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Campaign for Coastal Defence

Shingle bells, shingle bells  ……………….!

Shingle is, indeed, cause for cautious celebration as we approach Christmas!

Approval and funding have finally been given to replace lost shingle at Selsey’s West beach, with work due to start this month.  It’s not the ideal time of year for coast defence work but there’s no alternative - if the job isn’t started, there is a chance that more of the sea wall will collapse. If that were to happen, we probably wouldn’t get funding to replace it, and the funding to do the planned works themselves would probably be clawed back by central government!  The works should extend the life of the sea wall for perhaps 10 years, protecting the homes of hundreds of our fellow Selsey residents from erosion. There will be unavoidable lorry movements through Selsey as shingle is transported to the site but, given the huge benefit of these works to the town, it’s surely an acceptable inconvenience.  Our congratulations go to the West Beach Selsey Residents’ Group for its tireless work on this front.

The Medmerry Managed Realignment Scheme has also finally been granted planning permission by Chichester District Council, subject to certain conditions.  We mustn’t forget that the Scheme is still subject to Government approval for funding and hopefully we will have more news on this early in 2011.  Subject to the necessary funding, it is hoped that construction will start in the autumn of 2011, after detailed planning has been completed.

So, following last year’s extensive sea defence repairs at East Beach, we have two more reasons for cautious optimism as 2010 nears its end but what of the future?  The idea of a “Selsey Coastal Trust” (as mentioned in SOS’s October “Selsey Life” article reproduced on our website) is a potential solution to the problem of  the unlikelihood of government funding for Selsey’s coast defences in the future. We will follow its progress over the coming months with great interest!

We thank our supporters for their encouragement and local Councillors - and indeed all the various organisations working to secure Selsey’s long-term future - for their willingness to listen to and act upon the concerns of local residents and businesses.  Have a very merry Christmas and a peaceful, healthy New Year!