Hartland Point to Anchor Head SMP18
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.01 | Undertake a study of the sediment dynamics of some or all parts of the Bristol Channel (with priority to the Devon shoreline) and the interaction with coastal areas to develop improved understanding of sediment transport pathways and linkages to inform future management decisions. | Environment Agency | Not yet started | Medium |
| 18.02 | With reference to insights provided by the Defra-EA project 'Practical Approaches to Transfer and Decommissioning of FCRM Assets', investigate the health and safety implications of failing or decommissioned structures on the shoreline in No Active Intervention areas to inform where removal of defences may be necessary. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Not yet started | Medium |
| 18.35 | Undertake an annual review of the South West Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme to adjust monitoring programme to reflect changing needs | Environment Agency | Not yet started | Medium |
| 18.45 | Establish and maintain an SMP Group within the South West Coastal Group to monitor, report and co-ordinate implementation of SMP actions and management approaches, review and manage changes to the SMP, and promote the SMP in investment programmes and local development planning. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Progressing | Medium |
| 18.53 | Use scoping exercise and selected pilots to explore approaches to developing adaptation pathways and defining and visualising trigger levels for decision points. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Not yet started | Medium |
| 18.53.01 | Develop localised adaptation strategies for locations within the SMP where a transition from one management approach to another will or may be needed, reflecting locally agreed options and triggers for intervention. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Not yet started | Medium |
| 18.54 | Examine implications for the SMP of findings from recent schemes and estuary strategies, amending management approaches and statements as needed and updating anticipated management timescales. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Not yet started | Medium |
| 18.55 | Continue to ensure privately promoted (or funded) schemes are subject to the same rules and governance to fully comply with the principles and overriding intent of the SMP in the short, medium and longer term. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Not yet started | Medium |
| 18.56 | Ensure that local and regional development planning documents take account of SMP policies and flood erosion risks, including the designation of Coastal Change Management Areas where potential, predicted or residual risk from flood, landslip or erosion requires consideration in development consents and future planning. | Environment Agency and local authorities | Progressing | Medium |
| 18.64.03 | Maintain links between SMP activities and emergency response plans to help prepare for extreme events, promote awareness of the Flood Warning Service and ensure clarity over roles and responsibilities in response and recovery. | Environment Agency | Progressing | Medium |
| 18.03 | Secure funding and capacity for ongoing implementation of the Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme, ensuring its design continues to capture information required to inform management of key areas of risk or uncertainty within the SMP. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Progressing | Medium-low |
| 18.03.01 | Undertake continued routine inspection and monitoring to improve data on cliff behaviour and recession as part of the Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme and/or targeted projects, for use in local engagement and to help keep the National Coastal Erosion Risk Map up to date. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Progressing | Medium-low |
| 18.03.02 | Support continued use and development of the Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme Asset Register, and ensure regular assessment of defence condition and crest levels (including photographic recording) is undertaken to compliment the Environment Agency asset inspection regime for flood defences. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Progressing | Medium-low |
| 18.04.01 | Conduct a high level review of implications for assessment and valuation of agricultural land in managing flood and erosion risk following publication of the UK Food Security Assessment. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Pending agreement | Medium-low |
| 18.53.02 | Use Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme data and local studies to identify the character and timing of key triggers for intervention in areas of the SMP where a transition from one management approach to another will or may be needed. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 18.58 | Update the Strategic Environmental Assessment for the SMP to ensure it reflects any changes made to the Plan’s management intent or impacts of existing management intent on Highly Protected Marine Areas, Marine Conservation Zones and SSSIs. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 18.61 | Establish a communications and engagement approach to ensure that elected members of local councils are aware of and understand the management approaches agreed in the SMP, and the opportunities and implications for their local area. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 18.61.01 | Engage with the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee to ensure the investment needs arising from the SMP – including resource to update and maintain the SMP - are reflected in flood and coastal erosion risk management investment planning. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 18.61.02 | Develop a Strategic Communications and Engagement Plan to ensure the SMP has profile with those making investment and planning decisions including highways and utilities, and is used and understood by those living or working at the coast (or seeking to do so) within the SMP area. | Environment Agency and local authorities | Progressing | Medium-low |
| 18.63.02 | Identify potential areas of habitat creation and restoration that could be delivered through Local Nature Recovery Strategies, for Biodiversity Net Gain from development planning, and other initiatives, and align these with the Habitat Compensation and Restoration Programme. | Environment Agency | Progressing | Medium-low |
| 18.63.03 | Seek to improve habitat as part of FCERM asset maintenace and capital projects, using principles of Natural Flood Management where possible, and identifying where projects can mitigate environmental impacts within their design | Environment Agency | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 18.59 | Work with the Marine Management Organisation to identify within Marine Plans any key potential risks to delivery of SMP management intent, identify potential responses and update SMP action plan with any actions identified | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Not yet started | Low |
| 18.6 | Carry out a strategic-level review to ensure the SMP reflects the opportunities to meet objectives set out in the River Basin Management Plan coving the SMP’s Transitional and Coastal Waters. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Progressing | Low |
| 18.63 | Identify potential opportunities for statutory habitat compensation and take forward through the regional Habitat Compensation and Restoration Programme in discussion with the local Programme Lead. | Environment Agency | Not yet started | Low |
| 18.64 | Initiate assessments to improve understanding of the impact of climate change, taking into account any changes in policies since the SMP was developed. | Pending agreement | Not yet started | Low |
| 18.64.02 | Undertake Historic Environment Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Phase 2 to understand the impacts of flooding, rising sea levels, coastal erosion and shoreline management on the historic environment and to inform management approaches | Historic England | On hold | Low |
| 18.04 | Establish and maintain an SMP Group within the South West Coastal Group to monitor, report and co-ordinate implementation of SMP actions and management approaches, review and manage changes to the SMP, and promote the SMP in investment programmes and local development planning. | North Devon and Somerset Coastal Action Group (SMP18 Management Group) | Cancelled | |
| 18.62 | Update projections of habitat change using evidence from the Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme and local studies with reference to the latest sea level rise projections to inform the Habitat Compensation and Restoration Programme. | Environment Agency | Cancelled | |
| 18.64.01 | Undertake Historic Environment Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Phase 1 to understand the impacts of flooding, rising sea levels, coastal erosion and shoreline management on the historic environment and to inform management approaches | Historic England | Complete |
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 D - SEA Environmental Baseline Report (Theme Review)
- Appendix E - Issues Objectives
- Appendix F - Initial Policy Appraisal
- Appendix G - Preferred Policies Summary
- Appendix H - Economic Sensitivity
- Appendix I - SEA
- Appendix J - Appropriate Assessment
- Appendix K - WFD
- Appendix L - Metadata Bibliography
- Appendix M - Action Plan Tables
About this SMP
This Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) covers the length of northern Devon and Somerset coastline between Hartland Point to Anchor Head including Lundy Island.
You can read the full SMP document by selecting the Download tab. This SMP was completed in 2010 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:
- North Devon and Somerset Coastal Advisory Group
- Devon County Council
- North Devon Council
- North Somerset Council
- Sedgemoor District Council
- Somerset Council (previously Somerset County Council)
- Somerset West and Taunton Council (previously Taunton Deane Borough Council & West Somerset Council)
- Torridge District Council
- English Heritage
- Environment Agency
- National Trust
- Natural England
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
- Exmoor National Park
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 A of the document. This can be found by selecting the Download tab.