Decision Details

Implemented

Thorpeness – Coastal Erosion Short-Term Options

Yes

Report of the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning and Coastal Management

Tue 3 Mar 2026

To provide an update on the support being offered from ESC in relation to an urgent short-term defence utilising rock bags at Thorpeness.

 

The report also asks Cabinet to consider the ESC position in relation to undertaking any further phases of work.

Planning & Coastal Management

Approved budget

No

Not Applicable

Martyn Fulcher
Head of Energy Planning and Coastal Management
Martyn.fulcher@eastsuffolk.gov.uk 

See attached report 

Committee

Cabinet

Yes

Yes

No

No

This report provides an update on the support being offered from ESC in relation to an urgent short-term defence utilising rock bags at Thorpeness. The action is a temporary measure to slow coastal erosion and reduce the risk of flooding through wave ‘overtopping’ to a number of properties behind the frontage at Thorpeness. This will allow flood and coastal studies to be undertaken on the medium to long term risk of erosion and inundation in the area. This report also asks Cabinet to consider East Suffolk Council’s position in relation to undertaking any further phases of work.

See attached report section 3

Option 1 – East Suffolk Council to:

a) review rock-bag design and scope for the client

b) enable delivery of an urgent scheme of works (Phase 1)

c) accept the liabilities and ongoing management responsibilities of rock bags on completion of phase 1

 

Option 2 – East Suffolk Council to develop and implement an urgent rock bag scheme to adjoin and extend the Phase 1 works, comprising extension of rock bag scheme to the front of the former Tinkers End and Stella Maris frontages (Phase 2) – See Image 2

 

 Option 3 – East Suffolk Council to implement a rock-bag scheme extension to the north to protect an additional three properties at high erosion risk (Shorecote, Seadune and Greyfriars) (Phase 3)

That Cabinet:

 

1. Supported Option 1 for Phase 1 works entailing a privately funded rock-bag solution proposed along 50m of this frontage proposed by the Thorpeness CIC.

 

2. Supported Option 2 for Phase 2 works entailing an urgent rock bag scheme to adjoin and extend the Phase 1 works, comprising extension of rock bag scheme to the front of the former Tinkers End and Stella Maris frontages

 

3. Approved the use of existing Coastal Management budgets and its earmarked reserve to cover the total cost of the Phase 2 works, estimated at circa £300k.

 

4. Delegated authority to the Strategic Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Coastal Management and Head of Legal and Democratic Services to: - enter into a legal agreement(s) with the Thorpeness CIC to cover the implementation and ongoing management, maintenance and monitoring of the rock bags and any trigger levels required for their removal (Phase 1).

 

5. Delegated authority to the Strategic Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Coastal

Management to:
- seek appropriate agreements and consents, including planning permission, from the local planning authority and other statutory bodies for these urgent works in this location (where required).
- apply to the Environment Agency’s Regional Flood and Coast Committee for any emergency funding and accept any funding allocated.
- to seek external professional support to connect any Phase 3 works with Phases 1 and 2 should potential private funding become available.

 

6. Delegated authority to the Head of Energy Planning and Coastal Management to instruct and oversee further flood and coastal studies to identify medium to long term risk of erosion and inundation in the area and develop appropriate proposals.

None

None