local environment agency plan ESK AND COAST (HARTLEPOOL TO FILEY BAY) CONSULTATION REPORT NOVEMBER 1997 HARTLEPOOL WHITBY CUISBOROUGH SCARBOROUGH E n v ir o n m e n t Ag e n c y YOUR VIEWS The Esk and Coast (Hartlepool to Filey Bay) Local Environment Agency Plan Consultation Report is the Environment Agency's initial analysis of the status of the environment in this area and the issues that we believe need to be addressed. We would like to hear your views: • Have we identified all the major issues? • Have we identified realistic proposals for action? • Do you have any comments to make regarding the plan in general? During the consultation period for this report the Environment Agency would be pleased to receive any comments in writing to: The Esk and Coast (Hartlepool to Filey Bay) Environment Planner The Environment Agency North East Region Coverdale House Amy Johnson Way Clifton Moor York Y03 4UZ All comments must be received by 28 February 1998. All comments received on the Consultation Report will be considered in preparing the next phase of the process, the Action Plan which will focus on updating Section 4 of this Consultation Report by turning the proposals into actions. Note: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this report it may contain some errors or omissions which w e will be pleased to note. The Structure of this Consultation Report This Consultation Report is divided into two parts: Part I and Part II. A brief description of each can be found below: PART I Consists of an introduction to the Agency, an overview of the Esk and Coast (Hartlepool to Filey Bay) area, key partnerships the Environment Agency has with other bodies and proposals we feel will address the important environmental issues in the area. PART II Detailed consideration is given to the state of the environment of the Esk and Coast (Hartlepool to Filey Bay) area. Supporting information can be found here to help you make an informed decision as to the validity of the issues and proposals in Part I. Esk and Coast (Hartlepool to Filey Bay) LEAP Area ( SCARBOROUGH BOROUGH COUNCIL) N - CATCHMENT BOUNDARY — RIVER COASTLINE 3 MILE LIMIT 0 2 4 6 8 10km 1 i i i i i i i i i i 6 MILE LIMIT Area Information : Water Quantity key details Total number of Licensed Surface Water Abstractions • 99 Total number of Licensed GroundWater Abstractions 22 Total Volume of Authorised Abstractions 15773 tcma River Flow Measurement River Esk at Briggswath General Mean flow: 4.54 m3/s Median flow: 2.43 mVs (the river flow is more than this 50% of the time) Area 751 km2 Dry weather flow: 0.60mJ/s (the river flow is more than this 95% of the time) Administrative Details The Briggswath gauge was built in 1992 to improve the accuracy of flow measurement on the lower Esk. Once adequate correlation with the existing measurement County Council North Yorkshire station at Sleights Weir has been achieved, the Sleights Unitary Hartlepool Borough Council station will be decommissioned. Authorities Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit District Scarborough Borough Council Area Information : Water Quality Councils Hambleton District Council Ryedale District Council Consented Sewage Discharges 54 Water Yorkshire Water Services Major Sewage Outfalls to Sea 7 Companies Northumbrian Water Ltd Hartlepool Water Company Consented Industrial Discharges 16 Navigation Scarborough Harbour Department Authorities Whitby Harbour Department Area Information : Ecology and Fisheries Tees & Hartlepool Port Authority Section 30 Consents to Introduce Fish • 4 pa Area Information : Industry Number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest 28 Local Nature Reserve 1 Total number of IPC Authorisations 2 Heritage Coast 1 Number of IPC Sites 2 National Park 1 Total number of Radioactive National Trust Holdings 24 Substances Authorisations 1 Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Sites 4 Total number of Radioactive Substances Registrations 8 Cleveland Wildlife Trust Sites 6 Sensitive Marine Area 1 Area Information : Waste Arisings Special Protection Area 1 Number of Waste Management Licences * 32 Municipal waste arisings 1 30,000 tonnes pa Industrial and commercial waste arisings 200,000 tonnes pa • Esk and Coast (Hartlepool to Filey Bay) LEAP FOREWORD The Environment Agency is one of the most powerful environmental regulators in the world. By combining the regulation of air, land and water, we have a unique opportunity to look at our environment in an integrated way. Local Environment Agency Plans (LEAPs) aim to provide a means for setting priorities, solving problems and protecting the environment in an integrated way. The Esk and Coast (Hartlepool to Filey Bay) LEAP Consultation Report has been drawn up for consultation with those interested in