Decision details

To seek approval of the final strategic policies proposed to sustainably address coastal flood and coastal erosion risk for a 58km (36 mile) frontage running from Portchester Castle, in Portsmouth Harbour, to Burridge, on the east bank of the River Hamble.

The Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership (ESCP), in collaboration with AECOM (Formally URS Consulting Engineers), has undertaken a Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy on behalf of Fareham Borough Council and Gosport Borough Council (2011 – 2015).  The project has been fully funded by Flood Defence Grant in Aid administered by the EnvironmentAgency.

The North Solent Shoreline Management Plan, adopted by Fareham in 2011, provides the high level policy approach for managing coastal flood and erosion risk.

The Coastal Strategy sets out how to deliver these policies and identifies where and when coastal flood and erosion risk management works are required over the next 100 years and their likely cost.

The Strategy provides a long term plan for the implementation of capital projects, routine maintenance, further studies, surveys and investigations. The Strategy also helps the Local Authorities and Environment Agency prioritise day-to-day activities whilst ensuring the best use of public funds.

RESOLVED that the Executive adopts the preferred strategic management options for the Strategy as set out below and detailed in Appendix A:

·               Strategy Management Zone 1 (North Portsmouth Harbour)

Hold the Line - Delay Sustain. Maximise life of existing defences and then sustain minimum 1:100 year Standard of Protection (phased) from 2030, with environmental improvements to currently eroding former landfill sites

·               Strategy Management Zone 2 (Fareham and Gosport, Portsmouth Harbour West):

Hold the Line – Sustain. Sustain a minimum 1:100 year  Standard of Protection  (phased)

·               Strategy Management Zone 3 (Lee-on-the-Solent and Stokes Bay)

Hold the Line - Maintain Protection – Scheduled maintenance and beach recycling to prevent erosion and maintain beaches through the development of a BMP. Accept that the flood risk Standard of Protection is likely to fall in the longer term.

·               Strategy Management Zone 4 (Hook Lake to Titchfield Haven)

Environmental Enhancement - Allow natural processes to continue but sustain protection to environmentally important sites at Titchfield Haven and at Hook Lake (with regulated tidal exchange)

·               Strategy Management Zone 5 (River Hamble East Bank)

Do Minimum until 2060, but with Solent Way footpath adaptation from 2030, then sustain a minimum 1:100 flood Standard of Protection at key flood risk locations – Maximise life of existing defences managing flood risk with local measures and footpath adaptation from 2030, then provide minimum 1:100 year SoP.