Discussion on papers 7 and 8

Dr D. Huggett, Coastal Policy Officer, RSPB

Mr Townend mentioned the concept of residual life of built development and the long-term process of removing development which has exceeded its 'best by' date. It strikes me that there are similarities with policies in the USA where, I believe, a Federal fund exists which helps with such removal of development from risk areas. How might such a roll-back of coastal development be achieved in this country?

I. H. Townend, Paper 7

There is such a scheme in the United States, but it might be too early for such a scheme in this country. We wish to start the debate to recognize that there are opportunities for realignment which may take fifty or a hundred years to achieve. The problems of making that adjustment are ones that this whole community — conservationists, planners and engineers — must face collectively if they are to succeed.