RESIDENTS are invited to have their say on new plans to lessen the impact of severe storms, flooding and coastal erosion on towns and villages in Mounts Bay.

Cornwall Council has worked with the Environment Agency to develop the coastal resilience strategy, which covers the bay from Mousehole to Marazion.

It says more than 2,000 properties could be affected by flooding and Newlyn and Mousehole harbours could be lost by 2100 if we do not act.

An online question and answer session on the Mounts Bay Strategy will streamed live on Facebook on March 23 between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

It will be hosted by BBC Cornwall presenter Julie Skentelbery. People can follow the discussion online and submit questions beforehand.

The 15.5km stretch of coastline along Mounts Bay is frequently hit by severe storms.

Penzance Promenade, Jubilee Pool and Newlyn Green suffered extensive damage during the winter of 2013-14 and required significant repairs.

Stronger storms, higher wind speeds and rising sea levels are set to cause increased coastal erosion and flooding for communities in Mounts Bay in the future.

The draft strategy looks ahead over the next 100 years and recommends a series of actions to reduce the area’s risks from extreme weather.

If plans go ahead, it would be one of the council’s first major projects to manage the impacts of a changing climate and rising sea levels.

Cllr Loic Rich, environment and climate change portfolio holder for Cornwall Council, said: “Mounts Bay is a beautiful and vital part of Cornwall, home to thriving communities, historic harbours, popular beaches, and important natural habitats.

“But our coastline faces growing challenges from the sea and significant flood risks. Without action, many of the things we value here could be lost.

“We want to work together with residents, organisations and voluntary groups to find balanced, long term and coordinated solutions across the bay.

“The Mounts Bay Strategy is a starting point and we want to hear from as many of you as possible whether you live or work here or visit regularly to enjoy its stunning scenery.”

The strategy proposes a preferred approach for each area of the bay, which includes using sand to strengthen the coastline at Eastern Green and Long Rock.

Control structures and submerged breakwaters off Penzance Promenade to reduce wave energy

Rewilding and increasing the flood storage capacity of Lariggan valley near Wherrytown.

Maintaining and reinforcing existing defences in harbour areas and along the Mousehole coastal road. Local adaptation opportunities where possible.

Justin Ridgewell, partnerships and strategic overview advisor at the Environment Agency, said: “This strategy describes how increasing flood and coastal erosion risks can be managed for the communities of Mounts Bay and looks to set a clear direction of travel for the future.

"It also recognises the need for the proposed approach and investment to support wider place-shaping outcomes, including regeneration, community well-being and diversification of the local economy, whilst also acknowledging the unique coastal and marine setting, the wildlife and heritage the bay is home to, and the imperative of working in ways which safeguard and enhance these attributes."