Stour and Orwell Estuaries A
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 processes
- Appendix D - Thematic review
- Appendix E - Policy development and appraisal
- Appendix F - Shoreline interactions & responses
- Appendix G - Policy appraisal
- Appendix H - Economics
- Appendix I - Bibliographic database
- Appendix J - Sustainability appraisal signposting
- Appendix K - Water framework directive assessment
- Appendix L - Strategic environmental assessment (SEA)
- Appendix M - Habitats regulations assessment report
Changes and addendums
Non-technical summary
About this subsection
This SMP subsection extends from the Port of Felixstowe up to and including the Port of Harwich. It extends up the Orwell Estuary up to Ipswich where the A14 crosses the water at the Orwell Bridge. It also includes the nearby Stour Estuary to Manningtree and Cattawade. These estuaries join as they meet the coast. The Stour and Orwell Estuaries are within the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The land use behind the shoreline of the Orwell varies between agriculture, woodland and parkland, coastal grazing marsh and small areas of heath and grassland. The sandy shoreline is punctuated by small headlands, lagoons and in many places extends into areas of salt marsh and mud flat at low tide. There is little infrastructure beyond the roads near Ipswich and a series of small installations serving leisure boating in and around the estuary. The Orwell Estuary and the northern side of the Stour Estuary lie within the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The marina and village of Shotley Gate opposite Harwich Harbour forms the mouth of the Stour Estuary. The northern shoreline is punctuated by headlands and the inlet at Hollbrook Creek. On both sides of the estuary there are extensive salt marsh and mud flat areas that become more extensive towards Cattawade, Manningtree and Mistley. The land use behind the shoreline is predominantly agricultural. The southern bank is dominated by Jacques Bay and Copperas Bay before meeting the Carless Refinery and international ferry terminal at Harwich.
Although most of the land surrounding the estuaries falls outside the tidal flood risk zone, significant infrastructure and urban development are at flood risk. This includes parts of Ipswich town and the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe, including the refinery, residential areas, and shipping terminals. Some areas of shoreline are also eroding, with some local interventions to manage this erosion.
The Stour and Orwell Estuaries are both legally protected for their internationally important wildlife.