DOCSLIB.ORG

Determination of the Off-Site Emergency Planning and Prior Information Areas for the Devonport Royal Dockyard and Her Majesty’S Naval Base Devonport

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Determination of the Off-Site Emergency Planning and Prior Information Areas for the Devonport Royal Dockyard and Her Majesty’S Naval Base Devonport Report ONR-COP-PAR-16-012 TRIM Ref: 2015/121450 Determination of the Off-Site Emergency Planning and Prior Information Areas for the Devonport Royal Dockyard and Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport: Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 Project Assessment Report ONR-COP-PAR-16-012 Revision 0 11 November 2016 Office for Nuclear Regulation Report ONR-COP-PAR-16-012 TRIM Ref: 2015/121450 © Office for Nuclear Regulation, 2016 If you wish to reuse this information visit www.onr.org.uk/copyright for details. Published 11/16 For published documents, the electronic copy on the ONR website remains the most current publicly available version and copying or printing renders this document uncontrolled. Office for Nuclear Regulation Report ONR-COP-PAR-16-012 TRIM Ref: 2015/121450 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Determination of the Off-site Emergency Planning and Prior Information Areas for the Devonport Royal Dockyard and Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport: Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is responsible for regulating the GB nuclear industry in order to protect the health and safety of employees and the public against risks of harm arising from ionising radiations. ONR is the regulatory authority for Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 (REPPIR) on nuclear licensed sites, Ministry of Defence (MOD) authorised nuclear sites and nuclear warship sites. ONR’s responsibilities include a legal duty, where it is concluded that there is a potential for a reasonably foreseeable radiation emergency (as defined in REPPIR), to determine an off-site emergency planning area (ie the area within which, in ONR’s opinion, any member of the public is likely to be affected by such an emergency). In these cases, there is also a legal duty, under the same Regulations, for ONR to determine an area within which prior information is to be distributed to the public. A radiation emergency is defined in REPPIR as a reasonably foreseeable event where a person off-site is likely to receive a radiation dose in excess of the thresholds in REPPIR (typically an effective dose in excess of 5 mSv) in the 12 months following. It therefore constitutes an important component of the UK’s overall emergency response framework. This ONR Project Assessment Report (PAR) describes and explains the basis for its re-determination, in accordance with REPPIR, of the off-site emergency planning area and the area within which prior information is to be distributed around the Devonport Royal Dockyard (DRD) and Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport (HMNB(D)), and relevant berths in Plymouth Sound. In relation to these areas, the lead local authority, in this case Plymouth City Council (PCC) is required to prepare an off-site emergency plan with the purpose of minimising, so far as is reasonably practicable, radiation exposures to those likely to be affected by such an emergency. PCC prepares the Devonport off-site emergency plan in consultation with other local authorities who are affected by the emergency planning area. The plan will reflect the potential need to implement appropriate protection measures such as sheltering and evacuation and administering stable iodine in order to reduce radiation doses to members of the public within all or parts of each area. REPPIR requires operators who carry out work involving quantities of radioactive materials at or beyond those specified by REPPIR, in this case Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd (DRDL) and HMNB(D), to undertake Hazard Identifications and Risk Evaluations (HIRE) in relation to their work with ionising radiations. These HIREs must identify all hazards on the sites with the potential to cause a radiation accident, and evaluate the nature and magnitude of the risks to employees and other persons (eg those who live or work nearby) arising from those hazards. REPPIR also requires operators to assess their HIRE and to send a Report of Assessment (RoA) to ONR either prior to commencement of the work with ionising radiation, following any relevant material change in this work, or within three years of the last assessment, whichever is the shorter. The off-site local authority emergency planning and prior information areas for Devonport, as provided for in REPPIR regulations 9(1) and 16(1), were