It crosses an area known as Braunton Marsh, which was the subject of Enclosure Acts in the early 19th Century, and was the only one of several schemes which was actually constructed.

Green commissioned John Pascoe to produce a survey and map (held by the Devon Record Office), which outlined two schemes.

Green also made a proposal for the drainage of Braunton Mere, and an agreement was concluded on 10 September 1814 to carry out this work for £765.

Calls for subcontractors, 200 navvies and a haulier to move 60,000 yards of stone from Braunton Down and other quarries were made in October 1854.

The channel was lined with clay, with the base covered in gravel, and pumps were required to operate continuously to enable the work to proceed.

[9] A subsequent report by Peter Lord, one of the parish counsellors, recommended that demolition of the quay would be the best long-term option, with the provision of a slipway to assist boat owners.

The quay is widely held to be a free port, this status having been awarded to Barnstaple seamen who fought against the Spanish Armada.