Somerset Landscape Character Assessment

The Salt Marsh and Mudflats LCT is located in the north-west of Somerset, extending west from the edge of the coastal landscapes of dunes, beaches, and levels towards the Bristol Channel. The LCT extends to the west of the coastline from Steart in the south to Brean Down in the north, with another part of the LCT extending north from Brean Down towards North Somerset. The Salt Marsh and Mudflats LCT includes the mouth of the River Parrett, River Brue and River Axe, where the rivers flow into Bridgwater Bay and Weston Bay.

The LCT mainly comprises intertidal areas of mudflats, including Stert Flats and Berrow Flats, with some smaller areas of salt marsh including Steart Marshes. Settlement and human influence are limited within the LCT, with a strong sense of tranquillity and isolated character expressed away from settlements in the adjacent coastal LCTs. The unique and valuable salt marsh and mudflat habitats contribute to the sense of naturalness. The LCT is open and vast in character, with a strong relationship to the Bristol Channel and its tidal influences.

Key Characteristics

• Marine alluvium overlies areas of mudstone, with a strong tidal and estuarine influence related to the hydrology of the River Parrett, River Brue, River Axe, Bridgwater Bay and Weston Bay.
• A rich variety of important and unique coastal and estuarine habitats, including the constructed saltmarsh at Steart Marshes.
• Historic uses of the landscape including fishing, with archaeological remains indicating previous use of the mudflats.
• A flat, open and low-lying landscape, contained in the east by rising dunes or embankments and in the north by Brean Down but with an expansive open character to the west. More distant landform to the south and east, including Exmoor, the Quantock Hills and the Limestone Lowland Hills (LCT 12), forms background skyline features.
• No settlement within the LCT, though strongly influenced by settlement along the coastline to the east in the adjoining Dune and Beaches (LCT 9) and Hinkley Point power station to the south within the Farmed Coastal Fringe (LCT 14).
• A sense of remoteness and tranquillity is expressed within the interior and west of the LCT, away from settlement.

Natural Influences

This LCT forms a flat, open and low-lying area located along the coast of Somerset, where marine alluvium overlies areas of mudstone, giving rise to extensive areas of tidal and estuarine habitats. The LCT mainly comprises areas of intertidal mudflats (priority habitat), with some smaller areas of salt marsh (priority habitat) resulting from deposition of sediment and nutrients carried in from the tides. Landform rises to the east, to the Dunes and Beaches (LCT 9) and Brean Down (within LCT 9) and Levels (LCT 10), providing some containment beyond the eastern boundary of the LCT. The open character of the landscape and seascape extends beyond the boundaries of the LCT and across the Bristol Channel to the west. Areas of salt marsh rise slightly above the mudflats near Stert Island, Fenning Island, Steart Marshes and along the banks of the River Parrett, River Axe and River Brue. Within the LCT, the River Parrett and River Brue drain into Bridgwater Bay and the River Axe drains into Weston Bay, forming part of the wider Bristol Channel beyond. The Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal range in the world, which results in an ever-changing and dynamic tidal influence on the LCT.

Tree cover is sparse within the LCT, with vegetation mainly limited to low-growing salt-tolerant species of grasses, rushes and reeds found within areas of salt marsh. Coastal realignment measures at Steart Marshes created new saltmarsh habitat in the south of the LCT, which acts as a buffer and natural flood management measure for incoming tides. The texture of vegetation found within areas of salt marsh contrasts with the broad, open and smooth simple pattern of the expansive mudflats.

The unique tidal and estuarine habitats within this LCT are recognised in numerous international and national designations. The Severn Estuary Ramsar Site, Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Important Bird Area (IBA) and Bridgwater Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) extend across the majority of the LCT. The southern part of the LCT also forms part of the Somerset Wetlands National Nature Reserve (NNR), England’s second ‘super’ NNR which absorbed six separate reserves spread across the landscapes of the coastline, levels and moors. These habitats support numerous species of birds, aquatic mammals, invertebrates, amphibians and fish, which contribute to the movement, sounds and textures experienced within the LCT.

Cultural Influences

Human influences concede to the tidal influences within this LCT, and as such, there is no settlement and limited evidence of human activity or occupation within the LCT itself. However, relatively dense settlement and tourism development at Burnham-on-Sea, Berrow and Brean (within LCT 9: Dunes and Beaches) and at Weston-Super-Mare (North Somerset) is located adjacent to the eastern and northern boundaries of the LCT. The eastern boundary of the LCT is defined by the sea wall extending along the edge of settlement.

The Hinkley Point Power Station within the adjacent Farmed Coastal Fringe (LCT 14) and associated overhead lines also exert an influence on the southern edge of the LCT. The creation of Steart Marshes for flood management forms a human influence in the landscape, though the marshes are well-integrated into the wider landscape, contribute to biodiversity and contribute to recreational value, particularly for birdwatching from the network of paths in the adjacent Levels (LCT 10).

Historically, the area was used for fishing with some archaeological remains of stone and wood Saxon and medieval fish weirs located within the mudflats, which are revealed at times of low tide. The remains of the SS Nornen, shipwrecked in the late 19th-century, are also revealed at low tide. During World War II, Stert Flats in the south of the LCT was host to an RAF bombing and air gunnery range. However, due to coastal erosion and tidal influence, little evidence of this previous activity remains in the landscape today beyond the remains of a pillbox near Wall Common.

