2 the natural environment - wyre · 1800's in response to erosion of glacial till cliffs at...

Strategic Environmental Assessment – Wyre Flood Coastal Defence Strategy Study

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2 The Natural Environment

2.1 Location and Character

The strategy study area is situated on the west coast of Lancashire,

incorporating the Wyre Borough Council coastal frontage from the

Blackpool borough boundary in the south, encompassing all land to the

north; comprising the Fylde Peninsula of Fleetwood and extending along the

left bank of the Tidal river Wyre to Stanah, (Figure 2.1).

Although the study area is concentrated along the left bank of the Wyre

Estuary (facing downstream, i.e. west bank) consideration has also been

given to the estuary as a whole due to the influence of coastal processes. The

Wyre estuary lies south of the Lune estuary, and is an integral part of

Morecambe Bay, one of the two largest areas of intertidal estuarine flats in

Britain and a site of European nature conservation importance.

The study area is highly developed, comprising the settlements of

Fleetwood, Thornton and Cleveleys that merge into Poulton-le-Fylde and

Blackpool to the south. The coastal frontage consists mainly of low cliffs cut

into till but nearly all the coast is modified by coast protection measures

aimed at limiting erosion and longshore drift of sand and shingle

northwards.

The east bank of the estuary is predominantly agricultural comprising less

significant residential areas such as Knott End-on-Sea, Pilling, Preesall and

Hambleton.


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Strategy flood cell boundary


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2.2 Geology and Geomorphology

2.2.1 Geology

The underlying solid geology of the Fylde Peninsula is dominated by rocks

of Triassic age, around 240 million years ago, of the Mercia Mudstone Group

(formerly Keuper Marl), extending southwards towards Crosby. During the

Triassic period this area was dominated by mudflats along the continental

margin and accumulated thick deposits of fluvial muds and silts and

evaporates, in the prevailing arid desert like climate. The solid geology

mainly comprises mudstones of the Kirkham, Singleton and Hambleton

Mudstone Formations. To the east the solid geology changes to the

Ormskirk Sandstone Formation.

The Triassic sequence underwent extreme denudation during the

Quaternary period when the area was glaciated several times by ice sheets

advancing southwards down the Irish sea.

The geological strata are overlain by deposits of Quaternary age, laid down

within the last 2 million years. These deposits comprise glacial clays (tills or

boulder clay) sands and gravels, marine alluvium deposits and isolated

pockets of blown sand forming surface deposits at Cleveley's and the north

facing coast of Wyre.

2.2.2 Geomorphology

At Cleveleys and Fleetwood the coast is formed by a large sand/shingle spit

with an associated dune feature truncated by the deep channel of the Wyre.

North of Wyre there is extensive coastal flats behind a saltmarsh and broad,

flat beach (Lancashire Structure Plan, Landscape Character Areas).

Land on which the Fylde Peninsula has developed was formed from

deposits laid down during and following the last ice age. The northern part

of Blackpool is founded on boulder clay deposits from the glacial movement,

whilst at the northern end of the peninsula post glacial alluvial deposits

have been supplemented with a mixture of river gravels, sands and silts and

eroded material from the boulder clay deposits to the south.

The number of drumlins (mounds of compacted glacial drift material)

occurring in the area is notable, all of which are orientated north-east to

south-west. These were probably deposited during the ice melt, possibly

during the Younger Dryas between c9000 and 8000BC and consist of a

variety of materials including sands, clays and gravels. A number of

drumlins are located on the west bank of the Wyre in the vicinity of Stanah.

Further, larger drumlins also occupy the mouth of the Wyre on the west

bank at Knott End/Preesall and at varying intervals further upstream.

The current geomorphological process has been modified by the

development of artificial defences that have been constructed since the

1800's in response to erosion of glacial till cliffs at Blackpool. These

structures have starved the Fylde beaches of a continuing supply of beach


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material resulting in a continuous reduction in beach volume and increasing

exposure of defences to wave attack.

The wide delta to which the River Wyre used to discharge about 30,000

years ago was eventually filled in at its western extremity with gradual post

glacial rising of land levels and deposition of gravels from the eroded

boulder clay deposits. This eventually forced the river to its present course

(Thompson, 1973).

2.3 Ecology and Nature Conservation

Information on the ecology of the study area is based on information from:

• The Natural Area profile;

• Citations and other environmental data provided by Natural England;

• Discussions with Natural England and Countryside Rangers from Wyre

Borough Council;

• Fisheries survey information provided by the North-Western and North

Wales Sea Fisheries Committee;

• Survey work undertaken by Blackpool and Fylde College.

• JNCC Coastal Directory: Region 13: Northern Irish Sea - Colwyn Bay to

• Stranraer including the Isle of Man (1993);

• JNCC Marine Nature Conservation Review: Sector 11- Liverpool Bay

and the Solway Firth (1998); and

• Marine Nature Conservation Review: Littoral Survey of the Coast from

Crosby to Fleetwood (NCC 1991).

2.3.1 General Description

The Wyre study area falls within the Morecambe Bay Maritime Natural Area

(Natural England 1998). The Natural Area extends inland to all habitats

with a coastal influence and offshore to the 12 mile territorial limit. Further

details of the Natural Area are given in Section 2.3.6.

Significant features of nature conservation importance within the study area

are:

• Atlantic saltmeadows;

• Glasswort stands;

• Intertidal and subtidal sandflats and mudflats; and

• Sand dunes.

The Bay and estuary are composed of a suite of habitats, including

terrestrial, semi-aquatic, freshwater/mildly brackish and marine all

combining to form a stretch of open coast of great variety. Further details of

these habitats are provided in Section 2.3.3.


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2.3.2 Nature Conservation Designations

Table 2.1 provides definitions of the main nature conservation designations

within the study area and briefly summarises the characteristics of the

designated sites, the extent of which is shown on Figure 2.2 and Figure 2.3

(at the end of Section 2.3.2). More detailed descriptions of the international

and national site designations are given in subsections a) to e) below with

further information provided in the Citation Sheets located in Annex A.

a) Internationally Important Wildlife Sites

There is one site of International/European importance of which parts are

located within the study area. This site is covered by the following

designations:

• Morecambe Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC);

• Morecambe Bay Special Protection Area (SPA);

• Morecambe Bay Ramsar Site;

• Liverpool Bay SPA; and

• Shell Flats pSAC and Lune Deep pSAC.

Where SACs or SPAs consist of areas continuously or intermittently covered

by tidal waters, they are referred to as European Marine sites. This is true of

the Morecambe Bay SAC and SPA.

Natural England has a duty under regulation 33(2) of the Conservation

(Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 to advise other relevant authorities

as to the conservation objectives and any operations which may cause

deterioration of natural habitats or the habitats of species, or disturbance of

species for the Morecambe Bay European marine site. Conservation

objectives for all the interest features of the component Wyre Estuary SSSI

site are provided in Annex B.

Under Regulation 34 of the Habitats Regulations 1994 the establishment of a

single "Scheme of Management" is recommended for European marine sites

in order to deliver conservation measures and take appropriate steps to

avoid deterioration of the natural habitats and species for which the site has

been designated. This should be produced jointly by relevant authorities,

and has been achieved for Morecambe Bay (April 2001). Information of

relevance to this study area is reproduced in Annex C.


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Table 2.1: Summary of Nature Conservation Designations within or adjacent to the study area

Type Name of Area Reason for Designation Size (ha) NGR

Inte

rn

atio

nal

Des

ig

Ramsar Site

Designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of

Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat

Morecambe Bay

Ramsar Site

Criterion 2c: Staging area for migratory waterfowl

Criterion 3a: regularly support over 20,000 waterfowl in winter

Criterion 3c: support wintering international populations of 12 waterfowl

species & migratory species.

36,985.51 SD 350

500

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

Aim to protect habitats &/or species of European

importance. Designated under the EU Habitats Directive

(implemented in the UK by the Conservation (Natural

Habitats &c) Regulations 1994)

Morecambe Bay SAC Large shallow inlets and bays; Intertidal mudflats and sandflats; Pioneer

saltmarsh; Saltmarsh; Coastal vegetated shingle; Embryonic shifting dunes;

Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria; Estuaries;

Sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time.

61,538.28 SD 350

500

Shell Flat, Morecambe

Bay

The Shell Flat sand bank is an example of a Banner Bank, which are

generally only a few kilometres in length with an elongated pear/sickle-

shaped form, located in water depths less than 20m below Chart Datum

(CD).

