Harbour board blocks plans for beach protest

A FAR-right group's planned protest on Dover Beach has been blocked over concerns about potential environmental damage to a rare and protected coastal habitat.

- By CATHERINE LANGSTON [e-mail] @MyDover

Richard Donaldson, leader of the self-styled Great British National Protest, had announced a rally for July 19, aiming to “stop the invasion and get Labour out”.

The event was due to take place on the shingle shore of Dover beach, a stretch of coastline under the stewardship of the Dover Harbour Board.

However, last week the board withdrew permission for the gathering, citing serious risks to the beach’s fragile ecosystem. Dover beach features vegetated shingle, a rare and internationally recognised habitat listed under the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan. This environment is home to specialised plant and insect species.