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Steart Coastal Management Project
Aerial view of matured saltmarsh habitat (artist impression). ©WWT Image ©2010 TerraMetrics Data SIO, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO Image ©2010 Infoterra Ltd & Bluesky Image ©2010 FRLA Ltd Image ©2009 Google
An Environment Agency case study in Bridgwater, Somerset.
Sea level rise, coastal squeeze and the need to provide increased flood protection to over 100,000 homes and businesses is predicted to reduce internationally designated wetland habitats within the Severn Estuary by 300–600 hectares by 2025, and significantly affect the natural estuarine landscape.
The aim of the Steart Coastal Management Project, constructed in 2014 in partnership with Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), was to transform 620 hectares of the Steart Peninsula into wildlife-rich wetland habitats and landscapes. This would compensate for some of the habitat loss, whilst providing an increased standard of flood protection for people, property and both local and critical national infrastructure by a sustainable means that works closely with nature. A single breach in the existing River Parrett bank defences, in combination with new flood embankments and the creation of creeks, allowed natural hydrological processes of the Severn Estuary to reclaim this previously artificially drained and managed agricultural land. It has transformed it into one of the largest intertidal wetland habitats in the UK – a wildlife-rich landscape that reframes the threat of flooding into an opportunity and a resource.
The project delivered an extensive multifunctional landscape:
– 480 ha of intertidal, freshwater, brackish and mudflat habitats, ponds and ditches
– Over 8 kilometres of carefully designed new flood defence banks
– Over 9 kilometres of native species hedge and broadleaf and carr woodland
– 7.5 kilometres of new public rights of way, including visitor routes linked to panoramic viewpoints and hides
– 7.7 kilometres of paths enhanced for dual cycle and pedestrian use
– Interpretation boards highlighting local environment and wildlife
– Active learning resources for local schools.
Environment Agency involvement
The multidisciplinary design team was led by the Environment Agency and delivered by its consultants at Halcrow (now Jacobs), EC Harris (now Arcadis) and contractor Team Van Oord. The detail design was developed in partnership with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, who were chosen to establish and manage the site post construction.
Environment Agency landscape architects scoped and guided the production of the landscape and environmental design, and conducted early stakeholder engagement. They ensured the engagement materials would effectively communicate the project’s objectives and outcomes, including photomontages, drawings, plans and images rendered from a 3D model.
Lessons learned
Effective communication with stakeholders was critical to the success of the project. This was achieved through sound stakeholder analysis, regular public drop-ins both before and during construction, one-to-one meetings and information boards.
Within the team, regular project meetings allowed issues to be identified and resolved early and decision papers allowed key determinations to be evaluated effectively and democratically.
Honest and outcome-focused contractual relationships brought out the best in the Environment Agency’s consultants and contractors, who were motivated to demonstrate their pioneering and innovative approaches, which included working closely with WWT. This led to some elements of implementation being deferred after the main construction had been completed and then delivered by WWT.
The success of the wetland hinged on close collaboration between engineers, hydrologists, ecologists and archaeologists, among many others. The art and science of landscape architecture has been critical in aiding dialogue across the disciplines at each step of the way, from feasibility to detailed design, construction and long-term management.
The success of the wetland hinged on close collaboration between engineers, hydrologists, ecologists and archaeologists, among many others.
Robert Scott is Principal Landscape Architect at the Environment Agency.
