Coastal erosion fears spark dredging plan opposition
(North Norfolk News, 21 April 2005)
NEW dredging plans off Norfolk are being opposed by councillors because of fears extraction is worsening coastal erosion.
A full meeting of North Norfolk District Council last week agreed to deplore the taking of aggregates off the county's coastline, and raised a strong objection to new plans for further dredging off Great Yarmouth.
Coastal issues portfolio holder Clive Stockton, who tabled the motion, said the impact of dredging was so serious there should be a ban or controls until its full effect on erosion was known.
The controversial new shoreline management plan dismissed the impact as "uncertain", but it was a major area of concern.
Cath Wilkins said the dredging companies were devastating ecological systems before steps were made to protect them as areas of scientific interest, and Sue Willis said it was wildlife as well as shorelines being affected.
Nic Starling was angry that much of the dredged material went to protect the coastlines of other Northern European nations with tighter dredging controls, but Dan Corbett pointed out that North Norfolk's own beaches needed recharging.