The EAOW cable route area intersects the Outer Thames Area Special Protected Area (SPA). The area also is adjacent to several other sites of conservation importance. One recommended Marine Conservation Zone also intersects with the EAOW cable route area.
Two possible landfall locations have been put forward for possible development. However, the general ecological character of these two locations was broadly similar. The main intertidal habitat for both the northern and southern sites consisted mainly of shingle, with patches of shingle overlain with sand also present. Vegetated shingle was also evident at both sites.
The habitats of each site were classified according to the EUNIS system. The two most widespread habitats found at the landfall
locations were littoral coarse
sediment and upper shingle beach with open vegetation. The biota of both sites was largely limited to the vegetation supported by the shingle habitat and small localised areas of rocky shore-type communities, attached to man-made structures.
G.2.2 Conservation of the Intertidal Area The main
listed as
habitats of conservation
importance at this site are the areas of vegetated shingle, which is
an
Annex I habitat under Perennial Vegetation of Stony Banks. The two potential landfall sites are not designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) but several sites along this coast are designated, or are proposed for designation, as SACs due to the presence of this habitat.
The wider coastline of these two sites is punctuated by Sites of Scientific (SSSIs) due
Interest to geological and biological
features, Special Protected Areas (SPA’s) and RAMSAR sites. The surrounding estuaries are noted for their importance to bird populations and also fall under several conservation designations.
Some of the vegetation associated with potential landfall locations is also considered rare, such as the sea pea (Lathyrus japonicus).
mainly
The physical environment along much of this coast is highly dynamic. Erosion is occurring at a fast pace along much of this coast and was especially evident at the southern intertidal site. Both
sites are heavily
managed in order to decrease the rates of erosion.
