HC Deb 21 June 1994 vol 245 cc103-4W
Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what evidence his Department has as to whether sand and gravel extraction is damaging natural sea defences and increasing the vulnerability of the coastal areas to flooding;

(2) how many extraction licences have been granted for areas off the Norfolk coast, and for each licence (a) to whom the licence has been issued, (b) the location of the site, (c) the licence fee and (d) the quantity permitted to be extracted.

Mr. Baldry

We have no evidence to indicate that sand and gravel extraction is damaging natural sea defences and increasing the vulnerability of the coastal areas to flooding. Licences for marine dredging are issued by the Crown Estate Commissioners. Applications are referred by the Crown Estate to consultants for professional advice on whether the proposed dredging would have an adverse effect upon coastal protection. If the advice demonstrates unavoidable risk of coastal erosion, the application will be rejected without further consideration.

I understand that the Crown Estate Commissioners have issued 15 licences for dredging off the Norfolk Coast as follows:

Area Company
Area 107 East Coast Aggregates Ltd.
Area 202 ARC Marine Ltd.
Area 212 ARC Marine Ltd.
Area 228 Volker Dredging Ltd.
Area 240 Civil and Marine Ltd.
Area 242 ARC Marine Ltd.
Area 251 East Coast Aggregates Ltd.
Area 254 United Marine Dredging Ltd.
Area 296 United Marine Dredging Ltd.
Area 319 East Coast Aggregates Ltd.
Area 328 ARC Marine Ltd.
Area 328 Civil and Marine Ltd.
Area 328 Civil and Marine Ltd.
Area 360 South Coast Shipping Co. Ltd.
Area 361 ARC Marine Ltd.

The total extraction allowed under these licences is 10.85 million tonnes. I will send the hon. Member information about the location of the sites. Information about licence fees is treated as commercial in confidence.

Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Norfolk residents concerned that new building will not be possible in areas of Norfolk because of flooding risk.

Mr. Baldry

We have received a number of representations about the designation of flood risk areas by North Norfolk district council in the consultation draft of the local plan.