9,647.90 SD186 413 Submitted to European Commission Candidate Special

Areas of Conservation (cSAC)

The Shell Flat and Lune Deep sites have recently been

combined to form a single cSAC, which has been submitted

to the EC and so now is legally protected. Shell Flat

sandbank runs northeast from the southern corner of the

site in a blunt crescent to the south west.The designated

area of the Lune Deep is the reef area on the north side of

the trench.

Lune Deep,

Morecambe Bay

The 13-mile-long trench of the Lune Deep, created in the last ice age is home

to a number of unique species including burrowing anemones, the peacock

worm, hydroids and bryozoa. Larger fish such as spurdog, giant dogfish and

migrating salmon also pass through the trench.

916.72

Special Protection Area (SPA)

Designated under the EU Birds Directive (implemented in

the UK by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the

Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994)

Morecambe Bay Article 4.1: Breeding populations of Annex 1 species, sandwich terns,

common terns, little tern. Populations of golden plover, Annex 1 species.

Article 4.2: Wetland of international importance supporting in winter over

20,000 waterfowl & important migratory species.

36,985.46 SD 350

500

Eu

rop

ean

Des

ign

atio

ns

Special Protection Area (SPA)

Inshore and Welsh waters - The landward boundary

follows mean low water mark.

Liverpool Bay/Bae

Lerpwl

Liverpool Bay SPA qualifies for the following reasons:

• The site regularly supports more than 1% of the GB populations of one

species listed in Annex I of the EC Birds Directive.

• The site regularly supports more than 1% of the biogeographical

population of one regularly occurring migratory species not listed in

Annex I of the EC Birds Directive.

The site regularly supports more than 20,000 waterfowl during the non-

breeding season.

170,292.94


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Morecambe Bay candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

The SAC comprises a number of component Sites of Special Scientific I

Interest (SSSIs), as listed below:

• Duddon Estuary;

• Lune Estuary;

• Morecambe Bay;

• Roundsea Wood and Mosses;

• South Walney and Piel Channel Flats; and

• Wyre Estuary.

Morecambe Bay qualifies as a Special Area of Conservation for the following

Annex 1 habitats as listed in the EU Habitats Directive:

• Large shallow inlets and bays*; • Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide (intertidal

mudflats and sandflats) *;

• Glasswort Salicornia spp and other annuals colonising mud and sand

(pioneer saltmarsh) *;

• Atlantic salt meadows Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae (saltmarsh) *;

• Perennial vegetation of stony banks (coastal vegetated shingle);

• Embryonic shifting dunes*;

• Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria;

• Estuaries; and

• Sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time.

The marine component of this site qualifies as a European Marine Site (as

does the marine component of the Special Protection Area, together treated

as a single European Marine site).

Morecambe Bay Special Protection Area (SPA)

This site qualifies under Article 4.1 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following species listed on Annex I of the Directive:

During the breeding season;

• Little Tern Sterna albifrons, 26 pairs representing at least 1.1% of the

breeding population in Great Britain (Count, as at 1994); and

• Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis, 290 pairs representing at least 2.1%

of the breeding population in Great Britain (5 year peak mean for 1992 to

1996).

Over winter;

• Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, 2,611 individuals representing at

least 4.9% of the wintering population in Great Britain (5 year peak mean

for 1991/92 to 1995/96); and


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• Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria, 4,097 individuals representing at least

1.6% of the wintering population in Great Britain (5 year mean for

1991/92 to 1995/96).

This site also qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following migratory species:

During the breeding season;

• Herring Gull Larus argentatus, 11,000 pairs representing at least 1.2% of

the breeding North-western Europe (breeding) and Iceland/Western

Europe - breeding population (5 year mean 1992 to 1996); and

• Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus, 22,000 pairs representing at least

17.7% of the breeding Western Europe/Mediterranean/Western Africa

population (5 year mean 1992 to 1996).

On passage;

• Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula, 693 individuals representing at least

1.4% of the Europe/Northern Africa - wintering population (5 year peak

mean for 1991/92 to 1995/96); and

• Sanderling Calidris alba, 2,466 individuals representing at least 2.5% of

the Eastern Atlantic/Western & Southern Africa - wintering population

(Count as at May 1995).

Over winter;

• Curlew Numenius arquata, 13,620 individuals representing at least 3.9%

of the wintering Europe - breeding population (5 year peak mean for

1991/92 to 1995/96);

• Dunlin Calidris alpina alpina, 52,671 individuals representing at least

3.8% of the wintering Northern Siberia/Europe/Western Africa

population (5 year peak mean for 1991/92 to 1995/96);

• Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola, 1,813 individuals representing at least

1.2% of the wintering Eastern Atlantic - wintering population (5 year

peak mean for 1991/92 to 1995/96);

• Knot Calidris canutus, 29,426 individuals representing at least 8.4% of

the wintering North-eastern Canada/Greenland/Iceland/Northwestern

Europe population (5 year peak mean for 1991/92 to 1995/96);

• Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, 47,572 individuals representing

at least 5.3% of the wintering Europe & Northern/Western Africa

population (5 year peak mean for 1991/92 to 1995/96);

• Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus, 2,475 individuals

representing at least 1.1% of the wintering Eastern

Greenland/Iceland/UK population (5 year peak mean for 1991/92 to

1995/96);


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• Pintail Anas acuta, 2,804 individuals representing at least 4.7% of the

wintering Northwestern Europe population (5 year peak mean for

1991/92 to 1995/96);

• Redshank Tringa totanus, 6,336 individuals representing at least 4.2% of

the wintering Eastern Atlantic - wintering population (5 year peak mean

for 1989/90 to 1993/94);

• Shelduck Tadorna tadorna, 6,372 individuals representing at least 2.1%

of the wintering Northwestern Europe population (5 year peak mean for

1991/92 to 1995/96); and

• Turnstone Arenaria interpres, 1,583 individuals representing at least

2.3% of the wintering Western Palearctic - wintering population (5 year

peak mean for 1991/92 to 1995/96).

Assemblage qualification: A seabird assemblage of international importance

The area qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by regularly supporting at least 20,000 seabirds

During the breeding season, the area regularly supports 61,858 individual seabirds (5 year peak mean for 1991/92 to 1995/96) including: Herring Gull Larus argentatus, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus, Little Tern Sterna albifrons, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis.

Assemblage qualification: A wetland of international importance.

The area qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by regularly supporting at least 20,000 waterfowl

Over winter, the area regularly supports 210,668 individual waterfowl (5 year peak mean for 1991/92 to 1995/96) including: Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus, Shelduck Tadorna tadorna, Pintail Anas acuta, Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola, Knot Calidris canutus, Dunlin Calidris alpina alpina, Curlew Numenius arquata, Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria, Turnstone Arenaria interpres, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa islandica, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Wigeon Anas penelope, Teal Anas crecca, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Eider Somateria mollissima, Goldeneye Bucephala clangula, Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator, Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula, Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Sanderling Calidris alba, Redshank Tringa totanus, Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus.

Morecambe Bay Ramsar Site

The Morecambe Bay Ramsar site follows the boundaries of the following

SSSIs:

• Morecambe Bay;

• South Walney and Pier Channel Flats;

• Lune Estuary;

• Wyre Estuary; and


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• Parts of Roundsea Wood and Mosses.

Morecambe Bay qualifies under Criterion 2c by providing a staging area for

many species of waterfowl migrating between winter quarters to the south

and west and breeding grounds further north. Of particular note are

internationally important passage populations of ringed plover Charadrius

hiaticula and sanderling Calidris alba.

The Bay also qualifies under Criterion 3a, by regularly supporting over

20,000 waterfowl in winter. In the five year period 2003/04 to 2007/08 the

average peak count was 197,291 birds, After the Wash, Morecambe Bay

holds greater numbers of wintering wildfowl than any other estuary in

Great Britain.

The site also qualifies under Criterion 3c by regularly supporting in winter,

during the late 1980s, internationally important populations of 12 waterfowl

species, notably:

• Pink-footed geese (Anser brachyrhynchus) 8% of total population & 8%

of the British wintering population;

• Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) 1% of North-West European population, 5%

of British;

• Pintail (Anas acuta) 3% of North-West European, 9% British;

• Oystercatcher (Haemotopus ostralgus) 6% of East Atlantic Flyway (EAF)

population∗, 20% British;

• Ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula) 1% of EAF population; 3% of

British;

• Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) 1% of EAF, 10% of British;

• Knot (Calidris canutus) 8% of EAF, 12% of British;

• Dunlin (Calidris alpina) 3% of EAF, 10% of British;

• Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) 3% of EAF, 6% of British;

• Curlew (Numenius arquata) 3% of EAF, 11% of British;

• Redshank (Tringa totanus) 7% of EAF, 10% of British; and

• Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 3% of EAF, 4% of British.

