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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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Type Name of Area Reason for Designation NGR
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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Type Name of Area Reason for Designation NGR
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
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Type Name of Area Reason for Designation NGR
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
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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
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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.
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42
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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.
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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
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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..
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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.
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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
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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;
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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
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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
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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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56
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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57
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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58
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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59
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
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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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61
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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62
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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63
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