Opportunities of, and constraints to, the use of intertidal agri-environment schemes for sustainable coastal defence: A case study of the Blackwater Estuary, southeast England

The factors affecting the uptake of intertidal creation options of UK government agri-environment schemes were examined through interviews with coastal landowners and local organisational representatives in the Blackwater Estuary, Essex. Responses were analysed to examine the perceptions of previous and new schemes, and the extenuating factors hindering uptake. Participation decisions initially appeared to be driven by financial constraints, cultural attitudes and a history of organisational distrust. Further analysis, in the context of a participation spectrum, suggested that decisions were based upon the conservation ethos of the landowner and the public perception of managed realignment. This information was used to develop new promotional strategies which could be utilised by Defra and Natural England (formerly English Nature) to improve uptake, and thereby meet Government targets to tackle intertidal habitat loss.