Coastal Groups
The Government has encouraged the formation of voluntary coastal defence groups made up of maritime district authorities and other bodies with coastal defence responsibilities. As part of this approach Defra has issued guidance for maritime district authorities to help in the preparation of Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs). These plans aim to promote a strategic approach to flood and coastal defence works along the coastline based on a detailed understanding of natural processes, planning issues, current and future land use, defence needs and environmental considerations.
Some of the groups have websites with more information:
- Anglian Coastal Authorities Group
- Cardigan Bay Coastal Group
- South Downs Coastal Group
- South East Coastal Group
- Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coast (Scopac)
As part of work to give the Environment Agency a strategic overview role for managing all sea flooding and coastal erosion risk on the coast, Coastal Groups will be reconstituted to become larger (and hence fewer) and more strategic organisations with fully inclusive membership and consistently strong representation from the Environment Agency.
Coastal Groups in England Report
Following extensive consultation with Coastal Group Chairs, Regional Flood Defence Committees and the Environment Agency, a report has been produced which provides conclusions and recommendations on the governance and administrative arrangements for the strategic coastal groups in England:
- Final Report
(81kb) - Appendices (31kb)
Associated maps:
- Coastal Groups in England (571kb)
- Shoreline Management Plans 1st Generation (large file, 2.3mb)
- Shoreline Management Plans 2nd Generation (large file, 2.0mb)
- River Basin Boundaries (large file, 2.3mb)
- Regional Flood Defence Committees (408kb)
- Regional Monitoring (large file, 2.3mb)
- Littoral Cells (large file, 2.3mb)
Page last
modified: 1 April 2008
Page published: 24 March 2003