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People urged to have their say on 100-year plan to protect coast
Low-lying coastal areas could get no investment in their sea defences as the government draws up a 100-year plan to 'prioritise' flood protection.
The Environment Agency is set to release a blueprint next month for how a 240 mile stretch of coastline along the Solent will be protected over the next century.
The proposals, from Hurst Spit in the west to Selsey Bill in the east, will detail how much funding is likely to be given to different sections of coastline.
But, while some areas could get greater flood protection, some areas may have to do without any upgrade of existing defences.
The Agency has admitted that due to limited funding it may not be possible to continue to defend certain land or property from flooding or erosion.
Each stretch of coastline will be given one of four designations.
The vast majority of areas are likely to fall into the 'hold the line' designation, meaning that the existing level of protection will be maintained or upgraded.
A small number could be 'advance the line', meaning that new defences are built seaward.
Some will come under 'managed realignment', meaning that the shoreline will be allowed to retreat under the control of flood experts from the Agency.
The final category for some areas could be 'no active intervention', meaning the government will not provide any more cash for flood protection.
Details of the designations will be released when a public consultation of the plans, called the North Solent Shoreline Management Plan, begins on February 1.
Civic leaders urged people living near the coast to get involved in the consultation.
Councillor Jenny Wride, in charge of coastal management at Havant Borough Council, said: 'I would encourage landowners and residents who live near to the coastline to come along to the exhibition to find out more about the plan.'
Cllr David Swanbrow, in charge of planning at Fareham Borough Council, added: 'It is vitally important that we are planning for the future, not just in the short-term but for the next 100 years.'
The consultation will run for three months. The proposals and feedback forms will be available to view at northsolentsmp.co.uk
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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