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Unit

Axe Estuary right (east) bank (near Diamond Farm to mouth) 7E03

Summary management approach

Maintain defences in the short term. Managed realignment depends on the outcome of studies into options, and if necessary new defences will be built and maintained on the new alignment to continue to manage future risk. Habitat creation as part of any realignment 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)

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)

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.


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 Platform

This 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 Platform

This 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 Platform

This area of coastline is in or near a ramsar wetland area.

Data last updated: 2024-04-03

View Ramsar Site on the Data Services Platform

There are no scheduled monuments near this area of coastline.

Data last updated: 2024-04-03

View Scheduled Monument on the Data Services Platform

This 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 Platform

There are 4 sites of special scientific interest near this area of coastline.

Data last updated: 2024-06-29

View Site of Special Scientific Interest on the Data Services Platform

This 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 Platform

There are no marine conservation zones near this area of coastline.

Data last updated: 2024-04-03

View Marine Conservation Zone on the Data Services Platform

Actions for this unit

All actions are subject to funding and approval, often by other parties than the Lead Organisation shown.

Reference NumberAction DescriptionAction Lead OrganisationAction Progress StatusPriority
18.42Investigate 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 AgencyNot yet startedMedium
18.101Undertake 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 AgencyNot yet startedMedium

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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

Summaries