first determined in 2002 - a short while after REPPIR came into force in 2001. The existing area is set at “not less than 1.5 km from any defined nuclear warship berth or mooring” and has been translated into the current Devonport off-site emergency plan as circular areas of radius 2.0 km centred on 5 Basin within the main Devonport site and the buoys in Plymouth Sound. The operator has declared under regulation 5(1) that the risks identified in the Naval Reactor Plant generic assessment have not changed, taking into account a re-evaluation of additional risks presented by on-site hazards which are deemed not to change the basis for emergency planning. However in order to provide further improvements in protection of the public, a Office for Nuclear Regulation Page i Report ONR-COP-PAR-16-012 TRIM Ref: 2015/121450 change to decisions about the populations to be included within the emergency planning area(s) is needed as a result of the application of ONR’s revised principles for the determination of such areas. ONR’s re-determination of the REPPIR off-site emergency planning area and the REPPIR prior information area for the Devonport site located in Plymouth, Devon, and the relevant berths in Plymouth Sound has been undertaken in accordance with ONR’s regulatory processes, guidance associated with REPPIR itself, and the relevant ONR Technical Assessment Guide (TAG). In particular, the TAG includes ONR’s determination principles (issued in December 2013 and published in 2014) and associated guidance for the determination of such areas. These principles recognise the learning that has emerged from global events such as occurred at Fukushima Japan in 2011 and the need to review the scope of off-site emergency planning. They also reflect ONR’s commitment to seek high standards of nuclear safety at nuclear installations, and its continual efforts to seek improvements in/for measures to secure public safety and to the consistency and transparency of its decision making. ONR’s determination process requires that: Technical assessment be undertaken, by ONR, of DRDL and HMNB(D) submissions of RoA. In accordance with the relevant ONR TAG, ONR also gives appropriate consideration to practical and strategic factors relating to the planning and potential implementation of a credible off-site emergency plan, and other pragmatic factors appropriate to secure confidence as regards protection of the public. This aspect of the process includes dialogue with the relevant local authorities (in this case PCC the duty holder within REPPIR as regards the off-site plan, along with Cornwall Council, South Hams District Council and Devon County Council) and considers, amongst other factors, local population (including vulnerable groups) and geographical considerations. This informs ONR’s determination so as to define more practical emergency planning and prior public information areas than would be the case from purely technical considerations. The outcome of ONR’s technical assessments concludes that areas of radius of at least 1.5 km from any defined nuclear warship berth or mooring should continue to be used as the foundation for defining the extent of the need for local authority off-site emergency planning under regulation 9(1) of REPPIR. ONR’s regulatory principles emphasise the importance of ensuring that an appropriate balance is achieved between the assessment of technical submissions provided by the operator and other practical and strategic considerations judged to be appropriate in the interests of public safety. As a consequence, the ultimate determination of the REPPIR off-site emergency planning area represents ONR’s regulatory judgement, and is not formed solely on the basis of technical considerations or criteria. The outcome of ONR’s review, taking into account the relevant practical and strategic considerations relating specifically to Devonport, is that both the REPPIR off-site emergency planning area and the REPPIR prior information areas for the Devonport site and the relevant berths in Plymouth Sound have been re-defined to be the enhanced areas shown within the red lines on maps 1, 2 and 3 contained in annex B to this report. Changes to the off-site emergency planning area (from the previously determined radial distance of 1.5 km from each berth) reflect factors which ONR judges to be relevant in securing confidence as regards protection of the public during a reasonably foreseeable radiation emergency, the learning that has emerged from global events such as occurred at Fukushima, and the need to review the scope of off-site emergency planning. Office for Nuclear Regulation Page ii Report ONR-COP-PAR-16-012 TRIM Ref: 2015/121450 The recommendations of this report are that ONR write