In 2011 the Government approved the adoption of the Flamborough Head to Gibraltar Point Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). This plan sets out which areas of the coast may be defended up to 2105, by assigning one of the following four policies to each section of our coastline:
- Hold the existing defence line
- Advance the existing defence line
- Managed realignment
- No active intervention.
Defences may be introduced, improved or maintained in areas where a 'Hold the existing defence line', 'Advance the existing defence line' or 'Managed realignment' policy is in place. These policies are limited to locations where evidence exists that the social, economic and environmental benefits of defences would outweigh the possible negative impacts for the wider coastline.
Where the SMP policy is not to defend - 'No Active Intervention' - there must be no investment in coastal defences by any individual or organisation. Instead, natural erosion processes must be allowed to continue.
More information on the development of the SMP is available.
Alternatively, you can view and download the plan using the link below:
Flamborough Head to Gibraltar Point Shoreline Management Plan (pdf 3mb)