Morecambe Bay qualifies additionally under Criterion 3c by supporting,

during passage periods, internationally important numbers of two

migratory waterfowl species, notably ringed plover and sanderling.

∗ The East Atlantic Flyway is a migratory route between the Arctic and Africa

∗ The East Atlantic Flyway is a migratory route between the Arctic and Africa


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Liverpool Bay SPA

Offshore waters adjacent to Lancashire, Blackpool, Sefton, Wirral, Flintshire,

Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey.

Qualifying Features

Nationally important populations of over-wintering red-throated diver

(Annex 1) and common scoter (migratory species).

Regularly supports more than 20,000 waterfowl during non-breeding

season.

Shell Flats pSAC and Lune Deep pSAC

The area is characterised by a deep water channel (Lune Deep) and a large

sandbank feature (Shell Flat) at the mouth of Morecambe Bay surrounded by

shallower areas to the north and south.

Annex I Selection Criteria: Reefs

Lune Deep is located at the entrance to Morecambe Bay, and is simply a

deep water channel. This feature is a narrow enclosed static bedform relict

from subglacial ice gouging (BGS, 2005).

The reef habitat present in the area represents a good example of boulder

and rock reef, with the largest proportions of rock found along the unique

kettle hole feature known as Lune Deep. The northern edges of Lune Deep

are characterised by heavily silted cobble and boulder slope, subject to

strong tidal currents with a dense hydroid and bryozoan turf (Emblow,

1992). This unique enclosed deep hole provides a contrasting habitat to the

surrounding muddy communities of the Eastern Irish Mudbelt. Data from a

2004 survey show that the northern flanks of Lune Deep are composed of

exposed bedrock with a rugged seabed physiography. In contrast, the

southern flank consists of a smooth seabed which is a sink for muddy sands.

Annex I Selection Criteria: Sandbanks

Shell Flat sandbank runs northeast from the southern corner of the site in a

blunt crescent to the south west. The bank is an example of a Banner Bank,

which are generally only a few kilometres in length with an elongated

pear/sickle-shaped form, located in water depths less than 20m below Chart

Datum (CD). The data has identified slight sediment changes across the

sandbank with the top of the bank being softer and smoother and sediment

becoming rougher and harder on the northern and southern slopes (Royal

Haskoning, 2008). Previous studies also found that the central crest is bound

to the North and South by a more muddy (or clayey) sand sediment

dominated by Ophiuroids (Titan Environmental Surveys, 2002).


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b) Nationally Important Wildlife Sites

National conservation designations include SSSIs and National Nature

Reserves (NNRs), as detailed in Table 2.2. Many stretches of the Lancashire

coast are covered by these designations (see Figure 2.2 at the end of section

2.3.2). Within the study area there are two SSSIs, however there are no

NNRs.

Wyre Estuary SSSI

The Wyre estuary, lying just south of the Lune Estuary, is an integral part of

the Morecambe Bay complex of estuaries and shore, one of the two largest

areas of inter-tidal estuarine flats in Britain. The whole estuarine complex is

of international significance for wintering wading birds and of national

significance for wintering wildfowl. The Wyre in its own right is of national

importance for wintering and passage black-tailed godwit, wintering

turnstone and for wintering teal in times of hard weather. Other birds

regularly using the estuary include oystercatcher, redshank and dunlin.

The estuary, including those parts within Barnaby Sands Marsh and

Burrows Marsh SSSIs, supports the largest area of ungrazed saltmarsh in

North West England. The transitions from low to upper marsh are well-

developed and there are extensive transitions to freshwater swamp

communities above high water mark with Common reed (Phragmites

australis) or Sea club-rush (Scirpus maritimus) present.

The seaward edge of the saltmarsh is dominated by those species specialised

to colonising bare mud and withstanding frequent tidal inundation

including glassworts (Salicornia spp), Annual sea-blite (Suaeda maritima) and

Common saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima). Common cord-grass

(Spartina anglica) is abundant on some of the marshes but appears to be

declining. The Wyre supports the largest area in Lancashire of saltmarsh

dominated by Sea-purslane (Halimione portulacoides) and also the largest area

of a mixed community distinctive for the presence of Common sea-lavender

(Limonium vulgare), Sea plantain (Plantago maritima) and Sea arrowgrass

(Triglochin maritima). The nationally scarce Lax-flowered sea-lavender

(Limonium humile) and the endemic and rare rock sea-lavender (Limonium

britannicum) are also present, the latter being a National Biodiversity Action

Plan (BAP) species.

The upper saltmarsh contains a mixture of communities with species of less

saline influence including Saltmarsh rush (Juncus gerardi), Sea rush (Juncus

maritimus), Red fescue (Festuca rubra) and Spear-leaved orache (Atriples

prostata).

Coastal defence related operations identified by Natural England as likely to

damage the features of special interest of the site are detailed in Annex A

(Wyre Estuary Citation Sheet).


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Lune Estuary SSSI

The Lune Estuary SSSI extends from Heysham in the north following the

coastal frontage southwards to the mouth of the Wyre Estuary. Forming

part of Morecambe Bay intertidal system, it includes extensive sand/silt flats

together with saltmarsh. The site also forms a major link in the chain of

estuaries along the west coast of Britain used by migrating birds and is of

international importance for the passage and wintering waterfowl it

supports. A large part of the estuary between Knott End and Cockersands

Point is covered by the Wyre-Lune Sanctuary that provides a protected roost

for wintering pink-footed geese.


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Table 2.2: Summary of National and non-statutory Nature Conservation Designations within or adjacent to the study area

Type Name of Area Reason for Designation NGR

Wyre Estuary Ungrazed saltmarsh

Wintering and passage bird

populations

SD 320 490

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Sites notified by English Nature which represent some of the

best examples of Britain’s natural features. Designated under

the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981

Lune Estuary Sand/silt flats

Saltmarsh

Wintering and passage birds

SD 350 500

Sensitive Marine Areas (SMAs)

Generic term used to describe nationally important sites

around the coast that require a cautious & detailed

management approach. Not a designation as such but aimed

to highlight areas important for marine nature conservation

Morecambe Bay and

Lune Deep

Marine nature conservation interest


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Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites

(RIGS) Identified by locally developed criteria, and

represent the most important places for geology and

geomorphology outside statutorily protected land such as

SSSIs.

Knott End/Preesall Approximately 4.5m of sediment

exposed in the river section of

Quaternary/ Devensian stratigraphy,

forming part of a drumlin and fluvio-

glacial sediments. It contains

unstratified basal till, compact

purple till, Lower Boulder Clay with

Lake District erratics; till in contact

with false bedded sand. Cemented

gravel with shell fragments; Contact

with upper till. Blue/grey clay with

Cumbrian erratics.

SD346 475

SD355 455

Fleetwood Cemetery Coastal grassland and scrub(Co4),

Flowering plants and ferns(Ff2),

(Ff4a).

SD319 477

Fleetwood Golf

Course

Coastal habitats (Co3), (Co4),

Flowering plants & ferns (Ff3), (Ff4),

Molluscs (Mo4).

SD314 474

Fleetwood Promenade

- Coastal & Dune

Grassland. (Rossall

School to Marine

Gardens)

Coastal habitats (Co3), (Co4),

Flowering plants & ferns (Ff3), (Ff4),

Molluscs (Mo4), Grasshoppers &

crickets (Or2).

SD311 463

Rossall School Fields -

Ditches and Bankings;

Fleetwood

Artificial habitats (Ar1),

Grasshoppers and crickets (Or2).

SD315 453

Shepherd Pond,

Fleetwood

Mammals (Ma1a) SD318 449

County Biological Heritage Sites

These are sites of nature conservation interest identified by

Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Wildlife

Trust as being of county importance to wildlife conservation.

Fleetwood Farm

Fields; Fleetwood

Birds (AvW), Flowering plants and

ferns (Ff4a)?

SD321 447


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Rossall Lane Wood

and Pasture;

Fleetwood

Flowering plants and ferns (Ff3) ,

Other invertebrates (In2).

SD329 450

Fleetwood Marsh

Industrial Lands

Birds (Av7) , Flowering plants and

ferns (Ff2), (Ff4)?, Semi-natural

habitat (Hm1).

