WALNEY stalwarts have dismissed claims the island has lost 100 metres of its coastline in 30 years as “rubbish”.

John Murphy has dedicated his life to studying local nature and history.

While he does not deny that parts of Walney, Piel Island and other areas along the shoreline are suffering from erosion, he refuses to believe Walney has lost 100 metres of its coastline in the last 30 years. (more…)

CAR parks, cafes and tourist developments could be built in areas of coastal erosion as plans are unveiled to relax planning laws.

The building of any development is currently prohibited within any area affected by coastal erosion, such as Earnse Bay on Walney and land near to the Eskmeals gun range near Bootle.

But Planning Minister John Healey has outlined plans to relax laws in a bid to stimulate economic growth, which could see permission being granted for tourist developments. (more…)