Posted on December 17, 2025
Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) has begun an innovative project working with Suffolk Yacht Harbour, where dredged sediment from routine marina maintenance is being repurposed to help restore a rapidly eroding saltmarsh and enhance biodiversity along the River Orwell.
The Beneficial Use of Dredging (BUDs) programme has recently started at Levington, delivered on the ground by Amicus Civil Engineering and Suffolk Yacht Harbour, which will pump mud dredged from its moorings into the restoration area. The site, which is located along Levington Creek, has experienced steady erosion for decades. The carefully engineered placement of material, supported by the installation of coir bunds by Amicus Civil Engineering and funded by HHA, will help rebuild the saltmarsh platform, bolster natural flood defences, and create new habitat for a range of coastal wildlife.
The land is owned by Suffolk Yacht Harbour, with management of the adjacent nature reserve by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, which is strongly supportive of the scheme due to the ecological gains it is expected to deliver, particularly for overwintering waders such as redshank, dunlin, knot, black tailed godwit and golden plover. Redshanks may even return to breed on the saltmarsh habitat in time if the habitat restoration enables some areas to remain above mean high water spring tides.
“This work at Levington is a great example of how we can turn essential dredging operations into tangible environmental benefit,” said Jim Warner, Construction & Dredging Manager at Harwich Haven Authority. “By partnering with Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Amicus, we’re able to reuse locally dredged sediment to rebuild valuable saltmarsh habitat that has been disappearing for decades. This nature-based approach not only strengthens the shoreline and improves flood resilience but also creates important new opportunities for wildlife to thrive — especially the seabirds that depend on these fragile ecosystems.”
Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s Jonathan Dyke said
“We welcome the assistance of Harwich Haven Authority in providing additional infrastructure support to retain dredged silt over a wider area enabling the retention of more sediment which will accelerate the restoration of the saltmarsh.”
Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s South East Suffolk Sites Manager, Andrew Excell said
“Increases in the connectivity and height of the restored saltmarsh will have significant benefits for roosting wading bird and waterfowl species as they rest and recuperate energy in large flocks in relative safety during periods of high tide on the estuary. The estuary is internationally recognised for its importance in supporting many thousands of birds in winter months. Estuarine habitats like this in locations away from human disturbance are critical in helping survival of these species, especially in the colder winter months when they desperately need to conserve energy. Project works to help improve this type of dynamic habitat are much welcomed in such a strategically important wildlife-supporting location.”
The Levington works include the installation of coir bunds, controlled sediment placement and long-term habitat restoration. Monitoring of the site’s development will continue throughout 2025 and 2026, including assessments of sediment settlement, vegetation establishment and breeding habitat use by returning bird species.
In February 2026, another phase of the project will begin at Copperas Bay on the River Stour, in partnership with RSPB and Essex Wildlife Trust.
The BUDs project forms part of HHA’s wider commitment to pioneering sustainable dredging practices and delivering nature-positive outcomes across the Haven. By supporting saltmarsh recovery and promoting biodiversity, the Authority aims to demonstrate how operational port activities can coexist with – and actively enhance – the ecological health of the estuary.
