National Character Area 159 - Lundy : Key Facts & Data

The whole of the island of Lundy (451 ha), in the Bristol Channel, is designated as the Lundy Heritage Coast. Lundy’s 3 km² No Take Zone Now the first in England to be designated. Lundy Now also England’s first Marine Nature Reserve and England’s first Marine Conservation Zone (Natural England, 2011).

Relationship with the coast

The adjacent coastline is covered by the following Shoreline Management Plans:

• Hartland Point to Anchor Head

The adjacent coastline includes the following Marine Plan – Marine Character Areas (MCAs):

• Lundy and Outer Bristol Channel

Hartland Point to Anchor Head Shoreline Management Plan

Shoreline Management Plans are developed by Coastal Groups with members mainly from local authorities and the Environment Agency. They identify the most sustainable approach to managing the flood and coastal erosion risks to the coastline in the short, medium and long term. This could inform actions within the NCA.

Description for the Lundy and Outer Bristol Channel Marine Character Area

Seascape Character Assessments have been produced for all marine plan areas in England, extending along the coast to the High Water Mark. Information in the Seascape Character Assessments could inform actions along the coastline of the NCA.
 

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The Marine Policy Statement (MPS, 2011) states that, when developing marine plans, visual, cultural, historical and archaeological impacts should be considered for all coastal areas. The MPS adds that any wider social and economic impacts of a development or activity on coastal landscapes and seascapes should also be considered, accounting for existing character and quality.
 
In addressing these requirements, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has produced Seascape Character Assessments for all marine plan areas in England, extending along the coast to the High Water Mark. Information from theses assessments could inform actions along the coastline of the NCA.

Designated nature conservation sites

The NCA includes the following statutory nature conservation designations (Natural England, Special Protection Areas; Special Area of Conservation; Ramsars; National Nature Reserves; Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserves, 2021):

Please note: (i) Designated areas may overlap (ii) all figures are cut to Mean High Water Line, designations that span coastal/marine areas below this line will not be included.

Condition of designated sites
All designated sites within England are covered by Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI) units. The condition to these SSSI units within the NCA are as follows (Natural England, Sites of Special Scientific Interest Units, 2021; 2023):