Innovation Project SLD2315
A Collaborative Approach to Sustainable Coastal Land Management
Aim
To promote and enable change in land management on the Essex coast by providing groups of landowners with the tools they need to adapt to political and climate change.
Project Description
Proposals for the future management of the coast tend to apply to the entire shoreline. But this holistic approach does not adequately take account of the fragmented pattern of coastal land ownership. Different landowners experience different circumstances and different aspirations for the future, and they are isolated geographically and in their attitudes. Rarely are they in a position to make real progress on their own. This project will review existing studies into the future flood management of the Essex coast, and identify coastal strips, management units or ‘cells’ where ‘quick wins’ are possible. A project officer will then identify groups of land managers in those cells and support them as they explore future options. Solutions will be based on local need and circumstances, and are expected to include opportunities for environmental enhancement (particularly saltmarsh creation), income streams from alternative crops (particularly those that are saline tolerant), farm diversification and opportunities for access and recreation.
Project Duration
3 years
Project Leader
Paul Hammett, National Farmers’ Union, paul.hammett@nfu.org.uk
Further Information
Please see the separate clarification of policy on maintenance of uneconomic sea flood defences for more information on issues facing land managers on the Essex coast.
Page last modified: 10 January 2007
Page published: 4 January 2007