Increasing pressures on our coastlines mean that an integrated
approach to coastal management is vital. We need to respond to the
demands of a changing climate and growing population by recognising
the natural, biological, social and built environment.
And we need to respond to changes in legislation such as the EU
Water Framework and EU Habitats & Birds Directives, which call
for greater levels of consultation and stakeholder co-operation, as
well as new approaches to the planning of coastal defence,
resources and environmental protection schemes.
Coastal strategy for Central Felixstowe
The current coastal strategy for the Felixstowe frontage was
approved in September 2007. The strategy is compliant with the
Shoreline Management Policy for this section of the coast. The
policy is currently under review. You can view the current Central
Felixstowe Coastal Strategy and appendices by following the links
below:
Project appraisal report
Before the new defences could be built, there was an exhaustive
approvals and funding process to be followed. The first step in
this was the preparation of a project appraisal report (PAR) by
Suffolk Coastal together with the project consultants, Mott
MacDonald Limited. The PAR was then used by Suffolk Coastal for an
application to the Environment Agency for consent and consideration
of a grant for the scheme.
Aim and objectives of the scheme
The following aim and objectives were used to evaluate the
suitability of the possible options for the scheme.
Aim of the scheme:
“A coastal protection scheme is required to reduce the coastal
erosion and flood risk to the local community and restore amenity
and tourism value for Central Felixstowe between the War Memorial
and Jacob’s Ladder for the next 100 years.”
Objectives of the scheme:
Objective 1: Technical - to adopt a realistic
solution to protect the frontage from coastal erosion and flooding
over the next 100 years, taking into consideration uncertainties
associated with sea-level rise and climate change scenarios and
that strives to address the specific issues of the site and
integrate these with adjacent frontages.
Objective 2: Economic - to give the best level
of protection that is economically viable for the optimum value
achievable. The benefit to cost ratio based on whole life costing
over the 100 years of the chosen scheme should be the highest
practicable, demonstrating that the scheme is a worthwhile
investment and that the cost of implementing the scheme is more
than offset by the damages which would occur in a ‘do nothing’
scenario.
Objective 3: Socio economic and amenity - to
restore the value of the beach and frontage in Central Felixstowe
to the economy and status of the town and to be compatible to other
proposals to regenerate Felixstowe.
Objective 4: Environmental - to have the
minimum impact possible and where practicable enhance the coastal
system and the environment of the area. The aesthetics of the
scheme should be suitable for its purpose and surroundings, and
where practicable enhance the amenity value of the frontage.
Objective 5: Strategic - to take account of the
adjacent coastline and to have a net negligible effect or
beneficial effect if practicable on the coastal dynamics.
Objective 6: Safety - to provide safe access to
the beach and maintain a safe access along the promenade and full
length of the frontage.
Objective 7: Safety - to design and construct
the scheme safely.
Objective 8: Archaeology and historic
environment - to have the minimum impact possible on the
archaeological and historic environment, in particular the Spa
Gardens, and this will be carefully considered throughout the
development, construction and operation stages of the project.
Selecting a suitable option
To identify the most suitable option to protect Central
Felixstowe, the PAR was based on a thorough assessment of the
available information, linked with a full understanding of the
environmental, engineering, hydro-dynamic, social and economic
factors.
The condition and effectiveness of the existing coastal defence
structures and available data was reviewed. Further consultations,
studies, surveys and investigations in light of the initial
understanding were then undertaken to inform a preferred
solution.
Modelling the coastal processes and defences
An evaluation of the present day status of beaches and their
likely future development was fundamental in deciding how to
actively manage the frontage. A number of computer modelling
studies were used to provide an understanding of coastal processes
in relation to:
- The effect that the bathymetry (water depth) and shoreline
orientation has.
- The spacing and length of the groynes.
- The performance of the Cobbold’s Point fishtail groynes in
relation to the bay between them.
- The frontage to the north of Cobbold’s Point.
Detailed project appraisal report
Following the selection of the preferred option, a detailed
project appraisal report (PAR) was produced. The preferred
scheme was developed through a full and rigorous process of
optioneering moulded by Environment Agency guidance on best
practice.
All the options were evaluated before discounting them on
environmental, technical, social or other grounds in order to move
forward to the most appropriate short list of solutions. Throughout
the project, stakeholders were fully consulted so that they had a
valued input into the process. Shortlisted solutions were
considered further through a vigorous modelling process and costs
and benefits of different options refined.
The detailed PAR and appendices can be viewed by following the
link below:
Felixstowe Liaison Group
The Felixstowe Liaison Group acted as focal point for discussion
and consultation through the development of the project. The
membership of the group included councillors and officers of
Suffolk Coastal and Felixstowe Town Council, local businesses,
Suffolk County Council highways and archaeology departments,
Natural England and the Environment
Agency.