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ARCHIVE: Adapting to coastal change

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30 March 2010: Defra published Adapting to Coastal Change: Developing a Policy Framework (PDF 986KB).  This represents a staging post in the evolution of a policy framework on supporting communities in adapting to coastal change.

01 December 2009: The 15 successful coastal change pathfinder authorities were announced today.  Their programme of work exploring new approaches to planning for, and managing, adaptation to coastal change in partnership with their communities will run until spring 2011.

Supporting communities that may be affected by coastal erosion and flooding

Caravan park in the East Riding Coastal Zone where the concept of "rollback"is being examinedCoastal change is a natural process that has and will continue to shape our coastline. We will defend where we can, but there will be times when this will neither be sustainable nor affordable.

Government is working to develop a range of approaches to support  community adaptation to coastal change, particularly in those communities where it will not be possible to defend.  We consulted on coastal change policy in 2009. Copies are available from the Defra Library (email defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk, phone 020 7238 6575).

A key part of understanding how communities can adapt is the coastal change pathfinder programme. Fifteen  local authorities have been selected as pathfinders and are exploring a range of new approaches to adapting to coastal change, working in partnership with their local communities.  The pathfinder programme will run until spring 2011.  The lessons learned from the pathfinder programme will help inform the evolving framework of policy and guidance on supporting communities adapt to coastal change.

Defra has published Adapting to Coastal Change: Developing a Policy Framework (PDF 986KB).  This sets out our ideas and guidance on how communities can plan for change as well as looking at what managing change might mean for business, local infrastructure and our historic and natural environment.  It is the first stage in an evolving framework of policy and guidance on supporting communities adapt to coastal change; evolving with the learning from the pathfinder programme.

Adapting to Coastal Change also introduces a new coastal erosion assistance grant.  The grant provides financial support, via local authorities, towards the costs of demolition and some basic moving costs for the few homes that will be lost as a result of coastal erosion. Local Authorities should contact the Environment Agency for a copy of the Erosion Assistance Grant application form:

This evolving policy framework is closely linked with Department of Communities and Local Government’s new Planning Policy Statement 25 Supplement: Development and Coastal Change, which was published on 9 March.  This gives new planning powers to coastal communities to help their local economy and tourist industry.

The summer 2009 consultation on coastal policy also sought views on  guidance to provide a framework and roadmap to develop and implement successful community engagement to facilitate adaptation planning.  The Community Adaptation Planning and Engagement (CAPE) has now been published.

Project outputs to date

Consultation on Coastal Change Policy and summary of responses: 

  • The 2009 summer consultation on coastal change policy closed on 25th September 2009.  A summary of responses has now been published. Copies are available from the Defra Library (email defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk, phone 020 7238 6575).

Understanding demolition costs for properties affected by coastal erosion, Scott Wilson Ltd, 2010: