Boulders are being shipped from quarries in Norway, Ireland and Scotland to strengthen coastal defences in the Devon village of Torcross.
The large rocks will be used to rebuild protections for homes damaged by storms earlier this year. The Environment Agency has confirmed it can carry out the work without applying for planning permission, using its existing powers.
There had been worries that nature-related designations at Torcross could mean permission was needed, which would have slowed the process. A marine licence from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is still required, and the Environment Agency said it submitted the application last month.
A decision is expected by 16 October. The agency said it could not pre-judge the MMO’s ruling, but added: “We have worked very hard behind the scene to optimise the chances of the licence being granted and to avoid pre-commencement conditions that might delay starting the works.”
Contractor Kier will take over the Tank car park from 7 September, making it off-limits to the public. Footpaths around the car park will stay open.
The first boulders are due to arrive from 17 October. They will be brought onto the beach by barges at high tide and then moved into position by machinery at low tide.
“The rock defence will then be built in short sections within the low tide windows starting at the southern end, working along the beach towards the northern end slipway,” the Environment Agency said. “We anticipate it will take approximately 4-5 months to complete the main rock armour, so we will be working over the autumn and winter months, with the area around the car park and slipway then being completed in the spring.”
These works are separate from the A379 Slapton Line road, which remains shut after a large section was washed away. Devon County Council has applied for funding from the government's Structure Fund, but no decision has been announced.
The Environment Agency said it was looking at ways to keep public access to the existing defence and sea at the southern end, but that this was “proving difficult”. It said it would give an update if a solution emerged and hoped to improve access from the northern end slipway to the lower beach levels.
“We have also agreed with Devon County Council and South Hams District Council to incorporate the reinstatement of the sheet piled defences in front of the car park into the project and continue to work closely with them,” the Environment Agency added.
Huge boulders shipped from Norway and Ireland to protect Devon village