Groups warn dredging will put proposed Kent marine conservation zone at risk

Plan to extract sand and gravel to further develop Dover port will endanger marine life, say conservationists

A stretch of sandbars and shoals off the Kent coast home to seals, famous for shipwrecks and proposed as a marine conservation zone is at risk from dredging, conservationists warn.

Dover Harbour Board is considering dredging for sand and gravel from Goodwin Sands, which lies around six miles out from Deal, to expand cargo facilities and build a marina at Dover port.