Assessment of Coastal Access Proposals between Penzance and St Mawes on sites and features of nature conservation concern 18 September 2019 Nature Conservation Assessment for Coastal Access Proposals between Penzance and St Mawes About this document This document should be read in conjunction with the published Reports for the Penzance to St Mawes Stretch and the Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA). The Coastal Access Reports contain a full description of the access proposals, including any additional mitigation measures that have been included. These Reports can be viewed here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coastal-access-in-cornwall-from-penzance-to-st-mawes-comment- on-proposals A HRAs are required for European sites (SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites). The HRAs are published alongside the Coastal Access Reports. This document, the Nature Conservation Assessment (NCA), covers all other aspects (including SSSIs, MCZs and undesignated but locally important sites and features) in so far as any HRA does not already address the issue for the sites and feature(s) in question. The NCA is arranged site by site. Maps 1 to 9 show designated sites along this stretch of coast. See Annex 1 for an index to designated sites and features for this stretch of coast, including features that have been considered within any HRA. Page 2 Nature Conservation Assessment for Coastal Access Proposals between Penzance and St Mawes Contents About this document ........................................................................................................................... 2 Contents ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Marazion Marsh SSSI........................................................................................................................... 5 St Michael’s Mount SSSI ...................................................................................................................... 7 Cudden Point to Prussia Cove SSSI ...................................................................................................... 8 Folly Rocks SSSI .................................................................................................................................... 9 Porthcew SSSI .................................................................................................................................... 10 Tremearne Par SSSI ........................................................................................................................... 11 Porthleven Cliffs SSSI ......................................................................................................................... 12 Porthleven Cliffs East SSSI ................................................................................................................. 13 Loe Pool SSSI ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Baulk Head to Mullion SSSI ............................................................................................................... 16 Mullion Cliff to Predannack Cliff SSSI ............................................................................................... 19 West Lizard SSSI................................................................................................................................. 22 Caerthillian to Kennack SSSI ............................................................................................................. 25 Kennack to Coverack SSSI.................................................................................................................. 28 Coverack Cove and Dolor Point SSSI ................................................................................................. 31 Coverack to Porthoustock SSSI.......................................................................................................... 32 Meneage Coastal Section SSSI .......................................................................................................... 35 Lower Fal & Helford Intertidal SSSI................................................................................................... 37 Rosemullion SSSI................................................................................................................................ 38 Page 3 Nature Conservation Assessment for Coastal Access Proposals between Penzance and St Mawes Swanpool SSSI.................................................................................................................................... 39 The Manacles MCZ ............................................................................................................................ 41 Mounts Bay MCZ ............................................................................................................................... 43 Helford Estuary MCZ.......................................................................................................................... 46 Chough, Pyrrhocorax ......................................................................................................................... 49 Grey seal, Halichoerus grypus........................................................................................................... 50 Marsh Fritillary, Euphydryas aurinia ................................................................................................ 51 Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla ................................................................................................................ 52 Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus................................................................................................... 53 Marazion Dunes County Wildlife Site ............................................................................................... 54 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 55 Maps 1 to 9. Designated sites ........................................................................................................... 56 Annex 1. Index to designated sites and features ............................................................................ 65 Annex 2: SSSI features to be considered when path improvement / establishment works are undertaken ........................................................................................................................................ 77 Page 4 Nature Conservation Assessment for Coastal Access Proposals between Penzance and St Mawes Assessment of coastal access proposals on: Marazion Marsh SSSI Is this site also part of a European site? Yes Marazion Marsh is also designated as a Special Protection Area, (SPA), for its overwintering Bittern, Botaurus stellaris population and Aquatic Warbler, Acrocephalus paludicola population. Although these species are not designated species of the SSSI, the reedbed and marsh features are a supporting habitat for the SPA designated species. The SPA and SSSI designations cover the same geographical area, Current situation The marsh includes the largest expanse of reedbed in Cornwall. Threats 1. Terrestrial Wetland to its condition as a SSSI habitat include hydrological changes on the Habitats site and water pollution from within the catchment. The site is an RSPB S4 Phragmites australis reserve and is currently freely open to the public, although dogs must swamp and reed-beds be on a lead. The site was last assessed in 2010 with the two units of the site 2. Breeding and Non- considered to be in favourable and unfavourable recovering condition. Breeding Birds on Terrestrial The main recorded issues relate to pollution from the surrounding Wetland Sites catchment, water levels and scrub management. The SPA’s Site • Aggregations of breeding Improvement Plan does detail public access as an issue causing bird birds – Cetti’s warbler disturbance. However, this specifically refers to kite surfing in Mounts • Assemblages of breeding Bay that causes a disturbance at high tide on occasion when the birds – Lowland fen without parachute appears ‘over’ the SPA. open water Page 5 Nature Conservation Assessment for Coastal Access Proposals between Penzance and St Mawes Risk analysis The route and associated margin are seaward of the SSSI, being the seaward side of the Penzance to Marazion coast road. 1. Terrestrial Wetland It is not possible to rule out potential damage to the above habitats if Habitats the trail was re-aligned or access patterns changed around these S4 Phragmites australis features due to the coastal access scheme proposals. However, the trail swamp and reed-beds and associated margin will remain seaward of this site and so it is not considered that our proposals will have an impact on the designated habitats. It is proposed to realign the existing South West Coast Path onto the 2. Breeding and Non- fixed dune habitat that runs seaward of the road which means the trail Breeding Birds on Terrestrial and associated margin will remain outside of the designated site Wetland Sites boundary. Considering the existing use of the beach and road by • Aggregations of breeding pedestrains and vehicles, it is not felt that this realignment will have a birds – Cetti’s warbler detrimental effect on the designated bird species. • Assemblages of breeding birds – Lowland fen without open water Establishment