CONTROVERSIAL plans for a major sea defence project in Weston were given a massive financial boost this week. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a major sea defence project in Weston were given a massive financial boost this week.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced that a share of the £436million which it will give to the Environment Agency over the next year to improve flood management nationally, will go to towards the recently approved sea defence project for Weston.North Somerset Council's executive member for strategic planning and economic development, John Crockford-Hawley, says the scheme, which will involve raising the existing sea wall and building a secondary splash wall, could receive millions of pounds.Cllr Crockford-Hawley, said: "It looks like we will get £4million towards the project in the first year which means we can begin the work at Marine Lake."DEFRA will fund the rest of the scheme after that but they will pay for the whole thing eventually."I am under the impression that we are the only place in England which has been awarded money for a new scheme from DEFRA and I think this is because it is such a well presented one."This is unbelievably good news. I was amazed that we heard about the money before Christmas but it confirms the quality of the scheme."North Somerset Council received planning permission two weeks ago to raise the existing sea wall and build a secondary splash wall, despite opposition from seafront business owners who say it could mean an end for Weston's tourist industry.