SD336 465

Jameson Road

Saltmarsh, Fleetwood

Saltmarsh (Co1) , Flowering plants

and ferns (Ff2).

SD337 455

Burglars Alley Field Saltmarsh (Co1), Butterflies and

moths (Le4)?, (Le5)?, Mammals

(Ma1a).

SD335 448

Hillhouse Estuary

Banks

Artificial habitats (Ar1), Flowering

plants and ferns (Ff4a), (Ff4b).

SD350 434

Fleetwood Railway

Branch Line, Trunnah

to Burn Naze

Artificial habitats (Ar2), Flowering

plants and ferns (Ff4a).

SD341 438

Skippool Marsh and

Thornton Bank;

Fleetwood/ Singleton

Saltmarsh (Co1), Flowering plants

and ferns (Ff4b).

SD358 411

Shard Bridge Field

Ditch; Skippool

Flowering plants and ferns (Ff2). SD368 408

River Wyre - Upper

Tidal Section; Out

Rawcliffe/ Little

Eccleston-with-

Larbreck

Saltmarsh(Co1) , Mudflats (Co6),

Flowering plants and ferns (Ff4).

SD395 405

Hackensall Brows,

Preesall

Maritime cliffs (Co2), Flowering

plants and ferns (Ff1), (Ff3), (Ff4a).

SD346 472

Clods Carr Lane

Fields, Preesall

Flowering plants and ferns (Ff2),

(Ff4a)

SD357 469


38


ICI Salt Pools; Preesall Artificial habitats (Ar1), Swamp and

fen (Fe1), Grassland (Gr3).

SD361 469

Pilling Moss - Head

Dyke/ Eagland Hill

Birds (AvW). SD389 499

SD417 474

Cockerham and

Winmarleigh Moss

Edge

Birds (AvW). SD419 493

39

c) Regionally/Locally Important Wildlife Sites

Areas of nature conservation significance have been identified by Lancashire

County Council and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust for Local Authorities.

These sites have been designated as Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), other

nature reserves, County Biological Heritage Sites (BHSs) and County

Geological Heritage Sites (GHSs).

National and Local Nature Reserves should not be confused with other

nature reserves as the former are legally protected in their own right. There

are no Local Nature Reserves within the study area. However there are two

other nature reserves that are managed by the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire,

Manchester and North Merseyside (Table 2.2). There are also a number of

County Heritage Sites (biological and geological) within the study area,

details of which are also given in Table 2.2 and shown in Figure 2.3 at the

end of section 2.3.2.

d) Sensitive Marine Area

The Lune Deep (Table 2.2), a steep sided subtidal channel averaging 40m in

depth, is considered to be of regional significance for its marine nature

conservation interest within a UK context in terms of the Eastern Irish Sea.

Morecambe Bay and Lune Deep SMA has typical sediment communities of

the northern Irish Sea, with low species diversity and high biomass,

supporting exceptionally large bird populations. Within Morecambe Bay

there are extensive mussel beds, which provide a relatively stable

substratum for other organisms to colonise (see Jones 1990). One such

mussel bed near Heysham is reputed to have been exploited since the

thirteenth century (Gubbay 1988). Connected with heavy deposition of

mussel spat in the spring are periodic explosions of the population of

common starfish Asterias rubens. Similar habitats are provided by pebble and

cobble scars, especially if these are bound together by tubes of the

polychaete worm Sabellaria spinulosa.

Anderson (1972) recorded very low invertebrate species richness from the

Bay but high abundances of the few dominant species, particularly the

bivalve Macoma balthica. A recent Marine Nature Conservation Review

(MNCR) survey of the Lune Deep, 8 km to the west of Fleetwood, revealed

heavily silted boulder and cobble slopes with a dense hydroid and bryozoan

turf (Emblow 1992). This unique feature, known as a ‘kettlehole’, is the result

of a huge block of ice becoming buried during the last ice age and melting

long after the retreat of the glaciers. It has a maximum charted depth of over

80 m and is subject to strong tidal streams (JNCC, 1998).

e) Other Wildlife Sites

The Wyre Estuary Country Park was designated in 1988 to meet

recommendations made in the 1987 Wyre Borough Council Tourism

Strategy, providing important recreation opportunities for both visitors and

local residents. The park falls within the Wyre Estuary SSSI and contains a

40

variety of habitats including ungrazed saltmarsh, transition zones, riverside

hedgerows between Stanah and Skippool, a small plantation at Cockle Hall,

areas of gorse at Ramper Pot and a large area of public open space 'the

drumlin', that provides excellent views of the estuary and surrounding

landscape.

Rossall point, on the corner of the Fleetwood peninsula, is designated a site

of biological importance by the Lancashire Trust for Nature Conservation.

Mussel beds on the lower beach and strand line litter provide food for oyster

catcher, turnstone and ground-feeding passerines such as twite and snow-

bunting. Rossall Point is also the best site in Lancashire to observe offshore

movements of sea birds. Certain groups of coastal fields in the Pilling and

Fleetwood areas are important as winter roosts and feeding sites for pink-

footed geese and other wildfowl.

Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park is eighteen hectares in size and is located on

the site of the former Fleetwood Power Station adjacent to the Wyre estuary.

Following closure of the power station in the early 1980s the site was

cleared. The site was the derelict until about 2003 when it was developed

into the nature park that opened in 2005. . The restoration works used a

grant from the NWDA and included landscaping incorporating two water

lagoons, translocation of rare grassland species, enhanced water features

including stone beach areas, footpaths and car parking.

43

2.3.3 Terrestrial and Brackish Habitats

a) Saltmarsh

There is a substantial frontage of ungrazed saltmarsh on both sides of the

River Wyre, extending upstream to the tidal limit at Cartford Bridge,

widening in places, most noticeably at Barnaby Sands and Burrow Marsh,

on the eastern bank of the estuary.

The latter sites are two of only three remaining extensive examples of

ungrazed marsh in the Morecambe Bay Natural Area and form part of the

largest area of ungrazed saltmarsh in Northwest England. The marsh

appears to be accreting in large areas due to the presence of Suaeda maritima

and Salicornia spp in places rather than Spartina which is dying back on the

whole following its colonisation in the mid to late 1980's.

The characteristic zonation of saltmarsh vegetation is well developed with

invasion of cord-grass on the lower marsh of Burrows marsh and Barnaby's

Sands. The stone faced embankment of Arm Hill (Barnaby's Sands) supports

rock sea lavender (Limonium brittanicum), a UK Priority BAP and endemic

species. A detailed species list for the Barnaby's Sand and Burrows marsh

sites has been prepared as part of the Wyre marshes management plan .

The Wyre Estuary shows a complete range of main saltmarsh community

types from low marsh, with colonising Salicornia, to upper saltmarsh with

freshwater transitions notably reed swamp and Phragmites reedbeds. The

distribution of saltmarsh vegetation communities along the western and

eastern banks of the Wyre estuary are shown in Tables B1 and B2 of Annex

B. There has been considerable historic land claim of saltmarsh within the

Wyre estuary for agricultural/industrial use. The extent of land reclamation

is shown in Figure 2.4 at the end of section 2.2.3. Parts of the saltmarsh are

managed by a local club of the British Association for Shooting and

Conservation for wildfowling.

One of the most important features on the western side of the estuary are the

large areas of saltmarsh dominated by Halimone portulacoides which is

present north of Stanah Quay towards Fleetwood's dock entrance. Other

species of importance include common sea lavender (Limonium vulgare) and

lax flowered sea lavender (Limounium humile), both of which are on the

provisional Lancashire Red Data List, the former registered as sensitive and

the latter registered as vulnerable as it is also a nationally scarce species.

Limonium vulgare is located on the higher marsh between ICI and Stanah and

on the mid marsh upstream of Shard bridge with occasional stands of

Limonium humile. Sea purslane plant communities are also important, being

grazing sensitive and dominant on areas of the marsh between ICI Hillhouse

and Fleetwood Dock.

Between the ICI site and Stanah the seawall curtails any terrestrial transition

and where the channel curves towards the west there has been recent

erosion of mud but, as yet, not saltmarsh.

44

Erosion of the mud banks has also occurred between Stanah and Skippool

above the main channel following the works on the Shard bridge upstream.

However, upstream of Shard bridge, the mud has been actively accreting

with saltmarsh colonisation dominated by sea aster (Aster tripolium) parallel

to the shore (Conservation Officer Survey, 1993).

