At Scarborough: Now you see it, Now you dont!

This is the view away from the Grand Hotel. Its a view worth 'blipping', and mainly for posterity. Its a view that sadly, will become awash with a cheap coastal protection scheme called, 'rock armour'. If your unfamiliar with rock armour, its a technical term for huge boulders dumped on the beach, for as far as this picture will allow you to see. According to internet geography , a site that explains the function of coastal defence systems, its the cheaper option to install rather than more aesthetically pleasing options.

As you might expect, the proposal for this type of coastal protection scheme has met with some strong opposition from Scarborough residents. This is a deeply significant and historic spa site that the rock armour will be dumped against. Not only were the 'Spa waters' discovered here at this very site, which led to Scarborough being the first seaside resort in Britain in the seventeenth century, but also that Sir Joseph Plaxton, architect of the stunning Crystal Palace and Chatsworth Hall, was bought in to create the Spa complex and the existing Spa wall. This has remained in place, and held back the rolling tide since its 1858.

Without a doubt, a coastal protection scheme needs implementing to prevent the historic heart of the town disappearing with the tide. Nevertheless the council have opted for a solution that has complete disregard for historic or aesthetic beauty. There are other options put forward by conservationists. Freddie Drabble, one of the group's founding members, said: "In our opinion the placing of either rock armour or concrete against the Spa Wall is an environmental outrage to the scene of natural beauty which this town has enjoyed and commercially benefited from since it first became a holiday resort.

"Is this scenic value now to be tossed aside? Would York Minster be enclosed with a concrete wall to prevent erosion by the elements? No - it is being maintained just as the Spa wall will require maintenance from time to time." "Can we really afford to lose 10,000 or 13,000 square metres of sand to rock armour or concrete respectively? What about buckets and spades and beach games? This is not Blackpool where the sands run for miles and the sea is almost too far for kids to get to when it has gone out. Once gone - it has gone for ever. The Denness report, (the group paid for an independent survey) makes clear that it does not have to happen."

Dr Bruce Denness inspected the sea walls when he visited Scarborough on Friday, November 16, and he said he believed that the existing wall had considerable life left with no need for substantial additional protection. (see Scarborough News)

It is a lack of vision that was once in such abundance that will be swept away, by modern day profit led decision makers....a shocking lack of modern day vision and something that will stand as a testimony to our time. x