Plans for Teignmouth Back Beach Tidal Defence Scheme caused much debate in the council chamber at Monday's Executive Council meeting.

Cllr Gordon Hook, the portfolio holder for Environment and Environmental Health, said that the plans before them had had the design changed several times after much public consultation and were 'acceptable to the majority'.

'I have spoken to many Teignmothians and they are happy with the public consultation' he continued.

'Much work has been done between the Environment Agency and the District Council to enhance the visual and the tourist opportunities and the consultations are ongoing. The critical element is that without acceptance of these schemes the insurance premiums on houses in the area won't be accepted. If flood risk is one in 75-years then the risk won't be accepted'.

Cllr Hook added that Teignbridge Council has properties at risk in the area.

Cllr Chris Clarance responded straight away that he had huge reservations over the scheme.

'I think this is overkill' he said. 'The proposed wall is going to be 1.18m higher than the existing wall in front of the New Quay pub so you would have to be 7ft 3ins tall to see out and over it'

He continued by saying: 'Do you think Teignmouth have grasped what is about to happen and the effect it will have on tourism?'.

Cllr Clarance went on to ask if Teignmouth Council had been consulted and suggested that a decision was deferred until proper recommendations had been received from Teignmouth Council.

Cllr David Howe added that 'people were sceptical about the need for it' concluding that it should be deferred for five to ten years.

'I have heard Cllr Clarance's tirade before,' declared Cllr Keith Smith. 'I wasn't convinced then and I am not now.'

'I used to live there and the pub does flood. It could flood next year.

'This will allow residents to become insured for anything, not just flooding'.

Cllr Ray Frost said he didn't think the residents would thank them.

Cllr Tom Archer said he was surprised at the request for deferment from Cllrs Howe and Clarance.

'This is the first step in regeneration for Teignmouth,' he said.

'The whole area will be enhanced, I don't see any problem at all.'

Cllr Brian Berman said: 'Climate change is with us, the risks are genuine and we would be foolish to put our heads in the sand. We have had all the technical work done. This is an excellent scheme and we should go ahead. There is no point in deferring it.'

Cllr Hook concluded: 'Perhaps we want to become the Venice of Southern England,' adding that very few Teignmouth town councillors had come to the public consultation meeting.

'A lot of people are talking about global warming but lets wait and see the figures,' said Cllr Howe.

The report recommendation that £320,000 be agreed towards the back beach scheme on the condition that satisfactory funding support be given by Defra and/or the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was finally resolved by councillors who agreed to the recommendation.