Beachy Head to South Foreland Shoreline Mgt Plan

In the UK, policy responsibility for protection of the shoreline from flooding and erosion lies with central government through DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

Traditionally coastal works have been carried out in isolation in response to a problem. This sometimes led, often unintentionally, to adverse effects on both adjoining and distant stretches of coastline.

MAFF now require sections of the coastline to be managed on a regional basis. A Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) is a high level, strategic, study to determine the appropriate position of the shoreline, define which parts should be defended against erosion and flooding and recommend how this is to be achieved.

How is the plan used

Management units

Shoreline management plans

The future

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This SMP looks at the south east of England from Beachy Head to South Foreland.