Heybridge Basin (EHER 48458)

A small area of improved grazing marsh in the Heybridge Basin next to Colliers Reach. Sea wall has been much altered. No known archaeology, although prehistoric finds have been made in the vicinity and a probable red hill is situated to the north. The area is now used as a park.

2014. Historic Grazing Marsh Project. Historic environment character: The marsh area was embanked by 1777 <1>. Today it is has been improved but traces of former creeks are visible on aerial photographs. The area is used as a park. The sea wall and borrow dyke on the east side have been much altered. The marsh is surrounded on all other sides by a mariner and housing such that its setting has been compromised. Character of vegetation: Recreational parkland, heavily improved. Botanical interest likely to be low, dominated by Bent grasses Agrostis spp., Meadow grass Poa spp., Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne and Red Fescue Festuca rubra. Some Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and Blackthorn Prunus spinosa scrub. Threats: Threat of development. Grazing marsh vegetation already largely lost but further threatened by lack of traditional management and scrub encroachment. Shoreline Management Plan: No active intervention from present. See <2>.