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Campaign for Coastal Defence

Selsey life, August 09

Summer Update

 After a few early showers, the weather at Sea Selsey this year came right (for once!). A lot of people visited our stand, and whilst many had followed the coast defence issue from the start, a considerable number thought the problem had gone away, or were completely unaware of the issue.

 It showed we still have plenty of work to do on the information front, so it’s worth repeating: while the coast defence policy says Selsey’s sea walls should be kept going, it says there’s no likelihood of getting government funding to do it. We need about £30m over the next 20 years, and would be lucky to get even 5% of this from Government. That leaves a very large funding gap, which is the biggest single challenge we face.

 Meanwhile, many thanks to the Sea Selsey organiser, Selsey Business Partnership, which donated half the car boot sale proceeds to SOS. We’re looking forward to the next event on our calendar - Lifeboat Launch Day on 9th August - and we hope to meet lots of people there, too.

 Bunn Leisure have applied for consent to build sea defences in front of the caravan park. At the time of writing, the application is still to be determined (by 8th August). We support the proposal and hope that they get their consent without delay. Apart from protecting a business that is vital to Selsey’s economy, it will also make the beach much more user-friendly, and may give some protection to adjoining bits of the coast.

 In early July we were invited to speak to the All Party Parliamentary Group (Coastal Affairs) conference in Westminster. Attended by DEFRA Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MP, we were asked to describe the situation at Selsey and outline 3 measures that would help us.

 Our presentation called for more inclusion of local communities in the decisions that affect them; more honesty about the social and economic costs of environmental policy; and special planning status to encourage regeneration of coastal towns which, like Selsey, have a “hold the line” policy, but no significant government funding for coast defences.

 The presentation was well-received by the Minister. The audience included may top civil servants from the departments dealing with coastal issues, and MPs from many coastal areas of England.

 Afterwards we attended a private meeting of coastal defence campaigners from around England, at which it was decided to launch a national forum for all such groups. Called the National Voice of Coastal Communities, the group has a website (www.nvcc.org.uk) and will shortly be agreeing its terms of reference. We believe this will be a superb resource for sharing information and will also develop into an effective lobbying force, to compliment individual groups’ efforts.

 

Hope to see you at Lifeboat Lauch Day on 9th August. Our latest newsletter is available from the SOS table at the Town Council offices, and on our website www.saveourselsey.org.