South-west coastline 5
General actions for this subsection
There are no actions generic to the whole of this subsection. For 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.
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 C1: Coastal processes and climate change
- Appendix C2: Defence appraisal (including maps of the coastal defences: maintainer, type, condition and residual life)
- Appendix C3: Scenarios of future shoreline change (including erosion maps for the ‘No Active Intervention’ and ‘With Present Management’ scenarios)
- Appendix D: Natural and built environment baseline (including maps of nature conservation designations, coastal habitats and heritage features)
- Appendix E: Issues and objectives evaluation
- Appendix F: Strategic Environmental Assessment (including addendum)
- Appendix G: Scenario testing
- Appendix H: Economic appraisal
- Appendix I: Habitat Regulations Assessment - Appropriate Assessment
- Appendix J: Water Framework Directive (WFD) Assessment
- Appendix K: Reference list and bibliographic database
- Appendix L: Information to the Secretary of State according to regulations 49(5) and 51(2) of the Habitats Regulations; and Statement to Defra on SRHCP and IW the SMPs compliance with the Habitat Regulations
- Appendix M: Statement of environmental particulars
Supporting documents
About this subsection
This subsection of the south-west coast extends from the geologically complex cliffs at Chale along the continuous stretch of actively eroding cliffs to near Freshwater. The south-west coast of the Isle of Wight is largely undeveloped and exposed to waves from the Atlantic.
The shoreline is comprised of a continuous stretch of sandy beach and cliffs behind shallow rock platforms. The land use is mainly agricultural, with occasional isolated properties, and road infrastructure serving visitors to the beaches and important natural landscapes. The A3055 ‘Military Road’ runs close to the shoreline along parts of this subsection. It is an important transport link providing a popular tourist route around the Island and access to the scattered coastal communities and properties in the area.
The important continuous sediment supply from the eroding cliffs controls the beach behaviour and longshore drift which moves to the east. The entire subsection of coast is legally protected for its internationally important wildlife and habitats and for its geological interest, as Special Area of Conservation and Site of Special Scientific Interest. The landscape is part of the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coast.