The site is important for wetland breeding birds and as a wader and duck feeding and roosting ground The site comprises two dissimilar saltmarshes with intervening intertidal mudflats. Eling and Bury 1979 (Under 1949 Act) 3 Favourable 110 The habitats support autumn and winter populations of feeding and roosting waders, Marshes Jun 1986 (Under 1981 Act) 1 Unfavourable, no change ducks and grey herons. Nationally important assemblage of invertebrates (including beetles, bees, wasps and Sep 2001 (Under 1981 Act) Dibden Bay 229 flies). 2 Favourable Apr 2002 (Last revision) Notified for breeding lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) Site is notified for classic chalk stream and river, fen meadow, flood pasture and swamp habitats 28 Favourable Site comprises significant population of nationally rare species and assemblages of 25 Unfavourable, recovering River Itchen Apr 2001 (Under 1981 Act) 748 freshwater and riparian invertebrates. 17 Unfavourable, no change Supports migratory Atlantic salmon. 38 Unfavourable, declining Notified for supporting range of breeding birds. The site includes the most extensive areas of saltmarsh and mudflats in Southampton Hythe to Calshot 1979 (Under 1949 Act) Water. 683 6 Unfavourable, declining Marshes 1984 (Under 1981 Act) The site provides a large proportion of the feeding and roosting grounds for birds in Southampton Water. The site comprises extensive intertidal muds with a littoral fringe of vegetated shingle, Lee-on-the Aug 1992 (Under 1981 Act) saltmarsh, reedbed, marshy grasslands and deciduous woodland. 22 Favourable Solent to Itchen 632 May 1993 (Last revision) The site supports and outstanding assemblage of nationally scarce coastal plants. 5 Unfavourable, no change Estuary Supports important numbers of feeding and roosting birds. Lincegrove and Site comprises mature saltmarsh on the west bank of the River Hamble estuary. 1978 (Under 1949 Act) Hackett’s 37 Structurally the marshes are one of the best examples of mature saltmarsh on the 3 Favourable 1984 (Under 1981 Act) Marshes south coast. Tidal river is excluded by one-way tidal valves and the former estuary is an extensive freshmarsh, the river being flanked successively by large reed beds (Phragmites 1959 (Under 1949 Act) australis) and wet, unimproved meadows dissected by drainage ditches and further Titchfield Haven 131 8 Unfavourable no change 1983 (Under 1981 Act) diversified by pools, ‘flashes’ and patches of fen. The area in important for surface-feeding ducks and a rich wetland breeding bird community.
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SSSI Date Notified Area (Ha) Key Interests Condition of Units Habitats range from coastal mudflats and saltmarshes, shingle beaches and spits, fresh and brackish marshland and pools, maritime grassland, species rich neutral and acidic 72 Favourable 1951 (Under 1949 Act) grassland, valley mire, heathland and a range of ancient semi-natural woodlands. 7 Unfavourable, recovering North Solent 1188 Sep 1990 (Under 1981 Act) The site is of international importance for its populations of over-wintering and migratory 4 Unfavourable, no change wildfowl and wading birds and is of national importance for its populations of breeding 15 Unfavourable, declining gulls, terns and waders. New Forest streams are a geographically isolated type with no equivalent in lowland England. The plant communities of the Lymington system are unique in England; there is no Lymington River Jul 1997 (Under 1991 Acts) 36 1 Unfavourable, declining other system currently known which shows such a rapid succession in such a short stretch of river. Utilisation of streams by migratory fish, including brown trout Salmo trutta. The site comprises ca. 30ha of reed Phragmites australis, grading upstream into wet, 2 Favourable Lymington River 1978 (Under 1949 Act) unimproved meadowland with a moderately rich neutral grassland flora. 41 1 Unfavourable, recovering Reed Beds 1984 (Under 1981 Act) Reedbeds important as breeding sites for passerine birds, as autumn roosts for migrant 1 Unfavourable, declining birds and as a food source for migrant passerine birds. The site comprises the estuaries of three substantial streams, intertidal muds, cord- grass Spartina anglica marshes, high level mixed saltmarsh, fresh and brackish marsh, including a series of fresh to saline lagoons. 24 Favourable Hurst Castle and 1961 (Under 1949 Act) Nesting sites for nationally important breeding populations of terns and black-headed 3 Unfavourable, recovering Lymington River Sep 1986 (Under 1981 Act) 1110 gulls. 1 Unfavourable, no change Estuary Mar 2005 (Last revision) Site supports internationally important over-wintering populations of wildfowl and 6 Unfavourable, declining waders. Rich invertebrate fauna, including 8 nationally rare and 13 nationally notable species. Brading Marshes comprises an extensive area of neutral and acid grassland, saline and freshwater lagoons and pools, botanically rich ditches, reedbeds, and areas of ancient woodland. Brading Marshes 22 Favourable 1951-1977 (Under 1949 Act) Bembridge Harbour consists of intertidal mudflats and sandflats, sand dunes and to St Helen’s 488 30 Unfavourable, recovering 1984-1988 (Under 1981 Act) shingle spits, rocky outcrops, shingle, limestone reefs and ledges forming St Helen’s Ledges 6 Unfavourable, declining Ledges. This combination of hard and soft coastal features supports a rich flora and marine invertebrate fauna. The site comprises extensive areas of intertidal sand, rock and shingle, and includes a Whitecliff Bay 1955 (Under 1949 Act) series of actively eroding cliffs. 7 Favourable and Bembridge 132 July 1986 (Under 1981 Act) The ledges provide the best examples of rock shore fauna on the south coast, east of 1 Unfavourable, no change Ledges Poole.
