2:20pm Thursday 18th March 2010
By Caroline Tilley
A VILLAGE beach “at risk” of erosion will receive no help under draft proposals unveiled this week.
The Environment Agency's draft Essex Shoreline Management Plan states no action should be taken to defend Wrabness beach unless it does not affect “the natural estuary evolution”.
Instead the beach would be monitored and allowed to erode naturally to cope with the risk of flooding from rising sea levels.
The draft plan, launched on Monday, puts forward proposals for Essex and Suffolk’s coastal defences for the next century.
It states: “For these [Wrabness beach] frontages the intent is not to start holding the existing alignment: it would not be sustainable to work against the natural estuary processes.”
Harry Jones, chair of Wrabness Parish Council, said: “It has been at risk for as long as I can remember.
“There are around 85 chalets on the beach and it really makes you wonder what will happen to them.
“Balhaven, a company formed by the chalet owners, has looked after the beach for a few years and brought in concrete and recently lots of sand to make barriers to try to stop the erosion.
“But you have to wonder what you can actually do to stop it from happening.”
Holland Haven Country Park and Frinton Golf Course could be lost to the sea in 50 years as the plans suggest stopping all work to protecting them.
Under the plans, sea defences protecting Manningtree, Harwich town and the railway line would continue to be maintained at the current levels.
However, those protecting Bathside Bay could be increased as early as 2025 because of expansions currently under consideration at the site.
Houses and roads in Little Oakley, classed in the document as “under pressure”, would also be maintained and work could take place at the same time as those at Bathside Bay. If not they would be completed before 2055.
These defences would then be maintained with nothing further being considered.
Residents are invited to comment on the plans until June 18.
Balhaven Ltd were unable to comment this week.
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