The Wash - summary

Enclosure of saltmarsh for subsequent use for agriculture has taken place on the Wash for centuries, possibly from 'Roman Times'. The enclosure has been piecemeal and cumulative, amounting to a little under 30,000ha by the early 1950s (Dalby 1957). Enclosure has continued since then with four relatively substantial areas of land claim taking place between 1973 and 1982 (see Figure opposite).

Caption: Approximate areas of land enclosed around the Wash since 'Roman Times'

It had been recognised for some time that this process destroys the saltmarsh habitat in the short term and reduces its overall diversity by continually removing the more mature and botanically diverse sections of marsh. It was not clear whether this represented an overall diminution in the area of saltmarsh. Indeed it was felt that this process could continue indefinitely without significant loss of marsh. However, although new marsh develops outside the sea bank it became apparent that this does not necessarily fully compensate for the losses . Enclosures between 1971 and 1985 resulted in the loss of 865ha of marsh. Accretion rates of over 20mm per annum were recorded in front of these enclosures, when new marsh totaling 781ha developed over the same period (Hill 1988).

Comment: As the threat from agricultural development receded as a result of changes in economic factors and conservation legislation so did the pressure for further enclosure. Coupled with this the recognition of the implications of sea level rise and the resulting 'coastal squeeze' helped to promote a change in policy. In the Wash proposals for new enclosures were tested by Public Inquiry in the early 1970s. A resulting 10 year moratorium was superseded by County Structure Plans which included policies with a presumption against enclosure. Although the conservationists lost the economic case, circumstances and government policies towards agriculture changed such that the pressure for enclosure lessened. No enclosures have taken place since. Recently (2002) a managed realignment scheme was undertaken at Freiston Shore - the location of the last enclosure on the Wash!

References

Dalby, R. 1957. Problems in land reclamation: 5 Saltmarshes in the Wash. Agricultural Review, 2., 31-37.

Hill, M.I. 1988. Saltmarsh Vegetation in the Wash - an Assessment of Change from 1971 to 1987. Research & survey in nature conservation, 13 Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough.