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Cleethorpes dunes set for first clean in seven years

Cleethorpes dunes set for first clean in seven years

The Cleethorpes dunes are set for their first scrub cut since 2014 as North East Lincolnshire Council look to protect the habitat for rare wildlife.

In December, the council will begin cutting down overgrown scrub and rank vegetation, which has reduced the amount of space and variety of habitat for rare sand dune wildlife.

It is part of a project called Dynamic Dunescapes and is in partnership with Natural England, they will remove certain areas of overgrowth to help sustain the wildlife.

Rachel Graham, Ecology Manager at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“The sand dunes are an integral part of the Humber Estuary SSSI and our Local Nature Reserve.

“We’re so lucky to be able to enjoy the main pleasure beach and, with one step, enter into this gem of a habitat, one of the best coastal wildflower areas on the coast.”

This type of work should take place every five years, however it was last conducted in 2014, as the overgrowth was aiding the bird wildlife in the area.

Left unmanaged, it would outcompete other natural growth and reduce the food and habitat for other animals to live in the area.

Guy Mason, Natural England, Dynamic Dunescapes Lead Advisor, has hailed the diversity of wildlife in the dunes, adding:

This is great news for biodiversity, and especially for our local pollinators.

“Rotational Coppicing involves us removing scrub at different places, over many years.

“By helping to keep the habitat diverse, we safeguard a future for the wildlife that depends on it.”

“The last round of scrub removal took place in 2014, and since then we have seen a range of orchids, including Southern Marsh, Common spotted, Bee, and Pyramidal orchids, start to grow in the coppiced area”

Work will take place just south of the Leisure Centre to the Cafe and opposite the boating lake and is scheduled to take three weeks to complete.

The public are asked to keep an appropriate distance from the workers on site and to keep dogs on short leads.

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