mtb
Well-Known Member
Wells next the sea, is a wonderful little gem. The harbour is a hive of activity with commercial and recreational use, but is under threat.
The channel into wells must be dredged or will close up and both commercial vessel's and you and I will struggle to get in and out.
The MMO are delaying a decision regarding the dredging licence. The letter as shown on wells harbour web site today to me say's some ones playing god but doesn't want to be seen as playing the devil as well
the letter is below.
Why is it sand and silt that has built up cant be dredged and left a short distance away after all it does come from there in the first place. I really struggle to understand why any one could say there would be a negative impact on the marine environment
The harbour has though the hard work of the harbour master bob smith become very successful in attracting commercial activity this has meant huge benefits for the harbour and the town of wells next the sea, but will the off shore contractors keep their fleets at wells ? if not I'm sure it will have a negative impact for us. It may mean the planned new pontoons may not go ahead which would be a real shame for visitors
Just giving the harbour an emergency licence for 15 days seems daft to me !
There has already been a grounding of a vessel due to this.
There is a petition you can sign on line PLEASE DO here's the linc to the petition
http://www.change.org/petitions/mar...nk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
here's the letter what do you think ?
Inshore Licensing Team
Lancaster House
Monarch Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 7YH
T +44 (03)00 123 1032
www.marinemanagement.org.uk
Robert Smith
Harbour Master
Wells Harbour Commissioners
By email only
Our reference: MLA/2012/00257 – LWHC2
Date: 13 June 2013
Dear Mr Smith,
Following your recent correspondence regarding the dredging statement published on your website, I thought it would be helpful like to clarify our position on the Wells Harbour Commissioner’s (WHC) application to dispose of dredged material.
Since October 2012, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has worked closely with WHC to ensure adequate information and data was provided to enable the assessment of disposal works at Wells Harbour. In March 2013 the MMO contacted WHC to discuss that we were unable to issue a new licence to enable the continuation of disposal of dredged material within the wells harbour disposal sites. At the time of our discussion we outlined that there was insufficient information and evidence to suggest that the berm disposal site was working as originally assessed in the 2009 Environmental Statement (ES), mainly the dispersal of deposited material. This meant we could not determine at that time whether or not any potential impact(s) to the marine environment were occurring, and as a result of this a licensing determination could not be made. At this time we discussed both short term and long term solutions with you in order to minimise potential adverse impacts to ongoing operations within the Harbour. For the sake of clarity it is important to stress at this point that our opinion on this matter was not in any way the result of objections received from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and Wells Dayboat Association.
The MMO often receives representations from the public and other interested parties regarding marine licence applications. When received, the MMO considers the information presented and will work with its advisors and the applicant to try and resolve any issues arising. With regards to representations received in relation to your current licence application, the MMO has considered those representations received and has followed our usual process in doing so. The MMO have not at any time suggested that this application was put on hold due to the content of correspondence with either the RYA, Wells Dayboat Association or any other representation received. Our concern always was, and still remains, the potential environmental impacts arising from the berm, which we could not determine was operating as originally assessed in 2009.
As part of the application process we have received letters of support from North Norfolk District Council, Scira Offshore Energy Ltd, British Ports Association and Holkam Coke Estates Ltd. Norman Lamb MP also spoke with our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) James Cross and provided information on social and economic factors in support of the
application. We can confirm to you that we continue to consider the economic impacts of the works.
The MMO continues to work closely with WHC to resolve any outstanding queries with the application and move to a position where a determination can be made. Following requests by the MMO, WHC have provided further environmental information to assist the MMO and its consultees in determining whether the disposal sites as currently operated are having a significant impact on the marine environment. This information is currently being considered by our statutory consultees and we will also consider any representations from members of the public received during the consultation process.
As you know, we have also been working closely with you to issue a time limited emergency licence so you could carry out dredging that would enable operations at Wells Harbour to continue in a safe manner. We issued this licence to you in 5 days, following your request.
The MMO as a regulator seeks to enable sustainable growth in the marine area. We have received letters of support for continued maintenance dredging and disposal at Wells Harbour and can understand the economic benefits associated with the continuation of these operations. However, the MMO cannot determine a licence without ensuring that it is in compliance with all relevant legislation. We remain committed to completing a full and robust assessment and determination of the application as quickly as possible.
I trust that this letter clarifies our position on the matters raised and we look forward to continuing to work with WHC in the future.
Yours sincerely
Andy Kerrigan
Head of Inshore Marine Licensing
D +44 (0)191 376 2780
E andy.kerrigan@marinemanagement.org.uk
I'm not one to bang a drum and protest but this really isn't what the mmo is supposed to be doing wells harbour channel has always needed to be dredged so why should now be any different ?
once again please sign the online petition it only takes a min
cheers
mick
The channel into wells must be dredged or will close up and both commercial vessel's and you and I will struggle to get in and out.
