Our strategy & SPD
Thousands of birds come to the Essex coast to breed and feed and there are ten Designated Habitats Sites to safeguard them. New housing around the Essex coast will lead to more people visiting the coast for leisure, with the potential to cause more disturbance to the birds. Research shows that additional disturbance will affect the birds’ survival unless mitigation measures are put in place. Bird Aware Essex Coast is a tool being used to lessen potential impacts from increased local housing development. The initiative is run by the Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Partnership (Essex Coast RAMS). This is made up of twelve local councils, Essex County Council and Natural England, and funded by contributions from all new residential dwellings within the Zones of Influence.
The planned mitigation measures are set out in the Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (Essex Coast RAMS). The mitigation measures will include a team of rangers to help coastal visitors and communities understand the importance of the different bird species and the impact of disturbance. Additional work will take place to encourage responsible dog walking and visits to less sensitive parts of the coast. Mitigation measures will also include new habitat creation.
