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Norfolk County Council, Martineau Lane, Norwich

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Norfolk County Council, Martineau Lane, Norwich

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Norfolk County Council, Martineau Lane, Norwich

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Please see your more local councils for more specific coastal transition, adaptation and/or erosion information

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Lancaster City Council, Dalton Square, Lancaster

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Lancaster City Council, Dalton Square, Lancaster

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Lancaster City Council, Dalton Square, Lancaster

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Coastal protection - Lancaster City Council

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North East Lincolnshire Council, Town Hall Square, Grimsby

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North East Lincolnshire Council, Town Hall Square, Grimsby

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North East Lincolnshire Council, Town Hall Square, Grimsby

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Dogs on the beach

There are seasonal restrictions in place for dogs on Cleethorpes beach. From Good Friday to 30 September (each year) you must not take your dog on to the beach between the Wonderland Slipway and Cleethorpes Leisure Centre. Please check the signage along Cleethorpes promenade when walking your dog.

This area is also visible on our Seafront map (PDF, 2MB) .

Enforcement of these restrictions is undertaken and those found breaching the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) will be fined £100.

Details of the PSPO can be found on our Dog mess and dog control page.

Internationally important birds

The Humber Estuary supports internationally important numbers of wetland birds.

For this reason, the Cleethorpes and Grimsby coastline, including the wildlife and physical environment, are protected by UK law.

More than 150,000 wetlands birds rely on the estuary for safe feeding and roosting grounds, especially over the winter and during spring and autumn migrations.

After covering vast distances from places such as the Arctic and South Africa, they arrive in vital need of food and rest. The food provided by the estuary is vital to their survival when they arrive, and to build themselves up for the return journey.

The bird populations are so important, the estuary is designated as a Special Protected Area, Special Area for Conservation, European Marine Site, and is recognised by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as a wetland of international importance.

Birds are easily disturbed and use essential energy when they take off and fly. If they are repeatedly disturbed, many of these birds may not survive the winter or make their journey back to their summer breeding grounds.

If your activities are causing birds to fly away, then you are causing a disturbance. Please enjoy yourself responsibly.

Ways you can help

Avoid disturbing resting and feeding birds during recreational activities on the water

Keep activities away from large numbers of birds on the beach

Keep dogs under control and prevent them from chasing the birds

Move further away when birds are disturbed

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Dogs on the beach There are seasonal restrictions in place for dogs on Cleethorpes beach. From Good Friday to 30 September (each year) you must not take your dog on to the beach between the Wonderland Slipway and Cleethorpes Leisure Centre. Please check the signage along Cleethorpes promenade when walking your dog.

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Lincolnshire County Council Office Building, Orchard Street, Lincoln

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Lincolnshire County Council Office Building, Orchard Street, Lincoln

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Lincolnshire County Council Office Building, Orchard Street, Lincoln

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Coast and countryside - Lincolnshire County Council

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Information from Lincolnshire County Council about schools, roads, jobs, registrars, recycling, childcare, social care, health, libraries, planning, emergencies and business.

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East Lindsey District Council, Cannon Street, Louth

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East Lindsey District Council, Cannon Street, Louth

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East Lindsey District Council, Cannon Street, Louth

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Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Chapel Street, King's Lynn

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Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Chapel Street, King's Lynn

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Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Chapel Street, King's Lynn

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Information on how we are raising funds for local sea defences between Snettisham and Heacham, and how you can help.
Funding group

A Funding Group was established to raise funds to maintain the shingle ridge sea defence between Snettisham and Heacham. Members of the Funding Group include:

Anglian Water

the Environment Agency

the East Wash Coastal Management Community Interest Company

the Borough Council

We are now in year 5 of the Funding Groups 15-year programme of works of annual beach recycling and periodic beach recharge of the shingle ridge. The partnership has continued to work extremely well to raise funds over this time.

You can view the Funding Group's meeting agendas and minutes at the bottom of this page.

Help to raise funds

The sea defences between the Snettisham and Heacham coastline are made up of shingle ridges and stretches of concrete sea wall. Wave action removes shingle from the beach and shingle ridge, reducing its height and the level of protection provided. Each year, the Environment Agency leads work to re-build the shingle ridges with extra shingle from further down the shoreline at Snettisham Scalp. This process is called beach recycling.

You can view further information on annual beach recycling works in the Local Sea Defence Newsletters at the bottom of the page.

Beach recycling was previously fully funded by central government grant in aid. Now only 41% funding is given meaning the remaining 59% needs to be raised by the local community via the Funding Group. The Environment Agency have produced a briefing note which explains this in more detail.

Up to £150,000 is needed to carry out the annual beach recycling. The local sea defences Funding Group was set up to collect the remaining funds needed.

How much has been raised so far?

Local landowners, businesses and commercial properties came together to set up the East Wash Coastal Management Community Interest Company (also known as the CIC), to collect funds from local landowners and commercial premises. The EWCMCIC document provides a background to the company.

In 2021 the CIC raised £186,000, £24,000 of which was used to contribute to this years annual beach recycling. In addition to this, the CIC now holds a significant surplus balance of just over £1,000,000 which could be used to contribute towards a future mini-beach recharge.

Over the past 5 years Anglian Water has contributed £100,000 to annual beach recycling works. Anglian Water have confirmed they will continue to funds over the next 5 years, with a budget of £316,000 for local sea defence works between Snettisham and Heacham up to 2024/25.

Beach Recharge

When there is no longer enough shingle material available to complete annual beach recycling, a beach recharge is required. This involves importing material from another location and placing it on the beach and shingle ridge between Snettisham and Heacham. This has previously been completed in 1990/91 and 2005/06.

It was originally anticipated that a mini-beach recharge would be required in 2022/23. However, the amount of shingle material available for beach recycling at Snettisham Scalp remains sufficient and therefore the mini-beach recharge has been delayed.

The Environment Agency will continue to monitor sediment availability for beach recycling and shall report back to the Funding Group with a future date when it is anticipated the mini-beach recharge will be required.

A mini-beach recharge will cost approximately £2.4 million.

Make a voluntary contribution

Other voluntary contributions are being asked for from individual owner-occupiers and local businesses. These contributions will help make sure properties can continue to be protected. The local sea defences funding group suggests a yearly payment amount of:

£15 for a beach hut

£50 for a caravan or chalet

£100 for a small business

You can make your voluntary contribution online.
To contribute to local sea defences funding you'll need:

a valid debit or credit card
Make a contribution
Other ways to pay

You can pay by cheque. Post your cheque made payable to 'BCKLWN' to us. Write on the back "local sea defences fund" with your name and address. We may use your name to acknowledge the funding received (not the amount). Please indicate separately if you wish to opt out from this.

Post to: BCKLWN, King's Court, Chapel Street, King's Lynn, PE30 1EX.

Further information

For further information please see our information leaflets. You can find these in our document downloads below.

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Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk

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Local sea defences funding | Local sea defences funding | Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk

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Information on how we are raising funds for sea defences, and how you can help

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North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer

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North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer

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North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer

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If your property is at risk of coastal erosion and you would like to discuss your options further, please contact coastalmanagement@north-norfolk.gov.uk

For dwellings, community facilities and businesses that will be affected by erosion of the coastline in the next twenty years NNDC have planning policies for relocation and replacement.

To find out if a property is at risk from coastal erosion please view the Shoreline Management Plans.

Opportunities for properties vulnerable to coastal erosion

Many properties will be unaffected by coastal erosion in the foreseeable future, but for those that are the Council's current planning policies may offer some assistance.

Properties which are at risk of erosion within 20 years, (50 years for business properties), are covered by planning policy EN12 in the Council's 2008 Core Strategy.

This policy provides that planning permission should be granted for a replacement dwelling for a property affected by erosion provided that certain conditions are met.

Any planning application still has to go through the normal procedures but if you are the owner of a property which may be in the affected zone, or you are contemplating purchasing such a property then policy EN12 may have an impact on the value of the property.

The following document may be of use:

Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme

From 2022 to 2027, North Norfolk will receive funding to work with communities to transition from coastal change.

This programme will aim to accelerate strategic planning to set out how the local authority, communities and partners can plan for the transition of their communities, businesses and assets away from erosion risk areas. It will also support the trialling of on the ground, practical, innovative actions to help those at risk to address the challenges posed by coastal change.

You can find out more at:
Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (engagementhq.com) North Norfolk Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (engagementhq.com)

Securing planning 'roll back' opportunities for residential properties at imminent risk from coastal erosion

If you own a residential property that is at risk from coastal erosion the 'roll-back' opportunity potentially enables you to recover some value from your property before it is lost to the sea.

Please contact the Coastal Management team for more information.

Financial assistance for the demolition of properties at risk from coastal erosion

North Norfolk District Council can access a grant to assist in meeting the costs associated with demolishing residential properties at risk from coastal erosion.

These funds (of up to £6,000) can be made available to property owners to help with such things as: obtaining the relevant consents, demolition works, the removal of waste materials and any landscaping or remedial works.

Eligibility for the grant is dependent on certain criteria so please contact the Coastal Management team if you would like to find out more.

Pathfinder project

Pathfinder was an initiative set up by the Department for Environment Food &amp; Rural Affairs (Defra) which provided a fund to enable Local Authorities to explore new ways of responding to the challenges faced by coastal communities.

Visit the North Norfolk Pathfinder website for further information.

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Find out about help if your property is at risk from erosion

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For dwellings, community facilities and businesses that will be affected by erosion of the coastline in the next twenty years NNDC have planning policies for relocation and replacement. To find out if a property is at risk from coastal erosion please view the Shoreline Management Plans.

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Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth

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Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth

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Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth

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Coastal adaptation focuses on managing change, to minimise negative consequences but also has the potential to provide new opportunities. Managing the impacts of climate change, such as reducing risks from more frequent flooding and erosion can be defined as adaptation; where we are adapting to a changing environment.Adapting to Coastal Erosion Evaluation of rollback and leaseback schemes in Coastal Change Pathfinder projects July 2015

Many of the suggested adaptation options for those who own or manage assets at risk need to be seen as part of a package of potential ways forward, rather than individual solutions. There is unlikely to be one solution that is satisfactory to all, or suitable in all locations. A flexible approach is required so different needs can be recognised and taken into consideration.

Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) aim to identify long-term intent of management policies for how we can manage the coast. It is not economically viable, socially desirable or environmentally sustainable to 'Hold the Line' everywhere along our soft and erodible coast. Therefore, other alternative options, including taking an adaptive approach, need to be considered. It may be more economically viable and sustainable in the long term to consider these adaptation options now as anticipatory adaptation measures. Adaptation should be valued and resourced as effectively as protecting the coast.

In June 2009 DEFRA funded 15 Coastal Change Pathfinder projects to help communities adapt to a changing coastline. Defra has subsequently undertaken two reviews on the learning: Coastal Change Pathfinder Review.

There were three of these projects within the Coastal Partnership East area, providing valuable learning on the best approaches to manage a changing coastline.

Happisburgh in north Norfolk
Scratby in Great Yarmouth
Corton / Easton Bavents in Suffolk

Attracting funding for coastal adaptation can be challenging. By their very nature, a project that does not have favourable cost benefit for a traditional defence scheme is unlikely to fit the funding model for an adaptation scheme. Recently, Coastal Partnership East, through the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group, the Environment Agency and DEFRA have been working on a project to help support adaptation and solve problems with delivery where possible. DEFRA recognise that local authorities must be equipped with a policy, a legal mandate, and an understanding of possible funding options to enable them to engage with their communities about adapting to coastal change.

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Coastal adaptation focuses on managing change, to minimise negative consequences but also has the potential to provide new opportunities.

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East Suffolk Council, Station Road, Melton, Woodbridge

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East Suffolk Council, Station Road, Melton, Woodbridge

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East Suffolk Council, Station Road, Melton, Woodbridge

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Stay safe on our coast We have many miles of beautiful coastline to explore and enjoy but it is also some of the fastest eroding coast in western Europe. We urgently need your help to make sure that everyone stays safe when they visit the beach.

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Maldon District Council, Princes Road, Maldon

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Maldon District Council, Princes Road, Maldon

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Maldon District Council, Princes Road, Maldon

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Inaugural meetings of the River Crouch and River Blackwater Coastal Community Teams took place in January 2016.

The teams focus their work on developing a number of ideas to bring more jobs, growth and prosperity to our coastal communities.

The CCT economic plans are available below:

The plans are based on recent stakeholder events and public consultations. For more information about Coastal Community Teams see below:

Coastal Community Team terms of reference:

Community Coastal Team papers:

If you are interested in being involved in the River Crouch and River Blackwater Coastal Community Teams please send your expression of interest to coastalcommunityteam@maldon.gov.uk or coastalcommunityteam@rochford.gov.uk

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Inaugural meetings of the River Crouch and River Blackwater Coastal Community Teams took place in January 2016. The teams focus their work on developing a number of ideas to bring more jobs, growth and prosperity to our coastal communities. The CCT economic plans are available below: The plans are based on recent stakeholder events and public consultations.

