Community groups and East Devon District Council have met for the first time to discuss the brief for a Beach Management Plan (BMP) for Seaton.
“Seaton’s beach is an integral part of the town’s defenses from flooding and coastal erosion. It diffuses wave energy and protects the seawall from damage, as well as reducing wave overtopping ,” the East Devon District Council said in its release.
Once it has been formulated, Seaton’s BMP will act as a tool for managing the beach and minimizing the risks of flood and coastal erosion.
The Plan will take into account the other uses and functions of the town’s beach and, where possible, enhance or promote them.
It is envisaged that Seaton’s BMP will cover the coast from Seaton Hole in the West along to Axe Harbor in the East.
The meeting was chaired by Councillor Marcus Hartnell, East Devon District Council’s ward member for Seaton and lead councillor for Seaton Town.
Representatives from Seaton Town Council, the Town Development Team, Seaton parkrun, Axe Yacht Club and Seaton Sea Anglers attended and provided valuable input into the meeting.
In addition to the stakeholder group, who will be contributing their expertise and local knowledge to the project, the Environment Agency (EA) will also be acting as professional partners and will assist the council in the completion of the brief. They will also tender the project with a view to appointing a consultant who will undertake preparation of the BMP in 2017.
Following the meeting, the council revised the brief for the project and circulated it among the stakeholder group and professional partners for comment.
The project will be tendered in the new year with planned completion in Autumn 2017.
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