CAMPAIGNERS say they will fight on following the decision by the Environment Agency to allow Cuckmere Haven to revert to a tidal floodplain.

Wednesday’s announcement that it will be withdrawing flood protection for the river banks has sparked angry calls for a public inquiry.

The iconic landscape of the meanders will be lost to future generations but the agency says the decision will allow the estuary to adapt to the impacts of climate change and will bring major benefits to visitors and wildlife. (more…)

Current flood defences are not high enough to cope with sea level rises at the Cuckmere Estuary in East Sussex and each year the agency spends tens of thousands of pounds removing shingle from the mouth of the river.

Now it has decided to allow the sea to reclaim the popular landmark in a move that will see the valley return to the tidal floodplain it was back in the 1840s.

Campaigners said they are pressing for a more managed approach and that allowing the area to flood would harm wildlife, footpaths and parts of the local beach.

But the Environment Agency said that climate change, sea level rises and past interference by man have put the Cuckmere Estuary under increasing pressure.

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A MP has renewed his call for a public inquiry into plans to turn Cuckmere Valley into a tidal floodplain.

The Environment Agency announced on Wednesday that it would allow the East Sussex valley to flood, turning it into a salt marsh nature reserve.

It said climate change meant its flood risk management had to change.

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson said he was writing to the government to demand a “proper public inquiry” and he wanted the consultation details published.

Read the full story on the BBC News website