Marine Drive under threat from sea


A road in Looe could disappear into the sea along with part of the South West Coast Path if defences are not maintained.


Marine Drive, at Hannafore, could be lost to the sea in the next 100 years if nothing is done, according to a new document issued by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Coastal Advisory Group.


The group is currently in consultation with the public about its second shoreline management plan which highlights areas that could be affected by erosion.


The report states: ‘Erosion risk is the issue at Hannafore Point and were defences not maintained, loss of Marine Drive and the route of the South West Coast Path would result over the three epochs (100 years).


‘While not strategic, the loss of Marine Drive would slightly


increase the much longer-term risks to around 30 residential homes.’


Councillor for East Looe and Lansallos, Edwina Hannaford, said: ‘Hannafore is an important element of Looe’s tourism offering, let alone home to several hundred people and much-loved as a fantastic vista to Looe Island.


‘We need to act now to ensure that the sea defenses at Rocktowers are maintained to protect this important access to Hannafore,’ she added.


The document said there is not enough economic justification to maintain the level of protection.


The report states: ‘Given that there is unlikely to be any economic justification for continued long-term defence of the Hannafore frontage, the preferred plan is to move a managed realignment approach through epochs one (20 years)


and two (50 years), moving to no active intervention in epoch three (100 years).


Looe mayor Michael Joy said: ‘This is the newest addition to our conservation area and needs all the protection and support necessary to maintain its historical importance to the town.


‘The suggestion about building a new access road shows the


authors have no understanding about Looe and its needs.’


Cllr Hannaford, who said a new road may be too expensive and have a larger impact on the environment, added: ‘What seems to have been overlooked is that the road serves the major hotels of Hannafore Point Hotel and Fieldhead, two cafes, a restaurant, a public house and around eight guest houses and B&Bs.’


MarineDrive in Looe could be under threat from the sea during the next century. Picture: Chris Bowden


01503 221041 2 LOOE NEWS JULY 2010


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