Lowestoft Ness
to Felixstowe Landguard Point
A Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) is a strategy for managing flood and erosion risk for a particular stretch of coastline, over 3 time periods, known as ‘epochs’: short-term (up to 2025), medium term (2026 to 2055) and long-term (up to 2105). SMPs identify the best ways to manage coastal flood and erosion risk to people and the developed, historic and natural environment. The SMP for the medium and long term sets a vision for the future, but is based on our current knowledge and understanding. That is why SMPs are reviewed every five to 10 years.
The preparation of an SMP is the responsibility of the operating authorities responsible for managing the coastline. In Suffolk these organisations are Suffolk Coastal District Council, Waveney District, British Energy and the Environment Agency – in association with Natural England, English Heritage and Suffolk County Council.
The first generation SMP for the Suffolk coastline, covering the 72 km of coastline between Lowestoft and Felixstowe, was completed in 1998. This SMP is now being reviewed by Haskoning UK Ltd for Suffolk Coastal District Council (SCDC) as lead authority for the operating authorities. Terry Oakes Associates Ltd is project managing the development of the new SMP on behalf of SCDC. The review has been undertaken fully in accordance with the methods set out in the Government’s publication “Shoreline Management Plans Guidance, Volumes 1 and 2. March 2006” (available here).
The review started in July 2008. A series of public exhibitions were held in summer 2009, offering all residents, stakeholders and other organisations the opportunity to view the draft policies and an opportunity for the people talk to those involved in the development of the draft SMP and to contribute their views before the final policies are formulated. At the close of the public consultation, 82 responses (250 individual comments) were received from individuals, organisations and authorities. All responses and comments made by participants, both during the exhibition sessions and in subsequent written and verbal communications, were reviewed and taken into account.
The draft Final Shoreline Management Plan, completed in January 2010, is posted on this website.
Suffolk Coastal and Waveney District Councils are now reviewing the draft Final Plan. Subject to their acceptance of the draft Final Plan, it will then be reviewed by the Environment Agency Regional Flood Defence Committee before forwarding it to the Secretary of State and the Environment Agency’s Regional Director for final approval, sometime later this year.
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