Lynemouth coast clean-up scheme set for planning
11 Dec 2020 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
The council is to apply for planning permission to allow the main clean up works to get underway to tackle the historic pollution at Lynemouth.
Over recent months the council’s been carrying out detailed ground investigation works at the site to gain a better understanding of the types and extent of waste buried in the ground and get a comprehensive picture of the site, which was needed to develop the in-depth plans for restoring the area.
Earlier this year the council agreed funding to kick-start the clean-up work. Estimates suggest the project could cost in the region of £7.5m. The Council made financial provision of £2.5m when it set out its financial plans for the next three years at its meeting in February this year.
The Council’s Cabinet agreed to release an initial £500,000 so that essential pre-construction activities could be progressed.
The detailed proposals have now been issued to the Council’s Planning Department for their consideration and approval.
Subject to receiving a Marine Licence and Environmental Waste Permit, which are being sought alongside planning, it is hoped work will begin in the spring to excavate over 200,000 tonnes of cliff material from which wastes will be extracted and sensitively disposed of, before placing back the remainder of the material.
Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “This is another milestone on this very technical scheme to greatly improve the environment on this stretch of coastline.
“It’s important we have all the right permissions and licences in place before we can proceed and we remain fully committed to working with key stakeholders in order to deliver a viable scheme that will enable us to tackle these pollution issues once and for all. After decades of neglect we are determined to do all we can to clean it up.”
Since the problem was identified a number of temporary measures have been introduced in the area. These include air monitoring, the temporary diversion of the England Coastal Path and continued pollution clearance.
The council has also been doing additional clean-up visits on the beach to remove any waste materials that are washing out from the site.
Local Ward Councillors Cllr Scott Dickinson and Liz Dunn said: “We have worked hard with the Council to keep this at the forefront and ensure it is progressed.
“The Council team have done a great job with the planning and scoping of this to progress to the next stage. We look forward to continue to support this work during 2021.”