Fairlight Cove: Managing the coastline in the context of natural processes and human activity

Summary

Dr. Peter French discusses coastal management using the case study of Fairlight Cove, a village in East Sussex. He highlights the challenges of erosion, exacerbated by coastal defenses built further along the coast, which disrupt natural sediment movement. The local community, initially denied government support, successfully petitioned for coastal protection. Despite the construction of defenses, erosion continues at a slower rate, with implications for both the natural environment and property values. The presentation explores the complexities of managing coastal erosion, balancing human needs with environmental sustainability, and the risks posed by ongoing development and defense strategies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Coastal erosion is a significant problem at Fairlight Cove, with erosion rates reaching up to 1.14 meters per year, threatening the local village built on cliffs.
• 😀 Coastal defense efforts began in the 1990s, starting with rock structures, but while they slowed erosion, the underlying issue of coastal retreat continues.
• 😀 Erosion can be worsened by human-made defenses elsewhere on the coast, such as those in Hastings, which prevent natural sediment movement and create new erosion hotspots.
• 😀 Local residents formed the Fairlight Coastal Preservation Society to successfully advocate for coastal defenses, demonstrating the power of community-driven efforts in environmental management.
• 😀 Despite the protection provided by coastal defenses, these measures have a finite lifespan, typically around 50 years, and there is no legal requirement to maintain them beyond that time.
• 😀 Property buyers in coastal areas often have low awareness of the risks posed by erosion, with many unaware of the potential dangers when buying homes near the sea.
• 😀 Public perception of safety is often based on visible coastal defenses, which can lead to a false sense of security and drive continued development in vulnerable areas.
• 😀 Coastal defenses can inadvertently cause new erosion in other areas, as the construction of barriers alters the natural movement of sediment and changes coastal dynamics.
• 😀 The desire for properties with sea views often outweighs the perceived risks, leading to investments in coastal areas without proper consideration of the environmental hazards.
• 😀 There is a significant gap in risk communication between scientists, local authorities, and the public, with scientific reports on coastal erosion being difficult for most people to understand.
• 😀 Despite the growing awareness of erosion risks, a large percentage of property buyers (64%) were not informed about the erosion risks when purchasing homes in vulnerable areas, leading to uninformed decisions.

Q & A

What is the main reason people ignore the risks of coastal erosion when buying property near the sea?

The main reason people ignore the risks is due to a lack of risk awareness. Many buyers are either not informed about the potential for coastal erosion or choose to overlook it in favor of the perceived benefits, such as having a sea view. Additionally, there is a human tendency to deny risks when something is highly desirable.

How does human nature influence the perception of coastal erosion risk?

Human nature plays a key role in ignoring or downplaying risks, especially when something is highly desirable, such as a house with a sea view. People are more likely to deny or overlook risks when they have not personally experienced them, and their desire for certain amenities (like a sea view) can outweigh their consideration of potential hazards like coastal erosion.

What is the role of coastal defenses in mitigating erosion, and why do they sometimes lead to problems?

Coastal defenses, such as sea walls and groins, aim to protect the land from erosion by preventing sediment loss. However, these defenses can sometimes cause new problems by disrupting natural sediment movement, which can worsen erosion elsewhere along the coastline. Additionally, coastal defenses have a finite lifespan and may not be maintained long-term.

Why are many property buyers unaware of the risks of erosion in coastal areas?

A large percentage of property buyers are unaware of erosion risks because they are not informed by real estate agents, developers, or other sources. Research shows that 64% of buyers who purchased properties near the coastline were not told about the risks of erosion, and this lack of communication often extends to both agents and local authorities.

What effect does the construction of coastal defenses have on property values and development?

The construction of coastal defenses can lead to an increase in property values, as the perceived safety of the area rises. This can encourage further development in the region, which, in turn, may exacerbate the problem of coastal erosion in the future. Increased property demand can make the issue worse over time by encouraging more building in vulnerable areas.

How does the design life of coastal defenses affect their long-term effectiveness?

Coastal defenses have a design life, meaning they are only built to last for a certain period, after which they may need maintenance or replacement. Once these defenses reach the end of their lifespan, they can become ineffective, leading to a potential risk to the properties they were initially designed to protect.

What challenges do scientists face in communicating the risks of coastal erosion to the public?

Scientists often struggle to communicate the risks of coastal erosion because they typically use technical or scientific language that is not easily understood by the general public. This barrier makes it difficult for property buyers to fully grasp the potential dangers associated with living near the coast.

How do local authorities and the government address the issue of coastal erosion risk for property owners?

Local authorities and government agencies like the Environment Agency are responsible for managing coastal defenses and addressing erosion risks. However, there is no legal obligation to continue protecting properties after a certain period or to provide compensation for damages. The government may take action if a property is at immediate risk, but it is not guaranteed.

What percentage of people expect the government to protect their properties from coastal erosion, and is this expectation always met?

71% of people expect the government to protect their properties from coastal erosion, and 55% would expect compensation if their property were affected. However, this expectation is not always met, as the government is not legally obligated to maintain coastal defenses or provide compensation.

What is the 'denial of risk' phenomenon observed in people living near the coast?

The 'denial of risk' refers to the tendency of some property owners to disregard or minimize the potential for coastal erosion, especially when they feel secure due to visible coastal defenses. Even if experts warn of future risks, some individuals may believe that these defenses will be maintained indefinitely, leading them to dismiss the possibility of erosion or flooding affecting their property.