NFDC announces funding bid for Hurst Spit repairs agreed by Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee

URGENT repair work is set to proceed at Hurst Spit this autumn after funds were made available for a recycling project.

The amount of cash provided will be determined once the final business case is approved by the Environment Agency. However, New Forest District Council (NFDC) has revealed that the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (SRFCC) has endorsed its bid for funding to undertake repairs.

The work, which looks set to start in October, has also received the okay from Natural England, allowing operations to take place on the designated environmental site.

The project will involve moving of up to 15,000m of shingle from built-up areas to the depleted central spot, widening the crest where it is narrow and weak after last season’s damaging storms, especially Herminia in January.

NFDC cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, said: “I am very pleased that the importance of maintaining Hurst Spit has been recognised by both the Southern RFCC and Natural England, and I thank them for their support. I also extend my thanks to the coastal team for their hard work in securing this positive outcome.”

The council is now looking for a contractor, with work subject to suitable weather and tides. It’s expected to take around three weeks.

As reported, Cllr Blunden confirmed in February that any beach management work undertaken by NFDC at Hurst Spit would only be possible if external funding was found and environmental licences in place.

Since then, NFDC’s coastal team has worked to meet these conditions. NFDC has stated that holding the form of Hurst Spit remains a priority while the Hurst Spit to Lymington Strategy is in development.

More information about the Hurst Spit to Lymington strategy is available at www.hurstspit2lymington.co.uk