Clacton Coastal Works Phase 1

The Cabinet has approved a Coast Protection Scheme Strategy Plan for Clacton on Sea and it was also resolved to amend the Capital Programme with respect to the estimated cost of the proposed works. The Strategy covers a period of twenty-five years and the proposed work will be split into three phases.

The proposals have been advertised in accordance with the Coast Protection Act 1949. The work advertised consists of the importation of sand and shingle to form a wide beach in front of the existing seawall. To support the new beach, in time of storm conditions, a series of offshore rock breakwaters will be constructed. Phase 1 is at Holland-on-Sea, where the existing beaches are at their lowest and will consist of just over one kilometre of new beaches and three offshore breakwaters.

This is a preliminary stage in promoting these coast protection works; the start of construction on site will be in line with Government spending rules and subject to grant aid from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Council has been granted planning permission for Phases 1 and 2 of the proposed coast protection works.

You can also view current works along the coast here

In its 'Policy Statement on Flood and Coast Defence 2004-2007' the Council supported the Government's policy aim 'To reduce the risk to people and the developed and natural environment from flooding and coastal erosion by encouraging the provision of technically environmentally and economically sound and sustainable defence measures'.

The principles laid out in this document still apply but the Government is currently undertaking a complete review of Flood and Coast Defence responsibilities, and will be producing an implementation plan to deal with governance, legislation, shoreline management and delivery of coastal works. It is proposed to review the need for this TDC Policy Statement once the results of their review are clear.

The Coast Protection Strategy for the Tendring Peninsular has been produced in support of that aim and draws together information from national, regional and local plans into one document. It explains the current situation and allows a holistic approach to be taken towards the provision of coast protection in Tendring.

The task of planning, designing, building and managing Coastal Defences in a cost effective, environmentally acceptable and sustainable manner is a complicated undertaking. The Strategy presents relevant issues in a straightforward manner and scopes the need for future work and detailed studies.

The Tendring Coast Protection Strategy 2002 to 2007 is available to download in Acrobat (pdf) format. The complete document is quite large and has been published in four parts to enable easier downloading to your terminal. Please download all parts to read the whole document. This document is due to be reviewed following completion of the Environment Agency's Shoreline Management Plan and will also incorporate the ongoing governance changes mentioned above.