FUTURE OF BEACH
Have your say on Llandudno’s flood defences
CAMPA IG N E R S have succeeded in extending a public consultation on a town’s new flood defences.
The consultation on Llandudno’s sea defences was to last only two days, but will now last more than a month after campaign group Restore Our Beach raised serious objections.
The consultation will discuss ideas for replacing tons of rock brought to Llandudno’s North Shore to act as sea defences.
At a meeting of the town’s coastal forum, members agreed to hold a seven-day static exhibition in the town, which would be followed by a 28-day consultation period for the public to submit their views.
Restore Our Beach spokesman John Farrell said the group was happy with the outcome, but warned that the public must be kept informed of the forum’s work.
He said: “It was impor- tant for the democratic process that the forum reopened the debate regarding the consultation period and heard the objections from Restore Our Beach.
“We pointed out why the forum was set up in the first place and that everyone had to remember the anger from the public at having their beach destroyed.
“This was compounded by the fact that the destruction took place with no consultation with the people. This cannot be allowed to happen again.
“The public must be consulted at every step and given the opportunity to see plans produced by the forum and to speak to forum members.
“The public have got to have long enough to discuss, give opinions and write in supporting or objecting.
“We need to know we have the backing of the town to go forward with a plan for a feasibility study.”
The various options for defences will be displayed during the consultation event, and the preferred idea will be the subject of a feasibility study.
At the meeting, representatives of Conwy council agreed that it would be expected to cover the bulk of the cost of the study.
At the forum’s next meeting on February 12, a provisional timetable for the feasibility study and subsequent works will be put forward by Geraint Edwards, Conwy’s head of environment, roads and facilities.
A statement from the Llandudno Coastal Forum said: “The forum has completed their investigations and have prepared several options for the future development of the North Shore to negate the problems with the stones on the beach.
“The forum would like to invite the general public to view an exhibition of the various options and welcomes their thoughts on the proposals.”
The exhibition will be held in the vacant shop at 1 Mostyn Broadway (opposite Starbucks) from Saturday, February 21 to Friday, February 27.