CEREDIGION County Council has said that a breakwater off Aberaeron harbour is not viable because of its potential environmental impact.

Calls were made in the Cambrian News last week for a breakwater – a structure which extends out to sea to block large waves – to protect the town from flooding in the event of high tides, north-westerly winds, and large swell.

But the county council has put to bed any hope of a breakwater being constructed, citing concerns over the environment and natural habitat loss.

A Ceredigion County Council spokesperson said: “The creation an off-shore breakwater has previously been investigated but is not considered to be viable owing to the potential for direct loss of valuable habitat, in particular of the biogenic reefs of the marine honeycomb worm Sabell­aria alveolata.

“The construction of a breakwater would result in substantial disturbance of the seabed and the structure would inevitably have an impact on patterns of sediment deposition and accretion.

“The seabed at Aberaeron is under the protection of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation.

“The council is currently discussing various protection options with the Welsh Government, including strengthening South Pier and the construction of a flood defence wall.

“Should the Welsh Government agree to support the project, funding would be made available through its Coastal Risk Management Programme, which is not linked to any EU funding streams.”

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