Agenda item

To receive an overview of coastal protection.

The Panel received a presentation which provided an overview of the coastal protection in the District Council area, this included, the work of the coastal team, the future capital FCERM (Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management) programme, the location of the Council’s coastal assets and the current and future challenges.

A map was shown to the Panel of the coastline which identified the sections of coastline which were defended, undefended and identified the ownership.  Out of 60 km of coastline in the District Council area, only 6km was owned and managed by NFDC.

The council was the coastal protection authority, however, there was no statutory duty to provide flood and coastal erosion protection.  The Council had permissive powers only. The importance of the coastline was recognised and therefore careful consideration needed to be given to how the coastline was managed, balancing the financial, technical and environmental requirements to deliver projects.

FCERM was explained, noting that there was a framework to be followed from setting management policies through to delivering schemes, starting with shoreline management plans (SMP) which provide a broad overview of future flood and erosion risk over a 100 year period. SMP set management policies for the coastline, these could be; no active intervention, hold the line, managed realignment and advance the line.   Along the coastline within the District Council area there were two SMP; the Christchurch Bay SMP which had been adopted in 2011 and the North Solent SMP was adopted in 2010.  The programme of future FCERM activities was outlined to the Panel.  It was recognised that all projects were subject to funding and could progress if partnership funding was available, as well being able to demonstrate technical, environmental and economic viability.

The Coastal defences at Barton, Milford, Hurst Spit and Calshot were shown to the Panel.  It was noted that beach volumes vary over time and that the beach plays an important role in providing protection to the defence structures. 

The Panel noted the challenges along the coastline, which including, funding / resources, aging defences and declining beach levels and climate change.

Members sought reassurance that any projects carried out on the coastline would be future proofed and include for example, rises in the sea level.  This was confirmed and an assessment of any project would consider the risk over 100 years.  Developer funded schemes were expected to come forward through the planning system which would protect some areas of the coastline and prevent flooding. 

A question was asked about the SMP which covered Barton and the “hold the line” policy, in particular whether this included the unstable cliffs.  The policy at Barton  “managed realignment”.  This was a complex site and it was recognised that cliff recession would continue to occur over time.  The “hold the line” and “managed realignment” policies identify the need for management activities and would support funding bids as being justified, they would not though guarantee funding.  The Panel noted that the SMP for this area was due to be refreshed and that members would soon receive a briefing on this.

In response to a question in relation to flooding in Hythe, it was noted that there were several schemes in the pipeline of the Environment Agency who were responsible for flooding.  The District Council’s role was to manage erosion and not flooding.