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SSSI Date Notified Area (Ha) Key Interests Condition of Units Site is an important refuge for surface feeding and diving ducks. 1971 (Under 1949 Act) 1 Favourable Sowley Pond 48 Site is surrounded by mature oak Quercus and Scots pine Pinus sylvestris woodland, 1984 (Under 1981 Act) 1 Unfavourable, recovering which supports the largest Hampshire heronry. Site is an extensive shingle beach comprising a disturbed sequence of apposition 1979 (Under 1949 Act) 2 Unfavourable, recovering Browndown 67 ridges supporting three plant communities. 1985 (Under 1981 Act) 1 Unfavourable, no change Invertebrate fauna include a range of specialised and rare species. Rare habitat in Britain, where there are relatively few saline lagoons. Gilkicker Lagoon 1984 (Under 1981 Act) 4 Supports a specialised flora and fauna. The assemblage is relatively rich and includes 5 1 Favourable national rarities. Mudflats support an abundant fauna of benthic marine animals, providing valuable food 9 Favourable source for shorebirds. 1 Unfavourable, recovering Portsmouth 1974 (Under 1949 Act) 1266 Mud surfaces support extensive beds of eelgrasses and algae. 6 Unfavourable, no change Harbour Mar 1985 (Under 1981 Act) Cord-grass marshes occur on mudflats in the upper part of the tidal range. 5 Unfavourable, declining Site supports high numbers of wetland birds, particularly waders and wildfowl. 1 Destroyed Site includes one of the largest ares of mixed saltmarsh on the south coast. 6 Favourable Langstone 1958 (Under 1949 Act) Site supports high densities of intertidal invertebrates and large populations of migrant 2069 1 Unfavourable, recovering Harbour 1985 (Under 1981 Act) and overwintering waders and wildfowl, dependent upon them and upon the extensive 5 Unfavourable, declining beds of eelgrass. Site comprises pioneer shingle vegetation, maritime shingle grassland, mobile dune, Sinah Common Mar 2000 (Under 1981 Act) 242 semi-fixed dune, dune heath and an associated small area of saltmarsh. 2 Unfavourable, recovering Site supports endangered and nationally rare assemblage of plants. Site is of significance for wintering wildfowl and waders and also breeding birds. Site comprises wide range of habitats, including extensive mudflats, saltmarsh and 26 Favourable Chichester 1970 (Under 1949 Act) shingle, with associated important plant communities. 2 Unfavourable, recovering 3695 Harbour 1984 (Under 1981 Act) Along with neighbouring Langstone and Portsmouth Harbours, the site is unusual in 14 Unfavourable, no change providing a large volume of sheltered saline water fed by a few streams of only low 1 Unfavourable, declining volume. Site consist of a long stretch of coasta with some rough unimproved grazing pastures which are important for the bird populations they support. 1 Favourable 1980 (Under 1949 Act) Bracklesham Bay 202 Coastal habitats include a small area of saltmarsh, shingle bank, the rifes (wide flowing 2 Unfavourable, recovering 1986 (Under 1981 Act) ditches) and associated reed beds, together with intertidal exposures of high geological 1 Unfavourable, no change interest. Together with Selsey West Beach, the site forms a key Quaternary site for a sequence Selsey, East 1988 (Under 1981 Act) 2 of freshwater and estuarine deposits of Ipswichian Interglacial age. 1 Favourable Beach Deposits are of unique importance in providing Pleistocene vertebrate faunas.