to: Plymouth City Council, being the lead responsible local authority to advise them that the REPPIR off-site emergency planning areas have been determined as the areas within the red lines on maps 1, 2 and 3 in annex B. This information should be copied to Cornwall Council, South Hams District Council and Devon County Council as additional responsible local authorities. It should also be copied to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Commander (Devonport) and Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd acting as the duty holders for the Devonport site and Her Majesty’s Naval Base Commander (Devonport) as the duty holder for the associated Plymouth Sound berths. Plymouth City Council, being the lead responsible local authority confirming the need to update, as required, its detailed off-site emergency plan to adequately cover the areas defined in annex B.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Walk on the WILDSIDE JO VAUGHAN MAKES a NOISE ABOUT a STROLL from the CLUB’S PLYMOUTH SOUND SITE in the SOUTH-WEST
    PLYMOUTH LEISURE TIME INFORMATION TOURISM Plymouth Mayflower, 3-5 The Barbican, Plymouth, Devon PL1 2LR. Tel 01752 306330 Walk on the WILDSIDE JO VAUGHAN MAKES A NOISE ABOUT A STROLL FROM THE CLUB’S PLYMOUTH SOUND SITE IN THE SOUTH-WEST HE CLUB site at Plymouth past Heybrook Bay. This is a truly Sound is simply stunning, spectacular walk overlooking rocky bays, T perched above the coastline sandy beaches and gorse-covered offering unfettered views of the sea. The headlands. Once you’ve enjoyed site is just a few minutes from the South your exercise, it’s a short drive into West Coastal Footpath, giving you the Plymouth to enjoy a variety of option of turning north or south in order attractions, including the National to enjoy the sort of views you just can’t Marine Aquarium and the City Museum. ❖ get any other way but on foot. If you want to burn off even more For our stroll we head south along the calories, there’s always the south-west’s coast path, walking towards and then largest ski centre... JUNE 2008THE CARAVAN CLUB MAGAZINE 73 LEISURE TIME PLYMOUTH START INFORMATION GENERAL NEAREST CLUB SITE: Plymouth Sound, Wembury Point Bovisand Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth PL9 0AE. Tel 01752 862325. Open: 14 March to 6 October Manor Bourne Road DISTANCE: 6 miles/9.6km TERRAIN: Mostly well-trodden coastal Runney Road paths, some tarmac lanes and one potentially muddy section Ford Road NUMBER OF STILES: 11 (some not dog friendly) WEMBURY CP ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT: Ordnance Cliff Road Survey Explorer OL20 – South Devon, Brixham to Newton Ferrers Wembury Point LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate REFRESHMENTS: The Beachcomber DANGER AREA Café at Bovisands and The Eddystone Inn at Heybrook Bay P TOILETS: At Bovisands and Wembury Marine Wembury Beach Conservation Area DIRECTIONS the right-hand fork (following the yellow Continue ahead following the yellow arrow and acorn symbol sign).
    [Show full text]
  • Plym Valley Connections Heritage Lottery Fund Project
    Designers of the London 2012 Olympic Parklands PLYM VALLEY CONNECTIONS HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND PROJECT LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AND HERITAGE ASSESSMENT AUGUST 2013 CONTENTS 1.0 FOREWORD 5 2.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 3.0 INTRODUCTION 10 4.0 APPROACH TO THE LCHA 12 5.0 METHODOLOGY 14 5.1. Guidance and Sources of Information 14 5.2. Study Area 15 6.0 OVERVIEW OF ASSESSMENT THEMES 16 6.1. Introduction 16 6.2. Physical Landscape and Natural Heritage 16 6.3. Cultural Heritage 22 6.4. People, Access and Places 30 6.5. Drivers for Change 33 7.0 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS 34 1. Coastal and Tidal Waters Landscape Character Type 36 2. Open Coastal Plateau and Cliffs Landscape Character Type 42 3. Lowland Plain Landscape Character Type 44 4. Wooded Valley and Farmland Landscape Character Type 46 5. Upland Fringes Landscape Character Type 54 6. Upland Moorland Landscape Character Type 62 7. Urban Landscape Character type 64 8.0 PROPOSED HLF BOUNDARY AND CONSIDERATIONS 66 9.0 CONCLUSIONS 68 APPENDICES 71 Appendix 1. Workshop Summary Findings Appendix 2. List of Significant Heritage Assets Appendix 3. Gazetteer of Environmental Assets Appendix 4. Landscape Character Overview FIGURES 4 1.0 FOREWORD “The longer one stays here the more does the spirit of the moor sink into one’s soul, its vastness, and also its grim charm. When you are once out upon its bosom you have left all traces of modern England behind you, but, on the other hand, you are conscious everywhere of the homes and the work of the prehistoric people.
