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About the SMP
 Until relatively recently, coastal defences were
constructed on an ad-hoc basis over relatively short lengths of coastline
the boundaries of which were usually marked by administrative borders
- an approach which failed to consider the impact on other coastlines and
often resulted in erosion and flood problems downdrift.
In 1994 MAFF (now Defra)
responded to the need for a more strategic approach by requiring that
Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) be in place for any maritime authority
seeking grant aid for coastal defence works.
The SMP
sets
policy for
the management of coastal flooding and erosion risks
for a pre-determined length of coast. It
is a non-statutory high level document
that aims to
balance those risks with natural
processes and the consequences of climate change. It needs to take
account of existing defences and the natural and built environments, and
be compatible with adjacent coastal areas.
To best achieve its objectives
the SMP divides the shoreline of England & Wales into a series of cells
and subcells, defined by coastal type and processes such as the movement
of sediment (sand, shingle, etc) within and between them. The
shoreline from Durlston Bay to Hurst Spit is known as
Subcell 5F.
Subcell 5F contains seven
'Process Units'. Process Units are subdivided into a number of
'Management Units'. The SMP review will identify one of four
shoreline management policies for each Management Unit.
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Shoreline Management Policy options: |
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No active intervention
(do nothing) - meaning no investment will be made in coastal defences or other operations
other than
for safety purposes |
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Hold the existing line
- which means the relevant maritime authority will keep the line of defence as it is by maintaining existing defences
or changing the standard of protection |
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Advance the line -
involves building new defences on the seaward side of existing defences |
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Managed realignment -
allows natural physical processes to
act on a stretch of shoreline by the removal of existing
defences altogether or moving them to higher ground. |
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The 49 SMPs produced for the shoreline of England & Wales form an
important element of Defra & NAW's Strategy for Flood and Coastal
Defence.
MAFF - Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. In 2001 its functions were
transferred to the then new government Defra
DEFRA
- Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
NAW -
National Assembly for Wales
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