Christchurch and New Forest flooding strategy adopted

The Christchurch Bay and Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy has been more than three years in the making. 

BCP Council has led the way, along with New Forest District Council, to protect homes from Hengistbury Head through to Hurst Spit, near Milford-on-Sea. 

The detailed strategy recommends where and when potential defence schemes can be implemented to mitigate the coastal flood and erosion risks. 

Andy Hadley, cabinet member for the environment (Image: Daily Echo)

And because the strategy has been drawn up, it means both local authorities can now ask the Environment Agency for funding. 

BCP’s environment cabinet member Andy Hadley said: “This is concentrated on the coast and supporting the coastal strip from the long groyne [at Hengistbury Head], which is now almost complete, all the way up to Hurst Spit. 

“In order to get funding from the Environment Agency to undertake this work, we need to have the strategy in place so this is a step to get the funding.  

“We have been very successful with the Environment Agency in terms of having clarity in what we need and getting financial input.” 

Initial assessments found that the ‘do nothing’ option along Christchurch Bay could result in £1.21billion worth of damage from floods. 

(Image: Newsquest)

Over the next 20 years, the contributions required in cash terms are estimated to be between £16m and £60m, or £800k and £3m per year if annualised, a report to BCP’s cabinet said. 

BCP Council leader Millie Earl said she has confidence in the authority’s team to deliver flood protection, describing them as “ ne of the best in the country”. 

She added: “Our team [are] doing such in-depth engineering and work around managing that ever-encroaching sea level and how we can protect houses, places where people live, work and ensure it’s sustainable.” 

Alan Frampton, strategy, policy and environment manager at FCERM, said: “Significant areas of land around Christchurch Harbour are at risk of flooding from large storm events.  

“Parts of the open coast are at threat from coastal erosion. With increased storminess (more frequent and ferocious storms) and rising sea levels predicted due to climate change, the risk of coastal flooding and erosion is likely to increase significantly.”