MINEHEAD could be protected from future flooding by the sea with the aid of a webcam which the Environment Agency (EA) wants to install on the seafront.

The agency wants to mount the camera on a 16 feet high pole set among flower beds in The Esplanade, next to the Jubilee Café.

The tidal and outfall monitoring camera would record video for playback at a later date, helping the agency to understand the impact of high tides and wave action.

Matt Bush, of Land and Water Services Ltd, acting for the EA, said: “The ultimate goal being the improvement of the flood defence for Minehead and long-term monitoring of climate change impacts on this coastal area.

“A secondary feature is the ability for remote monitoring of the EA-operated town outfall structure and other areas of the sea wall.”

He said remote monitoring of the town’s the sea defences at the outfall location on the beach would allow the EA retrospectively to improve warnings and understand the dynamics of wave overtopping.

Mr Bush said an existing Minehead Harbour camera, not owned by the EA, gave a good view of the area, but not of the town outfall site.

He said three locations in the flower beds beside the cafe were deemed as suitable for a webcam mast to be put up.

Now, the agency has applied to Somerset West and Taunton Council for planning permission for the installation.

Mr Bush said: “The camera will provide footage of the coast during storm events, which can be relayed to better understand the interaction of waves on this heavily sediment-covered area of the coastal defence.

“The camera will be mounted on a mast/pillar similar in appearance to the street lighting already in the area and a matching colour has been chosen.”

Minehead Town Council’s planning committee was unable to reach a decision on whether to support the plans and deferred it to a future meeting.

The committee expressed concern about about digging up of an established flower bed and a suggestion was put forward that a flagpole next to the wall could be used for the camera and electrical cables could follow the footpath.

However, Minehead town and district Cllr Terry Venner gave the project his ‘total support’.

Cllr Venner said he appreciated the site was close to the Minehead north and harbour conservation areas.

But he said: “It is paramount we do whatever we can to protect the coastline around Minehead Bay.

“Sea levels around the world are rising and this includes the Bristol Channel.

“The installation of this tidal outfall monitoring camera should help in protecting the town from coastal flooding and river flooding for future generations.”