Plate 1: Ungrazed saltmarsh on the Wyre estuary

b) Sand Dunes

Sand dunes within the study area are limited to the north shore of

Fleetwood. All stages of dune development are exhibited from embryo dune

formation through to mobile, growing yellow dune stage to fixed dunes. The

three most important areas identified are:

• The largest area of developing dunes on the seaward side of the

promenade;

• Area between promenade and car park, notable for its species diversity

and populations of sea holly;

• Seaward bank of Model Yacht Pond, a length of fixed stable dune.

The dune complex is of considerable botanical interest with an impressive

range of over 98 species recorded in 1989, considering its small total area of

suitable habitat and fragmented nature.

The sand dune communities present are reproduced in Table B3 of Annex B.

Characteristic dune species present include sea bindweed (Calystegia

soldanella) (the only known population along the Fylde coast) and sea holly

(Eryngium maritimum) (Lancashire Trust for Nature Conservation, 1989).

Foredunes between the north side of the ferry to the east side of the pier are

rather squeezed and eroded along the base of the promenade. The upper

beach is of stony sand with occasional sand humps occupied by

relict/colonising dune grass patches. Further west, blown sand at the back of

the pebble beach has patches of sand couch. Sand has also accumulated and

45

become colonised with patches of Festuca rubra on the steps accessing the

site.

Dunes in the vicinity of the miniature golf course and car parks have

developed landward of the promenade where they have become more

landscaped. These continue around the perimeter of the Boating pool to just

beyond the coast guard station. Beyond this the dunes are landscaped into

the golf course.

Dunes at the seaward base of the promenade fronting the miniature golf

course have become badly eroded, particularly at the eastern end. Dune

cover becomes broken where the promenade juts seaward to encompass the

paddling pool and to the west no longer occur seaward of the promenade

but blown sand has accumulated at the top of the beach, sometimes spilling

onto seawall and promenade (Harwood, T (1998/99)).

Plate II: Sea Holly at Fleetwood

Heritage Lottery funding and biodiversity grants have recently been gained

for a project that will contribute to the conservation of Fleetwood's

internationally important wildlife habitats, sand dune system and wader

roost beaches, aiming to create new access to the beach and sand dunes..

47

2.3.4 Marine and Intertidal Ecology

The marine biotopes between Formby and Fleetwood were surveyed by

Davies (1991) who recognised six communities from areas between Crosby

and Fleetwood. The most widespread was the impoverished

crustacean/polychaete community from mobile fine sands on the Fylde coast

with the bivalve Scrobicularia plana and the polychaete ragworm Neanthes

diversicolor dominating the muddier sediments found at the mouth of the

Wyre estuary.

The JNCC (1998) also mapped the intertidal and near-shore subtidal habitats

of the study area using a system of biotope classification. This categorises

the habitats according to their physical characteristic, dominant species and

distinctive communities of plants and animals. Littoral samples were taken

at North Wharf, Fleetwood and Rossall Point with sublittoral sampling at

the locations listed in Table B4 of Annex B.

A baseline study of the littoral zone at Rossall Beach, Fleetwood was

conducted by BSc (Hons) students from the University of Lancaster on

behalf of Wyre Borough Council in 2010. The study revealed a low biomass

and diversity with species identified tolerant of disturbance. Species of H.

Diversicolor, E. Pulchra and Haustorius arenarius were more commonly

found mid to low shore. No species of algae were present as the intertidal

sand is unstable preventing the colonisation of vegetation. The bird surveys

concluded that the stretch of Rossall Beach between groynes 41 and 60 is not

an important feeding ground for shorebirds due to the lack of biota although

further research was recommended in order to confirm this. However the

area is on the southern edge of Morecambe Bay and any disruption could

affect birds moving onto the bay and the areas off Rossall Point where the

coastline turns north east into the Wyre estuary, an area more productive in

terms of invertebrates due to a finer grained, muddy substrate.

2.3.5 Biodiversity Action Plan

A Biodiversity Action Plan for Lancashire was updated in 2008 containing

Habitat Action Plans (HAPs) for eleven of Lancashire's most important

habitats and Species Action Plans for Lancashire's most important species.

Those of relevance to this study are outlined below.

2.3.5.1 Habitat Action Plans

Habitat Action Plans of relevance to this study area are as follows:

Arable Farmland

This plan encompasses all cultivated land in agricultural or horticultural

production. This includes bare fallow and grassland leys that are regularly

ploughed and re-seeded. It also addresses field margins and boundary

features such as hedges and ditches in arable fields. The districts of Wyre,

Fylde, West Lancashire, South Ribble and Chorley contain the largest

concentrations of arable and horticultural land in the county.

48

Reedbed

Reedbeds are wetlands dominated by stands of common reed, where, for

most of the year, the water table is at, or above, ground level. There is 1.2 ha

of the habitat at Fleetwood Marsh in three separate stands and over 4 ha

spread along the length of the Wyre Estuary SSSI in ten small stands of some

0.2-0.5 ha each. The reedbeds within the Wyre estuary are an integral part of

the Morecambe Bay SPA/cSAC.

Rivers and Streams

Lancashire has a range of watercourse types, from major rivers to canals and

small man-made drainage ditches. This plan covers main rivers and the

streams that feed them. It also encompasses riverside or streamside

(‘riparian’) habitats. Parts of the Wyre are notified as County Biological

Heritage Sites.

Salt Marsh and Estuarine Rivers

Saltmarsh and mudflats occur in estuarine systems throughout the plan

area. Most of our outer saltmarshes have statutory protection and the upper

tidal reaches are generally designated as local sites.

Saltmarshes and mudflats are recognised for their biological richness of

invertebrates, birds and plants.

This importance is reflected in the wildlife site designations on most of the

County’s estuarine rivers. Sensitive grazing helps maintain this diversity,

although too much or too little grazing can adversely affect the habitat.

Developments and built infrastructure have resulted in a significant habitat

loss in the past. Saltmarsh and estuarine rivers are considered an integrated

system as far as the upper tidal limit. Much of the coastal saltmarsh in

Lancashire falls within statutory protected sites. Their international

importance is recognised by Special Protection Area (SPA) designation,

which encompasses additional SSSI and Ramsar status.

In addition to the statutory sites the following are also important

• River Wyre, Upper Tidal Section BHS;

• Skippool Marsh and Thornton Bank BHS;

• Jameson Road Saltmarsh;

• Fleetwood Marsh BHS; and

• Burglars Alley Field.

Sand Dunes

Coastal sand dunes are listed on Annex 1 of the EC Habitats Directive. In the

Directive, fixed dunes and decalcified fixed dunes (dune heath) are

considered priority habitats in Europe. Coastal sand dunes are also a UK

49

BAP priority habitat supporting many priority species. Areas of sand-dune

within the study area are distributed along the outskirts of Fleetwood.

Parts of the following Biological Heritage Sites (BHSs) contain sand dune

habitats:

• Fleetwood Promenade - Dune and Coastal Grassland (19.1 ha) [part of

Morecambe Bay cSAC]; and

• Fleetwood Golf Course (44.4 ha).

Phases of both coastal retreat and accretion have been reported along the

Fylde coast over the last century. At present, the dune shoreline seems to be

roughly in equilibrium with, possibly, some potential for the development

of new dunes at Fleetwood.

Urban BAP’s

Urban BAP’s are currently under review with Lancashire Wildlife Trust and

aim to incorporate species such as house sparrow, common frog and urban

bumblebee.

2.3.5.2 Species Action Plans (SAPs)

SAPs have also been produced as part of the Biodiversity Action Plan for

Lancashire's most important species. Those of relevance to the study area for

which SAPs have been prepared or are planned include:

Rock sea lavender (UK endemic)

The rock sea-lavender Limonium britannicum is endemic to Great Britain

occurring in scattered localities in western Britain between South Devon and

Cumbria. Four sub-species have been distinguished, all of which currently

qualify for inclusion in the British Red Data Book, where they are regarded

as 'Low Risk - Near Threatened'.

In the county, Limonium britanicum sub-species celticum formerly occurred in

scattered localities around both the Wyre and Lune estuaries. Currently, it is

only known to occur on revetments / stone pitched sea walls along the

eastern side of the tidal River Wyre. Here there are two colonies within 1km

of each other, at Arm Hill and Knott End golf course comprising a total of

about 1300 plants. A former colony about 5 km upstream of the others had

only a single surviving plant in 1999 following damage from road

development. The species is not considered to be under immediate threat.

