Axe Estuary left (west) bank (mouth to near Diamond Farm) 7E02
Summary management approach
Continue to maintain existing flood defences and investigate options for setting back the estuary banks to a more sustainable alignment, allowing more natural coastal evolution and creating habitat. Habitat creation should reflect the requirement for high tide roost areas, and mitigate impacts upon protected freshwater protected features.
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)
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:
- Berrow to Brean (north) 7D44
- Brean (north) to Brean Down 7D45
- Brean Down (north side) to Axe Estuary mouth (west) 7E01
- Axe Estuary right (east) bank (near Diamond Farm to mouth) 7E03
- Axe Estuary mouth to Uphill 7E04
- Uphill to Weston-super_x0002_Mare (south) 7E05
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 2 special conservation areas.
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 2 national nature reserves.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
18.42 | Investigate opportunities for managed realignment in the Axe Estuary to inform future management decisions on type, timing and location of habitat compensation and/or restoration in the context of the wider strategic EA Habitat Compensation & Restoration Programmes (HCRPs) for the Bristol Channel / Severn Estuary. In unit 7e02, consider interactions with the open coast at Brean (Policy Unit 7d45). | Sedgemoor District Council / North Somerset Council / Somerset County Council / Environment Agency | Not yet started | Medium |
18.1 | Undertake the recommended studies across the Axe Estuary to support the identification of sites where future managed realignment could be considered, including modelling, development of funding plan and subsequent consultation. As part of this, consider defining trigger levels to inform the transition in management approach. | Environment Agency | Not yet started | Medium |
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