St Lawrence Undercliff PU4B.1
Summary management approach
The SMP policy for the St Lawrence Undercliff coastline is No Active Intervention, continuing to allow natural change to continue to occur. The western half of the Undercliff landslide complex is more natural in character with generally undefended shoreline, relatively sparse and set-back development and an important natural environment and there are no proposals to construct or extend defences in this area. Adaptation is required, alongside recommending maintaining the road access for as long as possible with minor works. However, maintaining the road access could not be achieved through shoreline management. Access is expected to be maintained from the east and north. Further important SMP policy information for this unit is provided in the Further Details tab.
Generic approach assigned to this unit
Management approaches depend on funding and relevant approvals and permissions. Adaptation to coastal change may be needed. If defences are present, some risk from flooding, erosion or ground instability may remain.
Time periods (short (0 to 20 years), medium (20 to 50 years) and long (50 to 100)) are approximate and do not signify precise dates of management transitions.
0 to 20 years (2005 to 2025)
NI2No active interventionDo not defend
Where no defences are present, and it would be technically, economically, or environmentally unsustainable to introduce defences due to their impact on other communities, or on sites protected for their environmental importance.
20 to 50 years (2025 to 2055)
NI2No active interventionDo not defend
Where no defences are present, and it would be technically, economically, or environmentally unsustainable to introduce defences due to their impact on other communities, or on sites protected for their environmental importance.
50 to 100 years (2055 to 2105)
NI2No active interventionDo not defend
Where no defences are present, and it would be technically, economically, or environmentally unsustainable to introduce defences due to their impact on other communities, or on sites protected for their environmental importance.
Neighbouring units
The following units are within 1km of this one:
- Ventnor & Bonchurch (Monk's Bay to Steephill Cove) PU4A.2
- Castlehaven PU4B.2
- St Catherine's and Blackgang PU4B.3
Protected sites
This area of coastline is in or near a special protection area.
Data last updated: 2024-04-17
View Special Protection Area on the Data Services PlatformThis area of coastline is in or near an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Data last updated: 2024-06-29
View Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Data Services PlatformThis area of coastline is in or near a special conservation area.
Data last updated: 2024-04-17
View Special Area of Conservation on the Data Services PlatformThis area of coastline is not in or near a ramsar wetland area.
Data last updated: 2024-04-03
View Ramsar Site on the Data Services PlatformThere are no scheduled monuments near this area of coastline.
Data last updated: 2024-04-03
View Scheduled Monument on the Data Services PlatformThis area of coastline is not in or near a local nature reserve.
Data last updated: 2024-06-29
View Local Nature Reserve on the Data Services PlatformThere are 2 sites of special scientific interest near this area of coastline.
Data last updated: 2024-07-26
View Site of Special Scientific Interest on the Data Services PlatformThis area of coastline is not in or near a national nature reserve.
Data last updated: 2024-06-29
View National Nature Reserve on the Data Services PlatformThere are no marine conservation zones near this area of coastline.
Data last updated: 2024-04-03
View Marine Conservation Zone on the Data Services PlatformActions for this unit
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 |
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Further Details
The SMP policy for the St Lawrence Undercliff coastline is to continue No Active Intervention. The western half of the Undercliff landslide complex is more natural in character with generally undefended shoreline and scattered development along the A3055 road (the Undercliff Drive) and the general intent of management in this area is to continue to allow natural change to occur from St. Lawrence to Blackgang, with the exception of maximising the benefit of existing limited defences at Castlehaven (in the neighbouring policy unit to the west).Along the St. Lawrence Undercliff the current management of the area has allowed natural change to occur, which is already resulting in impacts for the local community. The SMP recommends continuing this management approach, but it is recognised that adaptation is required, alongside recommending maintaining the road access for as long as possible with minor works. However, maintaining the road access could not be achieved through shoreline management and there are no proposals to construct or extend defences in this management area. This section of the Undercliff does not have the same economic justification for coast protection measures as the town of Ventnor to the east and the area is also more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Access to the village of St. Lawrence is expected to be maintained through Ventnor to the east and through local roads to the north. No Active Intervention therefore continues to be the preferred approach for shoreline management in this area, as the behaviour and pattern of coastal slope reactivation (triggered by coastal erosion and groundwater), relatively sparse and set-back development and the natural environment of the area do not justify an alternative approach. Landslide management practices will also continue, including detailed planning guidance to avoid inappropriate development in areas of known ground movement or geomorphological vulnerability, minimising water inputs into the ground from control of pipe networks and monitoring of ground instability. It is important to work with homeowners and utilities to manage the risk of living with landslides.The No Active Intervention policy will support the natural evolution of important nature conservation features along the majority of the Ventnor Undercliff coastline. Erosion and succession of mobile vegetated cliff habitats that are a feature of the South Wight Maritime SAC will be allowed to continue. Nearshore boulder reefs will similarly be allowed to evolve naturally, with eroded cliff debris supporting the development of new reef areas as the cliff line retreats.The full wording of the adopted SMP policy can be found in the Isle of Wight SMP (2010), Chapter 4.5, available for download on this webpage (see the chapter for 'Zone 4', including pages 240-243). Information on ground movement is available on the Isle of Wight Council website at www.iow.gov.uk (please select ‘Coastal management’, then choose ‘Landslides and ground movement’).
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