An incredible £648,605 has been raised by the community to help pay for sea defence works in West Wittering – but now the work may not go ahead.

It has been predicted the existing sea wall in the village could crumble within ten years and leave 55 homes vulnerable to flooding if new defences aren’t built.

The Environment Agency (EA) advised the West Wittering Flood Action Group last November that if £600,000 could be raised within a month, it stood a good chance of getting funding from government.

But with government cuts and so many other projects now competing for money, the future protection of homes from flooding is still not secure. (more…)

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. (more…)