However, in Lancashire the species is largely confined to old stone retaining

walls, whereas, formerly, it occurred on dryer mud and stabilised shingle on

the upper parts of salt marshes. It is believed former colonies were lost

through the building of new sea defences. Possible factors that might

threaten the plant’s habitat in the future would include:

• Erosion and/or a rise in sea level;

• Inappropriate sea defence works;

• Development;

50

• Pollution; and

• Loss of suitable habitat and loss through competition with other species.

In the Wyre Estuary the old Victorian stone sea defences on which the plant

grows are beginning to erode and the effects on the rock sea-lavender

population need to be carefully monitored. Baseline population studies are

minimal and it is difficult to assess what, if any effects competition with

other plant species is having on colonies of the plant in the county.

Otter

The otter is a shy, elusive creature, rarely seen in lowland Britain due to its

being active mainly at night. They usually spend the day resting either

underground in 'holts' or above ground in 'hovers' (or 'couches') and are

generally associated with the following habitats:

• Rivers;

• Streams;

• Lakes;

• Wetlands; and

• Estuaries.

Otters have recently been found to be using the Wyre catchment

Under UK law the Otter is protected by Schedules 5 & 6 of the Wildlife and

Countryside Act 1981. The UK population is making a comeback from its

1950’s decline but it is estimated that it will take 100 years before it recovers

to its former widespread status. It is a UK BAP Priority Species and there is a

national Species Action Plan (SAP) for its conservation.

Brown Hare

The brown hare is not native to Britain but was introduced before the

Roman invasion. It is a long-established mammal that has become

characteristic of traditional mixed farming landscapes.

Much of the decline in hare numbers has taken place since the 1960s. The

rate of decline was 2% per year during the 1990s. Because of the significant

decline in the population, it was identified in the UK BAP as a Priority

Species. The 1991/2 National Hare Survey concluded that the fall in numbers

has been more pronounced in western, pastoral regions than in eastern

arable farmland.

The hare receives limited legal protection through the Ground Game Act

(1880) and Hare Protection Act (1911). Local strongholds for the brown hare

appear to be around west Lancashire and the former mosses of the

Lancashire coastal plain.

Bats

51

Sixteen species of bats are known to breed in the UK and eight are resident

in Lancashire. These include: brown long-eared; whiskered; Brandt's,

Natterer’s; Daubenton’s and noctule bats. In addition, the pipistrelle, which

was formerly thought to be a single species, is now recognised to be two.

North West England appears to be a stronghold for whiskered and Brandt’s

bats, both of which are fairly rare in southern England. Populations of bats

in many parts of Lancashire are comparable in size and importance to some

of the best areas in the country.

The valleys of the Wyre and their tributaries hold substantial populations of

pipistrelles and Daubenton’s bats. Many colonies of the latter species roost

in bridges over the rivers. There are good numbers of most of the other

species also in this area.

The Bat Conservation Trust is the national lead organisation for the

pipistrelle and other Priority Species of bat. They have produced an Action

Plan for the conservation of all bat species in the UK and have a national

network of local groups. There are four local bat groups that are affiliated to

the Trust and active in Lancashire.

Farmland Birds

A number of farmland birds have undergone significant declines since 1970.

All of the species covered by this plan are UK BAP Priority Species, and they

are all Red Listed due to the rapid decline of their UK breeding population.

Reversing the long term decline in farmland birds by 2020 is part of the

government’s national biodiversity Public Service Agreement.

Since the introduction of the Breeding Bird Survey in 1994 (the national bird

monitoring programme), it has become possible to assess trends for some

species at the regional level.

For the north west, the trends for 1994-2006 are:

• Grey partridge (Perdix perdix) % decline (based on limited data)*

• Skylark (Alauda arvensis) 14% decline

• Yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) 2% decline (based on limited data)*

• Tree sparrow (Passer montanus) 99% increase (based on limited data)*

• Linnet (Cardeulis cannabina) 1% decline

• Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) 19% decline

• Reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) 8% increase

• Corn bunting (Miliaria calandra) 54% decline (based on limited data)*

(Source - The Breeding Bird Survey 2006, except for species marked *, where

data originates from regional wild bird indicator analysis of BBS data)

Extensive research carried out on these species by RSPB, GCT, Defra and

others, has highlighted changes in farming practice as being the main driver

for these declines. The RSPB Volunteer & Farmer Alliance project has

undertaken a free breeding bird survey on nearly 50 farms in the county.

This project raises awareness amongst farmers of the farmland birds that

52

they have on their land, and provides them with advisory material tailored

to the species identified as being present.

Great Crested Newts

The great crested newt is the largest British newt and is widespread in

Europe but is threatened in many countries. Britain has probably Europe's

largest population and is, therefore, very important to the continuing

survival of the great crested newt. Main habitats include farm ponds,

mineral workings, temporary pools, ditches, scrub, hedgerows, arable field

and pasture, marsh, gardens, and sand dunes.

The North West of England is a stronghold for this species in Britain as a

whole. An audit of 487 ponds carried out in the North West in 1995/6 found

the species in 26% of ponds.

The number of potential breeding ponds for great crested newts is

diminishing in western Lancashire. Ponds are no longer as crucial for stock,

so there has been no incentive to maintain them. Choking with vegetation

removes the open water which the males require for display. Ponds have

also been filled in to provide land for development or for agriculture.

Other factors, alone or in combination, can also reduce the number of ponds

able to support breeding populations of great crested newts:

• Natural colonisation by, or deliberate/accidental introduction of fish;

• Pollution, acidification and eutrophication of ponds from road, urban

and farm run-off;

• Reductions in the water table due to abstraction and/or land drainage;

• The modification of some seasonal ponds to make them permanent

encourages the establishment of fish and other predators; and

• High newt mortality where roads pass close to breeding ponds.

There is a UK Species Action Plan for the species. As well as safeguarding

existing breeding sites, it proposes action to off-set the loss of colonies by

creating new populations at 100 presently unoccupied sites per year for five

years.

Water vole

Water voles live in colonies extending along watercourses. The voles

construct complicated tunnel systems in the banks with entrances both

above and below the waterline. Main habitats include rivers and streams,

canals, farmland ditches and ponds.

The water vole is a Priority Species in the UK BAP because of its declining

population. In 1998 the species received some legal protection in Schedule 5

of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, this was amended in 2008 so that

it is now an offence to deliberately, capture, injure or kill them or to damage,

53

destroy or obstruct their breeding or resting places. As well as an offence to

disturb destruction or obstruct their breeding or resting places.

The Vincent Wildlife Trust carried out national surveys in 1989-90 and in

1997-98 UK but in the 1990s water vole populations began to decline dramatically. By 2005, 90 per cent had disappeared, making the water vole the fastest declining

mammal in the UK. Loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitats are

thought to be the most important reasons for decline. Suitable waterside

habitats have been lost as a result of in situ development, engineering works

and the inappropriate management of bankside vegetation.

Survey work in 2010 by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Cheshire Wildlife

Trust showed that one of the strongholds for the water vole in the North

West was within the agricultural drainage network of West Lancashire.

There is on-going research by the Environment Agency (EA) and the Oxford

University Wildlife Conservation Unit (Oxford WildCRU) into water vole

ecology. The water vole is one of the focal species of the Wildlife Trusts.

Sea Bindweed

Sea Bindweed is a conspicuous coastal flower that survives in Lancashire at

a few sites between Blackpool and Fleetwood. It is vulnerable to both

coastal development and habitat change. It is found mainly on coastal

shingle, sand dunes and above the strand line on sand and shingle beaches.

Between Blackpool and Fleetwood colonies have been lost to housing

development and the building of promenades and sea walls. However in

this area it has proved remarkably resilient and survives in a few places in

almost or totally artificially created habitats, including the Blackpool -

Fleetwood tram track. A number of these sites are highly vulnerable.

Nationally, decline of the species is attributed to habitat disturbance and loss

of habitat (Preston et al., 2002).

There are no specific conservation measures in place for this species but

most of the sites fall within existing Biological Heritage Sites. No positive

conservation management is currently undertaken.

Purple Ramping fumitory

Purple ramping-fumitory was first recognised as a species separate from

other fumitories in 1902. So far, it has not been found outside the British

Isles. Its main strongholds in the UK are Cornwall and western Lancashire.

Main habitats include arable fields, arable field margins, other types of

recently disturbed farm land (without spring/summer grazing), earthy sea-

cliffs, earth works, waste ground, areas open to summer drought.

Purple ramping-fumitory is a UK BAP Priority Species. It is classified as

Nationally Scarce but the plant only receives general protection under the

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Western Lancashire is the main area for

this plant in the region although, since 1995, "small, transient populations"

have been recorded from a number of localities in north Merseyside.