The MMO are delaying a decision regarding the dredging licence. The letter as shown on wells harbour web site today to me say's some ones playing god but doesn't want to be seen as playing the devil as well
the letter is below.
Why is it sand and silt that has built up cant be dredged and left a short distance away after all it does come from there in the first place. I really struggle to understand why any one could say there would be a negative impact on the marine environment
The harbour has though the hard work of the harbour master bob smith become very successful in attracting commercial activity this has meant huge benefits for the harbour and the town of wells next the sea, but will the off shore contractors keep their fleets at wells ? if not I'm sure it will have a negative impact for us. It may mean the planned new pontoons may not go ahead which would be a real shame for visitors
Just giving the harbour an emergency licence for 15 days seems daft to me !
There has already been a grounding of a vessel due to this.
There is a petition you can sign on line PLEASE DO here's the linc to the petition
http://www.change.org/petitions/mar...nk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
here's the letter what do you think ?
Inshore Licensing Team
Lancaster House
Monarch Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 7YH
T +44 (03)00 123 1032
www.marinemanagement.org.uk
Robert Smith
Harbour Master
Wells Harbour Commissioners
By email only
Our reference: MLA/2012/00257 – LWHC2
Date: 13 June 2013
Dear Mr Smith,
Following your recent correspondence regarding the dredging statement published on your website, I thought it would be helpful like to clarify our position on the Wells Harbour Commissioner’s (WHC) application to dispose of dredged material.
Since October 2012, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has worked closely with WHC to ensure adequate information and data was provided to enable the assessment of disposal works at Wells Harbour. In March 2013 the MMO contacted WHC to discuss that we were unable to issue a new licence to enable the continuation of disposal of dredged material within the wells harbour disposal sites. At the time of our discussion we outlined that there was insufficient information and evidence to suggest that the berm disposal site was working as originally assessed in the 2009 Environmental Statement (ES), mainly the dispersal of deposited material. This meant we could not determine at that time whether or not any potential impact(s) to the marine environment were occurring, and as a result of this a licensing determination could not be made. At this time we discussed both short term and long term solutions with you in order to minimise potential adverse impacts to ongoing operations within the Harbour. For the sake of clarity it is important to stress at this point that our opinion on this matter was not in any way the result of objections received from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and Wells Dayboat Association.
The MMO often receives representations from the public and other interested parties regarding marine licence applications. When received, the MMO considers the information presented and will work with its advisors and the applicant to try and resolve any issues arising. With regards to representations received in relation to your current licence application, the MMO has considered those representations received and has followed our usual process in doing so. The MMO have not at any time suggested that this application was put on hold due to the content of correspondence with either the RYA, Wells Dayboat Association or any other representation received. Our concern always was, and still remains, the potential environmental impacts arising from the berm, which we could not determine was operating as originally assessed in 2009.
As part of the application process we have received letters of support from North Norfolk District Council, Scira Offshore Energy Ltd, British Ports Association and Holkam Coke Estates Ltd. Norman Lamb MP also spoke with our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) James Cross and provided information on social and economic factors in support of the
application. We can confirm to you that we continue to consider the economic impacts of the works.
The MMO continues to work closely with WHC to resolve any outstanding queries with the application and move to a position where a determination can be made. Following requests by the MMO, WHC have provided further environmental information to assist the MMO and its consultees in determining whether the disposal sites as currently operated are having a significant impact on the marine environment. This information is currently being considered by our statutory consultees and we will also consider any representations from members of the public received during the consultation process.
As you know, we have also been working closely with you to issue a time limited emergency licence so you could carry out dredging that would enable operations at Wells Harbour to continue in a safe manner. We issued this licence to you in 5 days, following your request.
The MMO as a regulator seeks to enable sustainable growth in the marine area. We have received letters of support for continued maintenance dredging and disposal at Wells Harbour and can understand the economic benefits associated with the continuation of these operations. However, the MMO cannot determine a licence without ensuring that it is in compliance with all relevant legislation. We remain committed to completing a full and robust assessment and determination of the application as quickly as possible.
I trust that this letter clarifies our position on the matters raised and we look forward to continuing to work with WHC in the future.
Yours sincerely
Andy Kerrigan
Head of Inshore Marine Licensing
D +44 (0)191 376 2780
E andy.kerrigan@marinemanagement.org.uk
I'm not one to bang a drum and protest but this really isn't what the mmo is supposed to be doing wells harbour channel has always needed to be dredged so why should now be any different ?
once again please sign the online petition it only takes a min
cheers
mick
