HC Deb 05 April 1995 vol 257 c1109W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultation he has held with English Nature, the Countryside Commission, the National Rivers Authority and Holderness borough council over proposals to draw up a coastal protection scheme for the Holderness coast. [17844]

Mrs. Browning

Under the provisions of the Coast Protection Act 1949, coast protection authorities, such as Holderness borough council, must obtain the Ministry's approval for capital works intended to protect the coast against erosion. The Ministry is in regular contact with such authorities and requires them to consult other relevant bodies, including the National Rivers Authority, English Nature and the Countryside Commission, on proposed works. My right hon. Friend the Minister met a delegation from the council, led by the hon. Member for Bridlington (Mr. Townend), to discuss Holderness coastal defence issues on 7 February.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the proposed trial of a submerged tyre bank off Dimlington coast, Holdersness on sites of special scientific interest at Dimlington cliff and Spurn point; and if a licence will be granted for a trial; [17843]

(2) If Sir William Halcrow and Partners have published the results of its environmental study into the consequences of a trial of a submerged tyre bank off the Dimlington coast, Holderness. [17842]

Mr. Jack

An application has been received under part 11 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 from Humberside county council for a licence to deposit rubber rocks made from tyres in a trial offshore reef to test the effectiveness of such structures in contributing to the protection of the Humberside coast. The council has been told that a full environmental assessment will be required in support of the application and we understand this is currently being prepared by Halcrow and Partners. Publication of the study is a matter for the council.

The Ministry will wish to study this assessment and consult other interested parties before deciding whether or not to issue a licence.