    [Show full text]
  • Sleepy Hollow, Raneleigh Barns, Down Thomas, Devon, PL9 0DY
    Sleepy Hollow, Raneleigh Barns, Down Thomas, Devon, PL9 0DY Sales & Lettings Price £249,950 Freehold Lang & Co are delighted to offer for sale ‘Sleeply Hollows’ which is GROUND FLOOR situated in the popular South Hams countryside within the Raneleigh Barn development on the outskirts of Down Thomas. This three storey barn ENTRANCE HALL conversion comprises on the ground floor of; an entrance hall, a generous LOUNGE/DINER 15’11” x 14’10” (4.9m x 4.5m) size lounge/diner, a modern fitted kitchen/breakfast room with a range of KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM 15’11” x 7’4” (4.9m x 2.2m) contemporary style units, a 1 ½ Belfast ceramic sink and a solid beech work surface which extends to a breakfast bar. On the first floor there are FIRST FLOOR two double bedrooms with the master bedroom having an en-suite shower room and there is a family bathroom. On the second floor there is a study MASTER BEDROOM 17’10” x 11’9” (5.4m x 3.6m) and bedroom three which has an en-suite shower room. To the front of the EN-SUITE TO MASTER BEDROOM property there is an area of lawn garden and located in a nearby block BEDROOM TWO 12’4” x 8’4” (3.8m x 2.5m) there is a single garage with loft storage. The Raneleigh Barn development BATHROOM 7’4” x 6’1” (2.2m x 1.9m) has set aside a large communal garden for the residence to enjoy and a private area with rotary washing lines. This beautifully presented barn SECOND FLOOR conversion benefits from a range of character features and modern day STUDY 12’9” x 12’5” (3.9 x 3.8m) benefits which include LPG fuelled gas central heating system.
    [Show full text]
  • Black Cow Village Shop, Dalbury Lees, Derbyshire
    Pub is the Hub Case Study The Mussel Inn, Down Thomas, Plymouth, Devon PL9 0AQ The Mussel Inn is located in Down Thomas; a small village with a population of around 333 residents, situated about 4 miles south of Plymouth, on the Wembury peninsula, in South Hams. The pub is owned by Enterprise Inns, and run by licensees, Victor & Lynn Walsh. The local Post Office closed in 2005, but the small village shop remained open. Following the closure of the Post Office, there was strong community support for it’s re-opening, and the Down Thomas Action Group was formed. The licensees put forward the suggestion to convert their disused garage into a Post Office, and in early 2007 Pub is the Hub was approached to help. Pub is the Hub has been the catalyst for the development of this complex project, working closely with pub owner Enterprise Inns, the licensees, the Post Office and Devon Rural Renaissance, providing development support, and bringing partners and funders together. Converting a disused garage fronting the pub car park, directly opposite the front door of the pub, has created the Post Office. An additional valuable facility has been created in the form of a room at the back of the Post Office that can be used for community meetings. The new Post Office and community room are ideally located within the village. Planning permission was required, and the local planning department were very supportive of the development. This was a complex project, and required a significant public sector investment. The work involved included completely refurbishing and fitting out the disused garage.
