SMP background information
What is a Shoreline Management Plan?
Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) are being produced
around the whole coastline of England and Wales to enable operating
authorities to identify long term, sustainable policies for the
coastal defence of our shorelines.
A 'sustainable' policy is based on harmony between society, the
environment and the economy. It is a policy aimed at maintaining or
improving today's quality of life, without placing a burden on
future generations or the natural world.
'Coastal Defence' means protecting the coastline from erosion by
the sea and defending low lying ground from flooding by the
sea.
SMPs are based on the study of coastal processes, that is how
nature drives the waves, tides and sediments, and how the shoreline
responds to these natural influences.
SMPs involve several stages of public consultation. They are
reviewed and updated regularly to take account of new ideas and
information. SMPs are living plans for a living coast.
Why do we need SMPs?
It is now recognised by those responsible for defending the
coast from flooding and erosion, and by people who live and work
there, that our coast is a living and moving shoreline. Weather,
wind and tide are continually changing its shape.
The coastal zone supports farming, fishing, recreation, tourism
and commerce. It is rich in heritage and natural beauty and it is a
haven for wildlife. Its varied character and choice of attractions
hold special appeal for those who visit for the day or on
holiday.
The SMP approach to coastal defence that builds on our knowledge
of the coastal environment and takes account of the wide range of
public interests, is vital to avoid piecemeal attempts to protect
one area at the expense of another.
How will the SMPs be used?
The objectives of SMPs are to:
- improve our understanding of coastal
processes;
- work in partnership with all interested
organisations and the public;
- prepare a setting for the long term planning of
coastal defences and associated land use.
SMPs help coastal defence managers to determine the directions
that their efforts will have to take for the foreseeable future.
SMPs inform the public on the background and future direction for
the management of coastal defence in their local area. They also
indicate areas on the coast that are inappropriate for various
types of development. When the SMPs are complete they will be
adopted by their various partners 'signing a pledge' to put their
recommendations into practice. The SMPs will then be included in
the new regional and local development guidance.
The coastline from Great Orme's Head to the Solway Firth
This coastline forms the eastern shore of the northern Irish
Sea. Many parts of it are liable to flooding and coastal erosion.
Its estuaries and bays are internationally recognised and protected
conservation areas because of their wide variety of habitats and
range of wildlife. It is rich in archaeological and historic
heritage. It has a wide base of commerce, ports, sea fishing,
agriculture and tourism.
How many SMPs are being produced for this coastline?
Work is well advanced on the production of five SMPs between
Great Orme's Head and the Solway Firth. The extent of each SMP is
on the map shown. The divisions are based on the limits of natural
sediment movements, rather than administrative boundaries. All five
SMPs should be complete before the end of 1999. We would like to
widen public interest in the SMPs. Anyone who would like more
information, or to take part in their development, should contact
coast.protection@allerdale.gov.uk.
What does the SMP include?
The first stage of the SMP identifies the people and
organisations with an interest in the coast and their particular
concerns. Information and data used as a basis for the SMPs is then
collected and published in the Stage Report. Comments are invited
from everyone who has expressed interest. The second stage builds
on all the information and views gathered. Objectives, or targets,
for good coastal defence practice are set out. A range of policy
options are measured against these objectives for every
management unit, or section, of the shoreline, leading to
recommendations for each unit. In other units the recommended
option may be hold the line, which means to maintain, improve or
re-build existing defences. Other options recommended in rare cases
are to advance the existing line or to manage a retreat from the
existing line. The SMP also sets out any further study of the coast
or the coastal processes needed to fill gaps in our understanding.
It includes a programme for monitoring the behaviour of the
coastline and sets out a timetable for future reviews of the SMP at
approximately 5 year intervals.
What information is collected?
Collecting information and checking its accuracy is an important
part of the SMP process. This takes place at the first stage of
producing the SMP and continues through consultation and coastline
monitoring. It includes data on:
- Coastal Processes - how nature drives the waves
tides and sediment;
- Coastal Defences - where they are and how
effective they are in
protecting people, land and property;
- Land Use -the type of use such as residential,
agricultural, industrial, or recreation and its economic
value;
- Natural Environment -the kinds of environment,
landscape and habitat and their relative importance.
Will SMPs protect me and my property?
Almost everyone whose land or property is flooded or threatened
by the sea wants to be protected. However, coastal defences are
costly to build and maintain and they sometimes have damaging
effects on the natural environment or an adjoining length of
coastline. SMPs identify the places that are affected or threatened
by flooding or erosion. They state the likely cost of protection
work for such areas and test this against the economic value of the
land or property. Where there is a threat, and some form of coastal
defence is economically and environmentally sustainable, then an
option which allows protection (hold the line, advance the line, or
even a managed retreat of the line) is likely to be preferred.
Where the provision of any form of defence would be detrimental,
uneconomic or unsustainable, "do nothing" would normally be
preferred. There may be situations where it is economic and
sustainable to hold the line in the short term but with "do
nothing" providing the longer term option. This would indicate that
there should be no further long term development and existing
property would not be protected beyond a specified term. That time,
which is likely to be tens of years, would allow affected property
owners to make alternative arrangements.
Will SMPs help to prevent damage to wildlife?
Many past decisions affecting the coastline were made without
consideration of their effects on the wider environment. The SMPs
show wildlife site locations and explain the reasons for their
importance. Future coastal defence works will comply with the
findings and recommendations of the SMPs and will only go ahead
after careful consideration of their effects on the natural
environment. Further detailed assessments are required by law
before any major scheme for future work is approved.
What about global warming and sea level rise?
The SMP takes account of the best present knowledge on the
possible effects of global warming, climate change and sea level
rise. Climate study and monitoring are being given high national
priority so that experience and improved knowledge are fed into the
SMP reviews.
How do SMPs fit in with coastal flooding and erosion
responsibilities?
The Environment Agency and maritime local authorities work
together on the flood protection of low lying ground and defending
the coastline from erosion by the sea. The Environment Agency has
a duty to exercise a general supervision over all matters relating
to flood defence. Both the Agency and the maritime local
authorities have powers to carry out sea defence works to protect
low lying land against flooding by the sea. Maritime local
authorities also have additional powers to carry out coast
protection works to prevent erosion of the land by the sea. The
Agency and local authorities are prime partners to the SMP
production, so that the policies and decisions resulting from SMPs
are fed into each organisation's plans for its coastal
frontage.
How do SMPs fit in with planning legislation?
SMPs have been adopted as national good practice by operating
authorities around the whole coastline of England and Wales, even
though they are not backed by any legal or statutory requirement.
They draw on and take account of current local and structure plans
produced by District and Borough Councils and the County Councils,
and provide essential feedback at the review stages of such plans.
SMP partners are participating in the development of new planning
guidance for the Regions of England and Wales.
How can I see or comment on the SMPs or get further
information?
In preparing SMPs we have already consulted widely through
letters to organisations and press notices.
Consultation is an open process that continues throughout SMP
production and beyond, into the review stage. We would welcome your
views and comments at any time.
Most of the SMP for the Allerdale area has been placed on our
Shoreline Management Plan page. You can
also view documents, obtain more information or comment on a
specific SMP by contacting the project manager at coast.protection@allerdale.gov.uk.