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Thurrock has experienced river floods in the past from the River Thames. The most significant was the 1953 East Anglian flood, including Tilbury, which resulted in the loss of 307 lives. Since then, smaller scale flooding from the River Mardyke, Stanford Brook and flash flooding has been experienced throughout Thurrock.

Current flood defences in Thurrock and along the River Thames significantly reduce the likelihood of flooding from river and tidal sources. These cannot completely remove the risk of floods in the future, however.

Properties that are located outside river or coastal flood plains may still be at risk from flash flooding. This is where heavy rain exceeds the capacity of drainage systems. This type of flood could occur anywhere in Thurrock and at any time.

If you are concerned about flooding

Owners or occupiers are mainly responsible for protecting their homes and businesses. You can get advice on flooding from these web pages.

If your home or business has been flooded in the past, or you worried that you are at risk of flooding, you can also get advice from the Smart Flood Protection project.

Current flood warnings for Essex

This information is provided by the government's flood information service and is also available at GOV.UK: flood warnings for Essex.

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Thurrock has experienced river floods in the past from the River Thames. The most significant was the 1953 East Anglian flood, including Tilbury, which resulted in the loss of 307 lives. Since then, smaller scale flooding from the River Mardyke, Stanford Brook and flash flooding has been experienced throughout Thurrock.

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1. Home

2. Latest news

3. Southend to become national exemplar for flood and coastal erosion risk management

The council's cabinet will discuss the submission of an outline business case for the innovative Catchment to Coast project tomorrow (Tuesday 22nd February).

The business case is due to be submitted to DEFRA by the Catchment to Coast Partnership, and seeks to confirm a further £5.464m of funding up to March 2027.

The project was granted approval by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (DEFRA) in May 2021 and awarded £672,000 from the Innovative Resilience Fund in October 2021. It forms one of only 25 pilots nationwide to receive capital funding.

The Council is acting as the project lead and the additional funding means Southend-on-Sea is set to become a national exemplar for how it manages the risk of flood and coastal erosion.

The partnership intends to address the current risks of flooding and coastal erosion in Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock as well as parts of Rochford and Castle Point. The project spans three catchments and will deliver innovative flood and coastal resilience through a combination of nature-based solutions, sustainable drainage systems and erosion protection.

Historically, Southend and Thurrock have experienced flood events resulting from intense rainfall coinciding with high tidal and fluvial levels, causing flooding from surface water, sewer, and fluvial sources. There are also concerns of flooding during a tide locking scenario.

Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment, culture, tourism, and planning, says: "The additional funding means the essential work of the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme can continue. The Catchment to Coast project will see collaborative working between Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock Councils and other government organisations, wildlife charities, utility companies and academic institutions.

"This funding will enable us to deliver an innovative programme that will primarily address the risks of surface water flooding and coastal erosion of historic landfill sites across the boroughs. To achieve this, the Catchment to Coast project will examine, implement and evaluate the use of natural flood management in the upper catchments and along the coastlines of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea.

"The project will include working with local universities to provide opportunities for PhD research projects, whilst supporting the monitoring and evaluation of the project, also developing and piloting a visual surface water beacon in order to warn those living in high-risk areas of potential surface water flooding.

"As part of the project the resilience actions are expected to provide many secondary benefits including improving water quality, improving biodiversity and increasing public awareness of the risk of flooding.

"The award of the funding is recognition of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's ability to lead, innovate and fulfil such worthwhile projects."
View the cabinet report on our democracy pages.

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Southend to become national exemplar for flood and coastal erosion risk management - Southend-on-Sea City Council

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Home Latest news Southend to become national exemplar for flood and coastal erosion risk management The council's cabinet will discuss the submission of an outline business case for the innovative Catchment to Coast project tomorrow (Tuesday 22nd February).

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Thanet District Council, Cecil Street, Margate

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Thanet District Council, Cecil Street, Margate

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Thanet District Council, Cecil Street, Margate

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Coastal engineering and maintenance - Thanet

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Coast engineering at work in Thanet The Engineering and Technical Services Section is responsible for coastal management along Thanet’s 16 miles of coastline. 11 miles of this coastline is protected by concrete sea walls which protect the land behind from erosion or flooding by the sea. About 85% of…

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Canterbury City Council, Military Road, Canterbury

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Canterbury City Council, Military Road, Canterbury

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Canterbury City Council, Military Road, Canterbury

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We are the Regional Coastal Group for South East England who bring together local authorities, the Environment Agency and other maritime operating organisations to achieve co-ordinated strategic management of the shoreline between the Thames Barrier and Selsey Bill.

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Dover District Council, Whitfield, Dover

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Dover District Council, Whitfield, Dover

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Dover District Council, Whitfield, Dover

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We manage the coast defences between Sandown Castle, Deal and Kingsdown and also at St. Margaret’s Bay

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Hastings Borough Council, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings

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Hastings Borough Council, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings

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Hastings Borough Council, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings

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The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is responsible for coastal and flood defence policy in the United Kingdom.

Local Authorities and the Environment Agency work together locally to produce Shoreline Management Plans and Coast Protection Strategies which enable schemes of work to be implemented in line with DEFRA policies.

The Environment Agency is responsible for flood defences on main rivers and sea defences to protect low lying land from coastal flooding. The Agency also operates flood warning systems which give information and warnings to the public on their website, on Teletext, Ceefax and through recorded telephone messages.

Hastings has approximately 12km of coastline and has powers under the Coast Protection Act 1949 to carry out works to protect the coast from erosion.

Major works were carried out from 1987 to 1991 to restore the defences and future works are planned to take account of predictions of sea level rise and climate change.

The developed 5km frontage of Hastings and St Leonards is protected by a system of seawalls and groynes which help to retain the shingle beaches.

To the east of the town are 7km of sandstone and clay cliffs which extend past the cliff top village of Fairlight to the low lying land at Pett Level, both of which are in Rother District Council. The cliffs are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and for the 5km within the Borough of Hastings there is a policy of no active intervention and the cliffs are left to erode naturally.

The Environment Agency has responsibility for defending the 2km of low lying land to the west of the town at Bulverhythe against coastal and fluvial flooding.

Useful links:

Environment Agency Floodline service telephone: 0845 988 1188.

Contact Information

For information on flood and coastal defence at Hastings contact us using the form on the right hand side.

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The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is responsible for coastal and flood defence policy in the United Kingdom. Local Authorities and the Environment Agency work together locally to produce Shoreline Management Plans and Coast Protection Strategies which enable schemes of work to be implemented in line with DEFRA policies.

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Wealden District Council, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham

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Wealden District Council, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham

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Wealden District Council, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham

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Within the district there are two lengths of coastline either side of Eastbourne. These are the nationally recognised chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters to the west and the low lying Pevensey Bay to the east where the shingle beach protects the Pevensey Levels from flooding. The Council is both the Coast Protection Authority and also the leaseholder of the foreshore.

The chalk cliffs at Birling Gap are eroding at some 0.75 metres annually. The Council, after considerable investigation and discussion, has decided that it would be inappropriate to take action to reduce the erosion at Birling Gap.

Who is responsible for coast protection?

The Environment Agency (external link) is responsible for the provision and maintenance of the sea defences at Pevensey Bay beach and the Cuckmere Haven. The Environment Agency is also responsible for the prevention of inland flooding.

The Pevensey Bay defences have recently been strengthened and are managed by Pevensey Coastal Defence LTD (external link).

The Environment Agency is looking at the feasibility of allowing Cuckmere Haven to return to its natural state (salt flats) by adopting a policy of retreating the line.

Shoreline Management Plans

In order to ensure that adjoining coastal authorities work in co-ordination with each other Shoreline Management Plans are produced.

The Wealden coastline falls in two separate plan areas. Birling Gap to Cuckmere Haven falls within the Selsey Bill to Beachy Head Shoreline Management Plan and the Pevensey Bay section is to be found in the Beachy Head to South Foreland Shoreline Management Plan which are available through the South East Coastal Group (external link) (SECG).

Both shoreline management plans are currently under review.

The Council is however committed to maintaining access at Birling Gap, allowing safe public enjoyment of this attractive beach.

How clean are Wealden's beaches?

The bathing water quality is measured at Pevensey Bay, Birling Gap and Cuckmere Haven throughout the summer season by the Environment Agency (external link). The results of these tests are published on public notice boards at Sea Road, Pevensey Bay and at Birling Gap.

The Council's Code of Practice "Sea Sense and Beach Behaviour" is made available in both leaflet and poster format.

For further information please contact us using the details below.

UK tides. Sign up or use the free 6 day tidal predictions. The service provides tidal data for over 6000 ports worldwide.

If you would like further information please use our online contact us form.

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Brighton & Hove City Council, Norton Road, Hove

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Brighton & Hove City Council, Norton Road, Hove

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Brighton & Hove City Council, Norton Road, Hove

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Protecting our coast from flooding and coastal erosion

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Find out what we are doing to protect our coastline from the elements

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West Sussex County Council - Bridge House, Barrington Road, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing

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West Sussex County Council - Bridge House, Barrington Road, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing

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West Sussex County Council - Bridge House, Barrington Road, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing

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Our strategy and commitment - West Sussex County Council

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Read about our climate change strategy and ambitious net zero pledge.

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Adur District Council, Pond Road, Shoreham-by-Sea

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Adur District Council, Pond Road, Shoreham-by-Sea

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Adur District Council, Pond Road, Shoreham-by-Sea

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See also:

The Coastal Office

The Coastal Office is a front line service for water safety and public wellbeing. Staff are First Aid trained and can also deal with every eventuality from lost children to cuts bruises, environmental reconnaissance and assisting emergency services.

The office is situated on the Promenade between Worthing Pier and Worthing Lido where you can get up-to-date weather forecasts, tide tables and general information regarding the beach and foreshore.

The Coastal Office is open 7 days a week:

1st May to 30th September: 9am to 6pm

1st October to 30th April: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

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What area do we cover?

The Coastal Office provides a service along 10.5 miles from Ferring in the west, to Widewater, Lancing, in the east.

The beach is made up of mainly shingle above high water and sand down to low water, with plentiful rock pools.

Water quality is tested by the Environment Agency.
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How do we patrol the beach?

Proactively by Quad bike or foot during the winter months covering from Ferring to East Worthing.

From 1st May to 30th September, we extend our area of operations to 10.5 miles from Ferring to Widewater in Lancing and conditions dictating deploy our rigid inflatable patrol boat or jet ski, both vessels are capable of covering boundary to boundary in about 15 minutes during emergency conditions.

The whole operation is controlled from the Coastal Office. All staff, vessels and vehicles carry VHF radio, mobile phones and a plentiful First Aid kit. Any one of our units can contact emergency services.

The Coastal Office is Council funded and known as an additional service to the Coastguard and other emergency services. Environmental reconnaissance is a large element of our day to day which includes:

reporting defects either marine or shore-based

promoting our seafront

enforcing and advising on byelaws

promoting water and beach safety

beach vessel management

recovering detritus and injured marine life, and

working to preserve and enhance our resident native flora and fauna

Our fleet consists of:

4.6 meter RIB

1 x Shark rescue kayak

1 x PWC Seadoo GT130 Jet Ski

2 x ATV (all-terrain vehicle)

Our crews are fully trained to a standard that complies with the Marine Coastguard Agency's standards. The boats are also coded to the Maritime Coastguard Agency's regulations for small work/rescue boats.
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Other services provided by the Coastal Office

The Coastal Office carries out many other services including:

First Aid: Available during opening hours

Water Safety talks for children with video and visual aids: This talk can be carried out in local Worthing schools. Contact the Coastal Office for details on how to book a talk

Byelaw enforcement: The Costal Office monitor infringements regarding cycling, jet skis, power boats and do their best to keep everyone happy - see also byelaws

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Coastal Office and Patrol service - Adur & Worthing Councils

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See also: The Coastal Office is a front line service for water safety and public wellbeing. Staff are First Aid trained and can also deal with every eventuality from lost children to cuts bruises, environmental reconnaissance and assisting emergency services.

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Worthing Borough Council, Chapel Road, Worthing

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Worthing Borough Council, Chapel Road, Worthing

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Worthing Borough Council, Chapel Road, Worthing

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See also:

The Coastal Office

The Coastal Office is a front line service for water safety and public wellbeing. Staff are First Aid trained and can also deal with every eventuality from lost children to cuts bruises, environmental reconnaissance and assisting emergency services.

The office is situated on the Promenade between Worthing Pier and Worthing Lido where you can get up-to-date weather forecasts, tide tables and general information regarding the beach and foreshore.

The Coastal Office is open 7 days a week:

1st May to 30th September: 9am to 6pm

1st October to 30th April: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

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What area do we cover?

The Coastal Office provides a service along 10.5 miles from Ferring in the west, to Widewater, Lancing, in the east.

The beach is made up of mainly shingle above high water and sand down to low water, with plentiful rock pools.

