Press Release

16 June 2022

Potential approaches for habitat creation at Hook Lake to be on show at public drop-in event

Hook Lake has been chosen as an area to investigate the creation of new intertidal (coastal) habitat to offset losses experienced in the Hamble Estuary and the wider Solent resulting from sea level rise and more frequent storm events. The creation of new compensatory habitat is a legal requirement to offset habitat losses from new coastal flood and erosion defence schemes both today and in the future. This new habitat must be reinstated to enable future coastal defence schemes in our area to progress.

Coastal Partners as part of Fareham Borough Council is working in partnership with Hampshire County Council, who own and manage Hook Lake, the Environment Agency and other key stakeholders to deliver the Hook Lake Coastal Management Study.  The study will explore the potential for creating new habitats, look at wider recreation opportunities and develop preliminary designs for a scheme.

Following early work with the engineering consultant Binnies UK Ltd to identify a shortlist of appropriate coastal management approaches that show potential to deliver the necessary compensatory habitat, the project team are inviting residents and visitors to drop-in and engage with their information events.  

The events will be a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors to find out more about the coastal management study, speak to the project team and to share their views on the shortlisted approaches being put forward.

The event will be taking place over two days, both of which will be held in the Hook Room at Warsash Victory Hall (SO31 9HW) on:

• Tuesday 12th July 4pm – 7pm
• Wednesday 13th July, 1pm – 4pm

There is no need to book.

For those who are unable to join us at these drop-in events, we will be updating our project webpages with the information presented from Tuesday 12th July providing further opportunity to learn more about the Study.

Councillor Simon Martin, Executive Member for Planning and Development at Fareham Borough Council said: “Coastal protection is incredibly important to offset the impact of global warming and create new habitats. Coastal Partners will be engaging with residents to find out what their thoughts are on the shortlisted approaches and anyone who has an interest in the area is encouraged to get involved.”

Funding for this two-year Study was secured from Defra Grant-in-Aid.

For more information about Coastal Partners, please visit https://coastalpartners.org.uk/. To provide feedback through our visitor survey and stay up-to-date on the project, please visit the project webpage at: https://coastalpartners.org.uk/project/hook-lake-coastal-management-study/, where you can also sign up to receive email updates via the ‘Fareham Coastal Projects e-Newsletter’.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Customer Enquiries

Tel: 01329 236100
Email: customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk

Media Enquiries

The Communications Team
Tel: 01329 824310
Email: publicity@fareham.gov.uk
Fax: 01329 550576

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