Amenities and properties situated alongside Tenby’s South Beach could face “huge uncertainty” in the future, town councillors were told this week.

Town councillors met with Pembrokeshire County Council’s officer responsible for ‘coastal protection and flood defence’, Mr. Emyr Williams, on Tuesday night, to convey the concerns they have about the erosion of beach.

Mr. Williams also reported on how consultations were now underway on the next Shoreline Management Plan, a non-statutory document carried out by coastal engineering groups that sets out strategic guidance designed to assist coastal defence decision making for a defined length of coast.

The SMP aims to identify sustainable coastal defence options based upon economic criteria, whilst having an overview of both the natural environment and the human and built environment.

Clr. Mike Thorne, who had previously written to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority with representations made on behalf of the town council asking for further steps to be taken to protect the South Beach and facilities behind the dunes, told Mr. Williams of his and councillors’ concerns.

“As well as the erosion of the beach, we are talking about a premier golf course, caravan parks and other major properties alongside the beach area. Are all these going to go?” queried Clr. Thorne.

“All we are discussing at the moment is speculation, but sea levels are going to rise, that is going to happen, it’s nature taking its course, so yes, properties around that area will in the future face huge uncertainty,” stated Mr. Williams.

Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter, who chaired the meeting, said it was a “frightening” thought.

Mr. Williams explained that the next SMP would not be finalised until 2011, as plan production was divided into stages with public consultation exercises at each stage, an approach which provided opportunities for consultees and members of the public to become involved in plan preparation.

“Full environmental impact assessments and strategic assessments are all needed; the SMP has to consider everything,” said Mr. Williams, explaining that updates on any public meetings and consultations would be posted online.

Story in the Tenby Observer