PARTS of Rochford could be left to flood, according to controversial plans devised by Essex County Council.

The proposals are intended to protect 550km of Essex coastline, from Landguard point, Felixstowe, to Two Tree Island, Leigh, against flooding over the next century.

But nothing has been highlighted to protect areas around Paglesham Creek.

With Paglesham and Canewdon’s sea defences expected to be breached as early as 2015, this has caused concern within the community. Steve Adams, 55, manager of the Paglesham Boatyard, said: “Unless it does the whole coast, it’s a waste of time.

“The 1953 floods decimated many boatyards around here.

“If they leave part of the coast unprotected, then water will simply find a way through the back door and flood all the areas the council thinks it has protected. Then it costs a fortune to recover and, of course, there are quite a few properties close to the water round here.

“Everybody will be concerned about their insurance if the people behind the report are right about what to expect.”

The long-awaited shoreline plan, which has taken 13 years to come to fruition, has been agreed following a year-long review by the county council.

Some areas, like Canewdon, will be left for rising water levels to breach.

The plan states there will be “no intervention at Paglesham Creek” to prevent it flooding.

Foulness, Potton and Rushley islands will also have existing defences maintained, but Rushley is expected to be breached by 2055.

Roy Pearson, Essex county councillor for Rochford South, said he was happy with the plans.

He said: “Essex has got the longest coastline in the country.

“If you look at our seawall from Southend to Foulness, the defences are not bad.

“I am fairly happy with the level of flood risk.

“Of course we had terrible floods in 1953 and the area flooded in the Eighties, but nothing in recent memory.”

No one at Essex County Council was available to talk specifically about the risk to Paglesham and Canewdon.