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Shortlisting
The Blyth Options
INTRODUCTION
The selection of a preferred strategy for the Estuary is made up
of a series of stages as shown on the Approach
to Option Selection page. The shortlisting stage is Stage 2
of this process, where we developed a long list of options for
the estuary and then tested these options against the model we developed
for the estuary to help us identify a short list of options.
LONG LIST OF OPTIONS
List Of Options
SHORTLISTING THE OPTIONS
Shortlisting The Blyth Estuary Options
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
During the next stages of the Strategy study the shortlisted options,
and any combinations of these options, will be subject to detailed
technical, economic and environmental assessment to identify a preferred
overall strategy for the Estuary.
The assessment will be undertaken in line with Government guidelines
for flood management strategies.
To find out further about the different technical, environmental and
socio-economic and economic aspects considered click on the links
below.
Technical
Considerations
Technical Appraisal
Assessment of whether the options will be effective will be carried
out by considering their effect on the existing estuary using a computer
model that has been developed specifically for the Blyth.
There are technical issues to consider when reviewing options. These
are, generally:
- How the option will be built. This relates to both the construction
of the option, and what is there at the moment.
- How the option will affect river and tidal flow, both in normal
conditions and in times of flooding.
- How river and tidal flow will affect the option, both in normal
conditions and in times of flooding
- How the option will affect other parts of the estuary including
the river mouth and the coast.
- How effective the option will be in the short, medium and long
term.
- The sustainability of the option – whether the materials
required to construct and maintain it will always be readily available
at an acceptable economic and environmental cost, and how much
maintenance it will need.
- How easy it would be to alter the structure in future, if necessary.
Environmental
and Socio-economic considerations
There are a wide range of environmental issues that must be considered
when reviewing options. A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
will be carried to find out how each option will affect:
- existing and future commercial, residential and leisure uses,
- areas designated for nature conservation and how the management
of these areas will impact on the option
- existing flora and fauna,
- river and tidal flow and flooding and how this will affect
present land uses,
- water quality in the study area,
- navigable water courses and infrastructure,
- the existing landscape and visual amenity of the area,
- existing archaeological and heritage features.
The SEA will assess the options against strategy objectives. These
strategy objectives will be developed through consideration of key
environmental and socio-economic issues identified through consultation.
Statutory organisations will provide objectives related to UK law
and policy, whilst local community and interest groups and members
of the general public have been asked to put forward their own objectives
on how they would like to see the estuary flood defences managed.
Economic
Considerations
The Environment Agency is funded by national and local government.
The development of flood defence works must be carried out and justified
using the rules set by the Treasury and the Department of the Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra):
- The cost of damage caused by flooding if nothing is done must
be defined.
- The most cost-effective option in relation to the benefit it
provides must be chosen, as long as it meets technical and environmental
criteria.
- Partnerships must be sought with others to make sure any potential
for joint development is identified as well as any other opportunities.
The study area is a very important part of the whole coastal region
as an important conservation area and thriving tourist location. It
is important to understand the effect that future changes in the study
area will have on the Strategy. Therefore, the study of the assets
to be protected in the Blyth estuary area includes current land use
and plans for the future development identified in both Waveney and
Suffolk Coastal District Council’s Local Plan.
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