Agenda item

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommend that Council:

i.                approve and adopt the recommended leading options identified in the Christchurch Bay & Harbour Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy for the New Forest 44 District Council area, subject to securing the necessary funding contributions.

ii.              in approving and adopting the strategy, commits to developing a Funding Strategy that will seek to identify and aim to secure the necessary funding contributions to enable the national or local leading options to be implemented via future capital schemes and maintenance of existing/new schemes, noting that the exact amount of contributions will need to be confirmed as schemes are developed.

That Cabinet:

iii.             notes that there is no statutory duty upon NFDC as the Coast Protection Authority to undertake coast protection works, nor does the adoption of the strategy bind NFDC to commit to the provision of any funding for the delivery of the identified options.

iv.             notes that throughout the development of the strategy extensive engagement and consultation has been undertaken with: 1. Residents & wider communities (including landowners, community groups, organisations and individuals) 2. Key stakeholders, 3. Officers & members

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Environment and Sustainability.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability introduced the report and explained that the Strategy identified the future risks to the District’s communities as a result of sea level rise, climate change and the increasing number of storms. By identifying the flood and erosion threats facing the coastline, the Strategy provides risk management measures to mitigate against this, along with the funding requirements needed to deliver the identified options.  

The Portfolio Holder emphasised that despite the significant financial requirements needed to implement the Strategy’s identified options, there was no obligation for NFDC to meet these costs. Work would, however, continue with the Council’s partners (such as BCP Council and the Environment Agency((EA)) to aim to develop a funding plan to meet these costs. 

The Service Manager of Coastal summarised the detailed, technical report and explained that the Strategy covered the coastline from Christchurch Harbour to Hurst Spit. A further strategy was being considered, covering Hurst Spit to Lymington River, due for completion by September 2026. A strategy for the Eastern side of the coast, where risk is primarily through flooding, would potentially be developed by the EA following the completion of current projects. 

Work on the FCERM Strategy started in 2021 alongside BCP and the EA. Development and creation of the Strategy had been fully funded by grant funding through Central Government. Now, both BCP and NFDC are going through the process of adopting the Strategy, with the EA expected to give assurance to the strategy in early 2025. The Strategy itself identifies the long-term risks over a 100-year period to the properties, assets and environment and considers approaches on how to manage those risks. The Strategy aligns with the Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) already in existence from 2010 and the strategic element means that the Strategy spans boundaries, enabling collaborative work between various authorities. 

The existing defences in place are 70 years old and at the end of their life expectancy, which was demonstrated by some failures along Milford frontage. From this, the Strategy identifies that there are 1300 homes at risk of erosion, generally split 50/50 between Barton and Hordle Clifftop Milford on Sea. 140 homes are at risk of flooding in the East of the Milford area, with car parks, public toilets and beach huts all facing the same risks.  

On cost, the Barton frontage options of cliff stabilisation and drainage, would cost around £27million with only around £3mil in grant aid. For Hordle to Milford on Sea, the scheme cost, depending on which option was taken, would be between £10-£30mil with only around £4mil in grant aid. 

Engagement with local residents and stakeholders had taken place and would continue to take place, both in person and online. 

Members of the Cabinet thanked the Officers and congratulated them on all of the hard, detailed work that they had undertaken throughout the process. 

Members of the Council were reassured that there would not be a funding obligation upon NFDC.  

Cabinet was informed, following a comment on a strategy for the Eastern coastline of the District, that a senior EA officer would be attending the Place & Sustainability O&S Panel in January 2025 to talk through the members’ concerns on flooding.