Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: still a funding gap of £3.3million
The latest Herald carried a piece which will have emanated from the District Council - and which sought to give the impression that a clear direction has been decided on:
Sidmouth sea defences could cost double the £9m expected as part of the Sidmouth and East Beach Management Scheme | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
However, the last press release from the District Council was in September last year:
21st September 2017 - 'Council’s new coastal erosion and flooding consultants introduced to Sidmouth BMP steering group'
Although the link is actually dead:
Press releases about the Sidmouth and East Beach Management Plan - East Devon
The last piece of news from the District Council was a year ago, when that figure of £3.3 million appeared - to be paid by "Sidmouth businesses who profit from tourism in the town, or residents who would be better protected from flood or erosion":
East Devon has allocated a further £300,000 towards the future scheme costs, however it would put an unacceptable burden on Council tax payers across the district to provide the remainder of the £3.3 million funding alone. Sidmouth BMP’s £300,000 is included in the Capital programme draft budget...
So in order to help the scheme move beyond summer 2018, when the Outline Business Case (OBC) is expected to be completed, East Devon will shortly be writing to all the residents, businesses and infrastructure owners who will benefit from the scheme. For example, this could be Sidmouth businesses who profit from tourism in the town, or residents who would be better protected from flood or erosion.
15 January 2018 - Sidmouth BMP steering group receives progress update from East Devon’s consultants Royal HaskoningDHV - East Devon
However, things have moved on since then - with the only remaining members of the Steering Group who are not statutory bodies being: Cliff Road Action Group, Vision Group for Sidmouth, Sid Vale Association, Sidmouth Sailing Club, Local Fishermen and Sidmouth Lifeboat:
Steering Group - East Devon
Meanwhile, most of these feel their perspectives and concerns have not been taken into consideration - to the extent that the Chamber of Commerce and ward District Councillors have resigned:
Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: "There is widespread scepticism of the process and little regard shown to the local understanding of what the real issues might be."
There are two specific proposals which cause concern:
RAISING THE SEAWALL:
The District Council is pushing for a very obtrusive seawall:
Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: a 'preferred option' is an extra half-a-metre high wall along Sidmouth's promenade
Whilst sea levels are indeed rising due to climate change:
Futures Forum: Waves are getting higher, threatening coastal residents
... local businesses have made it very clear that they do not see the solution in raising the seawall:
Do you believe that a seawall along the Esplanade would be positive or detrimental to the town?
Positive – 4 (8.9%)
Detrimental – 37 (82.2%)
Unsure – 4 (8.9%)
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> East Devon MP's survey results
BREAKWATERS VS GROYNES:
According to the latest Herald:
The last piece of news from the District Council was a year ago, when that figure of £3.3 million appeared - to be paid by "Sidmouth businesses who profit from tourism in the town, or residents who would be better protected from flood or erosion":
East Devon has allocated a further £300,000 towards the future scheme costs, however it would put an unacceptable burden on Council tax payers across the district to provide the remainder of the £3.3 million funding alone. Sidmouth BMP’s £300,000 is included in the Capital programme draft budget...
So in order to help the scheme move beyond summer 2018, when the Outline Business Case (OBC) is expected to be completed, East Devon will shortly be writing to all the residents, businesses and infrastructure owners who will benefit from the scheme. For example, this could be Sidmouth businesses who profit from tourism in the town, or residents who would be better protected from flood or erosion.
15 January 2018 - Sidmouth BMP steering group receives progress update from East Devon’s consultants Royal HaskoningDHV - East Devon
However, things have moved on since then - with the only remaining members of the Steering Group who are not statutory bodies being: Cliff Road Action Group, Vision Group for Sidmouth, Sid Vale Association, Sidmouth Sailing Club, Local Fishermen and Sidmouth Lifeboat:
Steering Group - East Devon
Meanwhile, most of these feel their perspectives and concerns have not been taken into consideration - to the extent that the Chamber of Commerce and ward District Councillors have resigned:
Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: "There is widespread scepticism of the process and little regard shown to the local understanding of what the real issues might be."
There are two specific proposals which cause concern:
RAISING THE SEAWALL:
The District Council is pushing for a very obtrusive seawall:
Futures Forum: Beach Management Plan: a 'preferred option' is an extra half-a-metre high wall along Sidmouth's promenade
Whilst sea levels are indeed rising due to climate change:
Futures Forum: Waves are getting higher, threatening coastal residents
... local businesses have made it very clear that they do not see the solution in raising the seawall:
Do you believe that a seawall along the Esplanade would be positive or detrimental to the town?
Positive – 4 (8.9%)
Detrimental – 37 (82.2%)
Unsure – 4 (8.9%)
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> East Devon MP's survey results
BREAKWATERS VS GROYNES:
According to the latest Herald:
At a recent steering group committee, additional offshore breakwaters were discussed and it was explained again that although the breakwaters may present a more robust solution technically, they would come at almost double the cost.
The cost has been re-examined recently by consultants Royal HaskoningDHV and they have confirmed that the previous costings as part of the Beach Management Plan were correct.
Sidmouth sea defences could cost double the £9m expected as part of the Sidmouth and East Beach Management Scheme | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
It is not clear exactly which scheme for additional breakwaters was re-examined by consultants Royal HaskoningDHV.
Either the over-engineered option 4 of groynes (from Halcrow and the District Council's 'preferred option'):
Or option 4b of rock islands (preferred by the non-statutory bodies):
Watch this space...
See also:
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