Last updated at 14:04, Thursday, 21 January 2010

COUNCILLORS have criticised the plan that will determine how the shoreline will be managed in the long-term future, claiming it does not propose enough action against coastal flooding.

Doubts were expressed over the suitability of the Shoreline Management Plan when the draft copy was put to South Lakeland District Council’s overview and scrutiny committee when it met this week in Kendal.

The plan identifies the policies for managing coastal risks in the north west for up to 100 years from now.

But councillors on the committee told Tuesday's meeting they were unhappy with the content of the plan, which is out to public consultation.

Councillor Mark Wilson, who represents Ulverston East on SLDC, does not think enough action has been proposed on the shoreline at the outer Leven Estuary – where the sea meets Ulverston – in light of the November floods.

A policy of ‘no active intervention’ has been proposed for the shoreline between Leven Viaduct and Canal Foot cottages, and at the Glaxo factory site.

At Canal Foot, the proposed policy is to ‘hold the line’. This has been defined as: “Manage flood and erosion risk by maintaining existing defences.”

Cllr Wilson told the meeting: “If we don’t take the right action at some point, some people will be under water. Some already have been under water.

“I have concerns the provisions being made in the forward plan are not strong enough to give residents the promises they require.”

Councillor Ian Stewart, who represents Arnside and Beetham on SLDC, claimed the draft made no sense in parts that referred to Grange and Arnside.

He added: “The fact it’s been conducted from Ormshead to the Scottish border is indicative of the way that local influence is going, going, gone.”

Councillor Mary Wilson, who represents Cartmel and Grange West on SLDC, told the meeting she was worried landowners and farmers with important local knowledge of the estuaries could be ignored in the consultation.

Phil Greenup, SLDC environmental health team leader, told the meeting: “The consultation hasn’t gone fantastically well.

“The Environment Agency embargoed the start of the consultation until November, which coincided with the flooding, and so it’s been extended to February 14.” The plan has been developed on behalf of the North West England and North Wales Coastal Group.

SLDC is one of 28 organisations involved and is responsible for the plan within the district.

SLDC will host a consultation event on Monday between 6pm and 8.30pm at Kendal Town Hall.

Mr Greenup told the Mail: “It is very detailed and I would recommend it is best for people to attend the public exhibition.

“We would love for members of the public to come and speak to the consultants, ourselves and give us their comments.”

The plan is also available at www.mycoastline.org

First published at 12:59, Thursday, 21 January 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk