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Updating and changing Shoreline Management Plans

Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) are 'living' plans. The adopted and approved full SMP document can be downloaded from SMP Explorer under the 'Downloads' tab beneath each SMP map. The full document provides the baseline information in detail.

Changing SMP management approaches

The management approaches in the SMP may need adjusting or even changing entirely over time. Action plans also need updating as actions are completed and new actions arise.

These changes might arise from

  • existing actions or management approaches being dependent on other factors, which have now been resolved
  • actual changes in physical coastal processes, or our understanding of them, that influence decisions about their future management
  • more localised strategies and projects that provide new evidence that challenges the management approach in the SMP
  • a significant change in risk from coastal erosion or flooding, for example due to an extreme weather event
  • changes to sites legally protected for nature conservation value or new evidence on SMP impacts making the existing management option unacceptable or illegal
  • significant changes in government policy, such as on funding, spatial planning or environmental targets
  • significant changes in climate and sea level, beyond those anticipated by the SMP

Changes to the management approach or ‘policy’ might be proposed by any interested party, although it will usually be by a Risk Management Authority. Proposals should be made for one of the reasons listed above, with evidence to support the proposal. The extent and scope of a review will require agreement by members of the SMP Management Group. A full review procedure is outlined in the Supplementary Guidance on SMPs (2020) but includes the following key steps:

  • SMP Management Group decides the scope of a formal review in response to the proposed change, considering the criteria listed above
  • SMP Management Group establishes a review group and stakeholders are identified including statutory consultees and requirements for public engagement or consultation
  • The review group establishes the rationale for the change including the extent of shoreline to be considered and any need for supporting studies
  • The review group appraises relevant factors influencing the outcome by exploring viable approaches and commissioning environmental assessments
  • The necessary engagement is undertaken by the most suitable parties and the change is agreed
  • The SMP Management Group seeks formal approval from the relevant local councils, Regional Flood and Coastal Committees and the Environment Agency
  • The SMP Management Group records the change, and any new resulting actions are added to the Action Plan

Changes to SMP management approaches are updated on SMP Explorer as soon as they are agreed and approved. This website provides a summary record of any changes to SMP management approaches. You can view changes to management approaches by selecting the link beneath the relevant ‘generic management approach’ beneath the maps on SMP Explorer. This link will only be visible where a change has been agreed.

Updating the SMP’s action plan

Updates to the SMP action plan are usually less complex or far-reaching than changes to the actual management direction of the SMP. New actions and status updates are usually agreed at the SMP Management Group or Coastal Group. Changes to SMP action plans are shown on this website when they are reported, with an update at least once per year.