Every possible effort will be made to protect Walton Backwaters as a site of European significance and look after its value to the local economy.

That's the promise from Tendring councillors, who are concerned a scheme to carry out works at Horsey Island could have a bad effect on the area.

The Environment Agency is planning a project to create and sustain saltmarshes as part of the flood defences for the whole Essex coast and safeguard Horsey Island from wave attack.

It has provided a full environmental statement on the scheme, which will finally be decided by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

But there are concerns that the proposal could cause channels to silt up and become less navigable for leisure craft. Nick Turner (Con, Frinton) said the works would involve a minimum of 400,000 tonnes of material being deposited on and around the island.

"I have no trouble with the recharge, but I do have a problem with the consequences of this scheme if it does not perform. And if that was the case the Environment Agency must be made responsible and repair the damage at its expense as soon as possible."

Mr Turner said the backwaters had businesses and leisure craft amounting to about £100 million and sustained about 100 full-time jobs.

The council received six letters of objection, some of which came from those involved with the leisure boating industry. They were unhappy the industry had not been consulted.

Councillors approved the scheme in principle subject to a number of conditions. They also want fuller details of the work to be brought back to them before it gets under way.

Published Wednesday, February 5, 2003

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