EDP: “Official faces grilling over Broads surrender option”
A top official from an agency considering the surrender of a large swathe of the Broads to the North Sea walked into the lions’ den last night to speak at a public meeting for the first time about the contentious scheme.
Shaun Thomas, the regional director of Natural England, spoke directly to the representatives of communities that face the threat of being flooded in between 20 to 50 years’ time.
And Mr Thomas told parish council leaders that more public meetings should be held over his organisation’s leaked report which contained proposals to abandon sea defences from Eccles to Winterton.
While last night’s composed meeting was in stark contrast to three highly-charged public debates in April, Mr Thomas faced a stern grilling over the economic ramifications of the scheme.
He was attending a special meeting in Somerton organised by the North-East Norfolk Coastal Parishes Group, which was formed to fight proposals to surrender 25 sq miles of the Broads to the sea.
Mr Thomas heard that people were still confused by the lack of information from Natural England.
Michael Walker, the meeting’s chairman, said: “It has been absolutely appalling. Ninety-nine per cent of people believe this area will be flooded in a short time and there is nothing they can do about it. Whole communities are paralysed by fear.”
David Russell, from Sea Palling parish council, went one step further and demanded Mr Thomas visited villages in the area.
He said: “When are you coming to speak to them? That is what they want.”
Mr Thomas agreed that communication over the proposals should have been handled in a “different manner” and he would take on board the suggestions of having “open days” in the Broads and work with communities.
He was also keen to point out that Natural England only drew up its controversial plans as part of its responsibilities to inform government bodies on environmental issues and had no power to enforce them.
That decision rested with the Environment Agency and local authorities, he said.
Mr Thomas added: “It is not our job to make long term decisions about the future of the Norfolk Broads.”
Councillors quizzed Mr Thomas about the economic ramifications of surrendering the Broads and compensation to home owners. Mr Thomas replied: “It is not our role to assess economic value.”
The meeting also queried the data supplied by Natural England in its draft report, including a map showing the areas that would be affected by such a scheme, and Mr Thomas said further clarifications would be added to the on-going consultation.
One of four options for dealing with climate change suggested in Natural England’s report was to allow areas as far inland as Stalham and Potter Heigham to be flooded, with the loss of at least six villages.
Story by Anthony Carroll in the Eastern Daily Press
WAKE UP BRITAIN!!!!!
It is with some dismay that we have decided to write this comment following the publication of recent articles on the NVCC website. Although delighted to read that Norfolk has formed the North-East Norfolk Coastal Parishes Group in response to recent announcements for potential flood proposals on the Broads and its direct implication on the local community, we are extremely concerned to see history repeating itself!
The wording used by Natural England’s Representatives and those from the EA during the recent meeting held in Somerton seem nothing short of a ‘carbon copy’ of those comments we heard for so many years down here on the Romney Marsh by these Agencies or unelected Government Quangos when flood defence proposals were discussed. And as much as it is important to establish contact with those in charge of our future ( and let’s face it – they do decide what future, if any, we all have), it is equally important to understand the language (or spin) with which they deliver their proposals or decisions.
“ Taking local communities into account when making decisions” does not materialise – local communities are the last ones to find out what happens!
‘Helping communities to adapt to climate change” is just another phrase to cover up for the fact that Government is unwilling to spend money on coastal defences and sounds good as a ‘get-out’ clause!
“Being very aware of concerns and worries by local communities which affects their future”…?…..absolutely NOT – otherwise they would have consulted with local communities FIRST in order to get some feedback before drawing up proposals!
“Successful and long-term adaptation to climate change” is yet another phrase for walking away from stretches of coast where the Government feels that financial investment would not yield sufficient or ample support in return when it comes to the next elections! In other words – sparsely populated areas can easily be sacrificed in order to keep big towns and cities safe!
“Communications should have been handled in a different manner”… only points out that they have been ‘rumbled’ and are now wishing to be seen to be ‘listening’ which of course they won’t! All that is achieved by this is that it gives people hope and that they can tick off their box of having ‘established dialogue’.
We have seen all this before and have for four years fought hard and brave to change their flood defence proposals here on the Romney Marsh ! What has happened here in the past , is happened now in Norfolk and other areas in Britain and will no doubt rear its ugly head in many other parts of the British Isles is scandalous! No person should be at the mercy of Government proposals which effectively renders their most prized possession, i.e. their home, worthless Without the inclusion of SOCIAL JUSTICE there is no sea/flood defence proposal which would meet with the approval of local communities.
What happens now affects the future of Britain . Government has created a “Bermuda Triangle” for its own convenience in order to push these SMPs through,i.e.:-
DEFRA who is no longer responsible for the defence policies, but authorises funding of sea defence schemes has pushed the overall authority onto the ENVIRONMENT AGENCY who in turn attributes its final options to the advice received from NATURAL ENGLAND, which as we all know, is an unelected Government Quango working directly under DEFRA and who state categorically that they of course have no powers to enforce such policies! This leads us straight back to DEFRA who are responsible for the funding! In order words – the local communities are directly affected by this Bermuda Triangle and are likely to disappear off the radar if the Government has its way!
Bear this in mind when you negotiate with those who hold the strings for your future and far more importantly, try and unite with other communities all over Britain who are in the same boat ( which is what you all will need if they are successful). Only by uniting and not just putting one area at the forefront, can we as a whole stop the demise of our coastal defences all over Britain.
Comment by doc — June 25, 2008 @ 12:06 pm