Update to Lower Promenade Protection Scheme

Environment and Health
Maltings House
Gorleston
Fri 9th Sep 2005

Dear Resident

This is a further update on the present position relating to the Gorleston Lower Promenade Coast Protection Scheme.

Both Bernard Harris have had to concentrate out time over the past few months on issues surrounding the proposals for the Shoreline Management Plans and the Consultation relating to the application for continued offshore dredging. This has involved attending numerous meetings and briefings etc which havee unfortunately taken us away from the Gorleston Coast Protection Scheme. In mitigation there have been changes in personnel at both Halcrow and DEFRA. DEFRA is also reviewing its policy in relation to the funding of Coast Protection Schemes.

We recently held a briefing with the new Halcrow personnel. This enabled us to fully brief them on the recent history of the proposed Gorleston schemes; the results of the two public meetings and the outcome of the technical meeting with the Residents Representatives. Subsequently the Halcrow representatives carried out a visual audit of the lower promenade so they could be best informed when they review the previous technical data they themselves hold. The Halcrow team are also arranging a meeting with the new DEFRA officials so that we and they can then be as sure, as we can be, about the present rules governing applications for Government funding. This meeting is scheduled for late September.

As I wrote in my last letter I am reluctant to commission any further work until I am satisfied a scheme as was outlined at the last public meeting has a resonable chance of success - (for confirmation the proposed scheme was for significant repairs to the promenade with a minimum of five years beach monitoring before considering further any "sand loss" mitigation measures). As promised I will continue to keep you informed of the process.

Both Bernard and I have a wide range of responsibilities on behalf of the Council and GYBS Ltd but I assure you we continue to do our best to move the Gorleston Coast Protection Scheme on. As identified above we have had to re-priorise our time for Gorleston Coast Protection work to the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) process, especially since the initial draft of the (SMP) plan indicated significant loss of coastal land and properties affecting the Borough's Northern Parishes.The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP)final draft is due to be published in the next few weeks and it may be that it will also better inform DEFRA in relation to their Coast Protection funding process.

Yours sincerely

John Hemsworth

Head of Environment and Health