54

In Lancashire, most of the recent records for purple ramping-fumitory are

from coastal areas between the River Wyre and the River Keer in the

Districts of Lancaster and Wyre. Given that western Lancashire represents

one of only two UK strongholds, western Lancashire should be the focus for

particular conservation effort for the species.

According to the UK BAP, the factors causing the decline of this species are

"poorly understood" but it is believed that the following have had a negative

effect:

Song Thrush

The song thrush is a familiar songbird of gardens and farmland throughout

Britain. It is a little smaller than a blackbird but has a similar shape and

build. It has brown upperparts with white underparts and a speckled breast.

The song thrush is essentially a bird of primary forest that has much

undergrowth and is adapted to living in small woods, parkland, hedgerows

and gardens.

The song thrush suffered a 55% overall decline in population between 1970

and 1998. Its decline in farmland habitats was more marked than that in

woodland. One study estimated the reduction in numbers as being 73% in

farmland and 49% in woodland between 1968 and 1993.

The Song Thrush is a Priority Species in the UK BAP because of its

population decline. It also appears on the 'Red List of Birds of Conservation

Concern'. It is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Song thrushes are found throughout most of the county. The estimated

population for Lancashire and North Merseyside is 3000 pairs. The song

thrush's decline has been linked to a very high level of mortality of young

birds during their first winter. One of the most important changes has been

the trend away from spring-sown cereals resulting in the loss of important

bare earth foraging habitat in the spring. The loss of stubbles has had similar

effects in winter.

In general, there has been a reduction in the number of mixed

(arable/pastoral) farming enterprises and a spread of crop monocultures. For

the song thrush, this has meant that suitable feeding habitat is less easy to

find throughout the year.

55

Lapwing

Lapwings nest on bare ground or where vegetation is short. Wherever the

nests are situated, it is imperative that there is a rich supply of invertebrate

food for the chicks nearby. These feeding areas are usually (but not always)

wetlands.

Main habitats include grazed pasture land and spring-sown arable fields

close to pasture or wetland habitat.

The species is still widespread in suitable habitat throughout the North West

region. Data from the RSPB indicates that the North West lapwing

population has mirrored the national decline. Large populations also exist

on arable land and pasture on the Lancashire plain and on grazed

saltmarshes of the Ribble and in Morecambe Bay. The total population for

Lancashire and North Merseyside is estimated at 7000 pairs.

The coastal mosslands and saltmarshes are major wintering sites.

Particularly important are the coastal fields in around Over Wyre, from

Fluke Hall to Pilling Marsh and those in the Cockersands.

The lapwing tends to choose nesting sites in short vegetation away from

hedges, walls or trees. The general shift from spring sown to autumn sown

cereals has resulted in loss of much suitable nesting habitat, since by the

time pairs start to raise broods the crops are taller than ideal for the birds.

Skylark

The skylark is a small brown songbird with white underparts. It has a short

crest on its head and white outer tail feathers.

Habitats include nesting in treeless, short grassland habitats. It is often

found in saltmarsh, heathland and arable farmland.

The skylark is on the 'Red List' of 'Birds of Conservation Concern'. A UK

Species Action Plan has been produced. It is also protected under the

Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.

It is still a widespread breeding bird in North West England. No data are

available but it is thought that the decline on lowland farmland has mirrored

the national decline. The skylark is a regional biodiversity indicator

highlighting the status of lowland farmland birds. It is estimated that there

are 7000 pairs in Lancashire and North Merseyside.

The switch from spring-sown to autumn-sown cereals is the most important

factor in the decline of skylarks in arable areas. Skylarks only nest in

vegetation less than 25 cm tall.

The skylark is protected under the EC Birds Directive and the Wildlife and

Countryside Act 1981. A national SAP for this species has been published.

The national target is to increase the population by 100% by 2010.

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2.3.6 Natural Area Profiles

Natural Areas are tracts of countryside or coastline that are readily

recognised by their characteristic land forms, wildlife and land use. Natural

England has divided the whole of England into 120 Natural Areas. They are

not designations and they are not confined by traditional administrative

boundaries. Natural Areas are intended to provide a framework to identify

the priorities and objectives for nature conservation at a local level and have

a key role in translation of national targets for habitats and species into

action at the local level. Priorities and objectives of relevance to coastal and

flood defence are listed in Annex C.

There are three Natural Area Profiles of relevance to the Study Area, two of

which are maritime:

2.3.7 Lancashire Plains and Valleys

This terrestrial Natural Area encompasses the Lancashire coastal plain from

Carnforth in the north, south to the northern outskirts of the city of

Liverpool. For much of its length the western boundary of the Natural Area

is the coast, and here the Lancashire Plain and Valleys merges into two

Coastal Natural Areas, Morecambe Bay, and south of Rossall Point,

Liverpool Bay.

2.3.8 Morecambe Bay

This coastal Natural Area is situated between Rossall Point, Fleetwood and

the mid-point of the seaward side of the Walney Island adjacent to Barrow.

It includes Morecambe Bay and the southern half of Walney Island, the areas

of open sea out to the 12 mile fisheries limit and the inland extent of coastal

habitats and all associated transitions to terrestrial habitats.

2.3.9 Liverpool Bay

This coastal Natural Area stretches from the Welsh border in the Dee estuary

northwards to Rossall Point, Fleetwood. Coastal areas within three counties,

Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire are represented. The Natural Area

includes open sea out to the 12 mile limit, and inland including habitats such

as sand dunes and transition zone which encompasses marine habitats.

2.4 Sea Level Rise

Although intertidal areas along the North Fylde coast have accreted during

the last century, the fixing of high water mark through the installation of

hard coastal defences has halted the extension of high water mark to

seaward. With the onset of sea level rise, the intertidal habitat is therefore

likely to convert to subtidal habitat over time due to a lowering of the

foreshore. Saltmarsh habitats in the estuary are also likely to become

'squeezed' against these defences and will not be able to retreat as sea levels

rise therefore leading to losses of this valuable habitat. This will result in a

reduction of high water retreat areas such as roosting sites on the saltmarsh

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for bird species. It is important that these threats are given due care and

attention during development of the strategy.

The RSPB, in their 'Sea of Change' publication has identified and evaluated a

number of potential sites in the UK where intertidal habitat creation may be

a viable option. Managed realignment of the coast through controlled

breaching of defences through flooding to a specified line landward of the

present defences would help to recreate intertidal habitats lost and return

the coast to a more sustainable state. Two potential sites have been identified

by the RSPB along the Wyre Estuary (Table 2.3).

Table 2.3 Potential Sites identified by RSPB.

Score Site Name Area

(ha)

County / area NGR

17 Liscoe Farm 22 Lancashire: Wyre (31) SD3740

17 Larbreck 43 Lancashire: Wyre (31) SD4040

Source: RSPB Seas of Change, 2000.

EA latest study (Extent of Saltmarsh in England and Wales (2006 -2009)

indicates that the Wyre has 331.9ha of saltmarsh and that in this period

there has been an increase in saltmarsh in the North West of 12.2%

2.5 Landscape

Landscape information has been obtained from site visits, the Shoreline

Management Plan, Lancashire County Council's Landscape Strategy (2000),

Landscape Character Assessment (2000) and the draft Landscape Strategy

for Wyre (1995).

2.5.1 Landscape Designations

There are no landscape designations lying within the study area, the nearest

being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) within Morecambe

Bay. In addition there are no Local Authority landscape designations.

2.6 Landscape Characterisation/Assessment

The Countryside Agency has undertaken a Countryside Character initiative

to define the character of England’s countryside at the end of the 20th

century. The country has been classified into 159 separate character areas

that are essentially sub-divisions of Natural England's Natural Areas

(Section 2.3.6). Published in eight regional volumes, the report of relevance

to this study is Volume 2: North West. Within this volume there are two

National Character Areas (NCA) of relevance to this study, No 31:

Morecambe Coast and The Lune Estuary; No 32: Lancashire and

Amounderness Plain. Within each area the landscape is defined including

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physical, historical and cultural influences, buildings and settlements and

land cover.

On a regional basis, Lancashire County Council and partners commissioned

a comprehensive integrated landscape and assessment of Lancashire to

produce a landscape strategy informed by the landscape character

assessment process. The assessment uses the Countryside Agency's

character map of England as a basis, incorporating other information from

earlier assessments within the county.

