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Plans for Scheme at East Head Submitted

Written by Administrator

Saturday, 20 December 2008 08:46

A planning application has been submitted to Chichester District Council to recycle some 15,000 tons of sand and shingle into the vulnerable hinge and neck area of East Head in Chichester Harbour.

The plan will involve recycling material from the north to the south of East Head to create an enlarged barrier beach that will significantly widen and strengthen the point of the beach where East Head joins the West Wittering car park.

This work is the first step in implementing the new Coastal Defence Strategy for the West Wittering and East Head frontages, and it is hoped it will be undertaken in March 2009.

The strategy is based on the Adaptive Management of East Head and will seek to maintain the social, economic, environmental and navigational value of the feature for the life of the strategy. It will involve responding and adapting to changes at East Head caused by coastal processes and sea level rise with a number of different measures.

The project is being taken forward by a partnership consisting of West Wittering Parish Council, Chichester District Council, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the National Trust, West Wittering Estate, Cakeham Manor Estate, the Woodger Trust and the Chichester Harbour Conservancy. The Harbour Conservancy will act as the contractor to undertake the works on behalf of the partnership.

The scheme enjoys widespread public support, and, despite no available government funding, will be paid for by some of the partnership members.

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Community News

Launch of Chichester Christmas Festivities

Chichester District's first ever Snow Queen will be joining The Mayor of Chichester, Councillor David Siggs, to turn on the Christmas lights outside the Council House in North Street on Saturday 29 November at 5pm.

The Snow Parade, and fireworks, have been arranged by the City Centre Management Programme. The day's schedule, starting at 10am, will include welcoming two of Santa's live reindeers to the Bell Tower, Chichester Cathedral, where children can have their photos taken with them for publication in the Chichester Observer.

Santa Claus sitting down with a Christmas Tree

The Snow Parade, led by Snow Queen Hayley Woodward of Midhurst, will leave Priory Park at 2pm and go through the main shopping areas. Hayley Woodward, who will celebrate her 20^th birthday on Christmas Day, will be in a carriage led by two white horses. Street entertainment will take over after the parade, with the promise of roller-skating elves, stilt walkers, and many other special attractions.

As darkness falls, Oakwood School Choir will lead the celebrations by singing at HSBC Bank. This will be followed by the Blessing of the Tree at the Market Cross by the Dean of Chichester, the Very Rev Nicholas Frayling. The lights switch-on at 5pm, organised by Chichester City Council, will be followed by the event's spectacular finale; a firework display from Chichester Cathedral Green.

Councillor Maureen Elliott, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Chichester District Council, said: "As we all know, these are difficult times for businesses large and small, but I'm delighted to say that many local retailers have been very supportive of the City Centre Management Christmas programme. Proposals Bridal Wear, Hi Ho Silver, Buzby & Blue, LA Nails, and Boots No.7 all offered prizes for the Snow Queen.

"This promises to be a great afternoon with many activities on offer to keep shoppers and visitors entertained, including face painting, balloon model making, bands and choirs. For many, this event kick starts Christmas preparations, and what a great start it promises to be."

A free programme detailing the seasonal fun is available from the Tourist Information Centre.

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Boating News

Chichester Harbour Maritime Recycling Scheme Goes Live!

Yachtsmen in Chichester Harbour can now be as green on the water as they are on the land. A new scheme has been introduced in Chichester Harbour to help them sort and recycle their newspapers and wine bottles whilst afloat.

The News

Environmental News

Chichester Harbour Conservancy Supports Coastal Defence Strategy for East Head

The Chichester Harbour Conservancy has resolved to support the current draft Coastal Defence Strategy (CDS) for the East Head frontage.

Harbour News

GOOSE WATCH VOLUNTEERS WANTED

An innovative new scheme is being launched this autumn in Chichester Harbour to help protect the migrating flocks of Brent Geese. Called ‘Goose Watch’, volunteers are being recruited to help monitor the movement of the Geese over the coming months.

Last winter, a peak of over 12,000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese visited Chichester Harbour, making the area internationally important for this species with about 5% of the population. The Geese are easily identified by their ‘cackling’ sound as they fly overhead in their favourite ‘wavy’ formation or form groups plodding over the mudflats on their sturdy webbed feet. In the daytime the Geese will often move inland and can be seen grazing on fields.

They favour crops such as wheat, oil-seed rape as well as grassland. This can be a problem for arable farmers. Keeping track of their movements as they look for new grazing land can be a bit of a headache for Conservation Officer, Ed Rowsell. Ed says, ‘Each year we try to build up a picture of where the Geese go, which fields they use and how many visit Chichester Harbour. Over the years we developed an understanding of how the Geese use the harbour and the surrounding fields in the AONB. It is my task to try and track them down.’

To help with this important work, a new scheme called ‘Goose Watch’ has been launched. Five keen volunteers have already signed up but lots more are needed. Under the scheme local volunteers will be allocated a sector within which to monitor the geese on a fortnightly basis. Reports will then be fed back to the Harbour Office to help the Conservancy build up a much better informed picture of the habits of these special winter visitors.

Anyone interested in joining ‘Goose Watch’ should contact Ed Rowsell at the Harbour Office 01243 510985. No birdwatching experience is necessary as training, maps and recording forms will all be provided.