Beverley and Holderness MP, Graham Stuart, has urged as many Holderness
residents as possible to respond to a new Government consultation on coastal
change policy.
The consultation looks at how coastal communities can successfully adapt to
the impact of coastal change over the next few decades. One of the main
issues the Government is keen to look at is the level of assistance afforded
to homeowners who are affected by coastal erosion. For example, the
consultation asks the following:
• Do you agree that it is appropriate for Government to make available
public funds to local authorities to cover demolition costs for which
private homeowners are currently liable?
• Is the homeowner assistance package set at the right level to strike the
balance between individuals taking responsibility for their investment
decisions, and ensuring that local authorities are able to provide practical
assistance to homeowners who lose their home as a result of erosion? If not
how could this be done?
• How should the payment mechanism for the demolition and moving assistance
grant work? What evidence should be provided to Defra to support a claim for
demolition and moving costs?
Views are being sought for other ideas on adapting to the effects of coastal
change, including:
• How local businesses should be supported
• Adaptation options for important heritage sites on our coastline
• How to plan for changes to roads and other key infrastructure
The consultation also provides details of a new coastal change pathfinder
programme which the Government is intending to establish. Bids are to be
invited from coastal local authorities interested in becoming coastal change
pathfinders. Pathfinders would be able to explore some of the ideas and
approaches set out in the consultation.
Graham said: "The Government should be congratulated for finally getting to
grips with this issue. Greg Knight MP and Councillors Jonathan Owen and Jane
Evison and I have met repeatedly with Ministers to urge them to do more to
protect the interests of those who lose their homes and businesses because
of coastal erosion.
"At the moment someone who loses their house has to pay the cost of its
demolition. This adds insult to injury and can't be justified. So I am
pleased that the Government seems to have accepted our arguments and
Ministers have been so willing to listen.
"However, they need to go further than this. We need adequate compensation
for the loss of a home if it has previously been defended and is no longer
being defended as a result of a change in Government policy."
The consultation can be viewed by logging onto
www.defra.gov.uk