the future of the local environment. It provides a focus for all parties to undertake and achieve environmental improvements in a sustainable manner. This, and other plans for the constituent areas in the Region, will represent a shared vision for the future, and will play a vital role in the protection of our environment, whilst recognising the ever competing pressures on the environment and the need to balance cost and benefit. Roger Hyde Regional General Manager Environment Agency, North East Region i Dales Area ENVIRONMENT AGENCY Esk and Coast (Hartlepool to Filey Bay) LEAP DRAFT VISION FOR THE ESK AND COAST (HARTLEPOOL TO FILEY BAY) AREA The Esk and Coast [(Hartlepool to Filey Bay) hereafter known as the Esk and Coast] area is diverse and provides a range of challenges and opportunities to the Agency and other responsible organisations. The coastline of the plan is of recognised conservation value. Thirty-six miles of the coastline of the plan area has been designated ‘Heritage Coast’. The Heritage Coast Project strives to conserve and protect the environment and increase public access to the coast. The moorland landscape of North Yorkshire is afforded similar protection under its designation as a National Park. The coastal waters are important to the local economy for the fishing industry and as a shipping route. Trade and sewage discharges are consented to enter the coastal waters. The Agency continues to work with industry and the water companies towards improving coastal water quality. Whilst the River Tees is not included in this plan, it should be recognised that the output from the Tees Estuary exerts an influence upon the coastal waters of the Esk and Coast area. The River Esk is of particular importance as a freshwater fishery. The River Esk Regeneration Project, in which the Agency is a partner, has recently received Objective 5b funding from the European Union to improve the habitat of the river to increase the possibility of a self sustaining salmon population. There are numerous attractions for visitors in the Esk and Coast area, including the recently revitalised Hartlepool Marina, the rural towns and small coastal villages, the resort of Scarborough and the North York Moors National Park. Tourism is an important part of the economy of the plan area, but it must be well managed in order to protect the areas of greatest environmental sensitivity. The key Environment Agency aspirations for the Esk and Coast area are to: ■ work closely with others to protect and enhance the unique character of the area, supporting, for example, the River Esk Regeneration Project and the Heritage Coast; ■ collaborate for the protection of fish stocks and promote fishing as a vital part of the economy; ■ continue to work with others to improve water quality and coastal water quality in particular; ■ protect and enhance of biodiversity; ■ undertake proactive education campaigns in the area, including waste minimisation and pollution prevention for agriculture and industry; and ■ protect people and property from flooding where it is economically and environmentally feasible. Finally, the Agency wishes to strengthen existing and establish new links and partnerships with all those who influence the development of the Esk and Coast area. It is by working together, sharing local expertise and funding, that we shall achieve the sustainable improvements that will ensure environmental protection and provide benefits for the plan area. Environment Agency, North East Region 11 Dales Area Esk and Coast (Hartlepool to Filey Bay) LEAP CO N TEN TS PA R T I Page Number 1.0 Introduction 1.1 The Role of the Environment A gency....................................................................................2 1.2 Local Environment Agency Planning - The Process........................................................... 2 1.3 Sustainable Development and the Environment Agency .................................................. 4 2.0 The Esk and Coast A rea ........................................................................................................................ 6 2.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................7 2.2 A i r ..................................................................................................................................................9 2.3 L a n d ............................................................................................................................................. 10 2.4 W a te r........................................................................................................................................... 15 2.5 Wildlife and Heritage ............................................................................................................