Shoreline Management Plan Explorer

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Data for each SMP of the actions and associated detail and management intent at the unit level is built and has been updated during 2023 by local authorities, the coastal groups for that SMP and the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency has a strategic overview role for the management of all sources of flooding and coastal change in England, including coastal erosion. Part of this role involves the Environment Agency supporting coastal groups in maintaining and updating SMPs. The Environment Agency approves SMPs and any changes that are made to them. SMPs are also adopted by local authorities. There will be a yearly update of all SMP action plans and trackers. Additionally, any formal changes such as changes to management approaches at the unit level will be updated as soon as they are received, once approved by the Environment Agency. Changes to management approaches can be proposed at any time but must include a rationale based on changes in evidence, government policy or other material considerations. Proposals are scrutinised by coastal groups and are subject to checks, such as legal implications in relation to protected sites. If conditions within these checks are met changes are approved by the Environment Agency under its strategic overview for the coast. Consultation with the public and coastal interest groups and organisations may be required. Information on the change process is published on SMP Explorer and described in the new Supplementary Guidance available to download from SMP Explorer.