‘Row’ over beach consultation

PLANS for a consultation of only two days on the future of a major beach do not do justice to one of the biggest decisions in Llandudno’s history, says a campaign group.

Members of Restore Our Beach say the proposed consultation is inadequate and has not yet been democratically voted for by the Llandudno Coastal Forum, the body tasked with finding a suitable solution to flood management on the town’s North Shore.

Protesters have been calling for the beach to be restored to its former state since the council’s “emergency” flood measures saw thousands of tons of rocks dumped there last year.

As plans to present alternatives to the public draw closer, supporters of Restore Our Beach believe the consultation period should reflect the importance of the decision at hand.

Alison Shields said: “It’s simple - we just want what’s right. If that means we have to spend more time on it and revisit it, then so be it.”

The latest draft minutes from a meeting of the forum state that a two-day consultation has been agreed, but Restore Our Beach say there was no formal vote on the proposal at the meeting.

Public comments on the Restore Our Beach Facebook page showed almost unanimous support for a longer consultation in which the public could have their say.

Ms Shields said: “We have put it out to the public because the discussion belongs to the public.

“We believe it should be longer. It’s one of the biggest decisions the town will ever make.”

The Llandudno Coastal Forum was started after a public meeting of 800 people in which council officers were quizzed about the emergency measures taken on North Shore.

The role of the group is to develop proposals on future beach defences and put them forward for public examination.

The forum will debate the planned public consultation at tonight’s meeting in Llandudno, which will also discuss the cost of the feasibility study and access to the beach while the decision on beach defences is being made.