Assessment of Coastal Access proposals under www.gov.uk/englandcoastpath regulation 63 of the Habitats Regulations 2017 (as amended) (‘Habitats Regulations Assessment’) Assessment of England Coast Path proposals between Bawdsey and Aldeburgh on sites of European importance for nature conservation January 2021 Assessment of Coastal Access proposals under regulation 63 of the Habitats Regulations 2017 (as amended) (‘Habitats Regulations Assessment’) Assessment of England Coast Path proposals between Bawdsey and Aldeburgh on the Alde-Ore Estuary Ramsar site, Alde-Ore Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA), Outer Thames Estuary SPA, Sandlings SPA, Alde-Ore & Butley Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Orfordness-Shingle Street SAC and the Southern North Sea SAC 20 January 2021 Assessment of Coastal Access proposals under regulation 63 of the Habitats Regulations 2017 (as amended) (‘Habitats Regulations Assessment’) Contents: PART A: Introduction and information about the England Coast Path ....................... 9 PART B: Information about the European Site(s) which could be affected .............. 11 PART C: Screening of the plan or project for appropriate assessment .................... 17 PART D: Appropriate Assessment and Conclusions on Site Integrity ...................... 30 PART E: Permission decision with respect to European Sites ................................. 95 References to Evidence ........................................................................................... 96 Appendix 1: HRA Maps .......................................................................................... 100 Appendix 2: Figures from Ornithological Report ..................................................... 104 Appendix 3: Qualifying Features Assessed in the HRA and NCA documents…….107 England Coast Path | Bawdsey to Aldeburgh | Habitats Regulation Assessment Page 1 Assessment of Coastal Access proposals under regulation 63 of the Habitats Regulations 2017 (as amended) (‘Habitats Regulations Assessment’) Summary I) Introduction This is a record of the Habitats Regulations Assessment (‘HRA’) undertaken by Natural England (in its role of competent authority) in accordance with the assessment and review provisions of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) (‘the Habitats Regulations’). Natural England has a statutory duty under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to improve access to the English coast. This assessment considers the potential impacts of our detailed proposals for coastal access from Bawdsey to Aldeburgh on the following sites of international importance for wildlife: Alde-Ore Estuary Ramsar, Alde-Ore Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA), Outer Thames Estuary SPA, Alde-Ore & Butley Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Orfordness-Shingle Street SAC, Southern North Sea SAC. This assessment should be read alongside Natural England’s related Coastal Access Reports which between them fully describe and explain its access proposals for the stretch as a whole. The Overview explains common principles and background and the reports explain how we propose to implement coastal access along each of the constituent lengths within the stretch. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/england-coast-path-from-bawdsey-to-aldeburgh- comment-on-proposals II) Background This stretch extends from Bawdsey to Fort Green car park in Aldeburgh, including inland routes around the River Alde and the Butley River. Table 1. Summary of the main wildlife interest Interest Description Non-breeding wetland A variety of species use the mosaic of brackish saltmarsh and mudflat bird assemblage habitats within the Alde-Ore Estuary and Butley River. Boyton, Hollesley and Hazlewood Marshes are managed nature reserves which provide suitable habitats to support significant bird populations. Breeding Gull Gulls breed at Lantern Marshes on Orford Ness although nests are assemblage susceptible to ground predators here including rats. A few nest on the pagoda structures where they are protected from this threat. Havergate Island supports breeding gull populations and the Hollesley and Boyton Marshes also support these birds. England Coast Path | Bawdsey to Aldeburgh | Habitats Regulation Assessment Page 2 Assessment of Coastal Access proposals under regulation 63 of the Habitats Regulations 2017 (as amended) (‘Habitats Regulations Assessment’) Interest Description Breeding Avocets, Avocet numbers on the Alde-Ore SPA have been in decline since 2000, Terns perhaps exacerbated by increased nest predation by gulls on Havergate Island and flooding of the Orford Ness nesting sites during the 2013 tidal surge. Works have been conducted to encourage avocet breeding in key sites including