Water quality is tested by the Environment Agency.
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How do we patrol the beach?

Proactively by Quad bike or foot during the winter months covering from Ferring to East Worthing.

From 1st May to 30th September, we extend our area of operations to 10.5 miles from Ferring to Widewater in Lancing and conditions dictating deploy our rigid inflatable patrol boat or jet ski, both vessels are capable of covering boundary to boundary in about 15 minutes during emergency conditions.

The whole operation is controlled from the Coastal Office. All staff, vessels and vehicles carry VHF radio, mobile phones and a plentiful First Aid kit. Any one of our units can contact emergency services.

The Coastal Office is Council funded and known as an additional service to the Coastguard and other emergency services. Environmental reconnaissance is a large element of our day to day which includes:

reporting defects either marine or shore-based

promoting our seafront

enforcing and advising on byelaws

promoting water and beach safety

beach vessel management

recovering detritus and injured marine life, and

working to preserve and enhance our resident native flora and fauna

Our fleet consists of:

4.6 meter RIB

1 x Shark rescue kayak

1 x PWC Seadoo GT130 Jet Ski

2 x ATV (all-terrain vehicle)

Our crews are fully trained to a standard that complies with the Marine Coastguard Agency's standards. The boats are also coded to the Maritime Coastguard Agency's regulations for small work/rescue boats.
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Other services provided by the Coastal Office

The Coastal Office carries out many other services including:

First Aid: Available during opening hours

Water Safety talks for children with video and visual aids: This talk can be carried out in local Worthing schools. Contact the Coastal Office for details on how to book a talk

Byelaw enforcement: The Costal Office monitor infringements regarding cycling, jet skis, power boats and do their best to keep everyone happy - see also byelaws

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Coastal Office and Patrol service - Adur & Worthing Councils

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See also: The Coastal Office is a front line service for water safety and public wellbeing. Staff are First Aid trained and can also deal with every eventuality from lost children to cuts bruises, environmental reconnaissance and assisting emergency services.

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Chichester District Council, East Pallant, Chichester

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Chichester District Council, East Pallant, Chichester

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Chichester District Council, East Pallant, Chichester

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The management of coastal flooding and erosion fits into a three-tiered framework comprising of:

1. Schemes, which are individual coast protection projects or construction works that are developed at specific locations.

2. Shoreline Management Plans, which suggest in broad terms how the coast should be sustainably managed in the future.

3. Coastal Defence Strategies, the production of which may be recommended by a shoreline management plan. Strategies cover shorter lengths of coast in more detail, often where there are more complex coastal management issues.

Coastal Defence Schemes

Coastal defence schemes deliver shoreline management plan and coastal defence strategy policies on the ground, to manage flood and erosion risks. Coastal defence schemes tend to be capital projects that provide improved levels of protection against flooding and/or erosion and are much more significant than the routine on-going maintenance of the coastal defences that we also undertake.

When designing a scheme, studies may be undertaken to define the benefits for each management policy unit, and to precisely identify how any necessary engineering works or beach management will be undertaken. A Project Appraisal Report (PAR) will be written, which includes the preferred technical solution and used to inform an application for funding from DEFRA.

PARs will include:

Executive Summary.

Introduction and background.

Problem definition and objectives.

Options for managing flood risk.

Options appraisal and comparison.

Selection and details of the preferred option.

Implementation.

Once complete, the PAR will be presented to the Environment in an attempt to secure national grant-in-aid funding towards each capital coastal defence scheme. The Environment Agency will critically review the PAR and may approve it for funding, if it meets the appropriate criteria and there is sufficient economic justification.

Funding for coastal defence schemes is limited nationally, and construction works may only be completed where funding is secured. For much of our coastline, the cost to benefit ratio for coastal protection schemes is low, making it very difficult to secure national funding. Historically, funding for schemes comprised 100% national grant-in-aid funding where a clear business case could be made, however the policy on funding has changed and there is now an opportunity for community contributions towards schemes where 100% national funding cannot be justified/secured.

Various coastal protection schemes have been undertaken along the Pagham to East Head coastline over the last few years. These include:

2009 to 2011: Selsey West Beach Sea Wall Repair & Beach Recharge.

2015: Timber Breastwork Construction, Solent Way, Selsey.

2009, 2015 & 2022: Adaptive Management/Beach Recycling at East Head.

2011 to 2021: Beach Management, Selsey, Bracklesham & East Wittering.

Schemes we are currently working on and will be promoting over the next 5 years include:

Selsey, Bracklesham & East Wittering Beach Management 2021 to 2026.

Selsey Coastal Defence & Flood Scheme

2022: Economic Assessment & Implementation Plan

Adaptive Management at East Head

Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs)

Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) set out how the coast should be best managed over the next 100 years. They identify the most sustainable approaches to managing coastal erosion and flooding risks in the short, medium and long term (0-20, 20-50 and 50-100 years respectively) over wide stretches of coastline.

The objectives of an SMP are:

To define the coastal flooding and erosion risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environments.

To identify the preferred policies for managing those risks.

To identify the consequences of implementing the preferred policies.

To set out procedures for monitoring the effectiveness of the policies.

To inform others so future land use and coastal zone development can take account of the risks, the time frame of the risks and the policies.

To comply with environmental legislation and social obligations.

SMPs are developed by coastal groups, who involve and consult interested authorities, businesses and the public frequently during the decision making process. An SMP divides the coastline into 'policy units', which are small stretches of coastline that have similar characteristics (in terms of risks or coastal processes). Within each unit, one of the below policy options is selected to achieve the above objectives:

Hold The Line: Maintain or upgrade the level of protection provided by existing coastal defences.

Advance The Line: Build new defences seaward of the existing defence line.

Managed Realignment: Allowing the shoreline to move backwards or forwards, with management to control or limit movement.

No Active Intervention: A decision not to invest in providing or maintaining any defences.

Adaptive Management: Managing complex coastal areas by monitoring changes and acting on them in a planned but flexible way, increasing our understanding over time (unique to our area).

The council's coastline is covered by two SMPs; The North Solent SMP and the South Downs SMP. They join together at Selsey Bill.

Map of Shoreline Management Plan coverage [831kb]

South Down's SMP - Beachy Head to Selsey Bill

This SMP covers the open coast and harbour inlets between Selsey Bill and Pagham Harbour, for which this council is 'coast protection authority'. It also extends beyond this to Hurst Spit as the eastern limit of the SMP. The coastline to the east of Pagham falls under the jurisdiction of other coast protection authorities and this Council carries out no coast protection works beyond this point.

Final management policy options

Policy unit map reference

Start of unit

End of unit

Epoch 1 (0-20yrs)

Epoch 2 (20-50yrs)

Epoch 3 (50-100yrs)

Key to table:

HTL: Hold The Line - shoreline management policy to maintain or upgrade the level of protection provided by existing coastal defences.

MR: Managed Realignment - shoreline management policy to allow the shoreline to move backwards or forwards, with management to control or limit movement.

South Down's Shoreline Management Plan Summary Document [6Mb]

Map of South Down's SMP Coastal Management Policy Units within the Chichester District [819kb]

North Solent SMP - Selsey Bill to Hurst Spit

This SMP covers the open coast and harbour inlets between Selsey Bill and Emsworth, for which this council is 'coast protection authority'. It also extends beyond this to Hurst Spit as the western limit of the SMP. The coastline to the west of Emsworth falls under the jurisdiction of other coast protection authorities and this council carries out no coast protection works beyond this point.

Final management policy options

Key to table:

HTL: Hold The Line - shoreline management policy to maintain or upgrade the level of protection provided by existing coastal defences.

MR: Managed Realignment - shoreline management policy to allow the shoreline to move backwards or forwards, with management to control or limit movement.

AM: Adaptive Management - shoreline management policy to monitor changes in complex coastal areas and acting on them in a planned but flexible way, increasing our understanding over time.

NPFA: No Public Funding Available - this highlights that no public money will be available to fund the preferred management policy. This often relates to privately owned and maintained defences.

North Solent Shoreline Management Plan Summary Document [2Mb]

Map of North Solent SMP Coastal Management Policy Units within the Chichester District [845kb]

Coastal Defence Strategies (CDSs)

Coastal Defence Strategies (CDSs) define how to deliver the policy set by Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs), along smaller sections of coastline. The key objective of a CDS is to examine coastal processes in detail, confirm or re-assess the SMP policy options and identify appropriate coastal defence schemes that meet economic, environmental and social criteria. The CDS will identify the preferred approach to coastal risk management and propose the best type of engineering scheme to manage risks, taking account of economic and environmental issues and any compensatory habitat requirements.

CDSs are usually prepared by all operating authorities along a defined coastal frontage, working in partnership. Similar to SMPs, once written, CDSs undergo wide public and stakeholder consultation before any final management decisions are made. The CDSs focus on policy units in much more detail than the SMP did. Each frontage has been assessed for flood and erosion risk management options, using government technical, economic, social and environmental criteria. The management options that may be selected for a policy unit are:

No Active Management: Let nature take its course - no work will be carried out to maintain or repair defences, allowing them to deteriorate over time.

Active Intervention to hold the line: This policy option has various sub-options:

Maintain: Defences are maintained at their current levels, but as sea levels rise flood risk increases over time.

Sustain: Defences are raised and strengthened as sea levels rise keeping the level of flood risk the same as it is now.

Improve: Defences are improved to increase the standard of protection over time, beyond the requirements of rising sea levels.

Managed Realignment: Improve coastal stability by moving coastal defences to a more sustainable location further inland, allowing controlled flooding to occur.

Adaptive Management: Managing complex coastal areas by monitoring changes and acting on them in a planned but flexible way, increasing our understanding over time.

The council's coastline is currently covered by one completed coastal defence strategy, one draft coastal defence strategy and one proposed coastal defence strategy, as illustrated by the map of Coastal Defence Strategy Coverage'

Map of Coastal Defence Strategy coverage [779kb]

The Pagham to East Head Coastal Defence Strategy has been fully completed and adopted by the council. The Environment Agency, Chichester and Arun District Councils worked in partnership to produce the Pagham to East Head Draft Coastal Defence Strategy. This document summarises our draft strategy findings and recommendations.

Pagham to East Head draft coastal defence strategy [1Mb]

Flooding and erosion are real risks for people living on the coastline between Pagham and East Head. If there were no sea defences today, more than 300 houses and businesses in low lying areas could flood each year. With rising sea levels, this number could rise to more than 2,200 in the next 100 years. If the existing defences are not maintained, erosion could cause almost 1,500 properties to be lost to the sea. Subject to funding being available, our recommendations can manage the risk of flooding and erosion to communities and the environment over the next century.

Our work makes clear that securing funding for building and maintaining defences are serious and pressing issues for this area. The amount of funding available from central government to provide defences is limited. There is strong competition for these funds from elsewhere around the country. If funding cannot be found, plans will be needed to help people adapt to the inevitable changes.

Our coastline between East Head and Emsworth (Chichester Harbour) is not currently covered by a coastal defence strategy, however we are in the early stages of promoting the production of one.

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Havant Borough Council, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant

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Havant Borough Council, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant

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Havant Borough Council, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant

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Coastal defence and protection schemes can include major civil engineering undertakings and require many years of planning, site investigations, impact assessment and most importantly the support of the community.

The Local Authorities across the Coastal Partners frontage invest resources each year into maintaining their existing coastal defence structures. No coastal defence is maintenance free, although in some cases cost can be quite minimal.

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Coastal defence and protection schemes can include major civil engineering undertakings and require many years of planning, site investigations, impact assessment and most importantly the support of the community. The Local Authorities across the Coastal Partners frontage invest resources each year into maintaining their existing coastal defence structures.

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Portsmouth City Council, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth

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Portsmouth City Council, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth

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Portsmouth City Council, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth

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Fareham Borough Council, Civic Way, Fareham

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Fareham Borough Council, Civic Way, Fareham

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Fareham Borough Council, Civic Way, Fareham

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Coastal defence and protection schemes can include major civil engineering undertakings and require many years of planning, site investigations, impact assessment and most importantly the support of the community.

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The County Council owns and manages 20 sites on the Hampshire coast

Coastal sites owned and managed by Hampshire County Council

We own and manage 20 sites on the Hampshire coast. These include:

three country parks

nine nature reserves

farmland estates

This totals more than 4,450 acres (1,800 hectares). The total length of coastline owned by the County Council is about 22 miles (36 kilometres).

Many of our sites are designated for conservation.

Responsibilities

The County Council is responsible for protecting its own land from the sea, especially where important features and assets are at risk.

Coastal defences are generally the responsibility of district councils and the Environment Agency.

The defences provide coastal protection against erosion and sea defence against flooding, and consist of:

soft defences (beach replenishment)

hard defences (sea walls, revetments and groynes)

The County Council provides support to some local ferries which offer not only a recreational service but a sustainable method of transportation.

Emergency planning

The County Council has an Emergency Planning Unit.

