East Atlantic Flyway – A new Natural World Heritage Site for England’s East Coast?

The ‘East Atlantic Flyway’ as it is known (one of eight migratory bird routes globally)  has been added to the government’s tentative list of future nominations to UNESCO for World Heritage Status.

 

The extent of the proposed Natural World Heritage Site largely comprises existing designated nature conservation sites such as Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites, but it is hoped that UNESCO status will provide ‘more joined up management and restoration across the multiple jurisdictions’ as well additional funding.

 

On 26 March 2022, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) began the new review of the UK’s ‘tentative list’, forming the basis of this country’s World Heritage Site (WHS) nominations, and in July last year, a partnership of organisations (including the RSPB, National Trust and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT)) submitted an application for the ‘East Atlantic Flyway – England East Coast Wetlands’. Click here to read the formal application.

 

Seven sites have been added to the Government’s tentative sites list which include the ‘East Atlantic Flyway’ (EAF), with the expectation being that five will be progressed to nomination over the next decade. If the EAF Natural WHS is selected then any subsequent nomination will require further technical analyses as well as detailed discussions and consultations with partners, supporters and interested parties.

 

Whilst protection of biodiversity is undoubtedly essential in face of climate change and other pressures, it will inevitably bring about some additional pressures and compromises for future development in the affected localities.