the Hollesley and Hazlewood Marshes and on Orford Ness. This species’ foraging is particularly concentrated around Iken, Snape and the Butley River. Terns have nested on the shingle at Shingle Street, Orford Ness and on Havergate Island although their numbers have declined across the SPA since designation. Marsh Harrier Breeding marsh harrier are known to occupy the Alde-Ore SPA area, with pairs recorded on Orford Ness and the upper reaches of the Butley River, and historically at Hazlewood Marshes. Outside of the protected sites, breeding has been recorded at Hollesley and Boyton Marshes and at Stanny Farm in Iken. Heathland and Ground Nightjar and woodlark are features of the Sandlings SPA and are known Nesting birds at the Snape Warren heathland area managed by the RSPB. Invertebrate A mixed habitat assemblage of invertebrates covering sand and shingle, assemblage wetland, woodland, and aquatic species including the starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Although not a designated feature, survey work in 2020 found the rare snail Vertigo angustior present in a further extensive area near Snape. Plant Assemblage These include plants from a range of coastal habitats from the eelgrass Zostera angustifolia which grows in sheltered tidal mudflats to Frankenia laevis, sea heath scrub. Intertidal habitat Mudflat and sandflat habitats support overwintering birds and as such are protected under the SAC designation. Vegetated Shingle Vegetated shingle at Shingle Street and Orford Ness is protected under a SAC designation, the latter containing an excellent examples of zonation within the shingle vegetation. The underlying Shingle Street SSSI is assessed as being in ‘unfavourable, no change’ condition although this habitat is growing in size due to coastal processes. Saline Lagoon Margins A series of percolation lagoons are present at Shingle Street which have developed in the shingle bank adjacent to the shore at the mouth of the Ore estuary. These lagoons are known to support vegetation including the spiral tasselweed Ruppia cirrhosa. England Coast Path | Bawdsey to Aldeburgh | Habitats Regulation Assessment Page 3 Assessment of Coastal Access proposals under regulation 63 of the Habitats Regulations 2017 (as amended) (‘Habitats Regulations Assessment’) Interest Description III) Our approach Natural England’s approach to ensuring the protection of sensitive nature conservation features under the Coastal Access Programme is set out in section 4.9 Coastal Access: Natural England’s Approved Scheme 2013. Ref [1]. Our final published proposal for a stretch of England Coast Path is preceded by detailed local consideration of options for route alignment, the extent of the coastal margin and any requirement for restrictions, exclusions or seasonal alternative routes. The proposal is thoroughly considered before being finalised and initial ideas may be modified or rejected during the iterative design process, drawing on the range of relevant expertise available within Natural England. Evidence is also gathered as appropriate from a range of other sources which can include information and data held locally by external partners or from the experience of local land owners, environmental consultants and occupiers. The approach includes looking at any current visitor management practices, either informal or formal. It also involves discussing our emerging conclusions as appropriate with key local interests such as land owners or occupiers, conservation organisations or the local access authority. In these ways, any nature conservation concerns are discussed early and constructive solutions identified as necessary. The conclusions of our assessment are certified by both the member of staff responsible for developing the access proposal and the person responsible for considering any environmental impacts. This ensures appropriate separation of duties within Natural England. IV) Aim and objectives for the design of our proposals The new national arrangements for coastal access will establish a continuous well-maintained walking route around the coast and clarify where people can access the foreshore and other parts of the coastal margin. These changes will influence how people use the coast for recreation and our aim in designing our detailed proposals has been to secure and enhance opportunities for people to enjoy their visit whilst ensuring appropriate protection for affected European sites. A key consideration in developing coastal access proposals for Bawdsey to Aldeburgh has been the possible impact of disturbance on breeding birds as a result of recreational activities, and particularly visitors with dogs. Objectives for design of our detailed local proposals have been to: Avoid exacerbating issues at sensitive locations by making use of