This unit draws up, maintains and reviews arrangements for dealing with major incidents such as coastal oil and chemical pollution. It also coordinates responses across the council, and works closely with the county's emergency services and district councils.

District councils are responsible for physical clearance in their areas.

History and heritage

The Hampshire coast is as important today as it was in the past, for the:

rich resources of the sea and shoreline

ports

transport and trade

defence

The Hampshire coast has a rich heritage from prehistoric camps, to Roman ports, to military installations. The Solent is a drowned landscape. It has early stone age evidence - now on the sea bed, along with ship wrecks and crashed aircraft.

The work of the Solent Forum

Hampshire County Council is a founding member of the Solent Forum and actively participates in its work.

The Solent Forum is an independent coastal partnership. It was established in 1992 to develop a greater understanding among

local and harbour authorities

user groups

marine businesses and agencies

These groups are involved in planning and management of the Solent. The Forum assists and advises these groups in carrying out their functions. The Solent Forum has over 50 member organisations representing a wide range of sectors.

Further details about the work of the Solent Forum

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Hampshire County Council's role in coastal planning and management

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The County Council owns and manages 20 sites on the Hampshire coast Coastal sites owned and managed by Hampshire County Council We own and manage 20 sites on the Hampshire coast. These include: three country parks nine nature reserves farmland estates This totals more than 4,450 acres (1,800 hectares).

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New Forest District Council, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst

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New Forest District Council, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst

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New Forest District Council, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst

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New Forest has around 40 miles of coastline, ranging from sandy beaches to saltmarshes and cliffs. Around 90% of it has some form of nature conservation designation and it is host to many important habitats and species. Taking care of the coastline is the responsibility of New Forest District Council, often working in partnership with other parties.

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Coastal management - New Forest District Council

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New Forest has around 40 miles of coastline, ranging from sandy beaches to saltmarshes and cliffs. Around 90% of it has some form of nature conservation designation and it is host to many important habitats and species. Taking care of the coastline is the responsibility of New Forest District Council, often working in partnership with other parties.

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BCP Council - Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth

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BCP Council - Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth

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BCP Council - Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth

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Have Your Say Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

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Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) and New Forest District Council (NFDC) are working together with the Environment Agency to produce a strategy for Christchurch Bay and Harbour. It will guide how the frontage from Hengistbury Head to Hurst Spit, encompassing Christchurch Harbour, may be sustainably managed for the next 100 years.

It will identify where, when and broadly what type of works are needed to manage the risks of coastal flooding and erosion and what they may cost. It will also consider the effects of predicted climate change on coastal communities, including sea level rise and increased levels of storminess.

In Autumn 2020, BCP Council successfully secured £450,000 of government Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) to produce the Strategy on behalf of the partners. We have appointed specialist technical consultant AECOM to help support us in this work and we anticipate the final Strategy will be adopted in early 2024.

As Coast Protection Authorities, BCP and NFDC have permissive powers to manage coastal flooding and erosion risk where it is appropriate and feasible to do so. Along with the Environment Agency, BCP as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) has additional statutory responsibilities for managing flood risk; and Hampshire County Council are the LLFA covering the NFDC area.
Project timeline
We have developed a phased approach to deliver the Christchurch Bay & Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy. Development of the Strategy will involve 6 stages of engagement:

Summer 2021 - Phase 1: To support our data gathering process we asked people to share their views and provide comments on the 5 key geographical areas covered by the Strategy area. You can see full details on Phase 1 here.

Spring 2022 - Phase 2: We shared our initial findings from Phase 1 and asked people to tell us if we had missed something. We are using the information gathered to start developing the new coastal Strategy. You can see full details on Phase 2 here.

Summer 2022 - Phase 3: We presented the risks of doing nothing with the addition of climate change impacts to workshop groups to help identify a long list of options to do something to manage the coastal flood and erosion risks across the Strategy area. You can see full details on Phase 3 here.

Winter 2022 - Phase 4: Once we have the long list of options, we'll evaluate them and present them for feedback to help short list all potential viable options. The Phase 4 engagement is currently open and closes at midnight on the 15 January 2023. Find more details here.

Summer 2023 - Phase 5: We will hold a formal public consultation to listen to views on the draft short-list option appraisal findings to manage the risk of coastal flooding and erosion.

Early 2024 - Phase 6: We will present the findings of the final Strategy once it has been adopted by all partners and anticipate that this will be in early 2024.

If you have any questions or comments, please email coastal@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

Further information can be found on twobays.net.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) and New Forest District Council (NFDC) are working together with the Environment Agency to produce a strategy for Christchurch Bay and Harbour. It will guide how the frontage from Hengistbury Head to Hurst Spit, encompassing Christchurch Harbour, may be sustainably managed for the next 100 years.

It will identify where, when and broadly what type of works are needed to manage the risks of coastal flooding and erosion and what they may cost. It will also consider the effects of predicted climate change on coastal communities, including sea level rise and increased levels of storminess.

In Autumn 2020, BCP Council successfully secured £450,000 of government Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) to produce the Strategy on behalf of the partners. We have appointed specialist technical consultant AECOM to help support us in this work and we anticipate the final Strategy will be adopted in early 2024.

As Coast Protection Authorities, BCP and NFDC have permissive powers to manage coastal flooding and erosion risk where it is appropriate and feasible to do so. Along with the Environment Agency, BCP as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) has additional statutory responsibilities for managing flood risk; and Hampshire County Council are the LLFA covering the NFDC area.
Project timeline
We have developed a phased approach to deliver the Christchurch Bay & Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy. Development of the Strategy will involve 6 stages of engagement:

Summer 2021 - Phase 1: To support our data gathering process we asked people to share their views and provide comments on the 5 key geographical areas covered by the Strategy area. You can see full details on Phase 1 here.

Spring 2022 - Phase 2: We shared our initial findings from Phase 1 and asked people to tell us if we had missed something. We are using the information gathered to start developing the new coastal Strategy. You can see full details on Phase 2 here.

Summer 2022 - Phase 3: We presented the risks of doing nothing with the addition of climate change impacts to workshop groups to help identify a long list of options to do something to manage the coastal flood and erosion risks across the Strategy area. You can see full details on Phase 3 here.

Winter 2022 - Phase 4: Once we have the long list of options, we'll evaluate them and present them for feedback to help short list all potential viable options. The Phase 4 engagement is currently open and closes at midnight on the 15 January 2023. Find more details here.

Summer 2023 - Phase 5: We will hold a formal public consultation to listen to views on the draft short-list option appraisal findings to manage the risk of coastal flooding and erosion.

Early 2024 - Phase 6: We will present the findings of the final Strategy once it has been adopted by all partners and anticipate that this will be in early 2024.

If you have any questions or comments, please email coastal@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

Further information can be found on twobays.net.

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Christchurch Bay and Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy

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Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) and New Forest District Council (NFDC) are working together with the Environment Agency to produce a strategy for Christchurch Bay and Harbour. It will guide how the frontage from Hengistbury Head to Hurst Spit,

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Sedgemoor District Council, King Square, Bridgwater

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Sedgemoor District Council, King Square, Bridgwater

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Sedgemoor District Council, King Square, Bridgwater

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East Devon District Council, Heathpark Industrial Estate, Honiton

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East Devon District Council, Heathpark Industrial Estate, Honiton

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East Devon District Council, Heathpark Industrial Estate, Honiton

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East Devon is renowned for its beautiful and unique coastline, the majority of which, since 2001, has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and included as part of the geologically unique Jurassic Coast. In addition to this designation, sections of the coastline, such as the cliffs at Budleigh Salterton, are classified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's) or as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

East Devon District Council is the designated Coastal Protection Authority under the 1949 Coastal Protection Act, and as such have the powers to protect this land against coastal erosion and to control third party activities on the coast.

As the Local Planning Authority, we also have a key role in planning of development along our coast in particular areas subject to coastal change.

Coastal Monitoring

The coastline of East Devon is monitored on a regular basis as part of the South West Regional Monitoring Programme.

The Programme provides a consistent regional approach to coastal process monitoring, providing information for the development of strategic shoreline management plans, coastal defence strategies and operational management of coastal protection and flood defence.

Last updated 26 March 2020

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Overview of Coastal Protection and Monitoring - East Devon

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East Devon is renowned for its beautiful and unique coastline, the majority of which, since 2001, has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and included as part of the geologically unique Jurassic Coast.

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North Devon Council, Commercial Road, Barnstaple

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North Devon Council, Commercial Road, Barnstaple

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North Devon Council, Commercial Road, Barnstaple

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North Devon Council, PO Box 379, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 2GR, UK, Tel 01271 327711 Fax 01271 388451 Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk

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Devon County Council, Topsham Road, Exeter

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Devon County Council, Topsham Road, Exeter

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Devon County Council, Topsham Road, Exeter

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Devon County Council recognises the importance of the coast and seas around Devon to its communities. It is only by careful and informed planning and management that we will be able to use these environments to our benefit in the long term and not degrade them. We will support discussion, leading to action, with key players both here in Devon and further afield that move us closer to the vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse marine environment.

The Devon coast

In the administrative area of Devon County Council, at Mean High Water, the two coasts of Devon extend to almost 700km. Generally, the north coast is less densely populated and developed than the south coast. Both benefit from extensive stretches of beautiful, open landscape and beaches, rich in wildlife and historic interest. Exmoor National Park and three coastal Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty give testament to its quality. Its rich biodiversity is recognised by a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a Ramsar Site, coastal Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, National Nature Reserves and England's first ever Marine Nature Reserve plus Sites of Special Scientific Interest and County Wildlife Sites. In addition, geological interest is recognised through the UNESCO Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

The majority of Devon's residents live within 20 km of the coast, many in resort towns that serve both as communities, often catering for retired people, and as places to visit. Commerce associated with the coast and sea is important to Devon and includes the hotel and catering trades, coastal attractions, fishing, angling and aquaculture, water-sports and marinas, ports, marine engineering and boatbuilding.

Devon Maritime Forum

The Devon Maritime Forum was established in 2005 as a strategic county-wide partnership that acts a 'champion of the sea' for Devon and the South West. Devon County Council is the host organisation for the Forum, with other funding partners including Devon Wildlife Trust, South West Water, Plymouth University Marine Institute and Brend Hotels. The Forum facilitates communication between a network of marine stakeholders - providing a coherent 'voice' for maritime Devon, raising the profile of marine and maritime concerns and promoting broad debate in order to achieve sustainability on our coasts and seas.

Marine and Coastal Access Act and marine planning

The Marine and Coastal Access Act received Royal Assent on 12 November 2009. This pioneering legislation introduced some critical new provisions for the protection and management of the maritime environment, including marine planning, coastal access, marine nature conservation, marine licensing, fisheries management and marine enforcement. The new marine planning system (a Marine Policy Statement and series of marine plans) has sustainable development of the UK marine area at its heart. Marine planning will be one of the major functions of the Marine Management Organisation, which will have responsibility for preparing marine plans in accordance with the policies and objectives set out by the government.

Marine Protected Areas

Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), together with other types of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) including European Marine Sites, such as the Exe Estuary, will form the UK contribution to an international ecologically coherent network of MPAs and help to deliver the vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. A first and second tranche of MCZ's have been introduced, including: Skerries Bank and Surrounds; Torbay;Tamar Estuary Sites; Hartland Point to Tintagel; and Bideford to Foreland Point in Devon. Further areas are currently subject to additional detailed investigation, prior to their potential designation being confirmed.

Shoreline Management Plans and coastal defence

The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) offers an agreed and strategic approach to managing coastal processes, particularly erosion. The two plans that cover the Devon coast have been adopted by the coastal district and unitary local authorities that are responsible, under the overall coordination of the Environment Agency, for coastal risk management.

Devon County Council supports this approach and seeks to manage key coastal assets that it is responsible for, such as roads, in accordance with the SMP. The SMP provides an opportunity to prioritise investment in coastal erosion management and to ensure that a coastal defence scheme on a particular part of the coast does not threaten or compromise the coast elsewhere. In some cases, the strategic management options outlined within SMPs are further developed through more detailed coastal strategies, such as within the Exe Estuary. These form the basis for the establishment of site specific coastal defence or beach management schemes, for which national funding will usually be sought through flood and coastal defence grant-in-aid.

Marine Plastics

Plastic is an incredibly useful material because of its versatility, but when littered into the environment it ultimately ends up in the oceans. Our Plastic Strategy describes how the Authority will play its part in reducing plastic litter. As part of this activity we have undertaken a review of our own use of single-use plastics.

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Devon County Council recognises the importance of the coast and seas around Devon to its communities. It is only by careful and informed planning and management that we will be able to use these environments to our benefit in the ... Continue reading →

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Wirral Council, Old Chester Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead

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Wirral Council, Old Chester Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead

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Wirral Council, Old Chester Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead

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Wirral Council is responsible for 19 miles of sea and river walls between the borough boundaries at Eastham and Heswall.

