PAPER B1
Purpose : For Decision
REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE
Date : 3
DECEMBER 2002
Title : COAST
PROTECTION CAPITAL PROGRAMME – CONSENT UNDER THE COAST PROTECTION ACT 1949
REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR AGENDA 21 AND COUNTRYSIDE MATTERS
IMPLEMENTATION
DATE : 13
DECEMBER 2002
SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1.
To
seek approval from the Executive for application to DEFRA for coast protection
grant aid in support of a range of coast protection schemes and studies. The report also updates Executive on
existing progress with schemes.
BACKGROUND
2.
The
Isle of Wight Council is Coast Protection Operating Authority for the Isle of
Wight. The framework for coast
protection policy is set out in the Isle of Wight Coast Shoreline Management
Plan (SMP) which was approved by the Council in 1997. The Plan is due to be updated during 2003 / 04. More detailed coastal defence policy is
established following the completion of Coastal Defence Strategy Studies, which
are also grant-aided by DEFRA. The current position with respect to the
Shoreline Management Plan and Strategy Studies is as follows:
a.
Isle of Wight Coast Shoreline Management Plan – Approved March 1997; the
next five yearly plan to be commenced in Autumn 2003.
b.
Isle of Wight North-East Coastal Defence Strategy Study – Approved by the Council
2002. The strategy is currently
awaiting formal approval from DEFRA.
This is expected to be received in the next two to three months.
c.
Sandown Bay Coastal Defence Strategy Study – This study is being led by
the Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment in partnership with
consultants Posford Haskoning. The
study is reaching its mid-point and will be completed in the late spring 2003.
d.
West Wight Coastal Defence Strategy Study – The West Wight Study extends
from East Cowes along the north-west coast to the Needles and along the
south-west coast to Chale. The study is
in its preliminary stages and will take a year to complete.
3.
Within
the framework provided by the SMP and Strategy Studies the following schemes
are being developed :
a.
Ventnor Eastern Esplanade Phase II (Ventnor Haven Project) – Site works commenced 8
November 2002. Expected completion date
July 2003.
b.
Seaview Duver coast protection scheme – Formal scheme approval for the Seaview Duver
scheme is expected within the next few days.
Site works will commence in January 2003 with a scheme duration of ten
to twelve months.
c.
Castlehaven, Niton, coast protection and slope stabilisation scheme – It is anticipated that all
existing issues relating to the Castlehaven scheme will be resolved by early
December. The various conditions
attached to scheme approval by DEFRA will have been met and an offer of coast
protection grant aid can then be expected with the aim of starting on site in
Spring 2003. The construction period
for the scheme is estimated at one year.
4.
Following
the completion of a number of studies and investigations it is recommended that
the following additional projects are submitted to DEFRA for coast protection
grant aid and SCA :
a.
The Isle of Wight Shoreline Management Plan Review – All Coast Protection
Operating Authorities are advised by DEFRA to prepare Shoreline Management
Plans, which must be reviewed at five yearly intervals. The Isle of Wight Plan is due for review and
a new application must be submitted to DEFRA in order to attract grant aid and
SCA on future schemes. Our DEFRA
Regional Engineer has advised that it would be appropriate to submit the
application within the next two months.
The estimated cost of the review is approximately £90,000.
b.
Islandwide Environmental Mitigation Study – Most coast protection
schemes are now required to provide environmental mitigation where civil
engineering works may have an impact particularly on sites designated as being
of ‘European Importance’. Rather than
selecting mitigation sites on an ‘ad-hoc’ basis it is more sensible to have an
overall strategic plan to fulfil this purpose.
The Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment has put the case to
DEFRA that the Isle of Wight is an ideal location to undertake a study and
prepare a mitigation plan in order that important civil engineering and
infrastructure projects are not held up through the need to resolve the issue
of finding appropriate mitigation.
DEFRA has accepted the case for such a study which is estimated to cost
£55,000 and which can be completed in approximately six months. It is intended that the study should be led
by the IWCCE in partnership with Atkins consultants who are currently undertaking
the West Wight coastal defence strategy study.
Atkins are also the term consultants for the Environment Agency as well
as being the contractor currently undertaking DEFRA’s Policy Theme for
research.
c.
Sandown Bay Strategy Study : Work is currently in progress on the Strategy Study
for Sandown Bay. The only remaining
Isle of Wight coastal process unit frontage not currently benefiting from work
on a Strategy Study is the Undercliff.
