West Kirby Beach Clearance Potentially Unlawful, Watchdog States

An environmental oversight body has stated that the removal of plant life from a section of a coastal beach might not have adhered to environmental legislation. Efforts aimed at restoring West Kirby beach on Merseyside to “golden sands” were conducted in May, following authorization from the government agency Natural England. The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), acting as the watchdog, commented that uncommon species, including natterjack toads and diverse plant life, “should have been considered”. A spokesperson representing Natural England indicated that the organization was collaborating with the watchdog’s assessment concerning the elimination of saltmarsh habitat. The spokesperson further stated that they would “continue to provide reassurance that environmental law is complied with, now and in the future”. Wirral Council confirmed that a habitat regulation assessment had been completed prior to the clearance operation. A representative for the local authority also remarked: “We will, of course, take time to fully consider the requirements set out in the decision by the Office of Environmental Protection and will respond to them in due course.” Wirral Council had previously stated that the practice of raking the beach ceased during the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in a growth of vegetation. This increase is regarded by environmental specialists as beneficial for the presence of rare species. Nevertheless, Natural England granted approval for the vegetation removal between 20 and 30 May this year. This operation entailed the eradication of common cordgrass and common saltmarsh-grass from an area spanning 0.5 hectares (1.2 acres) on the beach. A Freedom of Information request disclosed that the cost to the council amounted to £34,631. Soon after the completion of the work, the council issued a statement: “West Kirby benefits from both a natural and amenity beach – these, alongside the Marine Lake and Hilbre Islands, support the tourist trade.” Joshua Styles, an ecologist based in Liverpool who lodged a complaint with the OEP, informed the BBC that the Dee Estuary, encompassing West Kirby beach, contained “supremely rare” habitats that become susceptible when broken up. He stated: “It doesn’t take long to go extinct when a tractor runs through an area – raked beaches don’t give protection.” In a formal response to Mr Styles’ complaint, the OEP watchdog communicated that Natural England “may have failed to comply with environmental law” by not assessing the cumulative impact of both granting approval for May’s clearance and offering consultation guidance to Wirral Council, which possesses a beach management plan suggesting the possible future removal of saltmarsh habitat. The OEP indicated that this action “would prevent the habitat from regenerating over time”. The oversight body declared that it would not pursue additional investigation but would instead observe subsequent actions. Mr Styles noted that a sandy portion of the beach had been accessible for public use prior to the vegetation removal, adding: “It just meant you had to walk 10 metres further down.” He asserted: “It’s not a legitimate argument to destroy a globally-important conservation area,” and continued, “It’s not ‘nature or people’, it’s ‘nature and people’.”