A mammoth decision

English Nature

Some 200,000 years ago, mammoths, woolly rhinos and primitive horses roamed the Brighton waterfront. But the rocks containing their fossilised remains now face an uncertain future, following proposals for cliff stabilisation work at Black Rock. The First Secretary of State will decide their fate after the local Public Inquiry that opens on 27th January.

"The prehistoric cliffs at Black Rock overlooked a pebbly beach that ran at right angles to the modern shoreline," says English Nature's Bob Edgar. "This short, 200m section of cliff is a unique and irreplaceable feature of outstanding national importance. It contains valuable information on how shifting sea levels and climate change have affected Brighton's life and landscape over many thousands of years - something that's very relevant today!"

The cliffs at Black Rock were first described early in the nineteenth century, and they became one of the first Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Britain when they were designated in 1951. Today, geologists and educational parties from all over the world visit the site to study the exposed ancient coastline cutting through the modern cliff face. The site is quite different from the neighbouring chalk cliffs, and the varied geology makes the cliffs naturally unstable. Occasional rock falls help to reveal new scientific discoveries, but these same falls now threaten a short stretch of the modern footpath running along the old sea wall behind Brighton Marina.

Over the last year, Brighton and Hove City Council and English Nature have successfully agreed ways to stabilise other sections of chalk cliff along the 11km SSSI east of the marina, without causing significant harm to the geology or wildlife. However, English Nature believes that the City Council's proposals to protect the footpath at Black Rock would seriously damage the scientific interest and educational value of this important site. In particular, the plan includes covering the cliff face with wire mesh, which would completely obscure this fascinating insight into Brighton's ancient past.

"Local authorities have a legal duty to protect SSSIs," says Bob Edgar; "but this isn't a choice between safety and conservation. We believe that a short footpath diversion would avoid any damage to the site by creating a pleasant walk through the marina, well away from any danger of rock falls".

Since 2000 English Nature has been working with the City Council to develop an alternative solution for Black Rock that would avoid the need for a Public Inquiry. But, last year, the Council decided to approve its own planning permission for damaging works on the rock face.

English Nature was left with no option but to ask the First Secretary of State to consider the issues at a Public Inquiry. Now, the two organisations will explain their views to the Planning Inspector, and the Secretary of State will decide on the future of this unique part of England's scientific heritage.

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