Action plan launched for sand and flood issues at Instow beach

An action plan to manage sand movement and flooding at Instow beach is underway after stakeholders reached an agreement at a recent meeting.

It follows calls from local residents for action after winter storms caused sand movement and flooding, impacting the road, residences, and businesses along the seafront.

The meeting, held at All Saints Community Centre in the village on January 16, established a framework for short-term actions to remove sand that has built up due to winter storms. Attendees also agreed to review and revise the existing beach management plan to address long-term concerns.

Following the meeting, all parties agreed to fast-track actions and permissions, allowing greater flexibility for a fixed short-term period to help alleviate the issue.

The Gazette has been informed that this process is now underway, with plans being developed and resources identified to carry out the agreed sand movement project.

The meeting included representatives from Instow Parish Council, Christie Estate, Natural England, the North Devon Biosphere, the Environment Agency, Devon County Highways and its safety contractor, and North Devon District Council’s engineering team. 

Stakeholders acknowledged the complexity of the situation.

Parish councillor Eliot Johnson, who gave a report at January’s Instow Parish Council meeting, said: “It was refreshing and encouraging to see these various interests gathered in the same room. While there was an acknowledgement that there was no ‘silver bullet,’ there was great willingness on all sides to work together to better manage the issue in the short and long term.”

Instow beach is partially owned by the Christie Estate and is part of the Taw Torridge Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), making it the responsibility of Natural England.

The dunes are not only a vital part of this protected site but also serve a crucial role in coastal defence and flood risk management. Maintaining their effectiveness relies on a steady supply of sand, which is why returning displaced sand to the dunes is essential.

It is also part of the North Devon Biosphere.

The national significance of the beach, estuary, and sand dunes means various regulations are in place to ensure sensitive management.