    [Show full text]
  • Explore Wembury: Staddon Heights
    Staddon Fort... ...was the principal land fort of these defences and The Staddon is on the highest point. It was completed in 1869 and was intended to be armed with 30 guns and barracks for 250 men, although this number of guns was never deployed. The barracks and main Staddon magazine have been adapted for other uses, but Heights Defences Fort much of the fort is now empty and remains in wembury excellent condition. The sites built on this headland belong to the Staddon Heights MAP KEY defences of the 1860s. They face both landward and seaward. - South West Coastpath Staddon Heights overlooks the old part of the city, the approach - Military Road i - Ditch channel and the harbours of Sutton Pool and the Cattewater. i - Other Interpretation Panels The bulk of the defences here faced landward and were intended to protect these areas from an enemy invasion. Target Butts The high buttressed wall of the target butts is about 300m Much of this land is in private ownership or MoD long and still a prominent local landmark. The northern estate. Please stick to the South West coastpath. half was built for the army between 1860-70 for practise Brownhill battery... ...was built to cover the valley below when it was converting to and the clearance area extending as With fears that the enemy may land at nearby Watching your back high velocity rifl es. The southern half was built for far as Down Thomas. It was completed in 1869 and had space for beaches, or around Newton and Noss on the the Royal Marines between 1872-1894.
    [Show full text]
  • South Hams Green Infrastructure Framework
    Table of Contents 1 Introduction ........................................................................ 5 2 Objectives and Themes ......................................... 13 3 Green Infrastructure Projects ......................... 39 4 Delivering the Framework ..................................88 NOTE This framework has been written by South Hams District Council Officers, in conjunction with a wide range of organisations, to help guide green infrastructure development across the District. The framework should be viewed as a partnership, rather than a South Hams District Council, document reflecting the fact that many projects will be led by other organisations or partnerships and recognising the need for coordinated, targeted delivery of green infrastructure. The following organisations provided comments on a draft version of the framework: Devon Biodiversity Records Centre, Devon Birdwatching and Preservation Society, Devon County Council, Devon Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, National Trust, Natural England, RSPB, South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit and the Woodland Trust. Ideas for green infrastructure projects were also identified through an online survey open to members of the public. All comments received have been taken into account in this final document. The production of the framework has been funded and supported by the South Devon Green Infrastructure Partnership comprising Natural England, South Hams District Council, Torbay Council, Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, South Devon Area of Outstanding
    [Show full text]
  • The Gate House, Down Thomas, Plymouth, Devon, PL9 0AQ the Gate House £385,000 Down Thomas, Plymouth, PL9 0AQ
    The Gate House, Down Thomas, Plymouth, Devon, PL9 0AQ The Gate House £385,000 Down Thomas, Plymouth, PL9 0AQ Built to an extremely high standard to blend into the tranquil settings of this popular South Hams village is this beautiful family home. ‘The Gatehouse’ is a four bedroom detached family home with an enclosed garden and ample off road parking. The property comprises on the ground floor of GROUND FLOOR an entrance hall with stairs rising to the first ENTRANCE HALL floor and access is provided to the ground CLOAKROOM floor. On the ground floor you have a KITCHEN/DINER 24' 11" x 11' 11" (7.59m x 3.63m) beautifully presented kitchen/diner/family room LOUNGE 18' 4" x 10' 5" (5.59m x 3.18m) with a range of wall and base units and solid WORKSHOP 9' 11" x 9' 4" (3.02m x 2.84m) wood work surface, an AGA oven and double UTILITY ROOM 9' 0" x 7' 0" (2.74m x 2.13m) doors opening to the rear garden. There is a FIRST FLOOR downstairs cloakroom, a lounge with doors MASTER BEDROOM 13' 6" x 11' 11" (4.11m x 3.63m) providing access to the rear garden, a utility BEDROOM 2 10' 5" x 9' 7" (3.18m x 2.92m) room and workshop. BEDROOM 3 10' 5" x 7' 8" (3.18m x 2.34m) BEDROOM 4 11' 3" x 11' 0" (3.43m x 3.35m) On the first floor there are four bedrooms and BATHROOM 7' 8" x 6' 11" (2.34m x 2.11m) a well presented family bathroom with bath with shower over, w.c.
