Coastal Protection

Emsworth is fortunate to be an area with much variety of scenery, from rural pasture to woodlands and seashore. However natural it is, this environment still has to be protected and conserved.

Nore Barn Woods in the south west corner of Emsworth are under serious threat from rising sea levels and gradual erosion. Part of the Chichester Harbour “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”, the woods are a major recreational area. It is of concern that the woods will gradually disappear.

To protect the woods in the longer term, The Friends of Nore Barn Woods have made a written submission to the Environment Agency, as part of the recent updating of the Coastal Protection strategy.

However there are short term problems too, primarily with erosion. Although there are 200m of coastal defences on the south side of the woods, there is an unprotected 100m gap in the defences, which is suffering severe erosion. There is imminent danger of losing six mature oak trees - see photos for graphic evidence of how serious the problem has become.
The Friends have contacted the landowner, Havant Borough Council, requesting that they make good the unprotected gap. With the support of the Emsworth Tree Wardens, and Councillor Gibb-Gray, it is hoped that something positive can be done.

The outlook is optimistic and, if the funds can be made available, HBC may be able to effect repairs in the not too distant future. Otherwise future generations will not have the same benefits that we enjoy.


Mike Thomas
Friends of Nore Barn Woods

12th May 2009
 

Warblington - Emsworth Coastal Flooding

 

The “Portchester Castle to Emsworth draft coastal management strategy” has just been published for public consultation.

 Summary Document 

The previous strategy in 2006 for west of Emsworth (which includes Nore Barn Woods) was “managed retreat”, but the new policy is “do nothing”.

 

This means that the following areas will be lost sometime in the future, with no agreed strategy to provide alternatives:

  • Warblington Castle

  • Warblington church

  • Warblington cemetery,

  • Wayfarers Walk/ Solent Way

  • Nore Barn Woods

 

There could also be a significant impact on housing in Maisemore Gardens.

 

Nore Barn Woods and the area through to Warblington is a major recreational area for Emsworth residents and visitors alike. These facilities need to be actively managed and supported, rather than allowed to disappear.

 

A public exhibition is being held in Emsworth on Friday March 6th, 1pm to 8pm at the Emsworth Centre, South Street.

 

Visit the exhibition and make your views known!

 

Comments must be received by the Environment Agency by April 13th.

 

For further details see:

http://www.environmentagency.gov.uk/research/library/consultations/101606.aspx

 More photos of flooded Emsworth on March 10th 2008: HERE