Perceptual Influences

Access to the Salt Marsh and Mudflats LCT is limited, with no roads or paths apart from the network of footpaths along the southern edge of Steart Marshes (on the boundary of the LCT) and the King Charles III England Coast Path along the coastal edge to the east and near Brean Down. These recreational routes provide the opportunity to experience views overlooking the vast expanse of mudflats within the LCT, which form the context of wider views looking across the Bristol Channel. The lack of formal access within the LCT, in addition to the risks associated with accessing the mudflats, leads to a remote and isolated character within the LCT. However, proximity of settlement and holiday caravan parks along the coastline in the adjacent Dunes and Beaches LCT and in North Somerset contrasts with the remote character experienced within the west, south and centre of the Salt Marsh and Mudflats LCT. As such, relatively dark night skies and higher levels of tranquillity are experienced within the west, south and centre of the LCT, with some light pollution and adverse influences on tranquillity experienced in the east due to proximity to settlement.

Views experienced from the LCT are very open and expansive in character, and focused across Bridgwater Bay, the Bristol Channel and towards South Wales. Rising dunes to the east of the LCT, and more distant hills including the Quantock, Exmoor and Mendip Hills, form some containment and noticeable skyline features in views looking east and south. Hinkley Point Power Station (within LCT 14: Farmed Coastal Fringe) and overhead lines with pylons which pass into the south of the LCT form evident human influences in views from localised parts of the LCT. Sea walls, which define the eastern boundary of the LCT along the settlement edges of Burnham-on-Sea and Brean, form a key focus of views east.

Extensive areas of bird habitat support a notable population and diversity of bird species, which contributes visually and audibly to the recreational experience in parts of the LCT. The presence of water and seasonal changes in flow patterns contributes to a changing and dynamic landscape.

Key Sensitivities and Valued Features

• The simple, open and exposed character of the landscape contributes to sense of place, contrasting with the visual character of the adjacent settled coastal edge.
• Tidal influences result in a dynamic landscape with unique habitat, contributing to biodiversity and the sense of place.
• The composition of the mudflats supports the preservation of archaeological remains related to historic uses of the area.
• Estuarine habitat and the bird population it supports, in addition to the expansive views across Bridgwater Bay and the Bristol Channel contribute to the sense of place and value of recreational opportunities experienced from the adjacent coastal edge.
• Salt marsh supports grazing of high-quality sheep and native cattle, contributes to flood prevention measures and assists with carbon sequestration.

The Changing Landscape

The following section sets out the changes and pressures to the Salt Marsh and Mudflats LCT.

• The creation of Steart Marshes, as part of the strategy within the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP2) has changed an area of low-lying pastoral fields to saltmarsh habitat, changing the landscape pattern, texture and visual character of the area whilst providing unique habitat and contributing to flood defences.
• Wetland habitats within the LCT are at risk due to excess levels of phosphates entering the water catchment as a result of development and agricultural practices, which results in seasonal eutrophication and may change the species composition of these habitats.
• Changes in sea level as a result of climate change may increase the frequency and severity of tidal inundation, changing the composition of wetland habitats and the visual character of the LCT.
• Increased sedimentation and run-off associated with more frequent and intense rainfall, as a result of climate change, may change the edge conditions and species composition of intertidal habitats.
• Erosion and sea level rise as a result of climate change will impact bird nesting and feeding sites, influencing the recreational and perceptual experience of the landscape.
• Construction of new coastal defences or flood barriers may reduce the extent of habitat, change the composition of estuarine and intertidal habitats and exert a greater human influence on views. The medium to longer term strategy within the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP2) for the Steart Peninsula is to continue to hold the line, though in some areas this may no longer be viable and will result in a ‘no active intervention’ policy.
• Expansion of settlement, holiday parks and caravan sites in the adjacent Dunes and Beaches (LCT 9) and near Weston-Super-Mare in North Somerset may result in further influence on the sense of remoteness and visual character along the eastern boundary of the LCT.
• Potential inshore development within the Bristol Channel, such as wind farms, would affect the seascapes visible from the area.

These guidelines recommend how the landscape can be managed to ensure future change respects the local character and should be read in conjunction with the overarching management strategy objectives of the Somerset Landscape Character Assessment.

Landscape Management

• Consider further creation or extension of salt marsh habitat where appropriate, potentially extending into the adjacent Levels (LCT 10). This would result in an extension of the Salt Marsh and Mudflats LCT, increasing the extent of salt marsh within Somerset, which would assist with sediment filtration, present high-quality grazing opportunities for sheep and native cattle, contribute to flood prevention measures and assist with carbon sequestration.
• Retain and enhance the character of salt marsh habitat by implementing strategic sediment and phosphate management plans, considering measures across the catchment as a whole.
• Consider nature-based solutions for flood management, such as restoration and expansion of coastal and wetland habitats, managed coastal realignment to create new areas of coastal habitat (in line with the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP2)), and the incorporation of green infrastructure elements within hard flood defences. This may change the landscape pattern in the adjacent LCTs and character of views experienced from the LCT.
• Manage and protect bird nesting and feeding habitats, ensuring recreational opportunities located near these areas do not result in habitat degradation or loss. This may change the influence and pattern of recreational infrastructure in the adjacent LCTs.
• Manage salt marsh grazing and stocking density to prevent overgrazing or degradation of habitat.

Development Management

• Maintain the open and undeveloped visual character of the LCT, conserving the vast and panoramic nature of views across the Bristol Channel.
• Ensure new development in adjacent LCTs provides appropriate mitigation for nutrient neutrality, which may include constructed wetlands, changes in land management or retrofitting Sustainable Urban Drainage systems.
• Consider cumulative impacts, sensitive siting and design of energy developments and associated electricity infrastructure, particularly around Hinkley Point power station and its associated grid connections, and potential future inshore development within the Bristol Channel.
• Favour nature-based solutions for flood management over highly engineered ‘hard barrier’ solutions, which are at odds with the natural character of the LCT.