Details of short sheme to protect East Head

- Mon 21st Mar 2005

A Press Release has been issued today as follows:


A scheme for the short term protection of East Head to ‘hold the line’ whilst a long term solution is found has been submitted for planning approval. It involves the recycling of 13 thousand cubic metres of sand and shingle from the northern tip of East Head back to where it originally came from in the Hinge.

The sand and shingle will be placed both in front of and behind the existing rock berm, which will remain in place. It will have the effect of sealing the eroded gap in the dunes to a depth of over 2 metres above the rocks. This will ensure continued access to East Head at all states of the tide and will help maintain the status quo until a long term solution to protect East Head can be implemented. The recycling operation may need to be repeated if a start to a long term solution is delayed.

It is hoped that planning permission will be forthcoming by the middle of May and that work can start on site immediately thereafter.

In the long term, it will be important that any scheme maintains and protects the special qualities of East Head as a significant sand dune feature and to prevent the adverse impacts that its loss may have on the wider harbour. The goals of the Chichester Harbour Conservancy are to ensure that the evolution of East Head does not:

- prejudice navigation by causing sedimentation in the navigable channels.
- result in the loss of the sheltered anchorage and shelter provided to small vessels in the Chichester channel.
- contribute to increased erosion of existing fragile footpaths.
- result in the loss of amenity value of East Head for walkers, bathers etc as currently provided by the dune system.
- result in the net loss of important habitats.

The Conservancy will be informing and advising the Steering Group, that is responsible for producing the Coastal Defence Strategy, of these long term goals and of its commitment to finding a sustainable and cost effective solution to the problems at East Head.

If you would like more information please see the Harbour Master's latest report at

http://www.conservancy.co.uk/classroom/easthead.htm

By forum user, HIbot