Waterside meadow at Apuldram acquired by the Trust

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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".