The Manhood Peninsula Steering Group has responded to Defra’s Consultation on Coastal Change Policy:

Coastal change is an issue which crosses into many different areas of government policy: planning, housing, transport, welfare, employment, economic development, nature conservation etc.

MPSG believes that an ICZM approach to coastal zones will be necessary to deliver any coherent package of measures and policies which allow our coastline to remain a vibrant place to live, work or visit. This requires locally-accountable governance bodies to shape local policy and develop ongoing management plans specifically for the coastal zone, cutting across existing administrative boundaries and responsibilities.

ICZM is more than a spatial planning exercise. It will allow the emerging framework of government policy and legislation that relates to the coastline to be implemented. We believe that social justice must be a part of this framework, so that compensation is available by those disadvantaged by coastal management.

Without social justice, it is very doubtful that coastal communities will embrace the government’s concept of coastal change. The consultation does not fundamentally address this issue (the measures to help with removal and demolition costs of houses are minor aspects).

Another important area is the affect of habitat creation policy on people and businesses. Under the system of ICZM we envisage, people and businesses will take priority over habitat “requirements”.

MPSG is a voluntary alliance of residents, businesses and elected representatives, that seeks to ensure that the Manhood Peninsula (the tip of which is Selsey Bill, West Sussex) has adequate coast defences to safeguard the future of the communities that live there. Read the full response