    [Show full text]
  • An Audit of Historic Sources in English Archives Relating to the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
    South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 2010 Audit of Archived Historic Sources relating to the AONB An Audit of Historic Sources in English Archives relating to the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty January 2010 Overview This audit was commissioned as part of the 50 th Anniversary of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It is designed for more advanced research enthusiasts and professionals. The audit identifies and lists the locations of various bodies of material which relate to the history of the AONB. Local sources in summary There are several main sources for the parishes in the South Hams AONB. Devon Record Office contains material for the east of the area, whereas the western side is mainly held at the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office. Some areas are also covered by local museums such as the Brixham Heritage Museum which has a collection of photographs and documents. The Cookworthy Museum holdings appear to be principally prior to the 20 th century, although it has a collection of material on the 1 South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 2010 Audit of Archived Historic Sources relating to the AONB Women’s Land Army and the South Hams Evacuation. It also holds an incomplete collection of the Kingsbridge Gazette, but the full collection is housed at the British Library Newspaper Library at Colindale in London. The West Country Studies Library holds the Western Morning News, Express and Echo and the Totnes Times on Microfiche. Plymouth Central Library, adjoining the Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery, also has the Western Morning News and Express and Echo on Microfiche.
    [Show full text]
  • Minutes of the Wembury Parish Council Meeting Held at the Silver Jubilee Hall, Down Thomas, on Monday 18 December 2017
    Parish Councillors J Stansell Chairman J Batley J Bennett D Brown District Councillor A Cammack Vice Chairman C Curtis D Drought D Giles J Hart County Councillor R Newnham D Packer A Wirgman Clerk R Fairclough Minutes of the Wembury Parish Council meeting held at the Silver Jubilee Hall, Down Thomas, on Monday 18 December 2017. 17-147 OPENING THE MEETING The Chairman, Cllr Stansell, opened the meeting at 7:30 pm and welcomed everyone to the Christmas meeting of the Parish Council. Cllrs Batley, Bennett, Brown, Cammack, Curtis, Drought, Giles, Newnham, Packer and Wirgman were present, together with 7 members of the public. 17-148 APOLOGIES Apologies received from Cllr Hart, District Cllr Cane and PCSO Potter. 17-149 DECLARATION OF INTEREST & DISPENSATION REQUESTS Cllr Curtis declared a personal interest in planning application No 3953/17/HHO, 8 Hawthorn Park Road, Wembury and took no part in the meeting during this item. There were no other Declarations of Interests or Dispensation Requests. 17-150 THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL WAS SUSPENDED FOR THE PUBLIC TO MAKE OBSERVATIONS OR TO PUT QUESTIONS The Chairman suspended the business of the Council at 7.31 pm and opened this session to the public. The Chairman announced that members of the public are only allowed to speak during the open session of the meeting and they should raise any matters of concern, or explanation, including planning items, at that time and not wait until later in the meeting, as they would not be allowed to speak. i) December 2017 - Police Report PCSO Andy Potter had submitted a written report which the Chairman read out as follows:- From 25th Nov.
