The Lower Otter Estuary is situated near Budleigh Salterton in East Devon. The community and ecosystem faced growing challenges due to climate change and sea level rise combined with the impacts of more extreme storms and rainfall events. Human modification of the estuary had disrupted natural processes and created an unsustainable system, which was unable to adapt to these pressures.
The team at the Lower Otter Restoration Project worked with local people and partner organisations to identify and implement changes to reinstate natural processes. This involved reconnecting the river, estuary and floodplain, and delivering a more sustainable landscape, rich in wildlife, with the capacity to adapt.
The project created 55 hectares of nationally rare intertidal habitat, compensating for regional losses caused by sea level rise. Vulnerable infrastructure has been adapted or relocated out of the flood plain, including roads, footpaths, water company assets and local cricket facilities. The relocation means homes, businesses and the community are more resilient to the effects of sea level rise and fluvial flooding.
The site has already been designated as a National Nature Reserve. The project was given the Community Award at the ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards 2024.
This presentation will cover the development and implementation of the project, from the initial partnership discussions through the appraisal of the options to the project design and completion.