Haycock and Jay Associates Ltd was commissioned by Natural England in 2022 to undertake a National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey of the coastline from Reighton Gap to Martin’s Gill near Filey on the east coast of Yorkshire to investigate the potential for its inclusion within a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The report does not itself make a case for designation, rather it provides an objective record of survey findings to support Natural England’s independent assessment of special interest.
The study found that vegetation patterns are shaped by a combination of soils, geology, slope, aspect, salt-spray exposure, drainage, and the spread of non-native species. The soft cliffs in the area are highly dynamic, with continual erosion and slippage creating a shifting mosaic of habitats. This includes bare ground, wetlands formed by rotational slippage, species-rich calcareous grassland, scrub, and patches of woodland. As a result, the survey area supports vegetation at all stages of succession, from early colonisation to mature woodland.
The cliffs host a mixture of maritime, sub-maritime, and para-maritime vegetation communities that together form a Maritime Cliff and Slope habitat complex. While the maritime grasslands do not fit neatly within published NVC categories, this reflects limitations in the classification system rather than habitat quality. Sub-maritime grasslands and para-maritime features such as scrub and woodland also occur, influenced by coastal winds and climate. Collectively, these habitats represent an ecologically rich and nationally important example of soft cliff vegetation.