Summary Report - DOC Open Meeting 26.9.08

Summary Report
DOC OPEN MEETING, LYDD GUILD HALL, 26.9.2008

The Defend Our Coast Association (DOC)  held a very successful meeting on Friday, 26 September 2008 at the Guild Hall in Lydd. The meeting for all members and invited guests had been called in order to receive an update summary on the recent draft consultation for  the proposed sea defence schemes  on the Marsh recently put forward  by the Environment Agency. DOC Members , various District, Town and Parish  Councillors around the Marsh ,  together with representatives from various organisations such as CPRE, NFU, Internal Drainage Board  amongst others  attended the meeting. (56 in total).

DOC’s Chairman,  Terry Preston, opened the meeting and welcomed all members and invited guests. This was   followed by a  PowerPoint presentation  given by David Crowther (Communications Officer) from the Environment Agency  and consisted of a brief  EA summary outlining the results and responses from the recent consultation on the Folkestone to Cliff End Draft Strategy. The Strategy plan and coordinate proposals for the next 50-100 years were found to be technically sound, environmentally acceptable and economically viable.  The Consultation period ran from 22. 5.-15.8.08 and was supported by Guide and feedback forms, strategic environmental assessment plus a strategy technical report. The consultation process had been carried out through publicity and promotion with posters and leaflets, press releases and other briefing material, through exhibitions and drop in sessions at various locations around the Marsh. Summarising the responses the EA pointed out that these broadly supported  the strategy, called for more local involvement, requested for the works to be speeded up, pointed out the  importance of the  recreational value of the coast and the need for improved access .The responses also established the need for compensation for home owners  whose flood defences  were under threat of  ‘realignment’ . Responses had been received from Statutory Consultees (Natural England and English Heritage), Operating Authorities ( Shepway DC, British Energy, MOD, and Romney Marshes Area Internal Drainage Board), County, District, Town and Parish Councils ( KCC, ESCC, RDC, New Romney Town Council, Rye Town Council, Lydd Town Council and Camber Parish Council), Key Landowners/Primary Consultees  (RSPB, Nuclear Decommissiong Authority, Crown Estate, Defend Our Coast [DOC], South East England Regional Assembly) and  Utility Companies  (Southern Water, Folkestone and Dover Water Services). The next steps in the consultation were outlined as follows:-

•    Completion of EA Summary Report to be followed by its publication on the EA website and announcements  as to its availability.
•    Updating of the  Strategy Document to incorporate comments received as appropriate.
•    Issue of newsletter summarising the consultation report and clarifying the next steps.

The next steps  consist of the approval of the strategy appraisal report , anticipated to be submitted to the NRG by the end September/early October 2008, updating the strategy documentation to the NRG and, following the NRG’s approval, the report will be sent to DEFRA in order to determine a case of ‘overriding public interest’ . There is a potential for the report to be called in by the Secretary of State. If DEFRA approves the OPI  , the report then needs to receive the NRG’s formal approval before finally being approved by the EA board.

The EA’s priority schemes will run parallel with the above  process as follows:-

Broomhill:

•    Broomhill’s programme planning is  anticipated for  Sept/Oct 2008
•    Public involvement process with input from RDC, ESCC, Camber PC, DOC and LFLG (Oct/Nov 2008)

•    Involvement process through Design workshops, consultation period /exhibition, plural funding/added      value  anticipated to run from Nov. 08/Mar 09 and beyond

Specific Broomhill issues will involve the sympathetic design of the revetment, the nature and extent of amenity beach at the western and , the preservation of beach as a whole, the beach access, other amenities such as kite surfing, etc. and the scope for  enhancement of cultural , sports and leisure issues.

Other Priority Schemes:

•    Compensation habitat for Lydd Ranges Scheme

Our Chairman Terry Preston thanked thei EA for their presentation. This was followed by a break for refreshments.

A very productive Q & A session between the EA (David Crowther and Andrew Pearce – EA Area Flood Risk Manager Kent/East Sussex) and participants in the Hall  followed during which many specific local concerns were raised and discussed .

