Solent Breezes

Introduction to the Project

The CCATCH team have been working with the community of Solent Breezes on issues and solutions to the risk of Coastal Change. Solent Breezes is a Holiday Park comprising caravans, chalets and businesses, located on the largely undeveloped stretch of coast between Hook and Titchfield Haven. It fronts the shore over 100m of eroding soft sandy cliffs.

A report has been produced which summarises the work undertaken at the site overthe duration of the project - Download Summary Report.

Issues to Address

• The site comprises permanent residential chalet bungalows and holiday properties on a soft geology cliff line that is undergoing considerable erosion.
• The North Solent SMP, 2010 sets a policy of ‘No Active Intervention’ over the next 100 years for this and the adjacent section of coast.
• The existing sea defences are variously owned and maintained by a number of parties in various states of repair.
• There are a number of land and property owners involved with a range of responsibilities and requirements from that ownership.
• In the 1980’s the whole site worked together, but now it is a lot more fragmented partly due to the historical and current reluctance of site owners to engage.

Community Liaison and Events

• June 2013 - commissioning of a Sea Defence ‘Conditions’ report from consultants.
• First community meeting in September 2013 attended by 15 Chalet owners and local authority representatives. Consideration of the ‘Conditions Report’ and the joint commissioning (CCATCH and Community) of a sea defences ‘Options Report’.  Download the notes of the meeting.
• Second community meeting in November 2013 attended by 20 chalet owners, local authority representatives and the site owners, Park Holidays. Consideration of the ‘Options Report’ and discussions around mechanisms for moving forward on a more collaborative basis. Download the meeting report.
• Third community meeting in January 2014 attended by 12 chalet owners, local authority representatives and the site owners, Park Holidays. Further discussions on mechanisms were inconclusive. CCATCH produced a ‘Current Situation Report’ that identified options for moving forward in respect to collaborative working.

Outcomes

• A Community Adaptation Plan has been produced.
• The Solent Breezes Community has its own commissioned ‘Condition’ and ‘Options’ reports.
• Facilitated discussions have taken place about coastal change between the different parties where such discussions had been difficult in the past.
• Channels of communication established between key stakeholders.

Key Lesson Learnt

• Coastal Change is as much an emotional issue as it is a technical one.
• It is critically important to get all the key stakeholders involved from the outset.
• Time spent on building relationships is vital to achieving any long-term solution.

Taking the Project Forward

• A ‘Current Situation Report’ has been produced that identifies options for moving forward in respect to collaborative working and the mechanisms that could be put in place to facilitate this.