With sea levels rising, pressing against fixed sea defences and causing a loss of intertidal habitat, our team at Arne Moors is working to protect the diverse wildlife along the Dorset coastline from the effects.
c.£37m
Project value
Biodiversity: Creation of
78 hectares
of intertidal habitat
Kier is working with the Environment Agency, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Natural England on a 150 hectare parcel of land on the Isle of Purbeck, to create compensatory intertidal habitat. This will replace habitat protected under 2017 conservation regulations which is being lost in other areas of Poole Harbour due to rising sea levels pressing against fixed sea defences.
The project team at Arne Moors is working to adapt low-lying grasslands into diverse wetlands through constructing 4,300 metres of new embankments which will be 500 metres further inland, creating 78 hectares of new intertidal habitat, a new 15 hectare freshwater habitat area and two shallow saline lagoons of 35 hectares.
Over time, the movement of the tides will help create features such as saltmarsh and mudflats, ensuring the vast array of wildlife the coastline is home to will remain protected for decades to come.
There has been an extensive amount of archaeological excavation carried out with finds dating from the Iron Age and Roman Britain discovered. Kier is working closely with archaeological experts to share with the community the history of the site.
The site is home to many rare species of plants and animals including water voles, sand lizards and a wide variety of birds, botany and invertebrates, with our work creating enhanced habitats for plants and animals already on site while adding new habitats for a wider range of species.
When the project is complete new walking paths will allow visitors to explore the site, see the difference the new habitats have made and enjoy the wildlife.
