Pebblebed Heaths
National Nature Reserve
Master Plan Summary 2023-2028
A summary of the Pebblebed Heaths NNR Master Plan 2023-2028 outlining the desired outcomes for the sites, long-term strategic objectives and those actions that will be undertaken during the period 2023 to 2028.
A special resilient landscape for wildlife and people, inspiring wider nature recovery and confidence in its stewardship for future generations.
240 million years in the making
Gifted both its name and its unique character by a bedrock of ancient sandstone, the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve covers the largest lowland heath area remaining in Devon and the nearby Otter estuary.
Supporting a wealth of rare and threatened species, the Pebblebed Heaths NNR delivers a varied, unique and important space for nature.
With its far-reaching views over the estuaries of the Exe and Otter to either side, the heathland lies like a spine above the surrounding farmland and woods. Connected to the Otter Estuary
through its tributaries, nature flows through its hinterlands, supporting landscape connections from the heaths to the sea with wide-reaching benefits for wildlife and for people. From the cairns and barrows of its earliest human occupation, to the military training of the modern era, generations have used the heaths, each leaving their mark. Today the Pebblebed Heaths’ much-loved open landscape, enriches local peoples’ lives, meeting the vital need for space, freedom and recreation.
The next chapter in the heaths long history brings together those who steward the land and those who use it into a broad partnership. This partnership aims to ensure the site achieves its full potential for nature and society by upholding the very best conservation practice and balancing the needs of the heathland’s wildlife and its people.
National Nature Reserves (NNRs) represent ‘the most special places for nature, managed in an exemplary way, inspiring people, promoting learning and encouraging actions in the wider landscape.’ They deliver:
Conservation management at scale
Nature recovery across wider landscapes beyond those of the NNR footprint
Connection between nature and local communities, support health and wellbeing and stimulate the green economy
Outdoor laboratories for the best science-led conservation
Pebblebed Heaths
National Nature Reserve vision
Inspiring nature recovery throughout its hinterlands.
Where society’s everchanging needs for recreation, biodiversity, health, nature connection and outdoor learning can be fulfilled.
A landscape whose special qualities and rich history are recognised by all.
In which the ecosystems are resilient, and where wildlife can flourish and adapt in the face of a changing climate.
This Master Plan is built on three core themes:
Landscapes and Wildlife
People and Nature
Research and Governance
Supported by a cross-cutting theme of:
Sustainability, Climate Change and Ecosystem Services
These reflect partnership priorities and closely align with the existing national NNR pillars of conservation, science and engagement.
The tables on the following pages set out our plan. Actions in bold will be prioritised in the period 2023-28. Other actions remain aspirational and will be delivered when resources (including staff time, funding) are available.
H = Heathland areas; E = Estuary areas.
Our vision has been broken down into five outcomes which set out what we want to achieve, clearly linking our plan back to our vision.
Supports resilient ecosystems Provides a landscape for recreation and health and wellbeing
Is recognised as special with a rich cultural history Gives society confidence in its stewardship Inspires wider nature recovery
The unique landscape features and views of the Pebblebed Heaths NNR are protected and enhanced.
Attain favourable condition status for all areas within the NNR.
What are we doing?
• Create a Heathland Landscape Plan to identify special features that should be protected and enhanced (H).
Known populations of priority species are secure.
• Within one year of receiving any updated Natural England condition reporting, update all Ecological Management Plans to address any identified site failings (H).
• Complete the first Management Plan for the newly restored Otter Estuary within one year of the project’s completion (anticipated December 2023).
• Increase robustness of southern damselfly meta populations. Commission work to look at constraints of existing habitats and opportunities for habitat improvement or reintroductions in new areas if suitable (H).
• Obtain review of value of management operations from species specialists (silverstudded blue)(H).
• Investigate productivity of nightjar to ensure the population is sustainable (H).
• Review expected impacts of climate change on priority species to identify mitigation and adaptation opportunities (H).
Knowledge of species within the NNR is up to date with new records informing site management.
• Update the Pebblebed Heaths Biodiversity Audit (East Devon Pebblebed Heaths: Providing Space for Nature) to ensure records since 2016 have been included (H)
• Initiate an annual fish, bird and vegetation monitoring programme on the Otter Estuary (E).
• Identify under-recorded taxa groups on the heaths and seek specialists to reduce knowledge gaps.
• Identify ‘at risk’ species which require additional monitoring/surveying to ensure considered in site management (H&E).
The Pebblebed Heaths NNR will form an integral part of a nature recovery network in East Devon to enhance biodiversity and improve ecosystem resilience beyond its boundaries.
• Identify additional land outside the NNR boundary which could support wider nature recovering including the delivery of landscape recovery schemes and seek opportunities to fund recovery initiatives.
• Otter Estuary added to NNR as an extension.
• Identify priority species recorded within the NNR that could benefit from targeted work beyond NNR boundaries.
• Create list of priority species for conservation action for the Pebblebed Heaths ‘super NNR’ outside the core declared and designated areas.
