ALMOST 130 years of golfing history in Minehead could end if the town's sea-front course falls on the wrong side of defences aimed at managing the threat of flooding and coastal erosion.

Golf club officials fear the 18-hole course could be lost between the next ten to 25 years - or even sooner - following details contained in a draft shoreline management plan covering North Devon and Somerset.

The plan, taking an area from Hartland Point in Devon to Weston-super-Mare in Somerset and drawn up by an advisory group, states that its long term objective is to reduce flood and erosion risk to Minehead by maintaining the town's defences.

But to achieve this, the risk of 'back-door' flooding from east of the town, via The Warren/Dunster Beach/Ker Moor frontage on Blue Anchor Bay would have to be addressed.

The plan, which is aimed at assessing and then reducing the risks to people, property and the historic and natural environment, proposes a realignment of the coast towards a set-back position, possibly seaward of the West Somerset Railway.

But Rob Barrett, head greenkeeper at the Warren Road club, said this could involve defences being built virtually through the middle of the course.

"If this happened, that would be the end of it," he said.

"Although the clubhouse building would probably be protected, much of the course would be a salt marsh and obviously totally unplayable.

"It would affect at least half the course."

Mr Barrett said although those behind the plan were very non-committal about any of the proposals at present, they presented a very real threat.

"Basically, if we had a major storm any time in the very near future and there were any breaches, nothing would be done to protect our land."

A three-month consultation period on the plan ends in January.

Golf club captain Paul Davies, who attended a recent meeting in the town on the proposals, said representations would definitely be made.

"The club has been in existence for the past 127 years and is one of the oldest in the country," said Mr Davies.

"We have 500 members and we are open seven days a week - the only thing that stops play is the weather.

"We have been in touch with our MP Ian Liddell-Grainger about this and we are hoping to have a meeting with him.

"If this happens, then we will lose the club and apart from the fact there is no land available that we know of to relocate to, building a new course and clubhouse would probably cost around £20 million, which we haven't got."

Other areas along the West Somerset coast are also affected by proposals outlined in the plan.

'No active intervention' policies are suggested for Porlock Weir and Blue Anchor in the long term.

At Porlock Weir, it is felt future defence provision is unlikely to attract public funds from flood and coastal defence budgets.

However, currently defended areas would face increased flood and erosion risk in the medium to long term as existing defences deteriorated and failed.

The plan recognises that measures need to be put in place to manage the increased risk and reduce the impact on people and infrastructure.

The defences in Minehead would mean more beach would be retained at Dunster, with salt marsh possibly developing in front of the setback defence.

The plan highlights that the section of coastline from Blue Anchor to Lilstock is noted for its geology and geomorphology and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, containing probably the best examples of the Jurassic period in north west Europe.

Daw Castle at Watchet is also a nationally important Scheduled Monument.

The long term plan for the majority of the coast is to allow it to evolve naturally to retain its landscape character and although continuing to protect it from a 'coastal processes' point of view might be acceptable, the plan says it is unlikely to attract public funding.

"Therefore, some currently defended areas may face increased flood and erosion risk in the medium to long term as existing defences deteriorate and fail," said the plan.

"Ways of adapting to the increased risk may be needed for these areas. The long term plan for Hinkley Point nuclear power station and Watchet is to continue to defend these areas against the risk of flooding and erosion."

Details of the plan can be viewed at http://www">http://www. ndascag.org.