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Facts and figures about Adur
Adur as an Area
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Key features of the area, facts and figures, a brief history of the development of Adur.
- The word 'Adur' is said to be of Celtic origin and comes from 'dwyr', meaning water. The district takes its name from the River Adur which divides Shoreham-by-Sea Fishersgate and Southwick in the east from Coombes, Lancing and Sompting in the West.
- Whilst the District covers an area of only 16 square miles it is diverse in character, Roughly half the district is undulating downland designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
- The designation of the South Downs as a National Park. Consultation is currently taking place as to establishment of the final boundaries and there may be implications with regard to The Adur River Estuary.
- The River Adur cuts through the Downs in the centre of the district and flows south to reach the sea at Shoreham by Sea where its lower reach forms Shoreham Harbour.
- Development is principally confined to the coastal plain and the lowest southern slopes of the Downs.
- There are four Railway Stations in Adur Lancing, Fishersgate, Southwick and Shoreham-by-Sea.
- Shoreham Airport is located between Lancing and Shoreham-by-Sea and is one of the oldest airfields in the country providing significant aviation services.
- Shoreham Harbour is a commercial port of sub-regional significance and is the closest commercial port on the South coast to London. It is also a magnet for yachting enthusiasts.
- Shoreham-by-Sea and Southwick form part of a continuous belt of development that extends eastwards to Brighton. Lancing and Sompting are separated from Shoreham-by-Sea to the east and Worthing to the west by narrow open areas.
- The River Adur is important to the setting and character of Shoreham by Sea. It is a unique asset, providing an important natural amenity which attracts a variety of recreational activities, both land and water based.
- The importance of protecting natural habitats and wildlife has become increasingly recognised, with growing awareness at global and local levels.
- Ultimately, the human race is dependent upon the natural environment for continued survival, and a healthy natural environment has major benefits to the well-being of the population.
- About 66% of the district is countryside, comprising the Downs, the valley of the River Adur and the strategic gaps on the coastal plain that separate Worthing from Sompting / Lancing and Lancing from Shoreham-by-Sea.
- The Downs and strategic gap contain high quality agricultural land but also provide valuable recreational use for Adur's Community and her visitors.
- The Adur District contains a diverse range of flora and fauna within the countryside, the built up areas and on parts of the coastal beaches. These range from nationally designated sites of nature conservation importance to small unspoilt areas of natural vegetation. The countryside includes traditional areas of chalk grassland with associated plants and animals hedgerows, dew ponds and a major river valley.
- Within the built up areas there are small sites for nature conservation. Indeed because these sites are located within an urban environment they are valuable in enabling local people to experience some of the pleasures of the countryside closer to home. They are of particular importance in helping children to obtain a greater awareness of the local environment.
- There are Two sites within the Adur District that are notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest by English nature The Adur Estuary at Shoreham-by-Sea and Lancing Ring Neolithic settlement (part of which is within the District).
- There are two Local Nature Reserves on Adur District Council owned land, Lancing Ring and Mill Hill in Shoreham-by-Sea.
- Widewater is a Local Nature Reserve and is owned by Lancing Parish Council.
- There are plans for Shoreham Beach to become a designated Local Nature Reserve.
- Vegetated shingle beaches, chalk grassland and meadows in Adur have been identified as Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs).
- Adur District contrasts with inland areas of West Sussex, in that the generally exposed coastal location, in parts, dry chalk soil are not conducive to the establishment and growth of trees. Although the more sheltered parts of district have numbers of large trees, much of the area, notably the coastal strip and the more exposed downland slopes are almost devoid of mature trees.
- Trees in more exposed areas tend to be small and stunted by the strong salt-laden south-westerly winds.
- There is increasing public awareness to the value of trees in urban areas because, of the contribution they make to the quality of the environment. But currently too many tress in Adur District are vulnerable to damage or being destroyed for example the severe weather conditions of the1987 and recent gales or Dutch Elm disease.
- There are few saplings and established young trees of good health and quality to replace these older trees as they decay.
- The loss of bio-diversity is of world-wide concern. The decline in habitats and species is as apparent on the Downs as in any degraded landscape. However the area still contains the remnants of internationally important habitats will key species surviving in them. But it is not just the rarities that need conserving, it is the diversity of wildlife across the South Downs that must be protected and enhanced.
- In line with the International Convention on bio-diversity to which the UK is a signatory The Council will commission a bio-diversity Action Plan for Adur. This will ensure that existing conservation programmes comply with the Regional and National bio-diversity Action Plans. The Action Plan will also help identify any new areas of conservation with regards to species and habitats and in particular ensure that extinct or threatened species of flora and fauna and their particular habitats are protected.
- Protection of existing sites is fundamental and from these wildlife reservoirs, neighbouring areas can be targeted for habitat restoration.
- The implications of Climate Change need to be considered Storms have for centuries given rise to a great deal of coastal erosion. Many acres of land have been lost to the sea.
- The Council will commission a Strategy for Climate Change in partnership with its strategic partners such as : The Environment Agency, West Sussex County Council and the South Downs Coastal Group.
- The Council is a maritime authority and as such considers the management of tidal and coastal defences is of paramount importance. It conducts its powers through the Coast Protection Act 1949 and is part of a group of other maritime councils, the Environment Agency, Department of Food and Rural Affairs, West Sussex County Council and other coastal related organisations such as Shoreham Port Authority. This group is known as the South Downs Coastal Group.
- The Group considers all aspects of tidal and coastal defences and the effects of defences on the land behind the defence, the environment, tourism, recreational activities, collectively using the research completed along the southern coast and the practical experiences of each member. It produces 'joined up' defence strategies in line with the Guidance from the Department of Food and Rural Affairs.
- Five years ago, the Group produced the Shoreline Management Plan from Selsey Bill to Beachy Head and this strategy is to be reviewed shortly. This general Plan has been developed to produce two local Coastal Defence Strategies namely, River Arun to River Adur (completed) and Brighton Marina to River Adur (nearing completion).
- Related topics :
- Adur Council’s Policy Statement on Flood and Coastal Defence
- External websites :
- South Downs Coastal Group (www.sdcg.org.uk)
- Environment Agency (www.environment-agency.gov.uk)
- It is important to promote conservation and enhancement of the water environment as part of the process of considering development proposals in the River Adur Valley.
- Offshore, the marine environment provides a unique habitat for varied life forms and the concept of Marine Conservation Areas is being investigated nationally.
- The coastal beaches represent a varied nature conservation resource.
- The purpose of the shingle beaches as coastal defences protecting the urban areas is of paramount importance.
- The beaches support a range of important plants and at Lancing, protect the Widewater lagoon, a Local Nature Reserve that is of considerable ecological interest. It hosts a number of rare species and is of great significance with regards to biological diversity.
- A new sewerage out-fall constructed recently at Shoreham Harbour ensures that effluent of an improved standard enters the sea leading to improved bathing waters.
- Power generation accounts for some 30% of carbon Dioxide emissions globally. Therefore Power Generation which does not involve the burning of fossil fuels is to be encouraged.
- There is a 500MW combined cycle gas turbine electricity generating station located at Shoreham Harbour. This type of generating system has environmental advantages over coal powered fuel stations since its high efficiency rate means savings of up to 40% less carbon dioxide being produced per unit of power being generated.
- Considerable research into the use of renewable energy is now enabling the UK to take advantage of this non polluting form of energy.
- Adur is well placed to provide a number of renewable energy projects. These would include bio-mass and landfill gas projects given the need to increase recycling rates and solar energy primarily on new developments including housing. Development at Shoreham Harbour could also include the generation of wind power.
