Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed steering group members and other stakeholders to the meeting.

The Group were reminded of the scope of the project.  The aims were also reiterated to :

·        Treat the project as urgent

·        Aim to look at reducing sand loss on the beach, and increasing sand levels if possible

·        Maintain beach to protect the sea well

·        Maintain/improve the amenity of the beach

·        Carry out all aims in an integrated and sustainable way, with regard to the climate and ecological emergency.

BCP (Bournemouth Christchurch Pool) Council were now appointed to project manage the BMP project for Exmouth.  Through their work, three bids were received for carrying out the BMP study.  The successful bidder was Aecom, representatives of which were introduced to the group.

Alan Frampton from BCP gave the Group a presentation on the project.

The extent of the site, which had been extended to include up to the marina, was illustrated in map form to explain it.

Paul Norton from Aecom set out the BMP update approach as follows:

·        Stage 1 – Data collation and review, including

o   Site visit with client project team (actioned in October 2023)

o   Data gathering and review

·        Stage 2 – Establishing the baseline scenario, including

o   Producing coastal processes understanding, coastal defences and economic baseline assessments, including updated “do nothing” scenario

o   Review and update of the 2015 BMP information relating to relevant policies and environmental designations to inform Stage 3

o   Engagement Round 1

·        Stage 3 – Future Management Regime Appraisal, including

o   Critical review and update of the 2015 BMP options appraisal considering the latest technical, environmental and economic evidence

o   Statutory environment assessments

o   Engagement Round 2, including a 12 week public consultation period to gain views and local knowledge from the public

·        Stage 4 – Reporting, including

o   Review and comment on draft reporting by the BMP steering group

o   Approval of updated BMP by EDDC’s Cabinet.

The more recent storm damage to the site and the emergency works had also been witnessed and would be taken into account.

The planned timescale for these stages of the project covered the start in October 2023 to Stage 4 taking place in November/December 2024.

The work on stakeholder engagement was also set out, due to commence in February 2024 to inform and raise awareness of the project with the local community and wider public, and gather any additional local knowledge.  The second round of engagement would seek views in the leading options for the scheme, expected to take place over a three month period in late spring/early summer 2024.

The outcomes of this work would provide an updated Exmouth BMP that sets out the management regime required to implement the preferred management approach, backed up with supporting evidence.

Discussion on this presentation included:

·        Options typically presented at the second stage of engagement would be one viable option (relating to the expected funding level) and one aspirational option which could be achieved if additional funding was found;

·        Exeter Harbour Authority were confirmed as one of the stakeholders and some data had been obtained from them;

·        Early stages of the project with work still to do on the benefits of the plan in terms of property and asset protection; in comparison to other local plans, the prediction was that this would not attract a sizeable fund from the Environment Agency and therefore managing expectations of a plan was key.

The Chair thanked Alan Frampton for his presentation.

The public consultation dates were still to be confirmed.  The consultation would be publicised widely and the group kept informed.

The sea wall condition was not a part of the Beach Management Plan, but due to recent issues with the wall, the Group had requested an update.

The Group were shown some images of the wall following storm damage, with an engineering solution for repair emergency repair work explained, which could provide a temporary repair in the timeframe available before the next predicted storm.

Those emergency works had stood up to the subsequent storm well with a top-up solution, there was work underway for a more permanent solution that could also be managed for completion within the limitations of the summer season and the business operating in that area.  The sheet pile option was explained to the Group and the timescale for completion by end of April set out.

Discussion with the group included on the aspects of financing the repairs and linking in with Devon County Council in relation to their highway and footpath.  Concern was raised over the aesthetics of the wall both viewed from inland and from sea, and cladding options were debated.