The first part of a £60 million sea defence project that will protect nearly two and a half thousand homes in Kent will be officially opened today (Friday 9 May 2008) by the Rt Hon Michael Howard QC MP. This phase of a flagship flood protection scheme in Dymchurch, Kent was originally due to be finished in the summer but work has been completed ahead of schedule.

Shell was accused last night of being greedy and irresponsible as it came under ferocious attack from politicians and environmentalists for its decision to drop a commitment to the biggest offshore wind farm in the world. Although the environment minister Hilary Benn called the decision to withdraw from the London Array scheme off the Kent coast "very disappointing", the government was also under attack from opponents who saw the move as a body-blow to UK renewable energy policies.

This is a joint publication from Defra and the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) and aims to improve communications with stakeholders. The main feature of this issue is the draft Marine Bill.