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Christchurch
Harbour (CHB)
 Mudeford
Sandbank to Hengistbury Long Groyne
Christchurch
Harbour comprises the lower sections of the flood plains of the Rivers
Avon and Stour, immediately north of Hengistbury Head. The extent of
the Harbour lies between Mudeford Spit to the south and Mudeford Quay to
the north, separated only by a narrow entrance known as the run.
Housing developments line the low
lying northern and western side of the Harbour and the banks of both the
Avon and the Stour. Much of this residential property is located
within the 1:200 year return period tidal flooding event zone. As a
consequence there are a number of flood defences which consist mainly of
seawalls, with revetments and embankments also present. Flood
defences form part of the riverbank on both sides of the River Stour at
Wick (south of the river) and Twynham (to the north). The defences
along the northern banks extend along the Quomps to Priory Quay.
The Avon flows to the east of
Christchurch town centre and is defended along both riverbanks and around
Avon Island. Parts of the northern and eastern banks of the Harbour
are also defended (the defences around Mudeford are privately owned).
The Harbour is
a popular tourist and recreational facility, and very important to the
town of Christchurch in terms of its economic contribution. It
offers well developed leisure boating, windsurfing and rowing facilities,
and Mudeford Quay is he centre of the local sea fishing industry.
The Harbour is
also an ecologically sensitive and important nature reserve with
extensive habitat for breeding, migrant and wintering wetland birds and
enjoys several national
and international conservation designations, including:
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Avon Valley Ramsar Site |
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Dorset Heaths SAC |
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River Avon SAC |
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Avon Valley SPA |
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Christchurch Harbour SSSI |
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Avon River System SSSI |
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Stanpit Marsh Local Nature Reserve |
SAC - Special Area
of Conservation. SPA - Special Protection Area. SSSI - Site of Special Scientific Interest
The physical nature of the
Harbour, receiving sediment loads from the Rivers Avon and Stour, leaves
it vulnerable to siltation which can become a problem for navigation.
The construction of the
Hengistbury Long Groyne in 1938 has led to the accumulation of beach
material to the west, thus reducing the risk of the sea breaking through
to the harbour and surrounding low land. Nevertheless, harbourside
properties are vulnerable to tidal flooding events and wave attack, a risk
that can only increase with sea level rise.
Coastal management issues here include:
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The risk of increased
flooding from either a breach of Hengistbury Head or Mudeford Spit
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Maintenance of natural processes, especially
the supply of sediments from the Rivers Avon and Stour to ensure the
ecologically important mudflats in the Harbour.
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The need to plan for managed retreat to
mitigate loss of national and internationally important marine habitats
from sea level rise
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The impact of any coast protection works on
bird populations (disturbance must be minimised)
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The impact of any coast protection works on
the natural historical and archaeological value of the area
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The impact of harbour dredging works, for
navigation purposes, on natural coastal processes
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