MP Nick Gibb calls for urgent meeting over Pagham

Nick Gibb has requested an urgent meeting with Natural England after being '˜deeply disappointed' by its recommendation to reject a major sea defence scheme for Pagham.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jan 2016, 15:39 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 06:51 BST

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MP Nick Gibb, pictured at the pre-election hustings in Chichester, says he's deeply disappointed by the recommendationMP Nick Gibb, pictured at the pre-election hustings in Chichester, says he's deeply disappointed by the recommendation
MP Nick Gibb, pictured at the pre-election hustings in Chichester, says he's deeply disappointed by the recommendation

The local community has come up with a £750,000 plan which residents say will reverse the significant coastal erosion which has put homes under serious threat.

But as reported, Natural England has recommended rejecting the scheme, which includes cutting through a large shingle spit, causing fury from local people http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/local/pagham-s-sea-defence-scheme-to-be-rejected-to-protect-birds-and-snails-1-7151894

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Mr Gibb, MP for Bognor and Littlehampton and a long-term supporter of the Pagham scheme, said: “For more than a year, all the key players have been working closely and collaboratively to find an answer to the Pagham coastal erosion caused by the spit.

Homes are now just metres from the sea at Pagham after significant coastal erosionHomes are now just metres from the sea at Pagham after significant coastal erosion
Homes are now just metres from the sea at Pagham after significant coastal erosion

“Organisations, including the Environment Agency, Arun District, the consultants ABP Mer and Natural England together with Pagham Parish Council, have all been working very effectively to finding answers to all the issues around cutting a channel through the spit.

“It is, therefore, very frustrating and deeply disappointing to see a letter from Natural England, signed by someone who has not been engaged in these discussions, that could put an end to all that work.

“We need to ensure people’s homes are protected.

“I have, therefore, today written to James Cross, the Chief Executive of Natural England requesting an urgent meeting to discuss their letter and how we can return to a more constructive approach to tacking these problems.”

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Related topics:Natural EnglandBognorLittlehampton