Changes to Sidmouth beach management plan

East Devon council to guarantee funding shortfall

Changes are being made to plans to prevent flooding and coastal erosion at Sidmouth in what East Devon District Council is claiming is "a massive step forward."

The scheme will lead to 113 residential and 70 commercial properties being better protected from increased flood and erosion risk.

The Sidmouth and East Beach Management Plan (BMP) says the scheme will now include:

• The construction of an offshore breakwaters/island on the main beach similar to the twoexisting breakwaters, plus a “beach recharge”. Existing beach levels will be increased using similar material dredged from offshore.
• At the eastern end of the Esplanade and Ham area, a replacement splash-wall on the landward side of the existing road near the lifeboat station.
• The existing splash way will be replaced with better foundations, and the wall rebuilt to approximately the existing height (but this will be reviewed in the detailed design).
• The far eastern end of the Ham and river training wall will have remedial works carried out and an improved larger slipway, specifically to provide speedier lifeboat launching.
• The construction of a 120m long “super groyne” and substantial beach recharge on the East beach, again using beach material dredged offshore.

A ramp at Chit Rocks will be incorporated into beach management scheme, providing easy access to the beach for families with young children and wheelchair users.

Although councils and government agencies have provided funding, the project is still £1.75 million short. This will be underwritten by East Devon District Council (EDDC) to enable the project to progress.

EDDC Councillor Geoff Jung, chair of the Sidmouth beach management advisory group said: “For the last four years I have been the councillor overseeing this project and was told at the very beginning it was a challenge! It certainly has been! with the funding complexities, covid lockdowns, escalating material costs and now the dramatic fuel costs rise, we are now finally providing Sidmouth and East Beach the protection they vitally need.  

“Climate change and global warming was hardly a consideration when the earlier schemes were being considered in the 1990s. However, we now understand that the effects of the sea and weather will have serious detrimental consequences on the town of Sidmouth, but this plan is designed to protect properties and residents, to retain its character and unique charm for the next 100 years."