Axe Estuary (Spit) 6A28
Summary management approach
Maintain a non-interventional approach to encourage natural evolution of the spit. This will support objectives for the internationally important conservation designations and the Axe Estuary Marine Conservation Zone.
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:
- Seven Rock Point to Haven Cliff (West) 6A24
- Axe Estuary (Mouth Breakwater to Axmouth North) 6A25
- Axe Estuary (Axmouth North to Seaton North) 6A26
- Axe Estuary (Seaton East) 6A27
- Axe Estuary (Spit) to Seaton (West) 6A29
Protected sites
This area of coastline is not 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 2 special conservation areas.
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 is a site of special scientific interest near this area of coastline.
Data last updated: 2024-08-31
View Site of Special Scientific Interest on the Data Services PlatformThis area of coastline is 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.101.01 | Ensure Seaton Beach Management Plan is being implemented. | East Devon District Counil | Progressing | Medium |
| 16.029 | Ensure SMP management approaches and their delivery supports the Management Objectives of the Dorset & East Devon's United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, as set out in the Jurassic Coast Partnership Plan. Engage with the Jurassic Coast Trust and follow UNESCO best practice for considering the potential impacts of activities on the Site's Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). This will include undertaking impact assessments specific to the World Heritage Site, supported by stakeholder consultation and consideration of mitigation/compensation. | Pending agreement | Progressing | Medium-low |
| 16.098 | Investigate habitat creation potential within the Axe Estuary to deliver benefits to the wider region. | Environment Agency | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 16.101.02 | Review and update the Seaton Beach Management Plan. | East Devon District Counil | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 16.030 | Update the 2012 SCOPAC Sediment Transport Study (STS) to include new Channel Coastal Observatory baseline data captured in 2022/23. | Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 16.100 | Undertake a Strategic Study for the Axe Estuary, Seaton and Beer to determine the best approaches for delivering the SMP management approaches and develop a programme of works. Include a detailed assessment of coastal defence condition and long term sustainable defence requirements, as well as ensuring that coastal and estuarine process interactions along this shoreline are well understood and accounted for in any future management decisions. Detailed investigation of managed realignment options in the Axe Estuary will also need to consider ongoing navigation and highway infrastructure (e.g. Axmouth road bridge) needs and preservation of the Seaton Tramway. | Environment Agency / East Devon District Council | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 16.099 | Identify areas for the removal of defences within Sidmouth to West Bay Special Area of Conservation to compensate for loss of cliff exposure in locations where holding the line. | Dorset Council / East Devon District Council / Environment Agency | Not yet started | Low |
| 16.085 | Carry out a study to investigate the effects of SMP management approaches on the historic features present and consider mitigation measures and/or recording as appropriate. | Pending agreement | Not yet started | Low |
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