New assurances in update to Hurst Spit to Lymington Strategy

A CONTROVERSIAL coastal defence plan which will eventually see Hurst Spit left to the elements has been updated with an assurance over its short-term future.

As reported, plans are being drawn up by the Environment Agency in collaboration with local councils and environmental groups which will shape how the section between Hurst Spit and Lymington is managed for the next century.

In initial proposals the spit will eventually be left to take a “more natural form” with no intervention or shingle recharge.

This led to a furious backlash from sailing clubs and local businesses which called the plans “disastrous” and “hugely damaging”, and a campaign group was set up.

Now, after feedback from a recent public consultation, the Hurst Spit to Lymington project team has issued an update setting out the short-term plans for the repair and maintenance of the shingle.

Maintenance of the barrier beach is undertaken by NFDC, but the update warns: “There is no legal obligation to maintain the spit and there is not a specific yearly budget to do any work.”

Stating that the cost of maintenance can vary from year to year, the strategy team revealed the government would not contribute to the costs, and other funding sources were also not forthcoming.

Recharging the beach with additional material will continue for the next 10 to 20 years, the update states, adding: “This will increase the resilience of the barrier to over washing and address some of the current concerns in the vulnerability of the barrier.”

However, the strategy team warned that continued management of the barrier in the face of a sea level rise up to a metre, and the ongoing coastal processes in Christchurch Bay, will be “financially, environmentally and technically unfeasible” for the strategy’s 100-year duration.

In the medium to longer-term the plan is for a gradual reduction in intervention, eventually leaving the barrier to the elements. But before this happens a number of other projects such as creating access to Hurst Castle and re-routing the Dane Stream, will likely be required.

The plan sets out: “Under this management approach, the formal crest width and elevation will not be managed, and the barrier will likely overwash during storm events. The barrier will naturally develop to be lower and more shallowly sloping.

“However, it is likely to still provide protection by reducing the wave energy in the lee of the barrier. It is possible large storm events may lower the barrier to an extent that access at all stages of the tide may not be possible. It is envisaged that under calmer conditions, that the barrier will naturally recover.”

The coastal defence strategy will focus on protecting around 400 low-lying homes in Keyhaven and Pennington from flooding, as well as enhanced habitats.

Ben Collins, Keyhaven resident and a member of the Environment Agency’s Stakeholder panel told the A&T maintaining Hurst Spit was a challenge: “Our particular coastline includes an important nature reserve which the EA is seeking to protect. That will be a challenge in a world of sea level rise when priority for coastal defence funding will be needed first for the big population centres.

"Our one ‘ace card’ in the bidding process will be our nature rich status. This is reflected in the EA’s thinking. But that does not mean putting ‘birds before people’ or ‘nature before recreation and business’ as some have suggested. It means working to protect both equally in a bid to reflect the wider aspirations of our community.”

Further meetings between the Environment Agency and local marine businesses and sailing clubs will be taking place throughout the spring. Find out more about the proposals at www.hurstspit2lymington.co.uk