MPs hear cry for help as blue anchor comes adrift
A hotelier in Somerset has enlisted the help of former Tory defence minister Tom King and Euro-MP Graham Watson in the search for grants to prevent his establishment crumbling into the sea.
Richard Williams's Blue Anchor Hotel at picturesque Blue Anchor bay, near Minehead, is only 32ft from the waves of the Bristol Channel, and the sea is eating away at the soft red sandstone cliffs below the seven-bedroom, 17th-century building.
"The sea wall behind us is okay but the sea is getting behind it and slowly eroding the cliff," said Mr Williams. "I would prefer to get preventive work done now rather than wait for something worse to happen."
Mr Williams, who has been at the Blue Anchor for 11 years, spent £3,000 of his own money several years ago to strengthen the sea defences, but reckons about £25,000 is now needed to stop the erosion.
"I've tried my local council and English Heritage, but nobody seems to have any money," he said.
"I pay £8,000 in business rates but as soon as I want something back, it seems nothing can be done."
MP Mr King is currently exploring grant possibilities from Whitehall, while MEP Mr Watson is trying to get EC funding for the work.
In the past few years, Somerset County Council has spent almost £400,000 on sea defences in the tiny resort, but the hotel, which also incorporates a 60-seat restaurant, was not included in the scheme.
"The work stopped when it got to me," said Mr Williams. "But another few thousand pounds then would have saved money now."
He has called in a structural engineer to survey the defences and produce a detailed report on exactly what work is needed.