Crown Estate signals support for 'East Atlantic Flyway' designation as a Natural World Heritage Site

 

High hopes for UNESCO heritage status

THE Crown Estate is backing plans for a long stretch of England's East Coast, including the Cleethorpes-to-Humberston strip, to be a designated a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.

As main landowner, the Estate's support is essential to the application which is being spearhead by the RSPB.

One of its aims is both to showcase and safeguard millions of shorebirds that spend spring, autumn and winter feeding here before migrating to the Arctic tundra to breed .

Most coastal authorities, including Lincolnshire County Council, are also on board with the project, and North East Lincolnshire Council is expected to be supportive at a meeting tomorrow (Thursday).

If rubber-stamped by UNESCO, the name of the heritage site would be: East Atlantic Flyway - England East Coast Wetlands.

Says Olivia Thomas, head of marine planning at the Crown Estate: "The nomination of the English East Coast as a Natural World Heritage Site presents a fantastic opportunity to recognise the value of this coastline, for its variety of coastal environments, diverse habitats creatures and and dynamic seascapes. 

"We recognise that it is important to understand how the world’s coastlines can adapt in response to the threats posed by sea level rise and climate change. 

"We also recognise the need to support net zero targets and help to counter the threats through careful and sensitive development of green energy. 

She continues: "We would welcome the opportunity to work with the RSPB and other proposal partners to assess any developing nomination in detail, considering how best to balance the international importance of the area alongside other policy drivers such as the transition to net zero. 

"We are, therefore, pleased to offer our support for this proposal, as part of the partnership of a variety of key coastal stakeholders and explore further the shape and refinement of the proposition over the coming years." 

The Crown Estate manages the seabed and around half of the foreshore around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, we work alongside industry and stakeholders to unlock its potential. 

Signficantly, it awards seabed rights for offshore windfarms, not just the turbines but also the cabling and other infrastructure.

The organisation is obviously aware of the tensions between offshore energy and safeguarding birds and other marine life.

However, it says it is committed to develop a leading role in stewarding the UK’s marine environment, wherever necessary convening relevant organisations to "broaden our understanding of what is required to ensure a resilient marine environment that supports sustainable development".

The stretch of coast identified is said to be comparable in size to the Getbol South Korean Tidal Flats (South Korea) and a coastal strip in China which haave alslo been designated for similar status.

It is not yet known when the East Atlantic Flyway application will be determined.

                                               

Godwits and knot feeding on the shoreline in Cleethorpes