'To do nothing is unacceptable': Why vulnerable old landfill sites could be key for new sea flood defences
Old rubbish sites could hold the key to unlocking funding for new sea defences.
This follows the findings of a coastal erosion and flooding report in Fareham, which revealed that while the number of homes at risk does not meet the threshold for national government funding, money may be available to prevent waste from historic landfill sites spilling into the sea.
The study focused on parts of the Fareham coastline, including areas with vulnerable landfill sites and deteriorating sea defences.
Lyall Cannes from Coastal Partners, a collaboration of five councils working to tackle coastal erosion along the Solent, said: “We want to be at the front of the queue to lobby government to unlock the funding protecting landfill sites.”
The partnership presented its findings at a meeting of Fareham Borough Council’s environmental advisory panel, highlighting the risk of pollution from exposed landfill.
Councillor Chrissie Bainbridge, Liberal Democrat representative for Portchester Castle, said she regularly sees evidence of rubbish at risk of entering the marine environment through her work with community clean-up efforts.
The report found that only 18 homes in the Alton Grove to Cador Drive area and 24 in Fareham Quay are at risk of tidal flooding in 2025 because of insufficient sea defences.
Samantha Box of Coastal Partners explained that the group will push for government action, particularly around the emerging risk posed by ageing landfill sites.
She said that a study from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is due to be published in the spring.
Mrs Box said: “In the absence of a scheme at either location, it is business as usual.
“Patch and repair of existing defences will take place within available council funds and risk will continue to be monitored.
“Defence failure remains an inherent risk.”
Councillor Paul Whittle, Conservative representative for Porchester Wicor, stressed the importance of taking action.
Cllr Whittle said: “Flooding in this area is a real issue.
“Flooding affects people’s lives, as with previous incidents in Fareham Quay and Wallington it affects your house price and your household insurance.
“Now we have this study and solid evidence we must do something.
“To do nothing is not acceptable.
“We need to work very hard to do something and not just sit on a very valuable and informative report.”
The findings have prompted renewed calls for a coordinated approach, both to secure funding and to raise awareness of the threat posed by ageing landfill sites.