    [Show full text]
  • Twentieth-Century Military Sites
    Twentieth-Century Military Sites On 1st April 2015 the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England changed its common name from English Heritage to Historic England. We are now re-branding all our documents. Although this document refers to English Heritage, it is still the Commission's current advice and guidance and will in due course be re-branded as Historic England. Please see our website for up to date contact information, and further advice. We welcome feedback to help improve this document, which will be periodically revised. Please email comments to [email protected] We are the government's expert advisory service for England's historic environment. We give constructive advice to local authorities, owners and the public. We champion historic places helping people to understand, value and care for them, now and for the future. HistoricEngland.org.uk/advice 7015_20cSites 21/7/03 2:47 pm Page 1 2003 Twentieth-Century Military Sites Current approaches to their recording and conservation 7015_20cSites 21/7/03 2:48 pm Page 2 This pillbox formed part of an extensive and still recognisable system of coastal defences at Auburn Sands, near Bridlington in the East Riding. [© Roger J C Thomas] 7015_20cSites 21/7/03 2:48 pm Page 3 Twentieth-century military sites Such was the speed of change in the one million visitors since their opening in and structures present practical development of technology and military 1990. Other organisations play an strategy during this period that some sites important role in the presentation of key and philosophical difficulties and and structures were superseded after only sites to the public: for example the challenges to those concerned a year or so of active life and many sites – Imperial War Museum at Duxford Airfield with their recording and especially the hundreds of miles of in Cambridgeshire, the Cabinet War trenches and earthworks excavated as anti- Rooms in Whitehall and the National Trust conservation.Their enormous invasion measures in 1940 – were cleared site at Orford Ness in Suffolk.
    [Show full text]
  • The Archaeology and Heritage of Wembury
    1 The Archaeology and Heritage of Wembury Martin Dyer Exeter Archaeology With contributions by members of Wembury Amenity Society The Setting contacting Devon County Council’s Archaeology Team. The parish is bordered by coastline on the west and south west, and by the Yealm The Prehistoric Period Estuary and Cofflete Creek on the south-east and east. The south-facing cliffs are composed There is much evidence of Mesolithic activity of Dartmouth Slate, which extends inland for around Staddon Heights and Bovisand. one to two kilometres where it is succeeded Worked flints of this date have been collected by slates-with-grit of the Meadfoot Group. here from the 19th century onwards (HER These are in turn succeeded north of Bovisand 14766, 20997, 56299 & 17348). Mesolithic and north east of Knighton village by grits and flint implements have also been recovered slates of the Staddon Grits. Inland, the parish from an eroding cliff face at Wembury Beach is hilly and cut by numerous small valleys. The (HER 13492). Such coastal sites are typical of highest ground is at Staddon Heights, which the Mesolithic period in Devon (10000- rises to 125m above sea level. The north- 4000BC), but it has been reported that flint eastern extremity of the parish, bordering tools - allegedly including a hand axe - were Cofflete Creek, consists of Middle Devonian also found inland around Traine Farm (HER slate. At the south-western edge of the parish 66708). the low cliffs incorporate a raised beach that was established in a period of higher sea level Evidence of later prehistoric activity is scarcer.
    [Show full text]
  • Bioblitz Report Final.Pdf
    Final Report 27th - 28th September 2019 By Coral Smith, Nicholas Helm and Jack Sewell The 2019 Wembury BioBlitz took place over the course of two days on the 27th and 28th September 2019 with over 600 participants taking part. A BioBlitz is an intensive survey of all wildlife living within a set area (see map below) in a roughly 24-hour period (including overnight) conducted by scientists and naturalists, with the support of the local community and volunteers. Lead partners, Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) and the Marine Biological Association of the UK (MBA), have extensive experience of delivering BioBlitzs’ and this year’s event was a combined celebration of the 25th anniversary of DWT’s Wembury Marine Centre and the 10th anniversary of the MBA’s annual BioBlitz, the first of which took place at Wembury in 2009. BioBlitz events are citizen science events, which attract participants from all sections of society, including those who may not normally get involved in conservation or ‘science’ activities. They are a brilliant way to bring together a whole community to discover wildlife, learn new skills and be inspired to protect their local environment. DWT and the MBA were joined by numerous local and national partner organisations, whom supported the event through the delivery of activities, schools’ sessions, providing equipment and/or hosting interactive stands. This report summarises the main outcomes of the event and has been produced by staff and volunteers from Devon Wildlife Trust and The Marine Biological Association of the UK, with
    [Show full text]