Campaigners say 'hold the line' on coast

11 October 2007

THE Shoreline Management Plan came in for its final beating this week in meeting of Caister Parish Council.

For the past two weeks the plan has been a central issue in meetings of coastal communities in the borough with campaigners calling for a policy of “no active intervention” at Scratby to be changed to one of “holding the line.”

And it was a similar story at the council hall on Monday evening where 18 people turned out to hear the borough council's environmental services manager Simon Mutten explain the plan in its present form and why it should be adopted.

Parish council chairman Tony Overill said that while it was agreed Caister's coastline was relatively safe it was the parishes to the north that were the weak part of the coat and that they should be protected at all cost.

He said: “As a coastal community we feel that it is imperative that we all work together and present a united front to defend heritage and avoid any friction caused by misinformation and/or lack of communication.”

The parish council recommended that

the short/ medium plan protection is provided by extending existing rock bund from California to Newport

change the proposal of “no active intervention” on the Scratby to Newport coastline is changed to “hold the line” policy

that a social justice cause is written into the plan providing compensation to those adversely affected by coastal erosion

and the discussions begin as soon as possible about plans for the managed retreat of our communities.