A total of 21 Landscape Character Areas have been identified throughout

the County, those of relevance to the Wyre area being:

• 15 Coastal Plain: The coastal plain occurs in six distinct areas, those of

relevance being (d) The Fylde and (f) Knott End to Pilling;

• 18 Open Coastal Marsh: The open coastal marsh landscape occurs in five

distinct areas, those of relevance being (c) Wyre Marshes and (e) Pilling

and Cockerham marshes; and

• 19 Coastal Dunes: The Fylde coast dunes (a) are a series of small

remnants representing the coastal dunes landscape in the area.

2.7 Natural Character Area (NCA) Climate Change Project

2.7.1 Introduction

Over the past three years, Natural England has been studying how the

natural environment might be affected by climate change in a range of

different NCA. The studies have identified important benefits provided by

the natural environment in these areas, how they might be vulnerable to

climate change and what actions could be undertaken to enable them to

adapt.

Natural England studied a number of distinct areas in England, which

covered a range of habitats and landscape types. The Lancashire and

Amounderness Plain, which is a NCA, was one of the areas that was studied

and is a flat, predominantly drained coastal marsh landscape comprised

mostly of peat soils, which has seen significant coastal development of

Victorian coastal resorts.

Reports covering the Lancashire and Amounderness Plain NCA were

produced in the form of a summary leaflet and a detailed technical report.

The main findings of the study were related to the vulnerability of the

Lancashire and Amounderness Plain landscape to the impacts of climate

change.

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2.7.2 Vulnerability to the impacts of climate change

The Lancashire and Amounderness Plain NCA has a strong coastal character

and significant areas of coastal habitats. Coastal habitats such as salt marsh,

mudflats and sand dunes are sensitive to erosion of the seaward edge and

inundation by tidal flooding. The capacity of these habitats to adapt is

restricted as they are ‘squeezed’ between rising sea levels and defences. Salt

marsh and sand dune soils are particularly vulnerable and buried

archaeology could be lost if they are eroded or re-wetted with saline water.

Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh and reedbeds are also vulnerable to

climate change, particularly changes in seasonal rainfall patterns which

could lead to flooding in winter and drying out in summer. The loss of these

habitats from the NCA would not only significantly alter its landscape

character and biodiversity value but the flood defence function they

currently perform would be lost.

The NCA also performs a very important role in providing a large urban

population with a place for recreation. Warmer summers may encourage

people to use the outdoors more for recreation. This could benefit people’s

quality of life but it may put pressure on existing recreation facilities such as

footpaths and country parks. Recreation facilities could also be directly

affected by changes in climate. For example, flooding may damage footpaths

and cycle routes along rivers or at the coast and wetter winters could cause

erosion to paths. At sites which include mowed grassland, such as picnic

sites and parks warmer summers might cause grass to grow faster,

increasing maintenance requirements. Despite these potential impacts on

recreation facilities, the Lancashire and Amounderness Plain NCA is likely

to continue to provide people with opportunities to recreate and enjoy the

natural environment.

2.7.3 Possible adaptation actions

A number of actions could help the local natural environment in the

Lancashire and Amounderness Plain NCA adapt to the impacts of climate

change and ensure that we continue to enjoy the benefits it provides,

especially in coastal areas.

It is important to create space to allow the natural environment to respond

to the impacts of climate change, for example at the coast and along river

valleys. Making space for coastal and river habitats to adapt will contribute

not only to the biodiversity of the area but will ensure that the flood

protection function carried out by these habitats can be maintained and

enhanced. Development in floodplains in the NCA should be discouraged

and where possible, flood defence schemes should be designed to facilitate

natural processes. The second Shoreline Management Plan for the area

should provide an opportunity to support the development of a naturally

evolving coastline. Coastal realignment should allow adequate space and

sediment for shoreline adjustment and habitat creation through coastal

processes. For example, creating space along the Fylde coast would allow

60

sand dunes to roll-back, improving biodiversity and contributing to tidal

flood protection.

The recreation function provided by the NCA is likely to persist in future

and outdoor activities may become more popular as the climate of the North

West becomes warmer. However, some existing access and recreation assets

may be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. More regular

maintenance of assets such as foot path surface and footbridges is likely to

be required and some routes may need to be re-routed, particularly those at

the coast. Opportunities should be sought to improve drainage on existing

rights of way, especially popular routes and routes close to main centres of

population, as well as to incorporate appropriate drainage and robust

surfacing on new routes developed as part of a green infrastructure strategy.

A longer growing season will also increase maintenance requirements on

rights of way, and areas of pubic greenspace.

The spatial planning system can assist in adapting the natural environment

to climate change and ensuring that we continue to enjoy the benefits and

services it provides. Decision makers should consider how spatial planning

can contribute to adaptation of the natural environment, particularly

through developing longer term plans for community resilience and

sustainable adaptation of key infrastructure. In the Lancashire and

Amounderness Plain NCA, opportunities exist to incorporate policies in

spatial plans which address coastal realignment, encourage multi-functional

green infrastructure and make space for habitats.

It is important to monitor change and the effectiveness of adaptation

measures. The information gained from monitoring can be used to refine

adaptation actions or develop new actions if necessary. Further work is

needed to map and research the vulnerability of the natural environment as

knowledge is still incomplete and the effects of climate change are uncertain.

Monitoring to identify new species appearing within the NCA could assist

with the development of new conservation objectives.

2.7.4 Conclusion

We all benefit from the natural environment. The services provided by the

natural environment are fundamental to achieving local aspirations and

creating sustainable communities. It is therefore important to consider the

natural environment in local planning and policy making.

Whilst some of the impacts of climate change on the natural environment are

uncertain, adaptation action can be taken now. Many of the adaptation

actions suggested in this leaflet have benefits to society beyond climate

change adaptation. Increasing the quality and size of habitats and other

features of the natural environment will increase resilience to other

pressures as well as climate change.

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2.8 Landscape Setting of the Open Coast

The landscape of the Fylde peninsula is low-lying and largely urban in

nature stretching from Fleetwood in the north to Cleveleys in the south and

bounded by the Borough of Blackpool. Small areas of low lying, flat

agricultural land exist, particularly in the vicinity of Rossall School and

flanking either side of the A585 trunk road towards Fleetwood, with limited

views due to the presence of residential properties, industrial uses and road

network.

A promenade lines the seafront of the entire coastal fringe from the

Fleetwood peninsula (Plate III), extending through to Cleveleys and the

study area boundary further south, with wooden groyne fields along the

foreshore.

Plate III: Fleetwood Frontage

A wide sandy beach of varying width fronts the promenade along the

Fleetwood peninsula, with established dune areas in the vicinity of

Fleetwood Pier, becoming more fragmented westwards as the sand beach

reduces in width and height. Dune scrub lines the landward side of the

promenade, backed by a variety of leisure facilities including the Marine

Hall complex, boating lake and pitch and putt course and associated

parking/access points. The road network follows the direction of the upper

promenade, backed by residential housing, guesthouses and holiday flats.

Panoramic views can be gained across Morecambe Bay on a clear day.

Moving westwards towards Rossall Point, the sandy beach of the open coast

becomes dominated by cobble beds with the hinterland of the promenade

occupied by low-lying golf links fronted by a high concrete seawall

obscuring views of the sea. A floodwater channel (Plate IV) runs parallel

with the landward side of the seawall from the boundary of the golf course

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flanked by a narrow band of open grassland with residential housing lining

the road behind this open space.

The seawall continues to back the promenade further south with the

residential housing of the hinterland giving way to the prominent

developments of Rossall Hospital and Rossall School interspersed by a small

area of grazing land.

Plate IV: Floodwater channel

Residential housing lines the hinterland to the south of the school, before

being replaced by small scale leisure amusement arcades associated with the

Cleveleys town centre and holiday flat developments (Plate V). Views of

Blackpool tower and the pleasure beach are clearly visible from the

promenade on a clear day. The foreshore of the open coast south of Rossall

Point becomes more dominated by shingle with small patches of sand which

gradually cease altogether.

Plate V: Cleveleys Frontage

2.9 Landscape Setting of the Wyre Estuary

The entrance to the Wyre estuary is heavily urbanised with the town centre

of Fleetwood and the P&O Irish Sea ferry terminal occupying the

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northernmost tip of the Fylde peninsula. This gives way to the development

of Fleetwood docks incorporating the fish dock, ro-ro1 link span, Freeport

Harbour Village factory outlet centre and marina (Plate VI), and Mariners

Quay residential development. Parts of the seaward side of the docks are

2 the natural environment - wyre · 1800's in response to erosion of glacial till cliffs at...

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