LYMINGTON IS LOSING ITS HARBOUR - A CALL FOR HELP

Background

As many of you will know, Lymington is losing its harbour because of the erosion of the salt marsh that has historically provided the protection to shelter the harbour.

This phenomenon is not local to the marshes adjacent to the Lymington river, but has been occurring along the whole North Solent coastline since the 1920’s. Erosion is predominantly caused by the effects of sea level rise and natural wave action. The greatest rates of erosion are occurring on the exposed edges of salt marsh facing the Solent, and erosion rates in and adjacent to the Lymington estuary are similar to those occurring at Keyhaven and elsewhere in the Solent.

Unless urgent action is taken soon, much of the harbour will become untenable for moorings and recreational use as it is enjoyed today. Many local businesses and tourism that depend on the harbour will also suffer. A study on behalf of the Lymington Chamber of Commerce in 2006 estimated that the harbour contributes £93 million per annum to the local economy and supports 966 local jobs.

The Commissioners have been working for some 5 years now on a solution to protect the harbour by building two stone breakwaters on either side of the harbour, in phases as the salt marsh recedes. Much of this time has been taken undertaking environmental studies to identify any impacts on the salt marsh and intertidal mud (Designated Site) which is valuable protected habitat.

Update

A first draft of this work was discussed with the environmental regulators last December. This work came to the conclusion that the breakwaters would not have a significant effect on the protected habitat and as well as fulfilling the primary purpose of protecting the harbour, would lead to a reduction in the rate that salt marsh was eroding and converting to intertidal mud.

A very big thank you to the thousand or more of you who supported our harbour protection campaign by filling in our response cards and writing to the various regulators last November. This ensured that Natural England, the New Forest National Park Authority, the Environment Agency and the Marine Fisheries Agency understood the depth of feeling in Lymington that action should be taken to protect the harbour while at the same time contributing to slowing the loss habitat through natural causes. The effect of your support was evident at the December meeting where it became clear that in line with the other regulators, Natural England were now taking a more positive approach to our problem.

However, at that meeting in December we were asked by the various regulators to undertake further work and clarification in some areas. Most relevant was that Natural England asked our consultants to alter the parameters for calculating habitat change taking account of Mean Low Water Migration over a much longer period (100 years), and to build in a factor for salt marsh die back (as opposed to erosion). We also needed to look at the effect of sea level rise over an extended 100 year period.

This work has now been completed and our application for consents required from the  Marine Fisheries Agency (MFA) was lodged on the 15^th April, 2008. The MFA will go through a consultation process prior to undertaking an Appropriate Assessment to determine if the scheme will have significant effects on the protected habitat. They can only consent the scheme if they conclude that it does not. They will rely heavily on the advice they are given by Natural England in informing their decision, as indeed will the other regulators we require consents from.

The decisions of the MFA and other Regulators should be informed by the Environmental Impact Assessment which provided information to support an Appropriate Assessment.

The conclusion of our expert consultants based on the results of the study is that “The integrity of the Solent Maritime EU SAC and the Solent and Southampton Water EU SPA and Ramsar Site will not be affected by the Lymington Harbour protection Scheme” Indeed, the study shows that over the lifespan of the scheme more habitat will be protected for longer than under natural conditions.

The study also concluded that “there would be no significant major adverse impacts to hydrodynamics and water quality, geomorphology, landscape and cultural heritage and that the scheme would result in major positive impacts for the economy, maritime activities, recreation, tourism and fisheries”

A copy of the following documents is available for inspection by members of the public at the Harbour Office and the Lymington Library.

Environmental Statement – Documents the detailed findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Statement - Non Technical Summary (Fulfils the requirements for the information in the Environmental Statement to be simplified in order to ensure that the public can understand and comment fully)

The following files are available to download in PDF format:

Environmental Statement Non Technical Summary (NTS)  CLICK HERE

NTS Annex A – Statutory Nature Conservation Designations  CLICK HERE

NTS Annex A – Non-Statutory Nature Conservation Designations  CLICK HERE

HOW YOU CAN HELP?

We need to continue convince the regulators that a great many people care for the future of Lymington Harbour and it’s contribution to the long term prosperity and socio-economic well being of the town as a whole. We also need to convince them to take a balanced view measuring any potential adverse effects against the greater positive impact on slowing natural erosion rates of the salt marsh and intertidal mudflat behind the breakwaters. We need them to understand the damage to the town and surrounding area which further delay, cost and uncertainty will cause if they take an over-cautious and impractical view.

You can help now by writing in support of our scheme to:

1.         Dr Wanda Fojt, Area Manager South East, Natural England, 1 Southampton Road, Lyndhurst, SO43 7BY. CLICK HERE for sample letter available for download.

2.         Marine and Fisheries Agency, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, 3-8 Whitehall Place (2^nd Floor Area D), London, SW1A 2HH quoting our online Application ID 1387.     CLICK HERE for sample letter available for download.

Thank you for your continued support!

Issued on the 19^th May 2008

NEW FERRY UPDATE

Press Release 

Publication of Risk Assessment Report on Proposed  New Wightlink Ferries

No changes are anticipated in the regulation of existing leisure activities on the river.

Ferries should no longer wait in the river.

The Lymington Harbour Commissioners are now able to announce the publication of the Phase One Report of the major Risk Assessment exercise in connection with Wightlink’s wish to replace their ageing C- Class ferries with the new W- Class later this year.

The independent marine consultancy BMT Seatech carried out this first phase assessment over four months in consultation with representatives of all the river users. They have concluded that, subject to confirmation during the sea trials when the new vessels are available for test, no changes will be needed to the manner in which the existing leisure activities on the river are currently regulated.

Subject to confirmation during the sea trials, BMT expect that the current ferry operating speeds in the river can be maintained. It was also concluded that ferries should no longer wait in the river prior to passing in Short Reach.

In a recent meeting at which the report was presented to the consultees, some raised continuing concern regarding the effects of  wind shadow and the vessel’s thrusters on sailing dinghies and small yachts without auxiliary power.  The Commissioners accept the validity of these concerns and agreed that these aspects would be further evaluated during the proposed sea trials.

The Commissioners will now work with BMT Seatech and the consultees to establish a detailed Sea Trials programme to take place when two new ferries are available.

The full report is available for download in PDF format HERE.

Booking Berths In The Harbour

For organised rallies, regattas and events of 6 boats or more, advance bookings can be made to berth at our new Dan Bran pontoon. This is conveniently located close to the Royal Lymington Yacht Club, Lymington Town Sailing Club and is just a short walk to the town centre.

Please call 01590 672014 Or E-Mail us for further information.

Harbour Newsletter

If you would like to be informed of any latest news and information  concerning the lymington river then send us an e-mail to : news@lymingtonharbour.co.uk with 'email news' as the subject and from time to time we will send you out the latest information.