FEARS have been raised that part of the Naze coastline will be allowed to crumble into the sea and be lost forever.

The north-east end of the Naze is visibly receding as it is bombarded by waves.

It has been eroding at an average rate of about a metre per year, but experts expect 340 metres could be lost over the next 100 years.

The coastline would be destroyed and the vital Naze-based sewage works would come under threat if nothing is done.

After researching Environment Agency plans for the area, Walton blogger Jeremy Shiers fears the coast could be allowed to continue falling into the sea.

Mr Shiers has snapped alarming pictures showing significant erosion over the six months, from June to November last year.

He has examined options in the independent Shoreline Management Plan – a document guiding the management of the coast over the next 100 years.

Mr Shiers said: “When the sea breaks through the sea wall, which no one seems to deny it will – and soon – then the sea will attack from the north-east.

“At the risk of being simplistic, the Naze is being eroded away and so will be lost forever.

“This is really an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is a major draw for visitors to Walton.

“If the Naze goes completely, then the Backwaters and surrounding villages will be threatened even more.”

Mr Shiers says groynes have proved effective at protecting the coast elsewhere in the area.

He questioned why no moves have been made to create new groynes to protect the Naze.

He added: “My point is, not only is it possible to stop the Naze being eroded, but what has to be done has already been done in Tendring and in Walton at Sunny Point.

“All that is required is the will and money.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

The Shoreline Management Plan was not developed by the Environment Agency, but the organisation is responsible for monitoring and acting on it.

The plan says all homes, infrastructure and the sewage works will be protected – but one option to achieve that is allowing a re-alignment of the coast.

That would see the sea wall moved back to a “more sustainable position” and letting the coast shrink back to create a better tidal pattern.

The Environment Agency says that option is not in its current plans.

But it also admitted there are no sea defence schemes in place yet to protect the coastline – and it all depends on money.

A spokesman said: “We are working closely with those who are affected by coastal erosion at the north east corner of the Naze to find a mutually beneficial outcome.

“Any solution would need to justified economically and be part funded by those set to benefit from the works.

“At present the Environment Agency is not proposing to knock down any of the existing defences or build new ones at this location.”