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Subsection

Black Head to Zone Point PDZ4

The Black Head to Zone Point Subsection is split into 16 areas. Their boundaries have been set based on analysis of coastal processes and the character of the shoreline. Select an area to find out more information about it.

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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

Summaries

Supporting documents

About this subsection

This sub-section of the SMP comprises around 45km of open coast. It is split into 16 smaller local management units.

This east and southeast facing coast comprises a series of rocky bays delineated by headlands and backed by hard cliffs of variable height. South of Dodman Point two bays (Veryan Bay and Gerrans Bay) are divided by Nare Head. From Black Head south to Dodman Point, the east facing coastline of Mevagissey Bay contains the settlements of Pentewan, Mevagissey, Port Mellon and Gorran Haven. It is an example of a largely natural coastline, modified only in discrete areas.

At Dodman Point, the coast turns to face south within Veryan Bay. This area is an almost entirely natural frontage of hard cliffs, rocky shore platforms and rock outcrops. It is very sparsely populated with little modification. The only two settlements of note are Portholland and Portloe. There are small sandy pocket beaches at Hemmick Beach and Porthluney Cove. West of Nare Head, Gerrans Bay and the Roseland Peninsula coastline are dominated by naturally functioning hard slate cliffs, rocky shore platforms and rock outcrops, with little modification and sheltered from the extremes of the westerly Atlantic wave climate. The settlements of Portscatho and Gerrans are the only populated areas of note. Beaches exist in discrete locations along the coastline, the main substantial beach being Pendower, which is popular with tourists. Smaller sandy coves are present at Porthcurnick (just north of Portscatho) and Porthbeor, at the far south-western end of Gerrans Bay, close to Zone Point.

The risk profile in this area centres primarily on Mevagissey, where its low-lying quay sides make it vulnerable to coastal flooding, particularly during easterly storms. A high number of properties (mostly commercial) are at risk. Risk also exists at Portmellon, where the primary concern is relatively frequent inundation of the coastal highway, again mostly during high energy easterly conditions. Pentewan has also recorded incidents of coastal flooding due to wave run-up in the past, notably experiencing flooding recently during the winter storms of 2014.

Core values for this area are the natural and isolated feel of the coastline, the unique experience provided by the character fishing communities at Mevagissey, Gorran Haven, Portloe and Portscatho, to both visitors and residents. The popular beach at Pentewan is also important to the area, in providing recreational opportunities and supporting the local economy. The coastline is also nationally and internationally protected for its coastal habitats, heritage and high landscape value.

The broader objectives for the area are to allow natural evolution of the coast along the extensive unmodified sections, to retain the character and attraction of locations such as Mevagissey and Portscatho, and to support the remaining commercial activities to function efficiently. An important aspect of the management intent would be to support the adaptation of communities, particularly Mevagissey, to coastal change. Allowing the establishment of a more sustainable long-term shoreline position for the pocket beaches and coves is also an important objective within this area.

It is intended that broadly speaking, the management intents for each of the smaller units contained within this sub-section should work together in combination, to enable delivery of these strategic objectives for the wider area, alongside their primary purpose of describing a locally sustainable approach for each individual location.