Berrow to Brean (north) 7D44
Summary management approach
Continue with dune management, including proactive measures to prevent localised dune excavations, which damage the protected Site of Special Scientific Interest and potentially weaken the defence function provided by the dunes. Investigate sustainable future management options, including improvement of existing defences, management of natural features, adaptation of seafront property and construction of a set-back defence. Target aim is to provide a more robust natural defence to the Somerset Levels and Moors which is at signifincat risk of flooding if the current natural defence line is breached. Management options should reflect the importance of the sandflats for bird roosting and feeding grounds in the protected Site of Special Scientific Interest.
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)
HL5Hold the lineNatural features
Where the intention is to maintain the flood or erosion risk management performance of a natural feature such as dune system, spit, or shingle barrier. This does not always mean fixing its position. The approach might involve active management of the feature or its surroundings to increase its width, length, height, or resilience. It does not involve building structures on or behind the natural feature.
20 to 50 years (2025 to 2055)
MR1Managed realignmentSet back defence
Where the intention is to defend elsewhere in flood plain inland from present shoreline or allow erosion/recession to a defined alignment. New defences might be constructed at that new location if needed. This may involve the creation of inter-tidal habitat.
50 to 100 years (2055 to 2105)
MR1Managed realignmentSet back defence
Where the intention is to defend elsewhere in flood plain inland from present shoreline or allow erosion/recession to a defined alignment. New defences might be constructed at that new location if needed. This may involve the creation of inter-tidal habitat.
Neighbouring units
The following units are within 1km of this one:
- Burnham-on_x0002_Sea and Highbridge 7D43
- Brean (north) to Brean Down 7D45
- Axe Estuary left (west) bank (mouth to near Diamond Farm) 7E02
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 not 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 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 in or near a local nature reserve.
Data last updated: 2024-06-29
View Local Nature Reserve on the Data Services PlatformThere are 4 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.31 | Use monitoring data to study the long term evolution of the shoreline and risk from flooding or coastal change, to inform the development of a dune/beach management plan. This should include assessment of breach risk under a range of climate change scenarios and consider the potential future need for a secondary defence to manage flood risk to the wider Somerset Levels. | Pending agreement | Not yet started | Medium |
| 18.39.01 | Ensure Burnham-on-Sea to Brean Down Beach, Dune and Asset Management Plan is being implemented. | Environment Agency, Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council | Progressing | Medium |
| 18.39.02 | Produce a 10-year review & update of Burnham-on-Sea to Brean Down Beach, Dune and Asset Management Plan. | Environment Agency, Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council | Not yet started | Medium |
| 18.98 | Building upon the understanding of dune vulnerability from the Beach Management Plan, undertake recommended studies into the possibility of a set-back defence, including relocation of properties. As recommended in the SMP, investigation of realignment options in this area should also consider possible realignment along the Axe Estuary and the realignments may be combined. If required, revisit SMP management approach using the change process, which should also consider wide scale flood risk management in the Axe Estuary. | Pending agreement | Not yet started | Medium |
| 18.98.02 | Engage with local planning department to consider Berrow Dunes as a Coastal Catchment Management Authority (CCMA)s and to develop adaptation plans through engaging with the community and the National Trust, who already have a property business plan and Coastal Adaptation Strategy for their assets in this policy unit. | Sedgemoor District Council | Not yet started | Medium |
| 18.4 | Work with relevant organisations, landowners, private defence owners and local communities to develop a plan for long-term sustainable coastal resilience and adaptation to climate change in No Active Intervention/Managed Realignment areas, and/or where existing defences may not be maintained in the future. Ensure adequate maintenance of private defences in the immediate future and investigation of longer-term options. | Environment Agency, Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 18.98.01 | Manage the dunes through the Basin Management Plan (BMP) in the short term, while engaging with home owners to communicate future management intent in the SMP, including the importance of maintaining the dunes as a robust flood and erosion defence and supporting their ecological value. | Pending agreement | Not yet started | Medium-low |
| 18.37 | Develop a Dune and Beach Management Plan and identify any further monitoring requirements for the Berrow to Brean Down shoreline to ensure future pro-active dune and beach management is adequate to address flood risk whilst acknowledging the significant amenity use of this beach | Sedgemoor District Council | Cancelled | |
| 18.38 | Consult with key stakeholders and general public during development of studies, strategies, schemes and beach/dune management plan development to ensure an acceptable approach for the future management of coastal flood and erosion. | Environment Agency, Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council | Complete | |
| 18.39 | Develop a Beach, Dune and Asset Management and Monitoring Plan for Burnham-on-Sea to Brean Down to ensure future dune and beach management is adequate to address flood risk, whilst acknowledging the significant amenity use of this beach. | Environment Agency, Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council | Complete | |
| 18.34 | Implement any additional monitoring identified as being required from development of Beach Management Plan for the Burnham-on-Sea and Berrow to Brean Down shorelines | Environment Agency / Teignbridge District Council | Cancelled |
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 - SEA Environmental Baseline Report (Theme Review)
- Appendix E - Issues Objectives
- Appendix F - Initial Policy Appraisal
- Appendix G - Preferred Policies Summary
- Appendix H - Economic Sensitivity
- Appendix I - SEA
- Appendix J - Appropriate Assessment
- Appendix K - WFD
- Appendix L - Metadata Bibliography
- Appendix M - Action Plan Tables