Western Morning News 22/01/2005
A £200 million beach development, which it is hoped will help revive the economy of Cornwall's largest town, has been cited as an example of "bad practice".
The claim was made at Coastal Futures, a London conference organised by the Environment Agency. Coastal management expert Dr Bob Earll criticised the developer Ampersand's work to create new sea defences at Carlyon Bay, near St Austell, where 511 luxury holiday apartments are being built.
Dr Earll said: "Building on a dynamic coastline such as that which exists in Cornwall is seriously problematic for all those concerned. There are many reasons why it is bad practice. With regard to the beaches at Carlyon Bay, there are so many parts of this project which are unacceptable that it is time to think again.
"Given that the coasts are eroding and that the Government has no statutory responsibility to defend the coast, and that the cost of maintaining sea defences in the future is going to be prohibitively expensive, it is not at all clear how these costs will be met."
Ampersand dismissed his comments, stating that they did not relate specifically to the development, which is known as The Beach and which aims to boost tourism and to create 600 jobs.
Tim Renwick, construction director for Ampersand, said: "This gives no reference to our construction or the work such as a risk assessment, a significant document that comes at the end of a great deal of testing, including looking into aspects like global warming. We certainly have not been asked for a copy of our risk assessment for anyone to look at."
Alan Brampton, technical director for HR Wallingford which is responsible for the Ampersand sea defences, said: "It's a shame that Dr Earll did not speak to HR Wallingford as he would have realised that the issues he has raised have been examined by the project team as part of the design process."
A spokesman for Carlyon Bay Watch, Sara Barrett, said: "It is chilling to hear of the beaches on the edge of our community at Carlyon Bay being cited as a prime example of bad practice in coastal management at an important national event like this, but these expert opinions confirm what we have been saying all along.
"The size, nature and potential impact of the proposed development and the sea wall on which it depends, should not only be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment, but to a complete review."
Ampersand has submitted plans to Restormel Borough Council for a sea defence structure capable of withstanding a severe one-in-200-year storm. The application is supported by reports, an environmental impact assessment and a flood risk assessment prepared by leading independent experts. It also incorporates a beach management plan setting out Ampersand's obligations.