Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart has written to Local Government Minister Jake Berry MP and Business Minister Lord Henley in support of East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s (ERYC) application to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This application was made after ERYC’s application to the Coastal Communities Fund was unsuccessful.
ERYC has applied to the ERDF for funding so that the rock armour defences to the south of Withernsea can be extended in order to prevent further coastal erosion and protect homes, businesses and key infrastructure.
Graham commented: “I was disappointed by the recent news that ERYC’s application to the Coastal Communities Fund for this vital funding had been unsuccessful.
“I had been working with South East Holderness Ward Councillors and ERYC officials to obtain the funding through that process and am frustrated that Withernsea wasn’t taken forward to the next stage of the application. However, we are by no means giving up.
“ERYC has now applied to the European Regional Development Fund for the £5 million it needs to extend the rock armour defences to the south of Withernsea by 400m. I appreciate some people may be confused that we are still able to apply for European development funding, but we are allowed to do so as the money for this fund was allocated years ago.
“To support ERYC’s application I have written to the Ministers responsible for allocating the ERDF money, Jake Berry MP, Minister for Local Government and Lord Henley, Minister for Local Growth.
“In my letters I argue that Withernsea should receive this funding as the ERDF earmarks areas for special treatment which are naturally disadvantaged by their rurality, and distance from other amenities or settlements.
“I concluded the letter by urging the Ministers to do everything they can to obtain a positive funding decision and help Withernsea obtain the money it needs to protect peoples’ homes and livelihoods.
“As we head into 2019 I am committed to obtaining this money for Withernsea. Together with South East Holderness Ward Councillors, we will explore every avenue possible until we secure the necessary funding to prevent further coastal erosion in Withernsea.
