The Moors at Arne scheme, which is hoped to replace areas at risk of being lost elsewhere in Poole Harbour due to sea level rise, aims to begin its three-year programme of construction this spring.
The project, which is a partnership between the Environment Agency (EA), RSPB, and Natural England, is intended to see new tidal embankments constructed to create a mosaic of saline and freshwater areas.
These embankments will be further inland than the existing harbour edge embankments, and once they are in place three controlled breaches will be made to the existing embankments so that the land in between is flooded by the tides, according to the Dorset Coast Forum which was set up in partnership Dorset Council to keep people informed about the project.
The sediment brought in by the high tides will settle out and accumulate, according to the forum, which will eventually see new mudflats and salt marsh created.
Discussions first started on the project five years ago, according to the Dorset Echo, with residents voicing concerns that the project may impact the low-lying area near Ridge, a village in Dorset. Residents are reported to have dubbed the new embankment on the south of the site as “the Great Wall of Dorset”.
The EA have said that the new areas will take several years to establish, but in doing so will improve flood resilience and protect the area from sea level rise.
Ron Curtis of the Environment Agency said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with RSPB and Natural England on such an exciting project that will provide benefits for wildlife and all those who live, work or visit the Poole harbour area.”
It is hoped that when the Moors at Arne is completed, visitors will be able to go to the site with walking paths and bird-viewing points to be added. The EA have said that collaboration with the RSPB and Natural England will ensure the project’s construction “safeguards” the site’s rare plants and animals, such as water voles.
Dante Munns of the RSPB said that the project is an “exemplar” of the collaboration between technical specialists, stakeholders and the public.
She said: “This will create fantastic homes for wildlife, with opportunities for people to experience the wonderful birdlife this area has to offer.”
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