Fort Albert PU6B.3
Summary management approach
The SMP policy for the Fort Albert shoreline is Hold the Line in the short and medium term, then a policy of No Active Intervention in the long term. The area is characterised by defended headlands and undefended bays, with smaller largely fragmented settlements. The intent is to maximise the benefit of the existing defence structures but to adapt to a more natural coastline in the longer term, minimising future reliance on defences and avoiding long term increased embayment of retreating bays between fixed headlands. The Hold the Line policy allows maintenance of the existing privately defended frontage for the benefit of the local community and to allow time for the area to adapt, followed by a transition to a policy of No Active Intervention in the long term. No Active Intervention would not preclude maintenance of private defences. 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)
HL1Hold the lineMaintain/replace
Where protection is currently provided by coastal defence structures or managed beaches, and the intention is to retain a defence along approximately the current alignment. This will involve replacing defences when needed. Defence type, method and standard of protection may be modified over time.
20 to 50 years (2025 to 2055)
HL1Hold the lineMaintain/replace
Where protection is currently provided by coastal defence structures or managed beaches, and the intention is to retain a defence along approximately the current alignment. This will involve replacing defences when needed. Defence type, method and standard of protection may be modified over time.
50 to 100 years (2055 to 2105)
NI4No active interventionLocal activity only
Where the overall intention is for a natural shoreline, not to encourage new defences. In some areas, where specified in the Shoreline Management Plan, works to repair or construct short stretches of defence to provide localised protection (such as to a slipway, access point or isolated properties) may be considered by the Local Planning Authority. All works require relevant permissions.
Neighbouring units
The following units are within 1km of this one:
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 no 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 is a marine conservation zone 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.6.08 | Consider the new Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) if works are proposed on the defences around Fort Albert. This is delivered as part of routine business. | Marine Management Organisation | Cancelled | Low |
Further Details
The SMP policy for the Fort Albert shoreline is Hold the Line in the short and medium term, then a policy of No Active Intervention in the long term. Fort Albert is part of a wider coastline from Totland Bay to Norton which is characterised by a mixture of defended headlands and undefended bays, backed by Totland and several smaller largely fragmented settlements. In this policy unit at Fort Albert the policy intent is to maximise the benefit of the existing defence structures, but to adapt to a more natural coastline in the long term, minimising future reliance on coastal defences and avoiding long term increased embayment of retreating bays between fixed headlands. In the short and medium term, the intent of the initial hold the line policy is to allow maintenance of the existing defended frontage for the benefit of the local community, and to allow time for the area to adapt. The long term intent for areas where development is relatively sparse such as this unit is to then transfer to a policy of No Active Intervention on this rapidly changing coastline. At Fort Albert, the No Active Intervention policy in the long term would not preclude maintenance of private defences. Existing structures could be maintained to extend their life, but the aim would be to gradually remove the influence of management. Any works to implement the policies or maintain defences would be subject to obtaining the required consents. Important clarification: For the Isle of Wight SMP (adopted 2010), the specific meaning of the ‘No Active Intervention - Local Activity Only’ sub-category for this policy unit in the long term is as follows: The No Active Intervention policy does not preclude maintenance of existing defences in the Fort Albert policy unit; In all other cases, the standard full definition of ‘No Active Intervention’ applies (No Active Intervention: where there is no investment in coastal defences or operations). The full wording of the adopted SMP policy can be found in the Isle of Wight SMP (2010), Chapter 4.7, available for download on this webpage (see the chapter for 'Zone 6', including pages 301-304 and 292-293). The policy is further examined in the 'West Wight Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy' (adopted in 2017; see Chapter 6), which is available on the Isle of Wight Council website (iow.gov.uk), or in the links from this webpage.
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