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Wyre Council, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde

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Wyre Council, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde

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Wyre Council, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde

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Blackpool Council, Talbot Road, Blackpool

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Blackpool Council, Talbot Road, Blackpool

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Blackpool Council, Talbot Road, Blackpool

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Blackpool has a marine frontage of about 11.25 kilometres, all of which is protected from erosion by the sea wall, which needs constant maintenance.

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South Tyneside Council, Westoe Road, South Shields

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South Tyneside Council, Westoe Road, South Shields

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South Tyneside Council, Westoe Road, South Shields

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Rother District Council, London Road, Bexhill-on-Sea

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Rother District Council, London Road, Bexhill-on-Sea

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Rother District Council, London Road, Bexhill-on-Sea

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The shoreline is a dynamic system where stability is maintained despite the continued movement of waves, tides, wind and sediment. The present configuration of the shoreline is now controlled by the various coastal defences which humanity has put in place over the last 100 - 200 years. These have stopped or slowed the transport of sediments and reduced the ability of the shoreline to respond to natural forcing factors.

Who is responsible for the coastline?

Responsibilities are split according to the nature of the ground behind the seashore where the ground lies lower than the seashore and would flood if sea defences failed the Environment Agency is the body responsible for carrying out works to prevent that flooding, where the ground lies higher than the seashore and would erode if attacked by the sea, Rother District Council is the Coastal Risk Management Authority.

As a coastal risk management authority the Council has permissive powers under the Coast Protection Act 1949 to protect the coast from erosion and encroachment by the sea. The legislation does not make it a statutory requirement to defend the coast, but most coastal councils chose to be active in coast protection.

Councils can apply to the Environment Agency for grant aid towards the development of plans and strategies for carrying out a scheme of works to protect the coast. Grant may be forthcoming on the basis of a number of 'tests' a scheme would have to meet. These might include, amongst others, such factors as cost, benefit of the works, meeting environmental criteria, nature and appropriateness of the works, their projected lifespan, etc.

The Environment Agency acts as an executive agent of the government department Defra which has the overall policy responsibility for coastal defence.

Strategic Planning

A key component in managing the coast has been the development of Shoreline Management Plans (SMP) which set out a strategy for the coastal management of a section of the coastline.
Each SMP covers an area of coastline known as a sub-cell within a littoral sediment cell, of which there are eleven on the England and Wales coastline.

A sediment cell is defined as a length of coastline, which is relatively self-contained as far as the movement of sand or shingle is concerned, and where interruption to such movement should not have a significant effect on adjacent sediment cells. Each major littoral cell is divided into a number of sub-cells, based on the best available knowledge of large-scale processes.

In order to encourage improved co-operation between authorities a series of Coastal Groups have been established based on the littoral cell boundaries. Rother District Council is a member of the South-East Coastal Group which extends from Beachy Head to the Isle of Grain. The preparation of SMPs has been an example of the benefits which can be achieved by closer working between authorities. The first generation of SMPs were produced in the mid 1990's; One SMP covers South Kent and extends from Beachy Head to Dover Harbour (1995) and the North Kent Plan (1996) extends from Dover Harbour to the Isle of Grain on the River Thames. Work is now in hand to review these plans. The South Foreland to Beachy Head Plan was published as a consultation draft in January 2005. The consultation continued until April 8th 2005, details can be seen at South East Coastal Group.

The production of each SMP involved the appointment of expert firms of consulting engineers to undertake a detailed study of all the issues affecting the coast such as land use, environmental protection, economics and the action of the coastal processes. The final report establishes the management policy for the coast defences by dividing it into separate Management Units and making specific recommendations for each unit based on four alternative options:
Do Nothing, Hold the Line, Advance the Line or Retreat the Line.

Further Information

If you require further information on the Council's coastal defences, please contact the Contracts Services Manager(see below).

Detailed background information can also be found on the following web-sites:

Neighbourhood Services Manager
Rother District Council
Town Hall
Bexhill-on-Sea TN39 3JX

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The shoreline is a dynamic system where stability is maintained despite the continued movement of waves, tides, wind and sediment. The present configuration of the shoreline is now controlled by the various coastal defences which humanity has put in place over the last 100 - 200 years.

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Lewes District Council, Southover Road, Lewes

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Lewes District Council, Southover Road, Lewes

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Lewes District Council, Southover Road, Lewes

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Lewes District Council manages coast protection in the district with other agencies stretching from Saltdean in the west to Cuckmere in the east, some 14.5km of shoreline.

Our responsibility for coast protection is to take measures against erosion and not safeguarding against flooding from the sea. This restricts our coverage to 9.7km of shoreline.

Our coast defence works focus on the frontage from Saltdean to Peacehaven. We have a fifty year strategy covering major renewal programmes for existing defences.

The cliffs between Peacehaven Heights and Newhaven, and at Seaford Head, do not have any coast defences, nor are any proposed. In these locations, there is little or no development and the cliffs will continue to erode naturally.

Agencies responsible for coastal protection

Newhaven Port and Properties are responsible for Newhaven Harbour and the mouth of the Ouse, which they maintain for navigation purposes.

The Environment Agency (EA) is responsible for Seaford Bay from the mouth of the Ouse along to Splash Point, Seaford. On this frontage, a shingle beach forms the primary defence against the sea.

The EA recycles shingle annually to ensure the beach provides good protection for the town. At the far eastern end of our coastal frontage the EA also maintains the beach at Cuckmere Haven.

Management of the coast

Management of the Sussex Coast between Selsey Bill and Beachy Head is guided by a Shoreline Management Plan. To view this plan visit the South East Coastal Group website. This Plan provides a framework for the coast for the rest of the Century.

Brighton Marina to Newhaven Coastal Management Implementation Plan

In 2014 we commissioned a plan with Brighton and Hove City Council to help consider the options for managing the coastline over the next 100 years.

The Brighton Marina to Newhaven Coastal Management Implementation Plan reviews and updates a number of previous studies to develop a single plan in-line with the current government flood and coastal risk management guidance.

The plan gives options for managing the five key sections of coastline frontage over the next 100 years which have been developed by the multi-agency project team in partnership with the Environment Agency.

A summary of the plan is available to download below.

Information sharing sessions

In June 2017 we held three information sharing sessions. These were an opportunity for local residents to understand the challenges we face and the options for managing our coastline. It was also be a chance for the people living closes to the cliffs to speak to the organisations involved in developing and delivering the plan.

The presentation boards displayed at these sessions are available to download below.

Coastal erosion management mailing list

To receive updates about future engagement events sign up for our coastal management and protection mailing list using our keep me posted email updates.

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Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils

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Lewes District Council manages coast protection in the district with other agencies stretching from Saltdean in the west to Cuckmere in the east, some 14.5km of shoreline. Our responsibility for coast protection is to take measures against erosion and not safeguarding against flooding from the sea. This restricts our coverage to 9.7km of shoreline.

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Scarborough Borough Council, Saint Nicholas Street, Scarborough

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Scarborough Borough Council, Saint Nicholas Street, Scarborough

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Scarborough Borough Council, Saint Nicholas Street, Scarborough

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Scarborough Borough Council is one of eighty-eight maritime district councils in whom is vested the responsibility for controlling coastal erosion under the Coast Protection Act 1949 (CPA).

The CPA is administered by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and is broadly intended to allow Coast Protection Authorities, such as SBC, to carry out capital works, whilst routine maintenance and general husbandry of the coast is regarded as a local function.

The Environment Agency (EA) is the primary sea defence authority for England, while Coast Protection Authorities have two functions; regulating the protection works of others (such as landowners), and promoting their own schemes part-funded by grant from the EA.

The Act makes no specific provisions for amenity or conservation works and is confined solely to defence structures. There are however numerous other regulations and European Directives that ensure environmental considerations play a major part in the design and construction of any new scheme or maintenance works, and under the CPA as a Coast Protection Authority, SBC must consider the Water Framework Directive, and the Land Drainage Act 2010 at all times.

Our coastline

The Borough of Scarborough lies along a coastline of approximately 67km, (42 miles) Stretching from Staithes in the North to Speeton Cliffs in the South, of which 15km (9.5 miles) of this coastline is defended by either natural or man-made structures to protect it from the aggressive North Sea environment. Our coastline has many areas defined as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Heritage Coast which underlines the unique character of the region.

Scarborough Borough Council (SBC) does not have a legal obligation to protect any of its coastline. However, under permissive powers, it routinely carries out works of both a capital funded (i.e. through applications for Grant Aid made to central Government, Defra and The Environment Agency, under the terms of the 1949 Coast Protection Act) and SBC revenue funded (i.e. from the Council's main annual budget). The SBC revenue budget allows for the ongoing maintenance of seawalls, promenades and coastal cliffs within the Borough's responsibility.

The Shoreline Management Plan 2

A Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) exists to promote good and prudent management of the coastline. The overall aim of the SMP is to set out a plan for a 100 year period indicating how our coastline should be managed, taking into account the wider implications on the neighbouring coastline and the environment.

It provides a large-scale assessment of the risks associated with coastal processes and presents a policy framework to reduce these risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment in a sustainable manner into the 22nd century.

The Shoreline Management Plan 2 (SMP2) was completed in October 2007 and was developed in conjunction with neighbouring coastal authorities. The SMP2 covers the areas stretching from South Tyneside in the North to Flamborough Head in the South. Scarborough Borough Council undertook this project as lead authority.

North East SMP2 website.

Capital funded coast protection works

Scarborough Borough Council has been pro-active and successful in attracting large amounts of monies from Central Government (Defra/The Environment Agency) to fund major coastal protection schemes in the Borough.

Such Schemes have been carried out as a result of Coastal Strategy studies and the SMP2 that has been undertaken by SBC. These studies have developed Action Plans from which capital projects have evolved. For each individual project it has been necessary to demonstrate to Defra and/or The Environment Agency that they are technically sound, economically viable, environmentally acceptable and sustainable. Recently completed and current schemes/strategies/studies include:

Borough-wide coastal monitoring

In order to better understand our coastline, monitoring equipment has been installed at various locations within the Whitby, Scarborough and Filey areas.

Some 86 piezometers (a piezometer is a small diameter water well used to measure the hydraulic head of groundwater in aquifers) and 38 Inclinometers (an inclinometer is used to monitor slopes and landslides to detect zones of movement and establish whether movement is constant, accelerating, or responding to remedial measures) are monitored regularly along with photographic surveys and crack monitoring. SBC also hold a list of reports on Ground Investigations undertaken on the coastal strip. The estimated capital funded cost of this monitoring and analysis programme is £200,000 over five years.

All local monitoring reports can be downloaded from the North East Coastal Observatory website http://www.northeastcoastalobservatory.org.uk under the reports section.

Strategic coastal monitoring

SBC is continuing to spearhead coastal monitoring on behalf of authorities from the Scottish Borders down to Flamborough Head. The current monitoring project will run for five years from 2011 to 2016 and will involve a variety of surveys at many different locations along the coastline. Some of the surveys and activities undertaken will include:

Bathymetric Survey

Aerial Photography Survey/LIDAR/CASI

Cliff stability Survey

Sea Bed sediment Survey

Defence inspections

Beach profile/Topographic survey

Buoy deployment and data capture at Scarborough, Whitby and Newbiggin Bay (Northumberland)

The estimated capital funded cost of this monitoring is £2.5 million. The data once collected will aid understanding and inform how our coastline should be managed now and in the future.

Other websites

Complete projects

Runswick Bay, Completed in 2000 at a cost of £2.7 million

Robin Hoods Bay, Completed in 2001 at a cost of £3 million

Haggerlythe, Whitby, completed in 2001 at a cost of £1.6 million

Staithes Harbour & Cowbar, completed in 2005/6 at a cost of £3.5 million

East Pier, Castle Headland and the Holms, Scarborough, completed in 2005/6 at a cost of £51 million

Cayton Bay Cliff Investigations, completed April 2009, cost £276,500

Whitby Strategy further studies, completed April 2009, cost £319,000

Whitby Pier Power feasibility Study, completed 2010 at a cost of £37,000

Whitby East Pier Urgent Works completed July 2011 at a cost of £2.8 million

NE (Scotland to Flamborough Head) Strategic Coastal Monitoring 2008-2011 completed at a cost of £1.4 million

Staithes Inner Harbour Wall Project Appraisal Report completed July 2012 at a cost of £20,000

Filey Flat Cliffs Ground Investigation Study completed August 2012 at a cost of £161,000

Robin Hood's Bay Strategy Study - cost £223,000

Filey Coastal Outflanking Study - cost £117,000

Filey Slope Study - cost £200,000

Scarborough Spa Coastal Defences Option Appraisal

Eastfield Flood Alleviation Scheme £75,000

North Bay Seawall Capital Maintenance, Project Appraisal Report - cost £87,000

Staithes Inner Harbour Wall Works schedule - cost £140,000

Whitby Coastal Strategy 2 - cost £230,000

Current projects

Pathfinder - Coastal Adaptation Pilot Project - current budget £1,022,500

NE (Scotland to Flamborough Head) Strategic Coastal Monitoring 2011-2016 (ongoing) current budget £2.5 million

Whitby Church Street Flood Alleviation Scheme Project Appraisal Report (ongoing) estimated cost £20,000

Runswick Bay Coastal Strategy - est cost £187,000

Whitby Harbour Piers works - est cost £4.8m

Bathing Water Partnership

Robin Hood's Bay PAR - cost £50,000

Cell 1 sediment transport study - cost £150,000

North Bay Improvement Works - cost £446,000

Filey Flood Alleviation Study (on going) estimate cost £396,000

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Scarborough Borough Council is one of eighty-eight maritime district councils in whom is vested the responsibility for controlling coastal erosion under the Coast Protection Act 1949 (CPA).

