The Reserve
Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve is one of the few undeveloped areas on the Sussex Coast, the Reserve totals about 615ha (1520a) and is situated on the south-east facing coastline of the Manhood Peninsula approximately 3 km (2 miles) north west of Selsey Bill. The Reserve is readily accessible as public footpaths circle the 11 km of the Harbour perimeter (except for the Harbour mouth).
The Reserve comprises of an extensive central area (about 280 ha / 700 acres) of saltmarsh and tidal mudflats, surrounded by a mosaic of habitats including shingle, open water, reed swamp, and wet permanent grassland.
Pagham Harbour LNR is of national importance for wintering wildfowl and waders and also for breeding birds, both within the Harbour and in the surrounding grazing pastures. The site supports nationally important communities of plants and animals.
A Visitor Centre is located at Sidlesham Ferry (on the B2145) and houses a display, a small shop, toilet facilities together with offices and workshop facilities for the Reserve staff.
The Medmerry Scheme
Medmerry is one of the stretches of coastline most at risk of flooding in
southern England. Following extensive consultation, the Environment Agency (EA)
recommended in the 2008 Pagham to East Head Coastal Defence Strategy that
‘managed realignment’ was the preferred option for Medmerry. This is where new
defences inland from the coast are built and allow a new intertidal area to
form seaward of these new defences. This scheme will provide an improved
standard of protection against flooding for infrastructure and local
communities.
Given the high risk of existing defences breaching at
Medmerry, the EA are keen to carry out the scheme to improve protection as soon
as possible. The EA have therefore begun to plan the detailed work needed. This
planning work involves surveys on the site, computer modelling, engineering
designs for new defences and drainage works, plus extensive work with
representatives of local groups.
The need for new intertidal habitat to replace losses across
the Solent has been recognised as a pressing issue that can be addressed
through the scheme planned for Medmerry. This has enabled the Environment
Agency to negotiate fair deals with owners to purchase much of the land that
will be directly affected by the realignment scheme.
To find out more about the Medmerry managed realignment
scheme go to http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/109062.aspx
RSPB and The Medmerry Scheme
Alongside the bid to manage Pagham Harbour, the RSPB are set
to manage the area (over 400 hectares) of new habitat being created at
Medmerry, the seafront strip that lies
between Bracklesham and Selsey. The area bounded by the new sea defences will
encompass the RSPB Bracklesham Bay Nature Reserve and will not be far from the
Ferry Field of Pagham Harbour LNR
RSPB Managment proposal
Friends give their reaction to the transfer of the management of Pagham Harbour LNR to RSPB. more...
Web Site
The project to develop this site is under way. This phase of the redevelopment adds content and brings the site up to date with the latest web compliant standards.
Over the coming months we will be adding more content so we can tell you more of our current activities and tell you what is happening at Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve.
We would be pleased to have your comments on the developing web site and if you do you have something to say about the Reserve that may be of interest to others, please tell us.
