South Foreland to Beachy Head SMP11
General actions for this SMP
This shows the actions generic to the whole of this SMP. For further actions relating to specific locations, select an area on the map above or use the postcode/location search and click on the Action Plan tab.
All actions are subject to funding and approval, often by other parties than the Lead Organisation shown.
| Reference Number | Action Description | Action Lead Organisation | Action Progress Status | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMP Wide 1 | Relevant to PU 4c27, 4c28 & 4c29. Ensure the strategic management approaches in the SMP guide the Pevensey to Eastbourne Strategy (PevEb) and that any changes in management are reflected within the SMP. This includes the development of the PFI contract post 2025. | Environment Agency | Planned/programmed | Low |
Download SMP documents
The information on this website represents the current SMP management approaches adopted by the local authorities within its area, and current actions needed to deliver them. These management approaches have been approved by the Environment Agency under its Strategic Overview for coastal flood and erosion risk management and are considered to be local policy.
The documents below provide the full SMP adopted locally and approved by the Environment Agency at the time of publication. Some of the information has changed in response to new government policy, new evidence or new work identified.
Data on this page
Main report
Appendices
- Appendix A- SMP Development
- Appendix B-Stakeholder Engagement
- Appendix C -Baseline Processes
- Appendix C- No Active Intervention Maps
- Appendix C- Present Management Maps
- Appendix D- Heritage Designations
- Appendix D- Nature Conservation Designations
- Appendix D- Thematic Review
- Appendix E-Issues and Objective Evaluation
- Appendix F- Policy Appraisal
- Appendix G (pt1)- Scenario Testing
- Appendix G (pt2)- Scenario Testing
- Appendix H- Economic Appraisial and Sensitivity Testing
- Appendix I- Metadatabase and Bibliographic Database
Supporting documents
About this SMP
This Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) covers the coastline between South Foreland in east Kent and Beachy Head in East Sussex.
You can read the full SMP document by selecting the Download tab. This SMP was completed in 2006 and received formal adoption and sign off from relevant local authorities and the Environment Agency.
Managing shorelines in this area
The SMP for this area presents agreed approaches to managing the risk of coastal flooding and erosion at the shoreline and in estuaries over the short, medium, and long term, considering the implications of climate change.
In some locations, the approaches set out in the SMP change over time, for example from holding the current shoreline position with defences to realigning it or allowing the coast to change more naturally.
The SMP shows where this may affect people, property or the natural environment and the action plan includes measures to manage the local effects of coastal change. Local development planning can then be used to help avoid or address these effects, for example by identifying where new or relocated buildings can be built and defining any conditions to promote safety or sustainability. More localised Coastal Strategies may also be developed to identify how the approach in the SMP should be funded and implemented in more detail. You can find these under the Related Links tab for the SMP.
The objectives of the SMP can be found in the national SMP Guidance document (Volume 1, section 2.1). In summary, they are to identify preferred approaches for:
- managing flood and erosion risk to existing properties and other assets
- identifying approaches that are economically, technically and environmentally sustainable
- protecting and enhancing the natural features and character of the coast through these approaches where possible
Managing inland flood risk
To find out more about managing future flood risk inland, see the Flood Risk Management Plan.
Developing this SMP
The group that developed and agreed this SMP included:
- Dover District Council
- Folkestone & Hythe District Council (previously Shepway District Council)
- Kent County Council
- Rother District Council
- Hastings Borough Council
- Eastbourne Borough Council
- Wealden District Council
- East Sussex County Council
- Environment Agency
- Natural England
The group consulted the public and engaged with a range of stakeholders interested in the area’s coastal management while developing this SMP. The SMP was approved by the Environment Agency and formally adopted by each local authority. You can find further details of how the group developed the SMP in Appendix B of the document. This can be found by selecting the Download tab.