Chichester Harbour Conservancy is hosting a public drop-in session for people to view plans for the footpath and habitat creation at Apuldram meadow. The project is titled Fishbourne Footpath to Nature Recovery.
When:
Saturday 31 May, 10:00 – 16:00
Where:
Fishbourne Church Hall, St. Peter & St. Mary, Fishbourne, PO19 3XT
Background:
Footpath 3059 at Apuldram Meadow was closed in 2022, following damage to the sea wall. The Fishbourne Footpath to Nature Recovery project seeks to realign the footpath along higher elevations within Apuldram Meadow while creating up to five hectares of habitat suitable for saltmarsh.
In 2021 Natural England’s Condition Review downgraded the Chichester Harbour Site of Special Scientific Interest to “Unfavourable Declining” condition. This is primarily due to the loss of saltmarsh within the harbour (58% since 1945) through “coastal squeeze”. The presence of hard structures (such as sea walls) restricts the natural processes of the coastline drowning out coastal habitats like saltmarsh. As well as being a valuable and beautiful habitat, saltmarsh stores carbon, removes nutrients, increases biodiversity and provides natural flood defence.
A 2023 feasibility study recommended realigning the footpath further inland to create space for saltmarsh habitat to develop. In November 2024, Chichester Harbour Conservancy commissioned JBA Consulting to design a footpath realignment and saltmarsh creation plan for Apuldram Meadow.
What is the Drop-in Session?
- The drop-in session is an opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the Fishbourne Footpath to Nature Recovery project as well as view the designs and understand how the site will evolve.
- Representatives from Chichester Harbour Conservancy and the Environment Agency will be present to explain the project in more detail and answer questions.
- Visitors will be able to see artist impressions of the site as it is predicted to look in the future at.
- There will also be an opportunity to talk with representatives about the project in-situ at Apuldram Meadow.
Visit the drop in session on Saturday 31 May, anytime between 10am and 4pm to learn more about this exciting project.
Read more about Nature Recovery in Chichester Harbour: Nature Recovery – Chichester Harbour Conservancy