Seascape Assessment for Monmouthshire (National SCA 29)

PROJECT AIMSTo contribute to the creation of a single all-Wales nationally consistent seascape character dataset for Wales, for SE Wales, covering the gaps and adding detail, across Monmouthshire from the border with England to include all local SCAs 29a-29s, across to the adjacent SCA 27 and 28.To adopt the draft spatial units already identified by Natural Resources Wales (open to refinement if where necessary), approximately covering National Marine Character Area 29 as refined on Natural resources Wales’s Local Seascape Character Assessment GIS dataset and shown on the attached map image.Creating accessible content for adding to the LANDMAP spatial database i.e. openly accessible point and polygon shape files. (NB setting up the LANDMAP database itself is not within the scope).To link seascape character assessments to current issues on Terrestrial Planning and Placemaking, Marine Planning, Coastal Zone and Shoreline Management, and the Climate and Nature Emergency.Providing links to further sources of evidence where possible, place-based where possibleAlongside this focused Seascape Assessment work, a survey will be circulated to stakeholders to support wider collaboration and collation of relevant information that will be made available to the successful consultant(s).NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=146872.The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

BACKGROUND INFORMATIONThe proposal forms part of a partnership between Monmouthshire LNP, Newport LNP, Cardiff LNP, Severn Estuary Partnership Gwent Wildlife Trust, NRW, RSPB, Living Levels Partnership and local Marine Conservation and Education Consultant, Beccy MacDonald-Lofts. Beccy is a key partner in this project providing facilitation support to Monmouthshire County Council to ensure the timely delivery of the Seascape Assessment.It forms part of a wider approach towards the management of the Severn Estuary specifically in the development of “The Severn Vision Report (2016) and the Pilot Delivering the Vision for the Bristol Channel and Severn project Report (2022)”. The Vision project looks to co-create a collaborative and resilient Bristol Channel and Severn that enhances and protects its biodiversity and communities as whole. This ambition has been explored by a cross-section of the area’s cross-sector community to form a plan to deliver for people and nature. Through grant funding (2022-23) focus was placed on the prioritisation of the Pilot’s recommendations to determine the actions to be delivered in Phase 2, whilst delivering or progressing small-scale actions.Activities during this project included:Stakeholder survey, 1-2-1 interviews, internet trawls to support mapping of projects and cross-referencing against the recommendationsReview and collation of recommendationsOnline workshop prioritising and deliberating the reviewed recommendationsAction mapping of the amended recommendations against the aims and themes of the VisionIn-person prioritisation workshopDevelopment of a Delivery Plan to action the prioritised recommendationsWebinar on the Motion for the OceanWorkshop on data and evidence with scoping for a conferenceScoping workshop on the potential of a National Marine ParkDevelopment of a Seascapes Assessment BriefWhy seascape character assessment is importantThe Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary area is a highly protected and unique Marine /estuarine environment in the UK. It boasts several designations including a Special Protection Area, Ramsar wetland, Site of International Importance, a Special Area of Conservation, and numerous Sites of Special Scientific Interest as well a National and Local Nature Reserves. Its area has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world with mudflats making up much of the intertidal area. The margins are dominated by low lying levels which become inundated with tidal waters without flood protection. Many coastal areas are susceptible to changes arising from the climate and nature emergency. Some development is on low lying ground or is only sustained with coastal protection works to protect against rising sea levels.Human activity has had a significant impact on the area and has a rich cultural heritage recognised through the designation of the Gwent Levels a Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest, the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, and the Wales Coast Path. Many of our settlements are on or close to the coast and much of our population live within 10km of the coastline which provides many wellbeing benefits for people. However, our coast has been a focus of industry, transport, settlement, tourism, and recreation putting pressure on and leading to a loss of priority habitats and species and poor water quality flowing out of our river catchments.It is a uniquely balanced landscape which reflects the interface of people, land, sea and the interface of many spatial planning and management issues.A National level Seascape Assessment (SCA) has been developed as an overview of the Monmouthshire SCA 29 area, however in order to support local delivery for communities and nature, more detailed information is needed covering its associated 17 local SCAs.(WA Ref:146872)