This section aims to explain the importance of Shorleine Management Plans in general as well as guiding users through the processes involved in the North Devon and Somerset SMP review. As information becomes available it will be posted in this section ensuring that the process remains transparent at all times. Links to information on the inital SMP can be found below together with links for the SMP2 review.
What is a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP)?
A shoreline management plan (SMP) is a large-scale report, assessing the risks associated with coastal processes. It aims to help reduce these risks to people, property and the historic and natural environment. In doing so, it is an important part of the Government’s strategy for managing flooding and coastal erosion.
The assessment (Plan) aims to manage risks by using a range of methods which reflect both national and local priorities, in order to:
• Reduce the threat of flooding and erosion to people and their property
• Benefit the environment, society and economy, in line with the Government’s ‘sustainable development principles.’
In 1995, the former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and the Welsh Office published guidance for operating authorities (such as maritime local authorities and the Environment Agency) on preparing SMPs. It was necessary for the majority of these operating authorities to work with neighbouring authorities, as ‘voluntary coastal groups’, to produce an SMP as they spanned a number of administrative boundaries. In all cases, one operating authority was named as a lead authority to have overall responsibility for producing the SMP.
Shoreline Management Plans – The First Round
The first round of SMPs (now known as SMP1) were completed by 2000. These SMPs were based on sediment cells, lengths of coastline within which the movement of sand and shingle along the coast is largely self-contained. The boundaries of these cells were originally set at locations where the movement of sand and shingle changes direction. At some places, however, the area covered by an SMP differed from these sediment cell boundaries, due to different requirements, such as the area covered by a coastal authority.
The North Devon and Somerset SMP 1
In 1998 the first shoreline mangment plan was produced for the North Devon and Somerset Coastline. The plan spanned from Bridgewater bay to Bideford Bay and contained strategic policies for managing erosion and flooding by the sea. This link will take you to the SMP document.
SMP2 Review
The review of the North Devon and Somerset SMP commenced in late 2007. For more information or to register as a Stakeholder please use this link