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Teignbridge District Council, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot

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Teignbridge District Council, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot

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Teignbridge District Council, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot

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TECP Annual Forum - Monday 9th May
Book your tickets here
The Teign Estuary and Coastal Partnership (TECP) promotes the integrated coastal management, access and economic development of the estuary and the open coast between Torbay and the Exe Estuary.

TECP is led by Teignbridge District Council and includes all the Statutory Agencies with an interest in the management of this diverse area, together with the direct involvement of around 100 local and regional stakeholder groups. The Partnership leads or is actively involved in economic development initiatives for the area, water recreation, coastal defence, footpaths, slipways and coastal access, fishing and shellfisheries, conservation, the Templer Way and Stover Canal, Taste of the Teign, bathing water standards and operates a Small grants fund to encourage community groups to get involved in the management of this charismatic area.

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Teign Estuary and Coastal Partnership - About us - Teignbridge District Council

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Book your tickets here The Teign Estuary and Coastal Partnership (TECP) promotes the integrated coastal management, access and economic development of the estuary and the open coast between Torbay and the Exe Estuary.

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Coast Protection and Management | Torridge District Council

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Torridge has a coastline of approximately 45km, stretching from the Cornwall border just south of Welcombe, to Northam Burrows Country Park in the mouth of the Taw Torridge Estuary. The coast has a rich diversity in its physical form and natural environment with some of the finest coastal scenery in…

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Arun District Council, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton

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Arun District Council, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton

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Arun District Council, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton

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Information about the risks of living on the coast and things to consider when building there

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Cumbria County Council, Parkhouse Building, Carlisle

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Cumbria County Council, Parkhouse Building, Carlisle

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Cumbria County Council, Parkhouse Building, Carlisle

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The Cumbria Coastal Strategy began development in 2017. The Strategy reports have now been completed and endorsed by partners. Some of the key stages and approximate timescales for the Strategy development included:

Data and baseline information review (June to September 2017)

Consideration of risks, opportunities and priority areas (July to December 2017)

Strategic environmental assessment scoping (November 2017 to March 2018)

Options development and appraisal (February to August 2018)

Engagement on draft options (November and December 2018)

Identification of preferred options (January to August 2019)

Draft strategy production (April to November 2019)

Consultation on draft strategy (November to December 2019)

Habitats Regulation Assessment stages (June 2019 to November 2020)

Final amendments to Strategy documents (January to November 2020)

Strategy Appraisal Report (April to June 2020)

Submission of Strategy documents to Environment Agency (August 2020)

Environment Agency approval received (September 2020)

District Council endorsements (December 2020 to February 2021)

Cumbria County Council endorsement (March 2021)

The early stages of the Strategy development involved study work to assess the key features of our coastline and the risks to these from coastal erosion and flooding, both now and in the future.

Informed by the study work, specific stretches of coast that require works to manage the risks in the shorter term were identified. These were called priority units. Within these frontages, different options were assessed that could be implemented to address risk. Along the rest of the coast, the current Shoreline Management Plan policy was reviewed and identified what future actions will be needed as risks to these remaining frontages change.

The Council undertook public engagement on the options in November and December 2018. Comments and views received were taken into account and considered alongside technical, economic and environmental factors, to propose a preferred strategic approach and future activities for each section of the coastline.

To make sure impacts on people, the local economy and the environment were understood, further public engagement was carried out on the draft Strategy reports in November and December 2019. A survey was available to provide feedback on how the coastline should be managed, and copies of reports placed in Silloth, Workington, Whitehaven, Millom, Barrow in Furness, and Grange over Sands libraries for those without internet access.

Following completion of the Strategy reports, an approval process was then completed, with the Environment Agency, 5 District Councils and Cumbria County Council endorsing the Strategy.

The Cumbria Coastal Strategy was approved by the Environment Agency in October 2020. And the Habitats Regulations Assessment was approved by DEFRA in December 2020. Following this, each District Council endorsed the Strategy through their own approvals process, and Cumbria County Council endorsed the Strategy through their Cabinet in March 2020.

Previous progress on the development of the Strategy was set out on this website each month. The previous monthly progress reports can be viewed below:
Progress to end of October 2020
During October we provided responses to DEFRA queries on the Habitats Regulations Assessment documentation following their review. We now await approval. The final report on the SEA, the "Statement of Environmental Particulars" has been drafted. Endorsement of the Strategy with our 5 District Council (Coastal Protection Authority) partners is being progressed.
Progress to end of September 2020
During September the Habitats Regulations Assessment documentation and letter of support from Natural England were submitted to Defra for their review and authorisation. Before approving or proceeding with the Strategy the project partners need confirmation that the Secretary of State has no objection.

Preparation of the final report on the Strategic Environmental Assessment, known as the "Statement of Environmental Particulars" has also been progressed. This is a report required under the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Regulations to indicate how we took environmental considerations and consultee contributions into account during the development of the Strategy, the work undertaken to finalise the Strategy following consultation on the draft, and how the project partners selected the approach adopted in the final Strategy. It will also set out the monitoring procedures that need to be put in place to monitor the significant environmental effects of the implementation of the Strategy.
Progress to end of July 2020
During July further project partner organisations provided feedback on the draft Compensatory Habitat Creation Plan and their support as part of agreeing the overall strategy. The Compensatory Habitat Plan is needed as part of the Habitats Regulations Assessment to demonstrate how we will offset impacts on the nature conservation sites that could be caused by the planned future work on the defences.

The final report on the Habitats Regulations Assessment, presenting the Statement of Case for overriding public interest was completed in draft and issued to Natural England and NatureScot (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage) to seek their comments and agreement.

Natural England have already responded and subject to some minor clarifications requested are expected to support the findings.

The draft overall Strategy Appraisal Report has now been submitted to the Environment Agency to seek their approval to the Strategy under their national overview role for management of risks from coastal erosion and flooding.

Progress to end of June 2020
During June the project partner organisations have been reviewing the draft Compensatory Habitat Creation Plan, and providing feedback and support as part of the overall strategy. The report is required to demonstrate how we will offset impacts on the nature conservation sites that could be caused by the planned future work on the defences.

The draft report on the next stage of the Habitats Regulations Assessment has been prepared ready for sharing with Natural England and NatureScot (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage) - to seek their comments and agreement. As we have recognised that works proposed by the Strategy could cause harm to environmental sites, we need to be able to demonstrate that there are no viable alternative solutions and that there are reasons of overriding public interest for the proposed works to proceed.

The draft overall Strategy Appraisal Report (StAR) has been prepared and circulated to our project partners for their review. This is a formal report that will be submitted to the Environment Agency to seek their approval to the Strategy under their national overview role for management of risks from coastal erosion and flooding.
Progress to end of May 2020
During May the draft compensatory habitat creation plan was updated following comments received from Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage. We need this report to demonstrate how we will offset impacts on the nature conservation sites that could be caused by the planned future work on the defences. This report has now been shared with our project partner organisations to seek their comments and agreement.

Work also continued on the next stage of the Habitats Regulations Assessment. As we have recognised that works proposed by the Strategy could cause harm to environmental sites, we need to be able to demonstrate that there are no viable alternative solutions and that there are reasons of over-riding public interest for the proposed works to proceed.

Preparation of the overall Strategy Appraisal Report has also continued. This is a formal report that will be submitted to the Environment Agency to seek their approval to the Strategy under their national overview role for management of risks from coastal erosion and flooding.
Progress to end of April 2020
During April comments on the draft compensatory habitat creation plan to offset impacts on the designated sites due to planned future works on the defences were received from Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage and the work required to update this has commenced. The strategy summary, main document and technical appraisal report updates were also finished ready for final review by the project partners. The next stage of the Habitats Regulations Assessment work also commenced, and the preparation of the strategy appraisal summary report continued.
Progress to end of March 2020
During March the report summarising responses to the public engagement on the draft Strategy was added to this website. The report can be found on the Draft Strategy and Public Engagement page.

The draft Compensatory Habitat Creation Plan, to offset impacts on the designated sites due to planned future works on the defences, was sent to Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage for their review. Natural England has now provided advice on requirements for the next steps for the Habitats Regulation Assessment and the work required has being planned. Preparation of a strategy appraisal summary report has also been started. This report will be submitted to the Environment Agency to seek their approval to the Strategy under their national overview role for management of risks from coastal erosion and flooding.
Progress to end of February 2020
During February the report on engagement responses was prepared and sent to the project partners for review prior to adding to the website. Minor amendment updates are being made to the draft Strategy documents to take account of feedback. Work has also continued on the compensatory habitat creation plan to offset impacts on the designated sites due to planned future works on the defences.
Progress to end of January 2020
During January the questionnaire responses received during the recent public engagement have been reviewed and a draft engagement report is being produced - this will be added to this website shortly. Minor amendment updates are being made to the draft Strategy document to take account of feedback. Work has also been underway on the compensatory habitat creation plan to offset impacts on designated sites due to planned future works on coastal defences.
Progress to end of December 2019
During December the public engagement on the draft strategy continued until 13th December. Please refer to the Public Engagement for more information. A number of questionnaire responses were received through the survey on the website and feedback was also received from the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) consultation bodies for England and Scotland.
Progress to end of October 2019
During October, work was completed on dealing with final comments and amendments to the draft Strategy technical reports prior to the public engagement on the draft Strategy. This included updates following reviews of the draft documents by the project partners. The updates to technical reports for each of the 25 policy areas have taken into account feedback from the options stage engagement last year, the environmental assessments of the options, and updates to the economic assessments, and now include draft preferred strategic approaches and recommend future activities for all frontages. The documents have now been uploaded to the Public Engagement section pages.
Progress to end of September 2019
During September comments were received on the draft Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) report from some of the statutory consultee bodies, while others declined to comment at this stage. Following a stakeholder meeting with Natural England to discuss the Habitats Regulations Assessments in August we prepared a draft summary note on the proposed way forward and actions proposed for a Compensatory Habitat Delivery Plan Package. Work has also continued on updating the draft strategy technical reports to get ready for review by the project partners. The updates to technical reports for each of the 25 policy areas have taken into account: feedback from the options stage engagement last year, the environmental assessments of the options, and updates to the economic assessments, in order to conclude draft preferred options and recommend future activities for all frontages.
Progress to end of August 2019
During August the first draft of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) report on the draft Strategy was sent to statutory consultees for their comments before it is completed ready for public engagement. We also had stakeholder meetings with Natural England to discuss the Habitats Regulations Assessments and with United Utilities to discuss implications for their infrastructure that may be at risk of coastal flooding or erosion. Work has also been continuing in August on updating the strategy technical reports and action plan.
Progress to end of July 2019
During July we have prepared the draft environmental report for the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). This is the second stage of the SEA , which follows on from the SEA Scoping Report that was consulted on earlier in the project. The SEA environmental report is supported by appendices providing an assessment of impacts to the Water Bodies designated under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and impacts on the designated Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) sites. These reports are due to be completed shortly. The report summarising the options stage engagement has been added to the website and the website has been updated. Work has also been continuing in July on updating the strategy technical reports and action plan.
Progress to end of June 2019
During June we have completed the draft Habitats Regulations (HRA) Appropriate Assessment report and have issued it to Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage to seek their comments on the assessment and agreement to the findings. This is the second stage of the HRA , which looks in more detail at the potential for adverse impacts on the designated sites where Likely Significant Effect was identified during the earlier screening stage. Work has continued on the Strategic Environmental Assessment SEA, including assessment of impacts to the Water Bodies designated under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and impacts on the designated Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) sites. These reports are due to be completed during July. Work has also been continuing on updating the strategy technical reports and action plan.
Progress to end of May 2019
During May we have continued working on the draft Habitats Regulations (HRA) Appropriate Assessment report and the Strategic Environmental Assessment SEA. This is the second stage of the HRA , which looks in more detail at the potential impacts on the designated sites where Likely Significant Effect was identified during the screening stage.

