Waterside meadow at Apuldram acquired by the
Trust
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This autumn has seen another
significant addition to the portfolio of land in the care of the Chichester
Harbour Trust when the charity acquired 15 acres of waterside meadow at Apuldram.
Lying immediately north of the Waste Water Treatment Plant, the plot forms a
belt of meadow from the water’s edge east to Apuldram Lane. The area nearest the
harbour is low-lying with a network of freshwater drainage ditches and
public footpaths. |
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This segment, and particularly the freshwater ditches, supports some
interesting flora and is also regularly used for feeding by waders such as
black-tailed godwit and snipe.
The eastern portion is a
little higher and is managed for hay and occasional grazing of cattle by a
tenant farmer. The plot is linked to Sites of Nature Conservation Interest both
to the north and south and lies only 500 yards south of the meadowland at
Fishbourne that is already under Conservancy management, all of which adds to
the site’s appeal.
The Trust will continue to
lease the land for grazing in this way which provides the ideal environment for
a wide variety of plant species and the undeveloped look of the land can
continue to be enjoyed by the many members of the public who use the footpaths.
Maybush Copse, Chidham – Improvement plans move
ahead
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The Trust’s purchase of 8
acres of woodland at Cot Lane, Chidham – known as Maybush Copse – was completed
last June and since then activity has been focused on setting up a permanent
management arrangement and tidying up the site itself ahead of more radical
improvements in due course.
The Trust has leased the
Copse to the Conservancy for 99 years and at the same time a management group,
Maybush Copse Friends, has been formed by the local community to undertake the
day-to-day running of the site.
A great deal of useful clearance work has already been done and in early
December a Friends of Chichester Harbour working party joined forces with the
Maybush Copse team to help in this major task.
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In the coming months, following consultation
with local authority planning staff, a management plan will be produced. This
will ensure a logical progression towards making the area safe for public
access, enhancing the woodland and providing permissive footpaths and areas of
open space for everyone to enjoy.
Generous offer of support from Thornham Marina
Thornham Marina
has generously proposed a new way of supporting the Chichester Harbour Trust.
The marina, in the Thorney Channel, has said that when any new customer booking
winter storage (4 months minimum) this year states at the time that they’re a
supporter of the charity, then the marina will make a donation of £150 to the
Trust.
So, any Trust
supporter deciding where to lay up their boat this winter, consider Thornham
Marina and remember to mention that you wish to participate in the charity
donation scheme.
Details of
the offer and the facilities available at the marina can be obtained from the
marina manager, Jeanette Critchell:
jeanette@thornhammarina.com tel: 01243 375335
Southbourne, Chidham and Hambrook
residents brave the rain to celebrate the rescue of Maybush Copse
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Over 100 local people
from Southbourne, Chidham and Hambrook gathered at Maybush
Copse, Chidham last Sunday to celebrate the acquisition of 8-acre Maybush Copse by the Chichester Harbour Trust.
Supported by generous donations from many local people the charity
completed the purchase of the site three weeks ago.
There is much work to be done to clear contamination hazards before
the land can be enjoyed by the local community but the gates were
opened at the weekend for a celebration party.
Sir Jeremy Thomas, chairman of the Harbour Trust, took the
opportunity to congratulate the 180 members of the local community
who had contributed so generously and said that the charity was
delighted to provide a mechanism that could help to prevent unwanted
development from spreading into the Harbour Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty.
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Now a programme of
tree-planting and clearing the site of rubbish will be undertaken by
a local management group under the guidance of the Chichester
Harbour Conservancy, whose environmental team will provide expert
advice.
“Historic” Buffer Zone Agreement Signed
After prolonged negotiation between the Chichester Harbour Trust and West Sussex
County Council, the Council has agreed to create an undeveloped buffer zone to
the north-east of the harbour by transferring blocks of land in its ownership to
the Chichester Harbour Trust.
The idea is that the zone would sit between the Harbour’s Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty and any future housing or highways developments.
A joint ‘statement of understanding’ on the future transfer of land was signed
at County Hall on 9 July by County Council Leader Henry Smith and Sir Jeremy
Thomas, Chairman of the Chichester Harbour Trust.
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It says –
“West Sussex County Council and the Chichester Harbour Trust both wish to
protect and conserve the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
from any environmentally damaging impact resulting from any future proposals for
housing or highways development south west of Chichester.
They have agreed in principle to create an undeveloped buffer zone by
transferring blocks of land from the County Council to the Trust of sufficient
width to enable the Trust to safeguard the land in perpetuity.
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The details of the phased land transfer will be agreed between the County
Council and the Trust, working in partnership, as the details of any proposed,
future development emerge.”
Henry Smith described the agreement as ‘historic’.
He said: “Chichester Harbour is such an important area for very many reasons,
including its unique landscape and wildlife. It needs as much protection as
possible from development pressures, and this agreement recognises that.”
Sir Jeremy said: “I am delighted about this agreement in principle with the
County to transfer land south west of the city to help safeguard the Harbour’s
AONB from damaging development in that area.
"There is no doubt that the qualities that make our harbour a national asset are
under threat. Ever increasing demands from Central Government for more and more
houses, resulting in the use of sites that cannot sensibly sustain them, must be
resisted.
“ It means the work of the Trust in acquiring environmentally sensitive areas
around the harbour to protect them in perpetuity, is badly needed. We need all
the support we can get.
"I salute the vision of the County Council in signing with us this strategic
document. It offers hope for the future".
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