| |
Hallsands summary
Hallsands represents a classic case in coastal management. In the late 1800s
it was a small but thriving fishing village until in 1897 work began on the
construction of Devonport docks for the Royal Navy. Large quantities of sand,
gravel and shingle were needed and there appeared to be an abundant supply offshore
in the nearby Start Bay. Dredging began in 1897 despite local opposition. Because
of the potential effects to sea defences protecting nearby land, the terms of
the license included a clause allowing the license to be revoked at short notice.
By 1900 the villagers of Hallsands noticed the beach which protected the houses
had begun to disappear. Damage to the houses resulted in the license eventually
being canceled in 1902. By then the damage was done and in February 1903 when
a storm hit the village many houses were lost. Despite the damage the villagers
hung and and all was 'relatively' quiet for another 13 years. However, in late
January 1917 a south easterly gale again tore into the village. Houses fell
into the sea, some with their inhabitants still in them . Pictures showing the
situation in 1894
and again in 1904 are reproduced All that remains of the village
today are a few houses perched precariously above the eroded shore.
Comment: Access to the area is now completely restricted to visitors.
The history of the village is described in a display which overlooks the site;
see also publications (Melia 2002; Barber
2001) and a web site at http://www.hallsands.org.uk/index.html.
|
Guidance: This is a classic case, which vividly illustrates
the value of a beach for sea defence. It also shows the importance of
understanding the nature of the coast including its sediment supply and
evolution. A more detailed review of the situation in Start Bay (where
this village is located) and the implications for shoreline management
policy is included in the "Guide to the
management and restoration of coastal vegetated shingle".
|
References
Barber, C.
2001.
The Story of Hallsands. Obelisk Publications, 32 pp.
Melia, S.
2002.
Hallsands a Village Betrayed. Forest Publishing, Newton Abbot, Devon, 72 pp.
|
|