We met with Network Rail to discuss assumptions regarding the HRA and the strategy action plan with regard to the defences to the railway.
Progress to end of April 2019
During April we received comments from Natural England on the draft Habitats Regulations Screening Assessment and started work on the Habitats Regulation Appropriate Assessment report. Work also continued on the Strategic Environmental Assessment.
Progress to end of March 2019
During March we discussed initial views on draft preferred options and future action plan items with the Project Review Group. Following this we met with the Environment Agency to discuss the process of identifying potential schemes and studies that could be identified in their forward programme annual review later this year. We completed work on the draft Habitats Regulations Screening Assessment and issued the draft report to statutory consultees, Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage, for their review. Work also got underway on the Strategic Environmental Assessment.
Progress to end of February 2019
During February we completed a review of the responses received during the options stage public engagement, and have been making updates to the draft technical documents based on these. A draft engagement report has been prepared and issued to the Project Review Group (PRG) for comment. For those stretches of coastline identified as priority areas the feedback on the shortlisted options is now being taken into account alongside technical, environmental and economic factors when selecting draft preferred options and proposing future actions. Initial views on draft preferred options have been prepared and issued to the PRG for comment. We have commenced work on the Habitats Regulations Screening Assessment to identify policy units where draft preferred options could have impacts on the internationally designated sites for nature conservation.
Progress to end of January 2019
During January we have been reviewing all of the responses received during the options stage public engagement. This has included identifying where updates may be needed to the draft technical documents and identifying specific frontages where responses give comments on or proposals for future actions or have implications on the appraisal of options.
Progress to end of December 2018
The options stage public engagement finished on the 14th December 2018. Responses have been received from a number of organisations and from members of the public through the online survey, by email and by post. Work has started on collating the comments and consideration of the implications for the Strategy.
Progress to end of November 2018
The options stage public engagement began in November and ran through to the 14 December. The materials for engagement were loaded onto the website ahead of the online survey going live on the 19 November. A series of public drop in events were held in the libraries as follows:

Silloth Library - Tuesday 20 November, 1pm to 7pm

Whitehaven Library - Wednesday 21 November, 1pm to 7pm

Millom Library - Tuesday 27 November, 1pm to 7pm

Barrow-in-Furness Library - Wednesday 28 November, 1pm to 7pm

Grange-over-Sands Library - Thursday 29 November, 1pm to 7pm

Progress to end of October 2018
In October we have been preparing for the options stage public engagement. Within the 'Public Engagement' section of this website is the summary report which outlines the draft options for each area of coastline, and also individual draft option assessment technical reports - these will form the basis of the public engagement. Further information on how to find information on your stretch of coastline, details of the planned drop-in events, and further supporting information is also available in that section.
Progress to end of September 2018
During September we have been making final changes to the draft options assessments. These will shortly be available to download from this website. We are now in the process of putting together information and materials for the public engagement.
Progress to end of August 2018
During August the draft options assessments reports have been updated following comments from project partners on drafts and the updates reissued to project partners for any final comments prior to upload to the website for wider engagement.
Progress to end of July 2018
During July the draft options assessments have been under review by the project partners and work has been underway to update the drafts taking comments into consideration and to add in the economic assessment information.

Meetings have been held with the Project Review Group members and with the Environment Agency and Local Authority project partners to discuss draft findings.

Progress to end of June 2018
As in May technical, environmental and economic assessments have continued, developing appropriate options for managing risks related to coastal flooding or erosion in the remainder of the defined priority areas.

Cost estimates have been derived for the short-listed options and combined with estimates of maintenance costs to derive whole life discounted 'present value' cost estimates for comparison to the economic benefits.

Preliminary draft option appraisal documents have been shared with the local authority and Environment Agency project partners for review. The review and finalisation of draft documents has been taking longer than originally planned.
Progress to end of May 2018
Technical, environmental and economic assessments have continued through May, developing appropriate options for managing risks related to coastal flooding or erosion in the defined priority areas.

Baseline economic assessments have been undertaken for each of the priority frontages to derive national economic benefits of maintaining or improving coastal defences. The benefits are derived from reducing future economic damages from coastal flooding and erosion to properties and infrastructure. This has considered a worst-case baseline "Do Nothing" walk away from coastal management scenario in order to derive benefits of interventions over the 100 year strategy appraisal.

The updated SEA scoping report, taking account of the responses from the statutory consultees has been made available on the website.
Progress to end of April 2018
Technical, environmental and economic assessments that were underway in March have continued through April, developing options for managing risks related to coastal flooding or erosion in the defined priority areas.

Baseline economic assessments underway are involving calculation of the impacts of future coastal flooding and erosion risk to properties and infrastructure. This is being undertaken for each of the priority frontage flood and erosion risk areas under a "Do Nothing" walk away from coastal management scenario. The purpose of this assessment is to enable the calculation of the benefits of maintaining or improving coastal defences.

Consideration has also begun on developing plans for consultation on the strategy options. It is presently expected that when ready information will be made available for download from this website and there may also be public drop in events at 3 or 4 locations.

Updates have been made to the SEA scoping report to take account of the responses from the statutory consultees and the updated document will be made available on the website shortly.
Progress to end of March 2018
Technical, environmental and economic assessments are continuing as part of developing options for managing risks related to coastal flooding or erosion in the defined priority areas. This has included meetings and visits to gather additional data from project partners on the status of the defences in some of these areas.

This stage of the project involves looking at a range of different approaches to how we can sustainably manage the coastline in the future, building upon policies defined in the current Shoreline Management Plan. Development of options has used information on assets at risk from coastal flood and erosion risk, combined with assessments of the type, condition and remaining life of existing defences and latest data on shoreline change.

Approaches include short term measures to delay erosion through to longer term, formal defences, and have considered the use of hard (seawall) and soft (beach) options, as well as other structures such as revetments, ranging from traditional approaches through to more innovative solutions, if suitable for a particular location.

The possible impacts, of the various options, on the coast and hinterland, both locally and farther afield, are also being considered at this stage. This appraisal takes account of the potential effects on communities, users of the coast, transport linkages and industry, as well as on features of the coast that are designated for their environmental or historical importance. This assessment considers both short term and long term effects, as the strategy needs to look forward to the next 100 years.

The possible costs of appropriate options are also being developed, together with considering economic damages and benefits, both of which will feed into the decision-making process.
Progress to end of February 2018
Responses from statutory consultees on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Scoping Report were received during February and are currently being reviewed and addressed. No 'show stoppers' have been raised by the respondents.

Technical, environmental and economic assessments are continuing as part of developing options for managing risks related to coastal flooding or erosion in the defined priority areas. Assessment of economic damages under the Do-Nothing baseline option is underway, following Defra / Environment Agency guidance.

The possible costs of appropriate options are also being developed, together with considering economic damages and benefits, both of which will feed into the decision-making process.
Progress to end of January 2018
Technical and environmental assessments are underway as part of developing options for managing risks related to coastal flooding or erosion in the defined priority areas. This includes reviewing condition and residual life of existing defences and using topographic data to determine potential flood and erosion extents for the Do Nothing baseline option.
Progress to end of December 2017
A scoping report for the strategy's Strategic Environmental Assessment has been prepared and issued to statutory consultees for comment; and the consideration of potential options in the priority areas is underway.
Cumbria Coastal Strategy Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) scoping report (PDF 1326KB) Appendix A - Cumbria Coastal Strategy Strategic Environmental Assessment feedback (Word 35KB) Appendix B - Strategic Environmental Assessment scoping receptors (PDF 845KB) Shoreline management plan summary (PDF 195KB) Progress to end of November 2017
So far, the coastline has been assessed to identify risks and issues, and consultation has been undertaken to identify the areas that will be considered a priority within the CCS. These priority areas represent stretches of frontage where:

There are key assets at risk from flooding or coastal erosion over the next century (the Strategy lifetime); or

The SMP policy has been queried, for example due to a change in risk or new information; or

There may be environmental opportunities, which could bring wider benefits to an area.

Cumbria Coastal Strategy map of priority areas (PDF 1,946KB)

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The Cumbria Coastal Strategy began development in 2017. The Strategy reports have now been completed and endorsed by partners.

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Northumberland County Council, A197, Morpeth

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Northumberland County Council, A197, Morpeth

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Northumberland County Council, A197, Morpeth

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Consents for coastal works and activities

This note is designed to advise those wishing to undertake work around the coast with a summary of the different types of coastal consents that may be needed, additional factors to consider and links to more information.

The two main types of development consent required for coastal or marine works are:

Planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for infrastructure to the boundary jurisdiction of the local planning authority (LPA, Northumberland County Council). Generally, the seaward boundary is the Mean Low Water Mark (MLWM).

A Marine Licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 for works below mean high water springs (MHWS), which is assessed and issued by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

Depending on the environmental significance of the immediate and adjacent areas, a number of nature conservation consenting processes may also apply, even in cases where works are not deemed to be development requiring planning permission or a marine licence. Such consenting process might include:

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Consent under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which is issued by Natural England

Habitat Regulations Assessment required under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended 2012) if works have the potential to impact European protected sites.

The entire shoreline of Northumberland, except a small section around Lynemouth, has multiple SSSI, European and international nature conservation designations in place and the above statutory conservation consenting processes are also likely to apply.

To find out if the location of your proposed works is located within or may affect a designated site please see the following website:
Defra Magic Map

For developments taking place in the intertidal zone or across the land/sea boundary, for example a slipway, both planning permission and a Marine Licence will be required.

The planning, marine licensing and nature conservation consenting systems work independently of each other and are administered by Northumberland County Council, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Natural England respectively.

For all proposals it is advised that you discuss your proposal with your local SSSI advisor, planning officer and MMO officer for initial advice on the permissions that are likely to be required.

Landowners
Permission should be sought from all landowners whose land will be affected either permanently, or temporarily during works.

The Crown Estate owns much of the foreshore and sea bed around the UK, between Mean High Water (MHW) and the 12 nautical mile territorial limit including the beds of many estuaries and tidal rivers. In general, the Crown Estate does not sell these areas but instead grant leases for works and activities occurring on owned foreshores and beds. If consent is required, a short application form will need to be completed and the application will take up to 4 weeks to process. For further information or clarification, email consents@thecrownestate.co.uk

In Northumberland, however, many areas of the shore are under multiple land owners which include the National Trust, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and private owners. Those proposing development will need to identify the appropriate landowner and seek their permission.

It is also recommended that you consult your Town/Parish Council to inform them of the works.
Northumberland County Council Local Planning Authority Marine Management Organisation
Natural England and SSSI Consents

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Flood & coastal erosion risk management (FCERM)

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Consents for coastal works and activities This note is designed to advise those wishing to undertake work around the coast with a summary of the different types of coastal consents that may be needed, additional factors to consider and links to more information.

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Isle of Wight Council, High Street, Newport

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Isle of Wight Council, High Street, Newport

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Isle of Wight Council, High Street, Newport

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We are working together with the Environment Agency to develop a series of priority coastal defence schemes. The schemes will help to reduce erosion, flood and landslide risks on the Island. You can find more information on the dedicated Isle of Wight Coastal Defence Schemes website. You can also access the individual defence scheme information for:

View summary information about our past coastal defence schemes.

Some of the information on this page links back to our council website (iow.gov.uk)

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We are working together with the Environment Agency to develop a series of priority coastal defence schemes. The schemes will help to reduce erosion, flood and landslide risks on the Island. You can find more information on the dedicated Isle of Wight Coastal Defence Schemes website.

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Information on the management of the Dorset coastline and measures in place to protect the coastline.

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The world is changing, and we need to change with it. The impacts of climate change are already being felt all over the world.

In the last few years, here in Cornwall, we have experienced unprecedented weather. We have had back-to-back named storms, heatwaves, flash floods and unseasonable weather. This more extreme weather poses a challenge to how we travel and feed ourselves. It also impacts on keeping Cornwall safe for future generations.

Cornwall Climate Risk Assessment

Cornwall Council has commissioned a ground-breaking report. The Report is a Climate Risk Assessment Report. It details how Cornwall will be affected by climate change.

Cornwall Council is the first authority in the country to publish a Report like this. Cornwall's Risk Assessment is complimented by other regional, national and international assessments. These other assessment reports outline the impacts of climate change.

Cornwall's Risk Assessment Report has been produced by a Cornwall-based climate science consultancy. The consultancy, Climate Change Risk Management (CCRM), is led by Professor Stephan Harrison. CCRM is made up of scientists working at the forefront of climate change science and policy. Many of them contribute to reports for the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The Cornwall Climate Risk Assessment Report underlines the need to act now to reduce emissions and tackle climate risks. It highlights key potential changes for Cornwall, including:

The highest potential sea level rises around the UK by the end of the century

The possibility of more high impact flooding. For example like the floods in Boscastle (2004) and Coverack (2017)

Stronger storms and higher wind speeds

Faster coastal erosion

More heatwaves and severe droughts.

You can view the summary report, and full report using the links below.
The Council has developed a Local Climate Adaptation Tool to help decision makers to understand the health implications of climate change. Developed in partnership with the University of Exeter, 'Then Try This' and the Alan Turing Institute. It also helps them to prepare for these implications.