•    Cllr.Tony Hills (DOC and NRTC) raised concerns regarding Galloways and ask for speeding up on progress with the current time scale considered too long. Andrew Pearce pointed out that Natural England will need to be consulted on the Lydd Ranges, but that Broomhill, Dymchurch B and Littlestone was forging ahead. Tony Hills  called for flexibility to sub-divide the schemes.
•    Cllr. Terry Preston pointed out that the whole local community wished to see progress and Andrew Pearce stated that the Broomhill scheme was going ahead without the need to wait for approval of the whole strategy.
•    Rev. Alan Davis (Greatstone) stated that Natural England was a Quango which was holding up all these schemes and David Crowther (EA) commented that this area was a contentious scratch and hence a complicated scheme.
•    Cllr. Reynolds brought up the subject of the outfall pipes which were supposed to be maintained but have suffered neglect and were therefore not in a state to pump the water off the marsh should need be. Andrew Pearce had no knowledge of this but David Crowther promised that the EA would look into the matter. Andrew Pearce pointed out that the last survey on equipment had been carried out in 1998 and not all equipment had been maintained (with only 50% being up to scratch). Defences had been neglected for the last 30 years and the EA was now trying to prioritise with an anticipated future  time scale of 5-10 years of sorting it all out.
•    Cllr. Barbara Walsh (Lydd TC /Doc) queried the effects of flooding over a 48 hour  period if there was a delay in the scheme and urged the EA to press ahead  with proper flood defences and proper funding .Andrew Pearce mentioned the budget of £800 million over a three year period and stated that he had never been so certain to deliver this  scheme, but that it was important for individual bodies and groups to keep up the pressure.  David Crowther added that in the end it came down to political decisions, but that flooding ranked as high on the list of priorities as pandemics and terrorism.
•    Cllr. Jane Hiscock (NRTC) raised the subject of the EA’s  sea defence failures at Littlestone, constraint on taxpayer’s money  and time scale for rectifying this. Andrew Pearce  mentioned that enquiries were under way with Independent Engineers to analyse data used at the time of construction and that the Contractor ‘Jacobs’ would be held responsible for any failings, but that groyne construction at Littlestone was a high priority.
•    Cllr Roger Wilkins (Dymchurch) raised the question if there were sufficient funds to go ahead (Jan. 09) with the second stage at Dymchurch and Andrew Pearce stated that although over limit, the works should go ahead.
•    Larry Cooke (NFU/RMIDB) queried the method of defending in the interim and which measures would be taken with bulldozing the beach in front of  the Power Station. Andrew Pearce stated that they would continue as before with NE allowing to repair if a critical situation would arise. With the Borrow Pit application not having been approved by KCC as yet, Brett  shingle would provide an interim solution.
•    John Meek raised concerns regarding the Lakeside Development in Hythe regarding its viability, and given the possibility of high tidal surges. Tony Hills commented that this could happen at any time with forecasts for later on this year being extremely high. Andrew Pearce stated that strategy planning was produced taking into account a standard of protection, but that the EA can only object to planning applications,  but did not have a final say in the planning. The EA occasionally  needed to take a pragmatic decision when there was a need for local communities to develop.
•    The 1953 Floods were mentioned by a participant in the Hall who stated that this was a disaster waiting to happen. He ask the EA to focus their minds. David Pearce pointed to the unexpected effects of Hurricane Katharina and the disinterest shown by Local Authorities. He also mentioned that funding had been severely restrained for flood defences over the past 20 years.

It was agreed that continued involvement by DOC and  local communities was necessary in order to ensure a successful outcome of the scheme which would lead to the  much needed improved sea defences on the Marsh to safeguard against flooding .

Although both MP’s from Kent and East Sussex ( Michael Howard MP & Michael Foster MP)  were unable to attend, they continued their support for DOC and  their constituencies by sending a representative and by offering to take up any matters which their constituents wish to raise regarding this strategy. DOC will also continue to keep up the pressure to secure a positive result for sea defences on the Marsh and will keep its members informed on any progress made on their behalf.

DOC Chairman Terry Preston closed the meeting at 9.10 pm having thanked  the EA and all other attendees for their valid contributions during the evening.

For any further information please  email: info@defendourcoast.org.uk.

Brigitte Bass/PR-Media/DOC – 30.9.2008