Historic features are in good condition and protected.
Geological features are protected.
• Complete and implement Management Plan to remove Woodbury Castle from the ‘At Risk register’.
• Commission a report (Jurassic Coast Trust) highlighting the geodiversity of the Pebblebed Heaths NNR and its hinterlands to ensure that geological features are protected.
Potential impacts of visitors and the growing local population on the features of the nature reserve are understood and negative impacts mitigated.
• Deliver actions identified in 2016 Visitor Management Plan (H).
• Engage with local planning authority through the Mitigation Officer Working Group to agree and implement measures to reduce impact on the heaths related to the delivery of the revised Local Plan. This with a view to updating the Visitor Management Plan (H).
Image credit: Jake Newman
East Devon Visitor Survey 2020-2021, Footprint
Image credits (top to bottom): Guy Newman Thom Bates
The Pebblebed Heaths NNR is inclusive and accessible to those that wish to spend time on the reserve. Physical and intellectual barriers are minimised.
What are we doing?
• Improve understanding of under-represented groups through 1) identifying and 2) subsequent engagement with relevant groups. (H&E)
• Commission work analysing physical and intellectual barriers to the NNR and how they can be addressed (H&E).
• Provision of information to enable people to decide where and how they can access the reserve areas to suit their needs (H&E).
• Gain a greater understanding of what ‘connectedness to the NNR’ means to different sectors of society through commissioned survey work.
• Install easy access path at Estuary View viewpoint (H).
• Improve accessibility of footpaths related to the Otter Estuary (Budleigh Salterton footpath 12 and Otterton footpath 1)(E).
• Undertake assessment of seating/resting requirements across the NNR (H&E) – links to physical barrier work above.
• Increase reach of site through use of community/business ambassadors.
• Improve digital communications, including the social media reach of the NNR.
People of all ages are given opportunities to take positive action for nature.
• Establish a youth volunteering scheme.
• Enhance existing volunteering opportunities to enable working people and families to take part in volunteering at times which fit around a working life.
• Seek funding for additional NNR engagement support to assist with delivery of all aspects of visitor engagement and education highlighted in the Master Plan (H&E)
Strong links with healthcare providers and charities to address local priorities.
• Network via Naturally Healthy Local Nature Partnership and local healthcare providers to establish links and identify service pathways (H&E).
Raise societal awareness of historic environment and the human story of the reserve.
• Include cultural heritage information on new site signage (H&E).
• Update historical information available on the website (H&E).
• Identify and present particular human interest stories or local traditions that people can relate to bring history to life (H&E).
• Create heritage walks that people can follow to learn about the history of the reserve (H).
• Strengthen links with local museums.
• Create a learning resource pack for Woodbury Castle iron age hillfort.
• Improve accessibility of historical information through making available known archive material through digital means (H&E).
• Commission work to collate and present information on the historic environment.
Raise societal awareness of the natural environment and the importance of the reserve.
Access and recreation Clear and accessible maps and information on natural and cultural environment will be available helping people to explore the reserve.
Increase voice/ influence of users in management decisions.
• Stronger online presence of NNR, with up-todate information on the website (H&E).
• Offer range of engagement activities throughout the years that appeal to a broader array of groups to strengthen local connection to the site (H&E).
• Install orientation signage to include a map and basic visitor information and connect to a website for further information (H&E).
• Develop new walking trails (H).
The NNR will be accessible by public transport and green infrastructure links to the heaths.
• Include representation of a single member of the Friends Group on the Advisory Board.
• Engage with EDDC and DCC on green infrastructure/public transport opportunities.
• Install bike racks in car parks to provide secure bike parking (H&E).
• Improve NNR signposting and access from surrounding areas on PRoW and permissive pathways.
• Identify potential new permissive routes.
What do we want?
A single Management and Monitoring Report incorporating all work from the three management partners is produced annually for the heathland element of the NNR ensuring that progress against condition status is assessed.
What are we doing?
• Agree format of report against Master Plan in 2024 for annual submission to Advisory Board (and also public domain) from 2024 (H&E).
People are able to support the NNR by taking part in citizen science and monitoring.
• Extend reach of monitoring through use of citizen science (H&E).
Strong connection with local universities to facilitate research, focusing on improving understanding of wildlife and habitats, impacts of climate change and recreation on the reserve, and the socioeconomic value of the site.
Ensure that the NNR has a strong voice in local housing and green infrastructure planning.
• Identify site’s top ten research priorities as a wish list for research with this circulated within relevant departments of local universities and relevant organisations (H&E).
• NNR staff (or Advisory Board Members) to seek representation on key partnerships/ advisory groups on these areas.
Central storage of ecological data and data shared with all partners and DBRC.
A robust ecological monitoring programme covers the NNR and results are reported annually.
• Undertake an analysis of data and mapping systems used by the three operational partners to standardise and improve how records are stored, shared and mapped.
• Agree between management partners where monitoring priorities lie above and beyond those already existing and initiate expanded monitoring programme.
