Welcome to the DOC homepage
Why was DOC formed?
The 'Defend Our Coast Association' ( or DOC for short) has been set up by local people living on the Romney Marsh following the previous lack of community involvement by Government Agencies during sea defence policy planning, Shoreline Management Plans and consultation with local stakeholders. DOC aims to achieve that a balanced approach is adopted by Government during the decision making process to ensure the safety of the Marsh. DOC is committed to the continued defence of our coastline, ultimately reducing the flood risk to the Marsh, the borders of which extend across East Sussex and Kent, and consequently ensuring the protection of its inhabitants and precious environment. DOC is a non-political Association aiming to highlight current sea defence issues and associated effects of climate change within our local communities and to improve coastal literacy. Read more ...

PUBLIC CONSULTATION
DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY!
The Broomhill Sands Coastal Defence Scheme is now out for public consultation which will close on 16 June 2010. You can view and comment on the detailed plans by attending the public exhibition at the Camber Memorial Hall on Friday, 21.5.2010 between 2.00pm - 8.00 pm or by visiting the Environment Agency’s website. After the 21.5.2010 you will be able to view the plans in the Camber Castle Public House, Lydd Road, Camber during normal opening hours for a period of 4 weeks. If you have any questions concerning the scheme or wish to receive a hard copy please email the EA Project Team at broomhill@environment-agency.gov.uk or write to:-
Jeremy Colbeck, Environment Agency, Guildborne House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1LD
Your feedback on the scheme is important as the Environment Agency will carry out a final review of the proposed scheme layout, incorporating additional information, feedback and ideas where appropriate following the consultation period. The tendering process for the contract to build the scheme will follow upon final review before the Environment Agency plans to seek funding approval in December 2010.
Posted: May 21st, 2010 under EA Consultations, Photos, Sea Defences.
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Broomhill Sands
The Environment Agency has released their latest Newsletter regarding the proposed sea defence scheme for Broomhill Sands/Camber. The outline design phase has now been nearly completed and the draft designs will be presented at a Public Exhibition in the Camber Memorial Hall on 21 May 2010 between 2.00 - 8.00 pm. From 21 May 2010 onwards the information on the outline scheme can also be viewed on the Environment Agency’s website.
Don’t miss this opportunity to view the plans and have an informal chat with EA staff or members from the DOC Committee.
Posted: May 14th, 2010 under Environment Agency Updates, Events, Newsletter, Sea Defences.
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As member of the NVCC (National Voice for Coastal Communities) DOC was given an opportunity to meet with Senior Staff from the Environment Agency at their headquarters in London yesterday in order to highlight various concerns and issues arising from sea defence policies affecting the Marsh. The three hour meeting proved to be very productive and a follow-up meeting is planned to take place in the near future. DOC welcomes this opportunity and hopes that relevant matters raised will be addressed by the Environment Agency in order to further improve our working relationship.
During a meeting of NVCC members, which followed the EA meeting, DOC was elected as Vice Chair of the NVCC.
Posted: May 11th, 2010 under Sea Defences, nvcc.
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DOC Committee Members have been busy behind the scenes attending meetings with Natural England, both in London and on regional level, discussing progress on the Broomhill Sea Defence Scheme with the Environment Agency and generally ensuring that we remain actively involved on behalf of all our members and local communities to ensure that adequate provisions are put into place to protect the Marsh from flooding.
In these uncertain times it is absolutely imperative to maintain the high level profile DOC has established in order to keep the issue of sea defences at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Further meetings are scheduled to take place during May with various Government Agencies and a more detailed summarising report will be posted on the website shortly. A newsletter from the Environment Agency is also due to be issued in the near future.
Posted: May 1st, 2010 under Press Articles General, Sea Defences.
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Flooded Dengemarsh Sewer
DOC is calling for emergency repairs as the sea over-tops the southern shore! The recent extreme weather has severely damaged our shingle defences and DOC is calling for the planned sea defence schemes to be accelerated. Areas such as Dengemarsh, Galloways and Jury’s Gap have seen massive damage caused to the shingle crest during the recent high tides and storm conditions and the situation is critical. Our Technical Officer Tony Hills has carried out a site inspection and has alerted the Environment Agency.
Posted: April 1st, 2010 under Sea Defences, Technical/T.Hills.
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Defra has just published “Adapting to Coastal Change: Developing a Policy Framework.” The document sets out Defra’s ideas and guidance on how communities should plan for change as well as looking at the implications/impacts for communities, business, local infrastructure etc. It is the first stage in an evolving framework of policy and guidance from Defra on supporting communities to adapt to coastal change and an absolute ‘must’ for anyone to read who lives or works in a coastal area.
Posted: March 30th, 2010 under Defra Consultations, Sea Defences.
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AGM - Guild Hall, Lydd
DOC held its AGM on 26.3.2010 at the Guild Hall in Lydd which was very well attended. We were joined on the night by many of our members, supporters, stakeholders and council representatives from across the Marsh.
After a welcoming speech by DOC’s Chairman, Terry Preston, our Hon. Consultant Malcolm Kerby from Norfolk (NVCC/CCAG) addressed the meeting and emphasised the remarkable achievements of DOC since its inauguration. He expressed the importance of our continued negotiations for adequate sea defences in our area on local, regional and senior national level with Government Agencies and congratulated us on our success so far. Read more »
Posted: March 27th, 2010 under Events, Photos, Press Articles General.
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DOC is holding its AGM on 26 March 2010 at the Guild Hall, High Street, Lydd (7.30-9.00pm) and we look forward welcoming all of our members, supporters and invited guests to this event. During the meeting DOC’s Technical Officer Tony Hills will give a PowerPoint presentation followed by a short Q & A session.
Posted: March 21st, 2010 under Events.
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Floods in France
Last weekend Britain was lashed by gales and massive sea swells but once again the Marsh was ‘lucky’ ( if you can call it that) and escaped the worst . The combination of spring tides coupled with high winds and the consequent flooding could have potentially been disasterous for us all . It could have caused damage similar to that experienced in France on the Atlantic coast between La Rochelle and L’Aguillon sur Mer. Given that we too live in a low-lying and predominantly below sea level area, which is shaped like a saucer, one break-through in our sea defences would have been sufficient to cause the human drama and terrible toll as has been experienced abroad.
Read more »
Posted: March 2nd, 2010 under Photos, Press Articles General, Sea Defences.
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There are 1,250 km of coastline in the South East of England with 403,000 properties (domestic and commercial) as risk from flooding, both fluvial and coastal - the third highest regional total in England! To achieve long-term economic prosperity , decision makers need to consider flood and coastal risk in their plans,strategies and decisions.
The Environment Agency has just published its ninth ‘State of the Environment’ Report for the Southeast and over the next two years maps will be published to show those areas of the coast most at risk from coastal erosion , rendering these areas to higher risks of flooding.
DOC continues to liaise on behalf of all its members and coastal communities with all relevant Government Agencies to ensure that the Marsh remains adequately protected.
Posted: February 15th, 2010 under Environment Agency Updates, Sea Defences.
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