The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) sets out the policy for managing the coastline and responding to coastal erosion and flood risks over the next 100 years. It assesses potential erosion and flood risks and identifies sustainable coastal defence and management options which take into account the influences and needs of the human, natural and historic environments, including existing defences and adjacent coastal areas.
Although they are not required by law, SMP documents are recommended for all sections of coastline in England and Wales by the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The four SMP policies which can be considered for each section of coastline are:
- Hold the existing defence line
- Advance the existing defence line
- Managed realignment
- No active intervention.
As the lead authority in the development of the local SMP, we worked with North East Lincolnshire Council, East Lindsey District Council, Lincolnshire County Council, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the National Farmers’ Union and English Heritage. We reviewed the two separate SMPs dating from the 1990s in order to produce a single SMP for the coastline between Flamborough Head (East Riding of Yorkshire) and Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire):
Flamborough Head to Gibraltar Point Shoreline Management Plan (pdf 3mb)
The SMP was approved by all partners and the Government in 2011. It contains evidence of local circumstances and needs, helping us to develop strategies which explore options for coastal schemes. Once we have preferred options, we can draw up detailed design plans and bid for national funding towards the local schemes.