Coastal Groups

On 22 June 2007, the former Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Ian Pearson, announced the new arrangements for the Environment Agency's overview role on the future management of coastal erosion and sea flooding in England. The Minister's announcement included a statement on the proposed arrangements for the coastal strategic overview.

The statement included the intention that the existing coastal groups will become fewer, to form bigger and more strategic groups. They will have consistent terms of reference and membership comprising maritime district authorities and other bodies with coastal defence responsibilities, and will have a strong Environment Agency input.

The Coastal Groups, are tasked with, producing Shoreline Management Plans and for each area of coast. Coastal Groups actively involve all parties with a vested interest in the planning process so that they can achieve the best results for local residents, business, industry and wildlife in the long term

The coastal groups have a core resource provided by the Environment Agency which is supplemented by contributions by each of the other operating authorities in the group.

The following diagram outlines the new coastal groups arrangement.

If you are interested in in a particular area, click on the map and it will open the relevant web site giving SMP progress details in that area.