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National and Local Nature Reserves
National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are declared by the statutory country conservation agencies under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) may be declared by local authorities, under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, after consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation agency.
Local designations contain examples of some of the most important natural and semi-natural terrestrial and coastal ecosystems in Great Britain. Both NNRs and LNRS are managed for nature conservation, and to provide opportunities for scientific study and education. Nature Reserves that are known to occur in study area are listed in Table E.2 below and shown in Figure 6.4 of the main ES document.
Table E.2 NNRs and LNRs in the study area
Nature Reserve Area (Ha) Titchfield Haven NNR 119 North Solent NNR 926 Chessel Bay LNR 13 Hackett’s Marsh LNR 20 Mercury Marshes LNR 6 Hook with Warsash LNR 252 Calshot Marshes LNR 51 Titchfield Haven LNR 93 Boldre Foreshore LNR 193 Lymington to Keyhaven Marshes LNR 194 Farlington Marshes LNR 120 West Hayling LNR 76 The Kench, Hayling Island LNR 6 Sandy Point LNR 18
Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Local authorities for any given area may designate certain areas as being of local conservation interest. These Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), together with statutory designations, are defined in local and structure plans under the Town and Country Planning system and are a material consideration when planning applications are being determined. Figure 6.5 in the main ES document shows the SINCs that occur in the study area.
UK Biodiversity Action Plan
The Convention on Biological Diversity was one of several major initiatives stemming from the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It represents a commitment to conserving and sustaining the variety of life on earth. In response, the Government published the UK Biodiversity Action Plan in 1994. The main aim of the non-statutory action plan is “to conserve and enhance biological diversity within the UK and to contribute to the conservation of global biodiversity through all appropriate mechanisms”.
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Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) are now in existence and their primary purpose is to focus resources by means of local partnerships to implement conservation action for the priority habitats and species and locally important wildlife and sites. The content of the LBAPs are informed and guided by national targets so that their implementation is firmly linked to national priorities. The plans seek to reflect the values of local people and provide a focus for local initiatives. The BAPs and associated Habitat Action Plans (HAPs) and Species Action Plans (SAPs) for marine and coastal habitats and species that are located in the study area are summarised in Table E.3.
Table E.3. Summary of LBAPs, HAPs and SAPs in the study area
LBAP Priority HAP SAP Chalk rivers Coastal saltmarsh Coastal sand dunes Coastal vegetated shingle Dark-bellied Brent goose Hampshire Maritime cliff and slopes (Branta bernicla bernicla) Intertidal mudflats Shorebirds Reedbeds Saline lagoons Eelgrass beds Coastal saltmarsh Coastal sand dunes Maritime cliff and slopes Isle of Wight Intertidal mudflats Saline lagoons Eelgrass beds Chalk rivers Coastal saltmarsh Coastal vegetated shingle Eastleigh Maritime cliff and slopes Intertidal mudflats Reedbeds.
Solent Coast and Hamble Estuary Priority Area
The Eastleigh Borough Council BAP has identified the Solent Coast and Hamble Estuary as a priority area where action to conserve and enhance habitats and species is to be targeted (Packham, 2002). Actions have been prepared for the following key issues in this area:
Coastal squeeze as a result of climate change and rising sea levels; Disruption of natural coastal processes; Water quality and pollution; Changing land use and management; Recreation; and Inappropriate or lack of management.
The potential effects of the Berth 201/202 works on the relevant issues are reviewed in the impact assessment chapters of the main ES.
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New Priority Habitats and Species
The UK BAP list of priority species and habitats has recently been reviewed and updated. The Priorities Species and Habitats Review Working Group and the Priorities Review Group recommend that this list is accepted and that the initial signposting, also presented in this report, is continued in an iterative and transparent manner (Biodiversity Reporting and Information Group, 2007). From this updated list, the UK BAP priority habitats and species that Natural England considers to be potentially affected by the proposals are:
Coastal saltmarsh; Fragile sponge and anthozoan communities on subtidal rocky habitats; Intertidal mudflats; Eelgrass beds; Sheltered muddy gravels; Subtidal chalk; Subtidal sands and gravels; Tide-swept channels; and Native oyster.
The subtidal areas not covered by international and national designations are reviewed in the context of these UK BAP priority habitats in the Marine and Coastal Ecology Chapter (Chapter 11) of the main ES.
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