A coastal defence scheme that will cost over £30million and hopes to protect Shanklin’s coastline for another 50 years is awaiting endorsement by the Isle of Wight Council’s Environment and Community Protection Committee.
The project, which began in 2020, saw the first steps taken in the winter of 2023 when the first exhibition was held, as well as investigations and surveys into the land surrounding the area.
As reported by Island Echo, the Environment Agency started 5 weeks of ground investigation work for coastal defence schemes in Sandown and Shanklin in 2023, where Nick Gray, who was the Area Flood & Coastal Risk Manager at the Environment Agency but is now the Project Sponsor, said:
“The existing coastal defences are in poor condition. We want to improve them, so they continue to offer protection for local communities and ensure they withstand the increasingly extreme weather we are experiencing because of climate change.
The scheme will see 900m of seawall and groynes refurbished, which developers hope will protect the coastline for 50 years to come with the necessary and proper upkeep.
As well as the seawall and groynes, Shanklin pierhead will undergo a total transformation, setting about a large modern seating area with tables and landscaping accents for all those visiting to enjoy.
In October 2023, the Environment Agency warned that without immediate action, Shanklin’s coastal defence system would fail in the coming 5 years, intensifying the urgency of the plans that at the time, had only just begun making headway.
Despite construction currently projected to begin in August of 2027, due to the extent of the renovations, the project is anticipated to finish some time in 2029, well over the 5-year life that Shanklin’s defences were originally given.
Not only does the scheme look to directly benefit and protect Shanklin’s Esplanade, but it also looks further into the lives of those who live and work in the area. The blueprint has identified up to 170 residential properties, 66 commercial properties and other critical infrastructure assets that could be directly affected over a prolonged period of time should the plans not go ahead.
In a committee report by the Strategic Director of Community Services that has been given to the Committee on which to base their decsion off of also stated that the failure of the coastal defence system could ultimately result in loss of access to the Esplanade.
The Isle of Wight Council hopes that, given the extensive and critically urgent plans, they will receive the estimated £33.44 million funding for the project via a central government Grant-In-Aid loan, which they hope to receive in February – April of 2027.
With projections currently placing the project within its allocated budget, the scheme has been forecast to deliver more than £80 million of benefits to the Isle of Wight.
A decision from the Environment and Community Protection Committee is expected to be made on 30th July.
