Blackstone Point to Start Point 12
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 C - Baseline Process Understanding
- Appendix D - Sea Environmental Baseline Report
- Appendix E - Issues and Objectives Evaluation
- Appendix F - Initial Policy Appraisal and Scenario Development
- Appendix G - Preferred Policy Scenario Testing
- Appendix H - Economic Appraisal and Sensitivity Testing
- Appendix I - Strategic Environmental Assessment Report
- Appendix J - Appropriate Assessment Report
- Appendix K - Water Framework Directive Assessment Report
- Appendix L - Metadata and Bibliographic Databases
- Appendix M - Action Plan Summary Tables
Supporting Documents
About this subsection
This subsection includes three main parts: the undeveloped cliffs between the Dart Estuary and the village of Stoke Flemming, the shingle beaches from Blackpool Sands to Hallsands including the three miles of barrier beach at Slapton Sands, and the undeveloped cliffs between Hallsands and Start Point lighthouse. The landscape in this area is one of vegetated sea cliffs, shingle ridges and freshwater lagoons and is of outstanding environmental, landscape and geological/geomorphological value.
The shingle beaches have migrated backwards over time and become separated near Strete, Torcross and Beesands by emerging headlands. Small residential areas at the villages of Beesands and Torcross, and the A379 coastal road at Slapton Sands, are at risk from ongoing coastal change. The ‘Slapton Line’ also forms a barrier between the sea and the freshwater lake at Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve. This barrier is frequently damaged in storms.
Many of the cliffs in this area are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and Start Point marks the start of an extensive stretch of shoreline to Plymouth that is designated for its international wildlife value. The nearshore area from Torcross to Start Point is the Skerries Bank and Surrounds Marine Conservation Zone.