Salt Fleet Flats

Year Implemented

2016

Project Type

Managed realignment

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Thames Estuary (Kent)

Longitude

0.542

Latitude

51.4846

Habitat(s) Created

Mudflat
Saltmarsh
Transitional Grassland

Size

65 Hectares

Why Undertaken

Project Description Summary

This project was implemented by DP Ports. It was undertaken primarily to create 48 ha of intertidal habitat as compensation for predicted impacts to coastal habitats as a result of the London Gateway Port development.

The Stanford Wharf site on the north side of the outer Thames Estuary (in Essex) also contributed to the compensation target. DP World and the Environment Agency also worked collaboratively to adjust the design and create an additional 11 to 15 ha on mudflat. This extra area of habitat provided compensation for losses of habitat as a result of regional coastal defence works.

The tide was introduced to the site through the excavation of a 700 m long breach in the sea wall. It was aligned towards the exposed outer estuary.

In addition to the habitat created here, DP World and the RSPB jointly manage an adjacent area of land as compensation for the effects that occurred from creating the intertidal habitat itself.