Contact: Tony Clatworthy, tel: 01489 576387

1. Summary

1.1 The proposals for a dredging plan for the River Hamble look principally at the requirements for maintenance dredging within the existing curtilages of the marinas and yards on the River Hamble. ABP (MER), as consultants to the Harbour Authority, have been contacted and have quoted two prices of £31,900 and £41,500 respectively. The higher price reflects the possibility of computer modelling being required to undertake some of the predictive work.

1.2 Currently, maintenance dredging is carried out on a case-by-case basis, with individual yards being required to undertake their own applications and any associated works, eg environmental impact assessment (EIA) and appropriate assessment (AA).

2. Environmental Background Information

2.1 The River Hamble is designated under the Natural Habitats and Countryside Regulations as a candidate Special Area of Conservation, and in addition has areas which are designated as Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites. Under the terms of these designations work which is classified as "Plans or Projects" (eg new works, etc), and where it is believed there could be a significant effect, either alone or in combination with other works, an AA will be required. Additionally, under the EIA regulations, any works over a certain size or in areas considered of importance for their nature conservation value may also require an EIA.

2.2 Capital Dredging¹ falls under this umbrella and it is possible that Maintenance Dredging may also. It has yet to be confirmed that this is the case for maintenance dredging, and there is still dialogue taking place within Central Government at a high level, and no decision has yet been reached.

2.3 Both an AA and any EIA form a fundamental part of the complex consents process, for dredging applications without them it would be unlikely that a dredging project would be allowed to proceed.

3. Report

3.1 By producing a dredging plan for the River as a whole, rather than on a case-by-case basis for individual yards, both AA and EIA could be considered holistically, and give better long-term predictions. This would then enable better use of resources, and manage the dredging activities in a more environmentally-sustainable manner.

3.2 In order to fund this project the individual yards and marinas have been approached, outlining the costings and individual breakdowns of these costings, based on the lengths used to calculate the Harbour Dues. On this basis the larger yards, eg Marina Developments Limited, pay a greater proportion of the cost than the smaller yards. So far all but three yards (Cabin Boatyard, Deacons Boatyard and Riverside Boatyard) have agreed to the costings on the basis of 100% take-up. Should any yards not wish to be involved in the project then costings will need to be revised accordingly (see attached appendix "Proportion Dredging Plan Costs").

4. Financial Implications

4.1 Based on 100% take-up, the cost to the Harbour Authority (excluding staff time) would be: £9,323.71 (without computer modelling) or £12,129.59 (with computer modelling). A total of £10,000 has already been allocated from the 2003/04 budget.

4.2 This project will require an approximate 10% commitment of the time of the Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) for its duration, which is anticipated to be within 12 months.

4.3 Should take-up by the marinas and boatyards be less than 100% then it is proposed that revised costings be resubmitted to the remaining yards for approval and subsequently to the Executive Member for approval.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the Harbour Authority continues with this project and for the appropriate budget allocation to be made.

7958/TC