Agency decision expected

The Environment Agency is due to announce in early February whether it will pay 120,000 to enable the project to go ahead.

This is much quicker than initially expected. The agency's project appraisal board began its appraisal of the study last Thursday.

The new timetable was revealed by Arun District Council's councillor for community safety Cllr Roger Elkins. He told councillors last week: 'There is particular concern with regard to Pagham.

'We do have it as a priority. The matter has moved as quickly as we anticipated it might do. Our officers have pushed this along.'

The EA's decision was expected to back the study, Cllr Elkins explained.

'The agency is fully supportive of the application. What the agency's officers have said is encouraging. But we can't be sure the grant will be available until we receive formal approval.

The investigation will focus on the best way to correct the lack of shingle being placed on the foreshore because the tidal pattern has changed.

Previously, the beach's erosion and accretion of shingle balanced out over several years.

Arun's engineers have stated Pagham is at real risk of flooding in a severe storm. They have prepared a 1.2m project to boost the sea defences. But this will not be put into operation until the study has confirmed whether it will be fully effective.

An added complication is existence of legal protection for the nearby harbour, a local nature reserve, and the offshore spit where the shingle is being deposited instead of the beach. Some of the laws have European backing because of the area's prized status as a habitat for birds and flowers. Arun is holding talks with Natural England about the best way to proceed.