The title says it all.
Cllr Bucke 14 November 2011
Kirby Le Soken
Dear Cllr Bucke
I am extremely grateful for the time you have spent recently with both me, at our meeting in September and with Sharon to explore how and when we might re-engage with the local community in Kirby Le Soken about the footpath at Devereux Farm. Whilst this has been happening I have been kept up-to-date with developments regarding another site in Essex where the landowner is keen to pursue a habitat creation project. I am also aware of the recent Natural England salt marsh report which concludes that salt marsh loss has been lower in the period 1998 to 2008 than in previous decades.
Together with the strength of community feeling demonstrated by the local people in Kirby le Soken, these important developments lead me to conclude that we should be able to satisfy our requirements to comply with the Habitats Directive and UK legislation without the need for creating intertidal habitat at Devereux Farm at this time. I can confirm that I have sought advice from Natural England and they are in agreement with this course of action. Therefore I can confirm that we will not be proceeding with Devereux Phase 2 at this time.
I hope that this offers you and those in the local community reassurance that we have listened to local opinion and have worked hard to find other options, in this case with some success. We would like to work with you to communicate this message to the local community and I would be grateful if you could confirm whether this would be possible.
Kind regards
Dr Charles Beardall
Area Manager, Eastern
Iceni House, Cobham Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JD
The letter is worded to suggest EA may proceed with this project some time in the future.
Charles Beardall claims EA has been listening to the community but it has taken nearly 2 years and they have already made on breach in the sea wall.
I wonder where the other site in Essex is?
EA have been talking about Hillhouse farm but that is in Suffolk on the Orwell just south of Pin Mill.
