East Riding of Yorkshire Council's £1,250,600 grant will support a
range of projects to help prepare, offer practical guidance and support to
vulnerable communities including a pilot ‘buy and lease’ back
scheme. This involves the local authority purchasing, then letting property
likely to be affected by coastal erosion. The grant could also support
continued development of the council’s existing roll back policy
which involves relocating property and infrastructure further inland from
the eroding coast.
To help deal with the very real risk of coastal erosion or landslip at
Knipe Point, Scarborough Borough Council have created an adaptation plan
for the community so that they fully understand the problem. At the same
time funds will be used to purchase nearby land that is not at risk from
the sea, where owners can build property if they wish. A £1,022,500
grant to Scarborough Borough Council will pay for these schemes to be put
in place.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said:
“Our coastline has always been shaped by the sea and as climate
change takes hold the risk of coastal change will only increase. That is
why we need to help our coastal communities to adapt to this change. No one
can know or understand what these communities need better than the
communities themselves and with this funding they will be able to work
together, to better prepare their people and businesses by adapting to
local change.”
Rosie Winterton, Minister for Yorkshire and The Humber, said:
"The Government recognises the increased risk of coastal erosion brought
about by climate change. This announcement of more than £2 million
will help the coastal communities most affected in our region to plan for
and adapt to these changes.
"It's a real opportunity for the two successful Local Authorities in our
region - Scarborough Borough Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council -
to build on the innovative work already underway and also share experiences
with other areas facing similar challenges around the country."