The Council is also developing a Climate Risk Adaptation Strategy. This will help Cornwall prepare for changes outlined in the Climate Risk Assessment Report. We will share that here, once it has been finalised.

More information

What you can do to help

The whole world needs to adapt to climate change. In Cornwall we have an opportunity to lead the way in demonstrating what is possible. The sooner we change, the sooner we will be able to create a clean, prosperous and fair future for one and all.

As a council we have a leading role to play in the climate emergency. But we cannot deliver these ambitious outcomes alone. We will need support from all of our residents. We will need support from others as well. That includes our communities, businesses and schools. As well as public sector partners, the voluntary sector and many more.

You have an important role to play in making change happen. Not just as residents, but in your working lives too.

This is just the start of the journey - please join us in tackling the climate emergency

Carbon Neutral Cornwall Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to keep in touch with developments on the Forest for Cornwall and other Council initiatives.
Sign up to our newsletter

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The world is changing, and we need to change with it. The impacts of climate change are already being felt all over the world. In the last few years, here in Cornwall, we have experienced unprecedented weather. We have had back-to-back named storms, heatwaves, flash floods and unseasonable weather.

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Rother District Council, London Road, Bexhill-on-Sea

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Rother District Council, London Road, Bexhill-on-Sea

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Rother District Council, London Road, Bexhill-on-Sea

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The shoreline is a dynamic system where stability is maintained despite the continued movement of waves, tides, wind and sediment. The present configuration of the shoreline is now controlled by the various coastal defences which humanity has put in place over the last 100 - 200 years. These have stopped or slowed the transport of sediments and reduced the ability of the shoreline to respond to natural forcing factors.

Who is responsible for the coastline?

Responsibilities are split according to the nature of the ground behind the seashore where the ground lies lower than the seashore and would flood if sea defences failed the Environment Agency is the body responsible for carrying out works to prevent that flooding, where the ground lies higher than the seashore and would erode if attacked by the sea, Rother District Council is the Coastal Risk Management Authority.

As a coastal risk management authority the Council has permissive powers under the Coast Protection Act 1949 to protect the coast from erosion and encroachment by the sea. The legislation does not make it a statutory requirement to defend the coast, but most coastal councils chose to be active in coast protection.

Councils can apply to the Environment Agency for grant aid towards the development of plans and strategies for carrying out a scheme of works to protect the coast. Grant may be forthcoming on the basis of a number of 'tests' a scheme would have to meet. These might include, amongst others, such factors as cost, benefit of the works, meeting environmental criteria, nature and appropriateness of the works, their projected lifespan, etc.

The Environment Agency acts as an executive agent of the government department Defra which has the overall policy responsibility for coastal defence.

Strategic Planning

A key component in managing the coast has been the development of Shoreline Management Plans (SMP) which set out a strategy for the coastal management of a section of the coastline.
Each SMP covers an area of coastline known as a sub-cell within a littoral sediment cell, of which there are eleven on the England and Wales coastline.

A sediment cell is defined as a length of coastline, which is relatively self-contained as far as the movement of sand or shingle is concerned, and where interruption to such movement should not have a significant effect on adjacent sediment cells. Each major littoral cell is divided into a number of sub-cells, based on the best available knowledge of large-scale processes.

In order to encourage improved co-operation between authorities a series of Coastal Groups have been established based on the littoral cell boundaries. Rother District Council is a member of the South-East Coastal Group which extends from Beachy Head to the Isle of Grain. The preparation of SMPs has been an example of the benefits which can be achieved by closer working between authorities. The first generation of SMPs were produced in the mid 1990's; One SMP covers South Kent and extends from Beachy Head to Dover Harbour (1995) and the North Kent Plan (1996) extends from Dover Harbour to the Isle of Grain on the River Thames. Work is now in hand to review these plans. The South Foreland to Beachy Head Plan was published as a consultation draft in January 2005. The consultation continued until April 8th 2005, details can be seen at South East Coastal Group.

The production of each SMP involved the appointment of expert firms of consulting engineers to undertake a detailed study of all the issues affecting the coast such as land use, environmental protection, economics and the action of the coastal processes. The final report establishes the management policy for the coast defences by dividing it into separate Management Units and making specific recommendations for each unit based on four alternative options:
Do Nothing, Hold the Line, Advance the Line or Retreat the Line.

Further Information

If you require further information on the Council's coastal defences, please contact the Contracts Services Manager(see below).

Detailed background information can also be found on the following web-sites:

Neighbourhood Services Manager
Rother District Council
Town Hall
Bexhill-on-Sea TN39 3JX

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The shoreline is a dynamic system where stability is maintained despite the continued movement of waves, tides, wind and sediment. The present configuration of the shoreline is now controlled by the various coastal defences which humanity has put in place over the last 100 - 200 years.

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Suffolk County Council - Lowestoft Riverside Office, Canning Road, Lowestoft

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Please see your more local councils for more specific coastal transition, adaptation and/or erosion information

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Coastal Partnership East is an innovative approach to managing the coast between Holkham in North Norfolk and Landguard Point in Felixstowe.

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Tendring District Council, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea

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Tendring District Council, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea

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Tendring District Council, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea

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The Council has a coastline of 60km and maintains the sea defence structures along 18.5km of this frontage. These defences protect the towns of Harwich, Dovercourt, Walton on the Naze, Frinton on Sea, Holland on Sea, Clacton and Brightlingsea.

Works undertaken range from day to day maintenance of promenades and seawalls to the design and implementation of major capital schemes costing many millions of pounds. Each year several sections of the sea defences are renewed as part of a rolling programme of special maintenance schemes funded from the Council's Revenue Budgets.

Larger schemes are produced to comply with Defra guidelines and their High Level Targets for coast protection.

All works are designed in house using modern surveying techniques and the latest computer aided design technology.

Other work carried out includes the maintenance of the cliff paths and slopes.

Current and completed coast protection works around the district

Cliff stabilisation, Clacton and Holland on Sea

Contractors completed works on a £5 million project to stabilise and improve cliffs in Holland-on-Sea, providing vital protection to homes and businesses for decades to come.

The scheme, carried out by Tendring District Council, finished in time for the 2019 Clacton Airshow.

The project, built by Jackson Civil Engineering involved stabilising a 500 metre section of the coastal slope using a specialist drainage system. A new accessible ramp was also introduced, improving access from the top of the cliff down to the seafront and the beaches - themselves newly created over the past few years in a £35m coastal defence scheme to protect the seafront from coastal erosion.

The team from Jackson was also recognised by the Considerate Constructors Scheme for its high quality community engagement and awarded a 'Beyond Compliance' certificate for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Initiatives included working with Holland Haven Primary School to produce artwork for the site compound fencing and sponsoring the Holland-on-Sea Christmas Tree for 2018. To enable construction the team temporarily removed and stored 80 beach huts with the support from owners, with a local carpenter employed to make repairs to huts before and during relocation.

These have since been returned to the promenade and are now situated on a new, hard standing concrete base to increase the beach hut lifespan.

The Essex and South Suffolk Shoreline Management Plan (SMP)

The Essex and South Suffolk Shoreline Management Plan covers approximately 440km of coast from Landguard Point in Felixstowe to Two Tree Island in the Thames Estuary, including Southend. It will determine the best ways to look after this part of the coast in a sustainable way for the next 100 years.

The public consultation took place from March to June 2010. There was an extremely good response, with the Environment Agency receiving over 180 formal responses. Officers and local councillors considered which comments would lead to changes in the draft SMP document and in particular where comments would lead to a change in flood risk management policy for a frontage. The Shoreline Management plan was then approved. For more information go to the GOV.uk website.

Contact Details

If you would like to know more about our coast protection projects, please contact coastprotection@tendringdc.gov.uk or call 01255 686956 or 686975.

Useful links and documents
Environment Agency Essex County Council - Wildlife and Biodiversity Essex Wildlife Trust UK Fossils Network Natural England Walton on the Naze official website Essex and South Suffolk Shoreline Management Plan Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

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The Council has a coastline of 60km and maintains the sea defence structures along 18.5km of this frontage. These defences protect the towns of Harwich, Dovercourt, Walton on the Naze, Frinton on Sea, Holland on Sea, Clacton and Brightlingsea.

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Essex County Council, Market Road, Chelmsford

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Essex County Council, Market Road, Chelmsford

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Essex County Council, Market Road, Chelmsford

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Protecting the environment - What we are doing

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The environmental projects our Green Infrastructure team are involved with delivering.

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North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer

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North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer

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North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer

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If your property is at risk of coastal erosion and you would like to discuss your options further, please contact coastalmanagement@north-norfolk.gov.uk

For dwellings, community facilities and businesses that will be affected by erosion of the coastline in the next twenty years NNDC have planning policies for relocation and replacement.

To find out if a property is at risk from coastal erosion please view the Shoreline Management Plans.

Opportunities for properties vulnerable to coastal erosion

Many properties will be unaffected by coastal erosion in the foreseeable future, but for those that are the Council's current planning policies may offer some assistance.

Properties which are at risk of erosion within 20 years, (50 years for business properties), are covered by planning policy EN12 in the Council's 2008 Core Strategy.

This policy provides that planning permission should be granted for a replacement dwelling for a property affected by erosion provided that certain conditions are met.

Any planning application still has to go through the normal procedures but if you are the owner of a property which may be in the affected zone, or you are contemplating purchasing such a property then policy EN12 may have an impact on the value of the property.

The following document may be of use:

Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme

From 2022 to 2027, North Norfolk will receive funding to work with communities to transition from coastal change.

This programme will aim to accelerate strategic planning to set out how the local authority, communities and partners can plan for the transition of their communities, businesses and assets away from erosion risk areas. It will also support the trialling of on the ground, practical, innovative actions to help those at risk to address the challenges posed by coastal change.

You can find out more at:
Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (engagementhq.com) North Norfolk Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (engagementhq.com)

Securing planning 'roll back' opportunities for residential properties at imminent risk from coastal erosion

If you own a residential property that is at risk from coastal erosion the 'roll-back' opportunity potentially enables you to recover some value from your property before it is lost to the sea.

Please contact the Coastal Management team for more information.

Financial assistance for the demolition of properties at risk from coastal erosion

North Norfolk District Council can access a grant to assist in meeting the costs associated with demolishing residential properties at risk from coastal erosion.

These funds (of up to £6,000) can be made available to property owners to help with such things as: obtaining the relevant consents, demolition works, the removal of waste materials and any landscaping or remedial works.

Eligibility for the grant is dependent on certain criteria so please contact the Coastal Management team if you would like to find out more.

Pathfinder project

Pathfinder was an initiative set up by the Department for Environment Food &amp; Rural Affairs (Defra) which provided a fund to enable Local Authorities to explore new ways of responding to the challenges faced by coastal communities.

Visit the North Norfolk Pathfinder website for further information.

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Find out about help if your property is at risk from erosion

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For dwellings, community facilities and businesses that will be affected by erosion of the coastline in the next twenty years NNDC have planning policies for relocation and replacement. To find out if a property is at risk from coastal erosion please view the Shoreline Management Plans.

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East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Register Square, Beverley

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East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Register Square, Beverley

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East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Register Square, Beverley

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The East Riding Coastal Change Fund is a project which offers limited financial assistance and free advice to residents affected by coastal erosion. If you own or rent a property which is at risk from erosion, you might qualify for a Relocation Package or an Adaptation Package:

Relocation Package (funding for some or all of the following options):

Property demolition and site restoration (total cost)

Relocation (such as removal van hire or temporary storage of your belongings) (£1,000 maximum)

Out-of-pocket expenses caused by your relocation to a new home (£200 maximum hardship grant).

Adaptation Package (funding for one of the following options):

Rollback (out-of-pocket expenses caused by your decision to replace a threatened coastal property with a new home inland. If you are granted planning permission for rollback, you can consider claiming back the planning application fee and other costs such as planning agent and architect fees. Unfortunately, funding will not be offered to help you to buy land or to build new property).

Assistance grants (for adapting properties which are not at imminent risk from coastal erosion, but which need to be adapted if they are to remain in residential use in the long-term. Examples include relocating septic tanks or access routes which are at risk from erosion before the properties which they serve).

To discuss your needs, please call the Senior Sustainable Development Officer (Coast) on:

Tel: (01482) 391726

As part of your application for a Relocation Package or an Adaptation Package, you will be asked to prove that:

you own or live in a property which is estimated to be at risk from coastal erosion by 2055 (this will be confirmed by our coastal engineer)

you have owned or lived full-time in, the property which is at risk since 27 October 2009.

Please note: we deliver the East Riding Coastal Change Fund using the remainder of a grant issued by the Government in 2010. Although we are trying to find new money so that we can continue the East Riding Coastal Change Fund once the grant has been spent, unfortunately this cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, we continue to accept and process applications on a first come, first served basis, giving priority to people at greatest risk rather than ring-fencing money for any individuals or particular communities.

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The East Riding Coastal Change Fund is a project which offers limited financial assistance and free advice to residents affected by coastal erosion.