§ 31. Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the complexity of procedures for coastal protection. [63036]
§ Mr. MorleyResponsibility for deciding which flood and coastal defence projects to promote and their timing rests with operating authorities. This Department provides1000W grants for flood and coastal defence capital works and associated studies, which meet essential technical, economic and environmental criteria and achieve an appropriate priority score. This Department has also provided the operating authorities with guidance on scheme appraisal.
In the case of coast protection there are specific requirements in the Coast Protection Act 1949 which require a proposed scheme to be advertised. Anyone can object to a proposed scheme and, if the objection is not withdrawn, the Secretary of State must determine it.
The procedures are kept under review and suggestions for change are considered carefully.