Wembury Stream Climate Resilience Project
Initial project by JBA in 2024/25.
Aimed to identify and design restoration options to improve and enhance habitats and the natural hydrological function and water quality of the Wembury Stream and its floodplain.
Fluvio project in November 2025.
Aimed to develop JBA’s concepts designs to outline design stage and support applications for planning permission and Land Drainage Consent.
UK Hab survey showed a mosaic of tall herb, scrub and woodland habitats.
But…
A lack of connection with its floodplain, evidenced by the presence of only very small areas of marginal habitat.
Various historical channel modifications
Various non-native plant species
Yellow archangel (variegated)
Bamboo
Pampus grass
Diffuse and point sources of nutrients
Nutrient inputs from upstream catchment
CSO at downstream end of catchment
Proposed restoration
- Creation of 5 scrapes
- Installation of large woody material at 25 locations
- Removal of 3 small weirs
- Removal of 1 reinforced bank
- Removal of and disposal of yellow archangel and bamboo and pampus grass
- Lowering of 1 small weir…
- Addition of a limestone riffle
- Regrading of banks in 9 small areas to remove bank modifications.
Scrapes are a type of pond that typically fill seasonally, particularly during floods.
• valuable habitats for wading birds, invertebrates and amphibians.
• slow the flow of water which can enhance resilience to droughts.
• enhance opportunities for water quality improvement of surface runoff and floodwaters
Weir removal improves the ease of passage for fish (both migratory and non-migratory) and can allow diversification of flow types upstream, providing benefits for a range of invertebrates and fish.
The removal of bank reinforcements will facilitate the growth of bankside and marginal vegetation, which can provide additional habitat niches for fish and invertebrates, improve oxygenation, and could also lead to the development of marginal wet woodland - a Devon priority habitat.
The EA have found that limestone riffles can reduce phosphorus concentrations from combined sewer outfalls by up to 15% by absorbing this nutrient from the water column.
Dragonfly Arts Project
A community arts project featuring 8 wooden dragonfly sculptures
Designed and painted by local community/ school groups
Sculptures to be installed in Mill Meadow, Spring 2026
Aims to raise awareness of the Wembury Stream Resilience Project
Highlights the importance of protecting local water quality
Art competition
Last summer, the local community was invited to take part in an arts competition. The winner worked alongside a local artist to bring their design to life to create our first dragonfly.
Community and school groups
Community Groups
Working with Devon Mind, Dementia-Friendly Parishes, Wembury 1st Scouts, local volunteers and Devon Adult Carers.
School Groups
Collaborating with Plymstock and Coombe Dean secondary schools.
Students are learning about wetlands and water quality, while designing and painting their own dragonfly sculpture.
Dragonfly Arts Trail Launch Event
Saturday 28th March
10am-12pm at Wembury Marine Centre
Please come along and show your support
Samantha Barnes
National Trust Community and Participation Coordinator
samantha.barnes@nationaltrust.org.uk
Thank you for listening