A PROJECT to bring an Earthshot Finalist to Padstow Harbour has completed, creating new habitat features that support biodiversity and help marine species thrive along the harbour wall.

Part of a collaboration between the Duchy of Cornwall and Cornwall-based charity Our Only World, the development is using ecological tiles to enhance marine habitats along the sea wall. Today marked the final stage of installation, completing the wall with a third set of tiles added to earlier work carried out in November.

The tiles are designed by three different tile manufacturers, including 2021 Earthshot Prize Finalist Living Seawalls which uses textured surfaces that mimic natural rockpools and other shoreline features, offering small areas of refuge for marine species. Marine life colonises them rapidly, bringing life back to the harbour wall within weeks.

The project has been developed over the past three years by Our Only World founder, Tina Robinson, with support from a £10,000 donation from the Duchy of Cornwall. This project is part of the Duchy’s wider efforts to enhance biodiversity and demonstrates how the Duchy is applying Earthshot solutions across its sites. Ongoing monitoring in Padstow will help identify where similar interventions could be introduced next and provide a blueprint for improving marine habitats at other coastal locations.

Beyond the South West, Living Seawalls has delivered over 3,000 modules internationally since becoming an Earthshot Prize Finalist, including in Ireland, Boston, the United Arab Emirates and Ecuador, demonstrating how nature-based coastal infrastructure can be adapted to a wide range of marine environments.

This project follows similar developments from Our Only World in other areas across the South West of England including in Plymouth, Mevagissey and Falmouth. Studies from comparable sites have reported increases of 23–36% in species diversity within the first two years, with early indications that filter-feeding species such as mussels may also help improve water quality by removing particles and pollutants. The Living Seawalls tiles at Padstow Harbour are placed alongside tiles from Exo Engineering and CubeX to explore which design best supports Cornwall’s marine life.

Tina Robinson, founder of Our Only World, said: “We’re delighted to see the living seawall taking shape and to have the full range of tiles now in place. Our installations at other sites have already shown how these structures can attract and support a rich variety of marine life, and we’re excited to see similar benefits emerge in Padstow. Over time, the tiles will create new opportunities for species to settle and thrive, and we look forward to monitoring how the harbour environment evolves.”

David Cope, director for purpose, The Duchy of Cornwall, said: “With the Duchy committed to improving biodiversity and ensuring our communities have good access to nature, we’re delighted to be partnering with Our Only World and the Padstow Harbour Commissioners on this project, and to be integrating another Earthshot solution. The marine environment is vital to the character and health of our coastal communities, and we’re excited to see the positive impact this installation will bring to Padstow in particular.”