Historic features on the Pebblebed Heaths are well understood.
• Identify opportunities for research and surveys on least understood features such as the pebble platforms (H).
• Expand and increase regularity of heritage volunteer work groups to strengthen site teams understanding of heritage features in their care.
Sustainability, Climate Change & Ecosystem Services
What do we want?
Sustainability
What are we doing?
Sustainability Climate change Climate change
Ensure financial sustainability of NNR management operational costs. Clearly articulate the ecosystem services delivered by the NNR and how management actions will enhance/ erode them.
Ensure that the carbon footprint of management is as low as possible with ambition to be Net Zero carbon by 2030 (Scopes 1 and 2).
• Undertake a review of existing and projected future management costs, including the delivery of actions outlined in this Master Plan and assess against current and future funding to understand future finance needs.
• Undertake a Natural Capital valuation for the Pebblebed Heaths NNR (H&E)
• Build relationships with businesses and organisations that use the NNR to better understand the site’s value.
• From 2024 undertake and publicise carbon account for NNR management activities (H&E).
• Establish progressive carbon reduction targets (Scopes 1 & 2) with the ambition of attaining Net Zero Carbon by 2030 (H&E).
Understand the future impacts of climate change on the NNR’s habitats and species.
Sustainability
Understand long-term impact of increased and changing visitor use on the site’s habitats, species and infrastructure
• Based on existing climate change scenarios identify likely changes to habitats and species on the NNR.
• Identify knowledge gaps in species vulnerability and set priorities for further study.
• Undertake an updated visitor management survey in 2026 to complement those done in 2016 and 2021.
Management Partners
The Pebblebed Heaths NNR spans 1,158.90 hectares of heathland, including much of the footprint of the pre-existing East Devon Pebblebed Heaths SSSI.
The commons of Aylesbeare; Bicton; Bystock; Colaton Raleigh; Dalditch; East Budleigh; Hawkerland; Harpford; Withycombe Raleigh; Woodbury; Venn Ottery are included along with Dalditch Plantation and Mutters Moor,
two additional heathland areas that did not previously have any statutory conservation designations. The NNR was extended in 2024 to include 89.6 hectares of the Otter Estuary.
Day to day management of the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve is undertaken by three organisations, Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, RSPB and Devon Wildlife Trust.
Partners; who looks after which parts of the
Bicton Common; Colaton Raleigh Common; Dalditch Common; Dalditch Plantation; East Budleigh Common Hawkerland; Mutters Moor; and Woodbury Common.
Aylesbeare and Harpford Common
Venn Ottery Common (part)
These partners value the Pebblebed Heaths NNR and all it represents, working together to provide the best possible outcomes for wildlife and society.
This operational management partnership, established in 2019, co-ordinates works ensuring a whole-site approach is taken to management, reporting and communication. Each partner continues to remain operationally and financially autonomous when working on areas of land under their responsibility.
Our aspiration is to take a whole reserve approach, delivering exemplary conservation management that gives society confidence in the reserve’s stewardship.
Pebblebed
Pebblebed Heaths NNR?
Bystock Pools; Venn Ottery Common (part)
Withycombe Raleigh Common;
Otter Estuary
Devon Estates
Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust (EDPHCT)
NNR land component Managed by: Owned by:
(ha)
Kim Strawbridge
Advisory Board
Current Advisory Board members
In 2020 the Pebblebed Heaths NNR Advisory Board was established providing strategic guidance and support for the development of the Pebblebed Heaths NNR.
The Advisory Board is diverse and includes those who own, manage, regulate, and use the heaths reflecting the broad interests of all these groups and the wider public.
Creation of the Master Plan
During autumn 2021 a series of themed workshops were held. Key outcomes, objectives and actions were agreed through a process of co-creation between the NNR management partners and stakeholders. The results formed the basis of this Master Plan.
The Master Plan sets out the partnership vision for the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve and outlines a delivery strategy for how this will be achieved. A structured approach outlines the site’s existing qualities and desired future outcomes. It sets out management objectives and actions against which, the success of the NNR can be measured and how the site will continue to meet national NNR Standards.
Image credits (left to right):
Dave Camberlain
Kim Strawbridge
Lying within the East Devon National Landscape, the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve represents one of East Devon’s most important nature-rich recreational landscapes supporting one million+ visits annually.
Key facts
Habitats:
Heathland, mire, scrub, woodland, grazing marsh, reedbed, saltmarsh, mudflat
Key Species of the heathland:
Dartford warbler, nightjar, southern damselfly, silver-studded blue butterfly
Key species of the Otter Estuary:
Black-tailed godwit, dunlin, common sandpiper, redshank, greenshank, brent goose, migratory salmonids, eel, bass
Historic Environment:
Over 170 historic features including 11 Scheduled Monuments
Pebblebed Heaths - Core Block
Mutters Moor
Estuary
Front cover image credits (top to bottom): Kate Tobin Ed Dolphin
Back cover image credit: Neil Bygrave