Wembury is a special place. Find out more about it below.
As Wembury and the surrounding coastline are so special, they enjoy a range of local and national forms of protection. These include the following official designations:- Voluntary Marine Conservation Area
- Special Area of Conservation
- Site of Special Scientific Interest
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Title: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Status: Statutory - from Jennycliff in Plymouth to Berry Head and Elberry Cove in Brixham
When designated: 1960
Why designated: The South Devon AONB was designated to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape.
What it means for Wembury: The designation protects the landscape, scenery, wildlife and cultural heritage of the AONB. It protects 60 miles of coastline and nationally important wildlife for example the cirl bunting and the greater horseshoe bat.
Status: Statutory - from Jennycliff in Plymouth to Berry Head and Elberry Cove in Brixham
When designated: 1960
Why designated: The South Devon AONB was designated to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape.
What it means for Wembury: The designation protects the landscape, scenery, wildlife and cultural heritage of the AONB. It protects 60 miles of coastline and nationally important wildlife for example the cirl bunting and the greater horseshoe bat.
Title: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Status: Statutory - the Wembury Point SSSI covers an area of 1.39 km2
When designated: 1984
Why designated: The Wembury Point SSSI is one of over 4000 in England. SSSIs are designated because they are some of the country's best wildlife and geological sites.
What it means for Wembury: Wembury Point SSSI protects both the wildlife and the geological features of the site. Of note are the rocky shore plants and animals and the coastal sand, shingle and steep slopes of sea cliff grassland and mixed scrub. It is an important site for wintering and nesting birds. The wave cut platform and degraded fossil cliffline are geologically significant.
Status: Statutory - the Wembury Point SSSI covers an area of 1.39 km2
When designated: 1984
Why designated: The Wembury Point SSSI is one of over 4000 in England. SSSIs are designated because they are some of the country's best wildlife and geological sites.
What it means for Wembury: Wembury Point SSSI protects both the wildlife and the geological features of the site. Of note are the rocky shore plants and animals and the coastal sand, shingle and steep slopes of sea cliff grassland and mixed scrub. It is an important site for wintering and nesting birds. The wave cut platform and degraded fossil cliffline are geologically significant.
Title: Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Status: Statutory - from Rame Head to Gara Point
When designated: 2001
Why designated: SACs are areas protected by the European Habitats Directive. The sites are identified in terms of plants, animals and habitats and are designed to protect the world's biodiversity.
Wembury forms part of the Plymouth Sound and Estuaries SAC and was designated to protect a wide range of habitats and species found in the area.
What it means for Wembury: At Wembury the main reason for inclusion in the SAC is the rocky reefs which form the rockpools and have wide diversity of rocky shore plants and animals. One of Devon's largest known populations of the rare plant, Shore Dock is found at Wembury. The presence Allis Shad - a species of fish, is another reason why the area is protected by the SAC.
The bedrock, plants and animals are all protected at Wembury and some activities are therefore illegal for example removal of bedrock, damage to bedrock and removal of seaweeds. A licence is needed from English Nature for these activities in the SAC.
Status: Statutory - from Rame Head to Gara Point
When designated: 2001
Why designated: SACs are areas protected by the European Habitats Directive. The sites are identified in terms of plants, animals and habitats and are designed to protect the world's biodiversity.
Wembury forms part of the Plymouth Sound and Estuaries SAC and was designated to protect a wide range of habitats and species found in the area.
What it means for Wembury: At Wembury the main reason for inclusion in the SAC is the rocky reefs which form the rockpools and have wide diversity of rocky shore plants and animals. One of Devon's largest known populations of the rare plant, Shore Dock is found at Wembury. The presence Allis Shad - a species of fish, is another reason why the area is protected by the SAC.
The bedrock, plants and animals are all protected at Wembury and some activities are therefore illegal for example removal of bedrock, damage to bedrock and removal of seaweeds. A licence is needed from English Nature for these activities in the SAC.
Title: Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA)
Status: Voluntary - 4 miles from Bovisand to the mouth of the River Yealm
When designated: 1981
Why designated: Individuals and organisations with an interest in the area established VMCA because it was recognised that the area has significant marine wildlife importance and was subject to a huge amount of human pressure. The main pressures were identified as; visiting school groups, scientific research, specimen collection, recreational activities and small-scale fishing.
What it means for Wembury: The area is cared for by the Wembury Advisory Group, local people and organisations who have the interests of the natural environment at heart. A programme of marine awareness events is delivered by a team of wardens.
Status: Voluntary - 4 miles from Bovisand to the mouth of the River Yealm
When designated: 1981
Why designated: Individuals and organisations with an interest in the area established VMCA because it was recognised that the area has significant marine wildlife importance and was subject to a huge amount of human pressure. The main pressures were identified as; visiting school groups, scientific research, specimen collection, recreational activities and small-scale fishing.
What it means for Wembury: The area is cared for by the Wembury Advisory Group, local people and organisations who have the interests of the natural environment at heart. A programme of marine awareness events is delivered by a team of wardens.
