Description Chichester Harbour

chichester harbour @ langstone

chichester harbour 1 of few remaining undeveloped coastal areas in southern england , remains relatively wild. wide expanses , intricate creeks @ same time major wildlife haven , among of britain s popular boating waters.

the massive stretch of tidal flats , saltings of outstanding ecological significance. large populations of wildfowl , waders use mudflats feeding on rich plant life , huge populations of intertidal invertebrates. more 7,500 brent geese overwinter on intertidal mud-land , adjacent farmland , more 50,000 birds reside in or visit harbour throughout year.

the harbourside villages are: west wittering, west itchenor, birdham, dell quay, fishbourne, bosham, chidham, prinsted, thorney island, emsworth, langstone , northney. nearest towns havant, chichester , hayling island. harbour lowlands contain high quality arable farmland. boatyards, marinas , commercial fishing important elements of local economy.

this 1 of south coast s popular sailing waters many 12,500 craft regularly using harbour, competitive racing taking place among 14 sailing clubs of chichester harbour federation. villages, sea walls , footpaths popular leisure area residents , tourists alike.

set act of parliament in 1971, chichester harbour conservancy has duty conserve, maintain , improve harbour , amenity area recreation, natural conservation , natural beauty. being statutory harbour authority, conservancy manages area of outstanding natural beauty (aonb).

to south west of entrance chichester harbour chichester bar, shallow spit can present significant navigation hazard @ states of tide. entrance harbour deep fast tidal stream , east of main harbour entrance channel gravel bank known winner.

the east side of harbour entrance area of geographical, recreational , conservation interest known east head. large sand dune linked land narrow area known hinge. in recent years hinge has been breached several storms , repaired. there debate whether , how should continue repaired.

the western boundary langstone harbour defined historic causeway known wade way, once principal access hayling island mainland, since bisected deep channel portsmouth , chichester canal in 1820s, , no longer safely traversable.

chichester harbour has 3 main channels. emsworth channel, thorney channel , chichester channel, branches off bosham lake , itchenor reach.