Demolition of L’Ancresse wall might not start until 2021
WORK to demolish the L’Ancresse anti-tank wall has been delayed due to the extent of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) required, it has been confirmed.
Environment & Infrastructure wants to remove a 130m section of the anti-tank wall, because it is in a poor condition and then help dunes to form with the use of two large groynes.
But in May, Environment & Infrastructure president Barry Brehaut said the work was unlikely to start until the summer of 2020 due to the EIA.
Now the Energy & Infrastructure team, which is part of E&I, has pushed back the timetable again, although a spokesman could not give exact dates.
‘A start date has not yet been specified due to the need to follow the planning process, and part of that process includes the EIA and any studies that are required as part of the delivery of the EIA,’ the spokesman said.
‘Whilst the process has taken longer than anticipated, it is important that the project follows this process.’
It is hoped that work might start towards the end of 2020, although it might not begin until 2021.
The spokesman said the EIA was again to blame for the delays.
‘As with all significant developments, there is a requirement to undertake a planning application for the realignment of the beach at L’Ancresse East,’ they said.
‘The initial stage, the screening, was to allow the Planning Service to decide whether an EIA would be required or not. As explained in the media release of 5 November 2018, the planning submission was submitted at the end of 2018 and the Planning Service then undertook the scoping exercise to determine the extent of the required EIA.
‘This process required the service to consult with stakeholders in order to form their response. The scope of the EIA was provided at the end of May. Officers are now working with local subject matter experts in order to fully define the extent of the work that needs to be undertaken in order to fulfil the requirements of the EIA.’
The spokesman reassured the public that the area, which is a popular beach, was safe.
‘In the summer of 2018 work was undertaken at the dogleg section of the wall, an access point onto the beach, to ensure that the area remained safe,’ they said.
‘Previously, panels four and five have been protected with a rock armour toe and over the last winter there was a loss of material from behind the wall which was addressed by both refilling the material and fencing off the area in order to protect the public.’
The spokesman reminded the public that there were signs on the wall requesting that they do not walk on it for their own safety.
