Flooding Cliffe marshes
Plans to breach seawall between Cliffe Marsh and Allhallows

P&O, in collaboration with Shell UK, are redeveloping the former oil terminal of Shell Haven on the North bank of the Thames at Stanford-le-Hope near Thurrock. The development, known as the London Gateway, will have a 2 mile river frontage, container port and an oil terminal.

Port development will be under a Harbour Empowerment Order, and transport infrastructure improvements under a Transport and Works Order. Both carry Compulsory purchase powers.

To compensate for the land taken North of the river and the significant loss of wetland wildlife habitat. P&O plan to compensate by re-creating at least 2,000 acres of wetland South of the river.

The company plan to remove the seawall and flood a significant area of marsh between Cliffe Marsh and Allhallows and to develop a track 2.75 miles long and 15 meters wide to provide engineering access to the river.

Notices of Compulsory Purchase Orders were served on the land.

The whole issue of flooding Cliffe marshes is overshadowed by the campaign against the Cliffe Marshes airport proposal - which has got much more publicity.

It is important that KWCA are vocal in opposing these plans, with the furore that surrounds the airport plans, this proposed development is in danger of sneaking through.

More details about the P&O proposals click here
London Gateway (Shell Haven) Public Inquiry website