ABPmer to Help Shape the Future of Farlington Marshes

ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer), a leading authority in habitat creation, has been awarded a contract by the Environment Agency that will help determine the future of Farlington Marshes, situated on the northern shore of Langstone Harbour, east of Portsmouth.

Farlington Marshes extend into the harbour south of the A27 route and comprise defended freshwater land of internationally recognised high environmental value. A 3250m revetment sea defence, the condition of which has required increasing maintenance to reduce its deterioration in recent years and for which a long term solution is now sought, protects the site.

Using cutting-edge techniques developed for previous coastal habitat creation projects, ABPmer, in association with Atkins, will undertake option appraisals that consider both the physical and habitat responses to optimise management of the marshes that provide maximum environmental benefit, whilst offering a sustainable coastal defence to protect property at risk of coastal flooding.

Stephen Hull, Director, ABPmer said that the selection, design, assessment and monitoring of habitat creation schemes is a core element of ABPmer’s work having carried out such work on numerous sites in Essex as well as Welwick and Chowder Ness on the Humber Estuary.  

“Whilst managed realignment is included in the list of possible options for the Farlington sea wall, it is as yet not understood what effect any realignment may have on the wider Special Protected Area (SPA) harbour geomorphology and nature conservation interests; our work will be critical in showing whether such options are feasible as the wider SPA interests cannot be damaged, unless a sustainable scheme is possible. 

Crucially, we have a lot of experience of strategic planning for habitat creation work.  In particular we have recently produced two high quality and commended Coastal Habitat Management Plans (CHaMPs) for both the Thames and the Severn Estuary.”

ABPmer is also at the forefront of initiatives that are designed to disseminate lessons from past habitat creation and managed realignment schemes and, under the EU ComCoast project, has developed an online map-based resource that collates the findings from projects across Northern Europe (www.abpmer.net/omreg).

The baseline information and development of the preferred option for Farlington Marshes will be undertaken in consultation with key stakeholders including Natural England, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Portsmouth City Council, Hampshire County Council, Langstone Harbour Board and other directly affected parties.

Enquiries:
Stephen Hull
Director, ABPmer
Tel: 02380 711840

Tracey Hewett
ABPmer Communications
Tel: 02380 711840