Press Release December 2015
Llandudno Coastal Forum – Update
Great news for the Llandudno Coastal Forum as the next major step towards a new Beach Management Plan for Llandudno was agreed by Conwy County Borough Council at the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting on 17th December, 2015.
In response to the public outcry in May 2014, following the replenishment of the current sea defences on Llandudno’s north shore, the Llandudno Coastal Forum was set up in August 2014 to explore alternative solutions for the sea defences of Llandudno’s north and west shore.
The Forum is comprised of representatives of various stakeholder groups, including Llandudno Town Council, Conwy County Borough Council, commercial bodies and the ‘Restore our Beach’ group. The Forum’s key objectives are as follows:
- Provide beaches that are fit for purpose.
- Provide appropriate flood and coastal erosion risk management.
- Improve the natural environment, recreational space, cultural heritage and aesthetics.
- Create opportunities for commercial activities for the town.
The first step for the Llandudno Coastal Forum was to canvas the opinion of the local community to see what residents wanted to see on Llandudno’s north shore. A public consultation was held in February 2015 when people had the opportunity to consider various sea defence schemes, and long term options for Llandudno’s north shore. The consultation which was held in Llandudno was attended by over one thousand people, with feedback from over two thousand online. The preferred option chosen at the Consultation was the re-instatement of the Groynes. All the results obtained from the Consultation were presented to, Conwy Council Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting in June 2015, and then to Cabinet in July 2015. At these meetings approval was granted for the continuation of the Llandudno Coastal Forum and for the preparation of a detailed Business Case to present to Conwy County Borough Council’s Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting and then to Cabinet scheduled for 17th December 2015, and January 2016. The outcome of the latter two meetings would be to decide if a new Beach Management Plan for Llandudno’s north and west shore can be procured.
On Thursday, 17th December, 2015 Conwy County Borough Council Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to the recommendations of the Business Case presented to them such that a Beach Management Appraisal Report is procured (subject to funding) for Llandudno’s north and west shore.
Llandudno Coastal Forum Chairman, Nigel Treacy says, ‘We are absolutely delighted with this significant first step result from the recent CCBC Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting and remain positive for the CCBC Cabinet Meeting in January 2016. Subject to funding we are looking forward to seeing a new Beach Management Plan emerge for Llandudno during 2016.’
The development of a new Beach Management Plan for Llandudno is a long term project for Llandudno, however, the Llandudno Coastal Forum are mindful of the need to carry out short term seasonal work to the Llandudno Beaches, and especially, the north shore. Hence, over the autumn months the Llandudno Coastal Forum along with officers from Conwy County Borough Council Environment Roads and Facilities Department have been developing various ideas that can be applied quickly to improve the look of the beach on Llandudno’s north shore and increase access.
CCBC officers presented various interim work options to the Councillors at the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting on Thursday 17th December and it was agreed to increase the frequency of stone removal from Kiddies Corner to twice a year, and to clear the stones from the base of the Lifeboat Slipway. Access ramps using re-deposited sand from Llandudno’s west shore will be created on the north shore from the top of the sea defences to the lower beach.
The Llandudno Coastal Forum has developed a clear timeframe for how the new Beach Management Plan for Llandudno will be developed across the next 12 months. Forum Chairman Nigel Treacy comments: “Any long term plan must have a realistic timeframe which ensures the legal and democratic process is followed. Although plans for the long term Beach Management plan is making good progress it may take up to ten years to implement. That estimate may not be welcomed by all but we are keen to find a solutions that will serve future generations. To that end the Coastal Forum will continue to work hard to monitor progress and ensure that target s are maintained.’
With the combination of the progress of the long term plan to return the North Shore to an accessible and sandy beach and the short term interim measures that are being developed the Forum is positive that Llandudno is moving forward to a solution befitting the “Queen of Welsh Resorts”
LLANDUDNO COASTAL FORUM DECEMBER, 2015.