Steart Habitat Creation Scheme

The Bristol Port Company is developing exciting plans to create around 130ha of intertidal habitat on land owned by the Port on the Steart peninsula, Bridgwater Bay. This is to compensate for potential impacts of the Bristol Wind Terminal, if required, on the designated habitats and species of the Severn Estuary European Marine Site.

Over the past decade or so, we have collaborated with conservation agencies, regulators and the local community on the development of the design of the scheme. We aim to create a mosaic of intertidal and wetland habitats that will:

  • Support a diverse range of waterbirds and other wildlife.
  • Improve protection against flooding for the surrounding local communities.
  • Provide enhanced coastal access.

We are delighted to confirm that the Port will be working in collaboration with WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife, as well as ABPmer and Kier, to assess, design, develop and deliver the scheme. This scheme will draw on the extensive experience of the project team in wetland creation and restoration within the Severn Estuary and across the UK.

In particular, it will incorporate the lessons learnt from the successful neighbouring WWT and Environment Agency (EA) Steart Marshes reserve.

After construction WWT will take on management of the area and the long-term ambition is for the newly created habitats at the Port’s site to be fully integrated with WWT/EA Steart Marshes and Bridgwater Bay NNR, and to become part of the Somerset Wetlands Super National Nature Reserve.

An illustration of the Steart peninsula with WWT Steart Marshes to the east, Bridgwater Bay NNR to the north and an example of how the Steart Habitat Creation Scheme might look to the west © WWT.

Planning permission for a similar scheme was previously granted in 2012/13 but this has since lapsed. We will require planning permission from Somerset Council and a marine licence from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

Work on this scheme is currently underway, and a request for an EIA Scoping Opinion has recently been sought from Somerset Council and the MMO, and it is anticipated that an Environmental Statement will be submitted by the end of this year.

Visualisation of the approved 2013 scheme

We are committed to minimising any impact that the works on the Steart Peninsula may have locally, and we are keen to continue engaging with the local community throughout the planning process.

To find out more about the project or to speak to the project team, please email steartconsultation@bristolport.co.uk.