Avon Estuary (Upstream section - Stadbury Farm to Stakes Hill) 6C14
Summary management approach
Allow natural coastal evolution along currently undefended sections but maintain existing defences such as those along Aveton Gifford. Investigate the possibility for Managed Realignment in strategic locations to reconnect the estuary to the floodplain, provide habitat and reduce flood risk to other sections. To date, since the adoption of SMP2 realignment of defences has delivered 17 hectares of intertidal habitat at South Efford Marsh, but other similar opportunities in this unit require further study and development.
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)
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.
20 to 50 years (2025 to 2055)
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.
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:
- Avon Estuary (East Bank - Mouth to Stadbury Farm) 6C13
- Avon Estuary (West Bank - Stakes Hill to Warren Point (Bigbury-on-Sea)) 6C15
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 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: 2024-08-31
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.186 | Consider amendments to the policy wording to clearly identify management intent for existing defences where Managed Realignment/No Active Intervention policy does not clearly state the Hold The Line intention for existing defences. | Pending agreement | Not yet started | Medium-high |
| 16.185 | Investigate the potential for further Managed Realignment opportunities (perhaps as part of a combined study for all South Hams estuaries). | Pending agreement | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 16.184.01 | Work with relevant organisations, landowners, private defence owners and local communities along this section of coast to develop a plan for long-term sustainable coastal resilience and adaptation to climate change. This will require significant ongoing engagement with key stakeholders and the local community, working with private defence owners to ensure they are undertaking adequate maintenance in the immediate future, and investigation of longer-term options for management and sources of partnership funding. | Environment Agency / South Hams District Council | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 16.184 | Engage and work with all defence owners to appraise the condition of their defences and ensure that there is an adequate Asset Management Plan in place for ongoing maintenance in the immediate term to ensure the existing defences continue to provide protection. | Private Landowners | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 16.183 | Carry out a study to investigate the effects of Shoreline Management Plan management approach on the heritage features at risk 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