People who care about the beautiful coast from Hengistbury Head Long Groyne to Hurst Spit, encompassing Christchurch Harbour, are invited to have their say on a proposed short list of flood and erosion risk measures.

A management strategy is being produced jointly by BCP and New Forest District Councils working with the Environment Agency. As well as informing how coastal communities may be protected, it will also consider the effects of predicted climate change, including sea level rise and the increasing frequency of storms.

This fourth phase of engagement includes a survey, two face-to-face drop-in sessions and an online event hosted by Dorset Coast Forum, as follows:

1. Monday 5 December, Milford-on-Sea Village Community Centre, 10am-5.45pm
2. Monday 12 December Christchurch Library Octagon Space 10am-5.45pm
3. Tuesday 13 December public on-line event (hosted by Dorset Coast Forum) 7-8.15pm. Book free tickets via www.twobays.net
4. Monday 28 November-Sunday 15 January 2023, Have your Say on-line survey

Cllr Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for Environment and Place, at BCP Council, said: “Climate change is putting significantly more properties at risk of coastal flooding and erosion. To date, we have gathered information, research and technical data to understand what would happen if we do nothing to defend our coast. Along with public and stakeholder views, we produced a long list of potential measures to do something to ensure our coastal communities are more resilient to flooding and erosion over the next 100 years. In this fourth phase of strategy engagement, we have proposed a short list of these defence measures and we are asking people to give their views by completing a survey and finding out more at our face to face events.”

Cllr Steve Davies, portfolio holder for Environment and Coastal Services at New Forest District Council, said: “Once we have listened to feedback on the proposed short list of measures for each area of the coast, they will be further appraised to understand if the options are economically, socially, technically and environmentally viable. A key aspect will be to consider how all the measures link together across the entire coastal frontage to form one cohesive strategy for Christchurch Bay and Harbour. In New Forest, we must ensure links with the developing strategy for Hurst Spit to Lymington are also considered.”

The online survey is open until midnight on Sunday 15 January 2023.

It is anticipated the final strategy will be adopted in early 2024. It will enable BCP Council and New Forest District Council to bid for government funding for coast protection schemes. Although there is no guarantee of 100 per cent funding, it will also help identify the level of partnership funding that may be required to deliver schemes.