Challenges affecting our area over the next 10-15 years
We live in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, which really should be officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but we do need to recognise that we face some major challenges which we need to address over the next 10 years or more.
Sea level rise
The mid range estimates for climate change suggest sea level is likely to rise by around 25cm in the next 25 years or so, we also currently have a slight sinking of the land (called isostatic adjustment) which has been going on since the end of the last ice age which means we will see another 6-7 cm rise in relative sea level. So, by 2050 we are likely to see sea level rise by around 30cm (one foot in old money!). That means
Coastal erosion
Coastal erosion will also increase significantly as a result of sea level rise. This is partly because waves will reach higher up, but also because of the particular geology of our stretch of coastline, which as you can see in East Mersea has sandy crag material on top of clay. The more frequently the junction between the clay and the sandy crag gets wet – the more frequently cliffs will collapse.
Protecting rural areas from urbanisation
We are currently seeing rapid expansion of Colchester – including some major developments to the south, such as on the Wick, which if they happen will push the urban boundary further south. This will create pressure for more housing in the villages immediately south of Colchester such as Abberton, Langenhoe, Fingringhoe and Peldon. We are also seeing pressure for more development on Mersea as more people want to either work from home or retire here. We also lack the infrastructure for more homes - it is already far too difficult to get a GP appointment, and the sewage works is creaking at capacity and urgently needs upgrading.
Protecting the rural character of our local area
When Colchester became a “city” I publicly raised concerns about Mersea and Pyefleet villages being included within the new city boundary:
I am sure none of us living on Mersea Island would wish to dampen the joy of our neighbours in Colchester at their town officially re-gaining city status some 1,600 years after the Romans left…
…But it does need to be said on behalf of those in Mersea and other nearby villages that the price we have been required to pay for that, the imposition of city status on our own rural communities, has been too high.
(See full letter in the County Standard September 2022 HERE)
The risk is that we now begin to be treated as part of an urban area – rather than as a primarily rural and coastal community. There is a particular risk, that this may in future make it more difficult to stop inappropriate housing development gaining planning permission.
Affordable housing for local young people
We also have a housing crisis – where far too many local people, many of them with family ties to the area going back centuries, are unable to get onto the housing ladder, or even struggling to find somewhere affordable to rent. Simply building more houses is NOT going to solve this problem as the problem is not a shortage of houses, but their lack of affordability for local people.
Maintaining rural shops and services
It’s really important that we maintain sufficient public and other services for our rural and coastal community to be sustainable. We no longer have a bank on Mersea, it’s really important we maintain a Post Office, as well as easy access to health and other public services.
Colchester City Council
Colchester City Council has repeatedly focused on the urban area of Colchester and neglected rural and coastal communities. This is partly a reflection of the fact that for 15 of the last 16 years it has been led a combination of Labour and Liberal Democrats none of whom were elected for rural wards.
Sadly, we also have a city council which is not as efficient as it might be, and has a budget deficit of £1.8 million this year, rising to £3 million next year. This cannot go on and could soon be in a position where it is at risk of bankruptcy.
The mid range estimates for climate change suggest sea level is likely to rise by around 25cm in the next 25 years or so, we also currently have a slight sinking of the land (called isostatic adjustment) which has been going on since the end of the last ice age which means we will see another 6-7 cm rise in relative sea level. So, by 2050 we are likely to see sea level rise by around 30cm (one foot in old money!). That means
- The Strood will be covered more often
- The highest tides will be around 30cm higher – so flooding will happen more often
- The worst flood which previously only happened once every 50-100 years, such as those in 1953 East Coast floods and those we had in December 2013 – may now occur every 10 years or so.
Coastal erosion
Coastal erosion will also increase significantly as a result of sea level rise. This is partly because waves will reach higher up, but also because of the particular geology of our stretch of coastline, which as you can see in East Mersea has sandy crag material on top of clay. The more frequently the junction between the clay and the sandy crag gets wet – the more frequently cliffs will collapse.
Protecting rural areas from urbanisation
We are currently seeing rapid expansion of Colchester – including some major developments to the south, such as on the Wick, which if they happen will push the urban boundary further south. This will create pressure for more housing in the villages immediately south of Colchester such as Abberton, Langenhoe, Fingringhoe and Peldon. We are also seeing pressure for more development on Mersea as more people want to either work from home or retire here. We also lack the infrastructure for more homes - it is already far too difficult to get a GP appointment, and the sewage works is creaking at capacity and urgently needs upgrading.
Protecting the rural character of our local area
When Colchester became a “city” I publicly raised concerns about Mersea and Pyefleet villages being included within the new city boundary:
I am sure none of us living on Mersea Island would wish to dampen the joy of our neighbours in Colchester at their town officially re-gaining city status some 1,600 years after the Romans left…
…But it does need to be said on behalf of those in Mersea and other nearby villages that the price we have been required to pay for that, the imposition of city status on our own rural communities, has been too high.
(See full letter in the County Standard September 2022 HERE)
The risk is that we now begin to be treated as part of an urban area – rather than as a primarily rural and coastal community. There is a particular risk, that this may in future make it more difficult to stop inappropriate housing development gaining planning permission.
Affordable housing for local young people
We also have a housing crisis – where far too many local people, many of them with family ties to the area going back centuries, are unable to get onto the housing ladder, or even struggling to find somewhere affordable to rent. Simply building more houses is NOT going to solve this problem as the problem is not a shortage of houses, but their lack of affordability for local people.
Maintaining rural shops and services
It’s really important that we maintain sufficient public and other services for our rural and coastal community to be sustainable. We no longer have a bank on Mersea, it’s really important we maintain a Post Office, as well as easy access to health and other public services.
Colchester City Council
Colchester City Council has repeatedly focused on the urban area of Colchester and neglected rural and coastal communities. This is partly a reflection of the fact that for 15 of the last 16 years it has been led a combination of Labour and Liberal Democrats none of whom were elected for rural wards.
Sadly, we also have a city council which is not as efficient as it might be, and has a budget deficit of £1.8 million this year, rising to £3 million next year. This cannot go on and could soon be in a position where it is at risk of bankruptcy.
Read Martin's article in April's Mersea Life challenges facing Mersea and mainland villages over the next decade
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