Chyngton Brooks: Pat Wilder	Redshank: Alison Playle

The National Trust has made a planning application to the South Downs National Park Authority to restore 42 hectares of land to saltmarsh and mudflats. The article on the National Trust website explains the proposals in some detail and contains a link to the planning application SDNP/25/04080/FUL

In summary, the habitat created is predicted to be saltmarsh with some intertidal mud areas: the area won’t simply be ‘flooded’ as some have claimed. This will create valuable habitat for waders and wildfowl especially and most importantly will give them an extensive secure area where they will be free from disturbance by people and dogs.

Although the footpath round the western edges of the estuary would be inundated at times a re-routed, all weather, path slightly higher up the slope is proposed, which would give good views over the new saltmarsh habitat.

Less than 1% of saltmarsh in the UK is in Sussex and SOS is of the opinion that the proposals will have a positive effect on avian populations, and will be of particular benefit to wintering birds. You can comment on the proposals here

Pat Wilder