Seaside farmers complain to EC


14 December 2001



Seaside farmers complain to EC

By FWi staff

A GROUP of farmers has complained to the European Commission after sea-defence maintenance work was suspended because of fears of the effect on wildlife.

The farmers own low-lying land which is protected by the shingle bank at Slaughden, near the Suffolk seaside town of Aldeburgh.

The Environment Agency has for the past 15 years used shingle from further down the coast at Orford Ness to recharge the defences at Slaughden.

Earlier this year English Nature said the work could now contravene the European Habitats Directive, which is aimed at protecting important sites.

The Environment Agency has been forced to commission a formal assessment which will consider other sea defence options from “doing nothing” to building a concrete wall.

Meanwhile, it has suspended the annual recharge operation at Slaughden.

Robert Skepper, of Ferry Farm at Sudbourne, said: “It does sometimes seem that the environmental bodies are more concerned with wildlife than the protection of peoples businesses.”

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said it could use emergency powers to recharge the beach at Slaughden if the shingle bank was in danger of being breached.

A spokesman for English Nature said: “Whatever the outcome it will not prevent the Environment Agency getting its shingle from a less sensitive source.”

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