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Campaign for Coastal Defence

Selsey Life Dec 09/Jan 10

The end of the old year and beginning of the new -

Frequently a time of mixed emotions.  SOS is a "grassroots" organisation, with local people and their well-being at its heart.  It is timely to express thanks to the loyal band of deliverers who turn out, often at short notice, in all weathers to spread the latest coastal defence news to approximately 4,500 local households.

Thanks, too, to the "signed-up" supporters whose sheer numbers are a constant encouragement.  In the background there is also Roger Barrow, local business coach and consultant, who devotes many hours to keeping the SOS website up to date through Selseynet.  Lastly, of course, mention must be made of SOS's stalwart committee members.  Thank you to you all.

By the time you read this, our Coast Defence Strategy may have obtained its final sign-off, by the Secretary of State. This should mean we have a policy of “hold the line” for the town’s seafront. However, funding to achieve this is another matter: the official estimate is that we will need £30m over the next 20yrs, and that government funding is “unlikely”.  Somehow, we have to find innovative ways to address this issue, whilst still exploiting any opportunity to get “traditional” government coast defence funds, in a climate of deteriorating public finances.

For example, there is a chance that – if port developments go ahead at Southampton – a quantity of dredged shingle may be available at a reasonable price, to protect the defences on West Beach, which are the ones most in need of intervention. We will be doing all we can to support the District Council in the quest to get government money to fund a “beach nourishment” scheme, using this shingle.

At Medmerry, we were pleased to learn that Bunn Leisure at last got their planning consent to build defences in front of the caravan parks, and hope the works proceed smoothly. Also at Medmerry, we have been pressing the Environment Agency to include full public access in its plans for the managed realignment scheme. We would like footpaths & cyclepaths, and open public access to the beaches and foreshore.  The RSPB is likely to be given management of the area as a nature reserve; we have also been letting them know how important it is that future byelaws and regulations about the use of the site do not prevent residents and visitors of Selsey from using the area for walking, cycling, sea angling, bait digging, beachcombing, swimming etc.

It promises to be an interesting year ahead, and we will be doing all we can to ensure the various coastal-related schemes and projects which benefit Selsey are given maximum support.