Colin Breed MP has written to Elliot Morley expressing his deep concern over the recent application for continued dumping of waste at Whitsand Bay. In his letter Mr Breed writes that shortly after receiving notification from Mr Morley that an application was being considered in respect of allowing for the disposal of a further 201, 527 tonnes of material in 2005 the approval was granted very shortly afterwards. Mr Breed includes in his letter:

"I was surprised and rather angry to learn that apparently this licence was approved only two days later.  I simply cannot believe that the decision to approve was not known when your letter to me was drafted and the fact that it occurred immediately before Christmas and whilst Parliament was in recess was a factor in the timing.

This matter has caused a storm of public protest coming as it did immediately after Whitsand Bay was named as one of the most beautiful locations as a holiday destination. 

I should be grateful if you would provide me with the supporting information provided by the Environment Agency who I assume were consulted prior to the issue of the licence.

As you are aware, I am a member of the EFRA Select Committee which has been reviewing the Water Framework Directive, and it seems to me that the Government will have to provide river basin management plans to the EU by 2009.  Bearing in mind the enormous consultation exercise which will be required can  you tell me when you intend to commence the work and whether the current dredging licences will be part of the consideration in these plans"

This is a very interesting development and we look forward to Mr Morley's reply.