Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency

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2004 press releases

Cuckmere Valley Plans: When will we get our public inquiry?

Lewes MP and Lib Dem Environment Secretary Norman Baker has re-issued his call to the government for a full public inquiry into its proposal to re-flood parts of the Cuckmere Valley in order to combat flooding in the region – a move which would profoundly alter the character of the region and could ironically place hundreds of homes of greater risk of flooding. Norman’s call follows an answer he received to a parliamentary question from Defra Minister, Elliot Morley which reveals that the Environment Agency has already spent £200,000 on preparatory stages of the proposal ahead of any decision being made.

Commenting on this, Norman says:

“The Cuckmere Valley is a beautiful area and an important haven for both its human and animal inhabitants. Whilst there is undoutebly a problem with flooding in the area and clearly some substantial action needs to be taken, we must be sure that any proposal pays appropriate attention to the needs of all concerned.

“I am concerned myelf that the government has so far failed to do this. Whilst the Environment Agency has been allowed to go ahead and invest a large amount of money in a project which hasn’t even identified a clear implementation plan, the residents who are likely to be affected by any re-routing of the river have not been granted the public inquiry any proposal should require. Rather, the government expects us to settle for a planning application instead - this is not an acceptable substitution for a public inquiry.

“I also can’t help thinking that the huge sum of money that the Environment Agency has already spent on surveying the valley and paying consultants could have been better allocated. Surely some of this could have been better spent on upgrading existing sea defences or improving flood prevention measures in areas which are already badly hit such as Lewes itself?”

A copy of Norman’s question and the Minister’s response is attached

16 Nov 2004 : Column 1245-6W

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent to date by the Environment Agency on its plans to alter the nature of the Cuckmere Valley; what the budget for the preparatory stage of this project is; and if she will make a statement. [196834]

Mr. Morley: The Environment Agency confirms that the budget for specialist advice during the preparatory stage of this project is £284,000, of which approximately £200,000 has been spent to date. The Environment Agency also makes allowance for internal staff costs and has budgeted £84,000 for the completion of the preparatory work, £49,000 of which has been spent to date. This figure includes costs from previous years.
 
The work to date has involved undertaking baseline ecological surveys, landscape archaeology studies, fluvial/coastal geomorphology modelling, prediction of habitat losses and gains and recreation surveys. Much work has been completed for the western side of the valley and work is now underway for the eastern side, concluding with a preferred option. The current assessment considers the impact of any proposal on the upper reaches of the tidal Cuckmere River and follows the Government's current economic, technical and environmental appraisal guidance. Costs for the implementation phase will be established once the option which provides the most appropriate long-term solution has been identified.

The natural processes within the valley are complex and need to be understood so that, when changes occur, the consequences are known and the most appropriate solution identified. Since 1998, extensive work has been undertaken with relevant local authorities, key stakeholder groups and the general public. This is due to report in the summer of 2005.

Existing flood defences are reaching the end of their life and are increasingly ineffective against sea level rise. The Environment Agency spends between £30,000 and £50,000 per annum maintaining the defences in this area and ensuring that the river can adequately discharge into the sea. This is spent on recycling material from the river (carried by longshore drift) back to the western beach, and in maintaining a small number of groynes and breastwork which aim to prevent total blockage of the river.