Contribution by: Mark Seed

My comments relate primarily to regulatory activity affecting both the undertaking of coastal projects and dredging activities associated with ports.

In relation to coastal projects an area for consideration is trying to achieve a balance in relation the need for regulation to preserve and control impacts on the natural environment but do this in a way that does not apply a blanket position to all sections of the coast. This is essential to bring a sense of realism to enforcement activity that takes into account the actual circumstances prevailing on a section of coast so that overly draconian requirements are not imposed.

The second area in relation to dredging associated with ports needs to reflect the need for permissions to be provided in a quicker and more timely fashion as even local authority ports need to be run in a business orientated way that reflects the need to undertake dredging work more quickly at times to respond to specific circumstances or opportunities. A recent situation where 6 months was required to renew an existing permission for a disposal site was too long. Again this is perhaps a case for devoting energies into problematical areas and speeding up on more simple sitiuations.

Mark Seed
Director of Operational Services
Thanet District Council