Arun to Pagham Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy

Agenda Item No. 12 Joint Downland Area Committee Report Title : Arun to Pagham Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy 6th July 2009 Report by : Services Director, Arun District Council Executive Summary This Report informs Members about the Arun to Pagham draft Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy which was published in the week commencing 1 June 2009. There is a 3 month period of public consultation period so that JDAC has the opportunity to contribute to the consultation process prior to the adoption of the final strategy document. Recommendations Members are requested to consider the draft Strategy and are invited to submit comments to the Environment Agency by 28 August 2009. 1.0 Background 1.1 The Environment Agency (EA) became responsible for overseeing the management of all coastal flood and erosion risk in England in 2008. 1.2 The EA works in partnership to ensure that sustainable and affordable long term regional Shoreline Management Plans are in place for the Arun coastline, and approves them on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The relevant Regional Shoreline Management Plan covers the area from Beachy Head to Selsey Bill. 1.3 The EA also allocates capital funding for flood and coastal erosion risk schemes. 1.4 More locally Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategies are developed for smaller sections of the coastline i.e. Pagham to East Head, River Arun to Pagham, River Adur to River Arun. These need to reflect the emerging emphasis on sustainability, affordability and risk management, against the background of climate change, predicted sea level rise (6mm per year) and increased likelihood of extreme weather events (drought, flood, storms). 1.5 The Arun to Pagham draft Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy has been prepared and is being widely circulated for consultation from 1 June 2009 for a period of 3 months The consultation period includes a number of public meetings and exhibitions. Bognor Regis Wednesday 1.00 – 8.00 p.m. Bognor Regis Town 17 June 2009 Hall Climping Friday 1.00 – 8.00 p.m. Climping Village 19 June 2009 Hall Felpham Friday 1.00 – 8.00 p.m. Arun Leisure Centre 21 August 2009 1.6 Comments on the draft Strategy are invited from the public, Town and Parish Councils, land owners and others, which should be submitted to the EA by 28 August 2009. All responses will be considered prior to the final preparation of a Strategy towards the end of 2009, with the intention of producing high level management plans for the next 100 years, to include proposals for the short term (0 – 20 years), medium term (20 – 50 years) and long term (50 – 100 years). 1.7 The Strategy is intended to identify the most appropriate way of managing flood and erosion risk over the next 100 years. (a) Flood Risk is the risk that land will be flooded by sea water (traditionally an EA responsibility); e.g. where land is lower than sea level such as the Butlins frontage, and Climping (b) Erosion Risk is the risk that the coast will be worn away by the sea (traditionally an Arun responsibility); e.g. majority of Arun’s 14 mile coastline 1.8 The EA and Arun are the operating authorities managing flood and erosion risk along the coast. There are powers (but no duties) to enable works to be carried out to protect people and property where it is economically, technically and environmentally viable, providing it is also affordable. (NB – There are private frontages at Aldwick Bay where responsibilities lie with the landowners). 2.0 Proposals 2.1 The draft Strategy covers the area from the west bank of the River Arun at Ford Railway Bridge down to the mouth of the river and then west to the Pagham/Aldwick boundary. 2.2 Four main options are considered within the draft Strategy o Do nothing – either immediate withdrawal or withdrawal over two years o Do minimum o Hold the line – with 3 sub options of maintain sustain improve ° Managed re-alignment (move defence line inland, allowing controlled flooding to occur) 2.3 The draft Strategy has been divided into 5 frontages, representing the most suitable boundaries for the economic analysis that must be applied to schemes before they can receive funding (the benefit/cost ratio – this means that a scheme has more chance of funding if the value of the property protected is greater than scheme costs and the greater the ratio, the better the chances of scheme approval). The 5 frontages are .Aldwick – draft strategy recommendation : hold the line - maintain .Bognor Regis and Felpham - draft strategy recommendation : hold the line - maintain .Middleton on Sea - draft strategy recommendation : hold the line - maintain .Elmer - draft strategy recommendation : hold the line - maintain .Climping and River Arun mouth to Ford Railway Bridge - draft strategy recommendation for Climping is do nothing – withdrawal of maintenance after two years and for River Arun mouth to Ford Railway Bridge the recommendation is hold the line – maintain. 2.4 The draft Strategy, which was made public during week commencing 1 June sets out the initial proposals for each of the 5 frontages, including an initial assessment of .the flood and erosion risk affecting the frontage .a summary of feedback from previous consultations in 2003 and 2008 .a brief explanation of the recommended management option .further information about funding issues specific to the frontage. 3.0 Recommendations Members are recommended to consider the draft Strategy and are invited to submit comments to the Environment Agency by 28 August 2009 Background Papers : Arun to Pagham Draft Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy Contact : Colin Rogers email : [email protected] Telephone : 01903 737700 .

Load more