DEFRA wishes to see the whole of the Isle of Wight coast covered by
Strategy Studies and this will also be beneficial in terms of future
applications for coast protection grant aid in the area. DEFRA is willing to grant aid a variation
order on the Sandown Bay strategy in order to allow the Undercliff frontage to
be assessed in the same way. The
estimated cost of this work is £60,000.
d.
Steephill Cove coast protection phase II – In 1992 the former South
Wight Borough Council undertook a first phase of coast protection works at the
eastern end of Steephill Cove as part of the Ventnor Western Cliffs coast protection
scheme. It was always envisaged that a
second phase of the work at Steephill Cove should be undertaken as the
condition of the seawall and apron was deteriorating. The structure has now reached the end of its life and the wall is
becoming undermined to the extent that reconstruction is required.
A preliminary assessment and technical report has been prepared for a possible civil engineering solution at Steephill Cove comprising a new reinforced concrete toe for the existing wall below beach level together with a natural stone faced wall which will blend in with the character of this location. There is strong economic justification for the work in cost benefit terms and the estimated costs are approximately £350,000.
e.
Ventnor Eastern Esplanade to Wheeler’s Bay Preliminary Study – Since 1987 a series of
schemes have been undertaken along the developed Undercliff frontage between
Monk’s Bay at Bonchurch and Steephill Cove as part of a co-ordinated strategy
to reduce the impact of landsliding which is encouraged by marine toe
erosion. The only remaining unimproved
section along this coastal frontage is the seawall between the Ventnor Eastern
Esplanade and Wheeler’s Bay.
This section of wall is in poor condition and the deck is showing signs of distress as a result of ground movements. More detailed proposals for the frontage will be developed as part of the Ventnor Undercliff Strategy Study. Approval is sought for the commencement of preliminary investigations along this frontage in order that a scheme may be worked up to complete the coast protection strategy for this part of the Undercliff. This preliminary scoping study will also assess the related environmental issues in the littoral zone abutting the frontage taking account of the fact that the site is a Special Area of Conservation under the European Habitats Directive. The estimated costs of developing preliminary proposals is £30,000. If the scheme is subsequently approved the whole project will be eligible for coast protection grant aid.
f.
Seagrove Bay to Seaview Village frontage – Within the framework of the
North-East Coastal Defence Strategy Study there is a need to undertake an
approved programme of capital works together with appraising possible future
needs for coast protection, as well as monitoring coastal change. It has been noted that there has been a
trend over the last ten years for beach lowering along the north-western part
of the beach at Seagrove Bay towards Seaview Village. This issue relates to an understanding of the coastal processes
taking place between Bembridge Point and Ryde.
As part of the North-East Coast Strategy Study a proposal for a more
detailed appraisal of options within Bembridge Harbour was approved. It is also proposed to carry out an
examination of wider processes between Bembridge Point and Seaview Village in
order to assess whether or not there is a need for further coast protection
works or other measures along the frontage.
The estimated cost of this study is £10,000 and will attract coast protection
grant aid as a variation order on the North-East Coastal Defence Strategy.
g.
Strategic coastal monitoring programme – One of the problems in managing coastal
defence and preparing for the impacts of climate change is to ensure that a
uniform standard of coastal monitoring is undertaken over longer stretches of
coastline in order that a common baseline can be established against which
coastal changes can be accurately measured.
The Regional Coastal Group, SCOPAC, which represents the central south coast
of England and which has been supported by the Isle of Wight Council since its
formation in 1985, has taken a leading role in the development of a strategic
monitoring programme for the whole of the south-east of England from Portland
Bill to the Isle of Grain.
The Chairman of SCOPAC’s Research Sub-Group, Professor
Andrew Bradbury from New Forest District Council, together with the Coastal
Manager, have encouraged all SCOPAC authorities to participate in a joint bid
to DEFRA for strategic monitoring funding for the next five years. The adjacent
Coastal Groups in the south-east have also participated in this project.
We are very pleased that DEFRA has agreed a total grant for the five years of £8.1 million for which the Isle of Wight will benefit to the value of approximately £158,000 annually (total approximately £850,000). This funding will ensure that a range of new and more reliable coastal information can be provided including measurement of beach profiles, tide and wave measurements and aerial photography. Much of the work will be let as part of a major contract for the whole of the south-east of England but the Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment will also be undertaking practical survey work on the ground. The whole of the cost will be met by coast protection grant aid and SCA.