Work could be done to improve beach levels and protect the seawall at Exmouth – but there is likely to be a wait of up to ten years before a bid can be made for government funding.

In the meantime, the state of the beach should be monitored so that any trends in the wrong direction can alert authorities to the need for possibly bringing work forward.

Members of East Devon District Council’s cabinet last night (Wednesday) agreed to this course of action as being the best way to tackle ongoing changes in beach levels along Exmouth’s seafront.

Councillors will visit the area to gain a better understanding of the erosion issues and they have called for a meeting with Exeter City Council – the Exe Harbour Authority – to discuss the possibility of dredging to create a better channel for shipping.

Sediment The various issues around the constant movement of sand and sediment were discussed by cabinet members after receiving a report from one of the council’s senior engineers.

The report explained that East Devon has been working with the Environment Agency and Teignbridge District Council on a study of historic changes to beach levels in the Exe Estuary – both on the Exmouth and Dawlish sides of the river mouth.

Results of technical assessments have been analysed and the partners have held a workshop and public exhibition. A ‘preferred option’ identified through this process was put to cabinet members at last night’s meeting and they agreed to recommend this approach. This would involve recycling material from areas of the beach that have built up over the years and moving them to areas that are eroding.

This work would be carried out in the period 2020/25 and may be eligible for Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) funding from Defra (if this still available by then).

Cost A second option, which was rejected by members, was to join with the more imminent Dawlish Warren works to recharge the beach with sand from Pole Sands, starting in 2017/18.

This other option, for which early planning would start in autumn 2014, would involve a cost to East Devon District Council of £4 to £6 million because it would not be eligible for Flood Coastal Risk Management Grant in Aid (FCRMGiA) funding.

The ‘preferred scheme’ is expected to cost around £440,000 and this amount will need to be included in East Devon’s capital programme in 2020/25. Government funding should be available to cover this cost however.

Planning permission may be required for the project and initial contact has been made with the planning service at Knowle to discuss this.

Members heard that doing nothing at all to rebalance dropping beach levels could put the seawall at risk of being undermined and could also have an adverse effect on the council’s plans to regenerate the Queen’s Drive Leisure Area.