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Erosion move may help residents
PENSIONERS whose homes have been left on the brink of crumbling cliffs by devastating landslips could benefit from a new bid for North Yorkshire to lead the way in helping coastal communities which have no hope of getting expensive sea defences.
Scarborough is pressing to be one of the towns that will test ways of helping communities in erosion hot spots too small to warrant investment in expensive schemes, such as rock armour and sea walls.
It is also hoped that the private estate of Knipe Point, near Filey, where pensioners' homes are under threat because of flooding and slippage on adjoining National Trust land, may be among those to benefit from the scheme.
The Government's new Coastal Change Policy for England is aimed at developing plans to support communities that face risks of coastal erosion and coastal flooding.
The speed with which disaster can strike was underlined in Scarborough 16 years ago when the four-star hotel Holbeck Hall slid into the sea.
The disaster, caused by one of the biggest landslips on the Yorkshire Coast in the 20th century, was due to prolonged rain causing the top of the cliffs to fall down onto the beach, rather than waves undermining the cliff below.
But it was seen as an example all over the world of how vulnerable shores are to nature, particularly since there are severe practical and financial limitations on where heavy-duty defences can be placed.
The new approach as been hailed by coastal defence experts as a welcome break from the old thinking that has led to millions of pounds being put into big construction projects for some areas, leaving others to the mercy of the sea.
The Government now wants to listen more to communities whose local knowledge can often provide simple and often relatively cheap solutions to problems that bemuse bureaucrats who rely on strict formulas to hand out funding.
The scheme involves widespread public consultations to look for ways that communities can be supported in the face of an eroding coast, if sea defences cannot be justified.
This might include taking a different approach to development control, giving councils the power to buy at-risk properties and lease them back to residents.
Other schemes could include giving people practical help if they lose their homes, and maintaining infrastructure that is vital for businesses and householders.
Scarborough Council's principal coastal officer, Stewart Rowe, said: "This initiative represents a step change in Government policy towards coastal management.
"It recognises for the first time the plight of coastal communities and their need for support in confronting the changes which they face. This is of particular relevance to the residents of Knipe Point."
But Scarborough Council is also applying to be a "pathfinder" authority – meaning it will get to put some of the ideas into practice rather than just taking part in the consultations.
Coun Andrew Backhouse, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said now residents whose homes were in jeopardy now had the ear of the Government, they should not miss out on the chance of coming up with ideas.
He underlined that crumbling cliffs were a problem for all seasiders, adding: "What happens to our coast, and to the communities on it, affects the livelihood of the whole borough.
"We are working closely with coastal communities in developing our projects."
The council has made clear it does not want the public to view the consultation as paper exercise and is keen to find partners in delivering the projects.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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