Shoreline Management Plans
A Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) is a large-scale report, assessing the risks associated with coastal processes to a section of coastline.
It aims to help reduce these risks to people, property, and the historic and natural environment.
The main objective of a SMP is to identify the most sustainable approach to long-term management of flood and coastal erosion risk to the coastline in the Short Term (0 to 20 years), Medium Term (20 to 50 years) and long term (50 to 100 years).
SMPs are developed by Coastal groups which comprise primarily of members from Local Authorities and the Environment Agency.
In total, there are 11 SMPs covering the entire coast of England and Wales. The SMPs can be accessed via the SMP Explorer.
The South West coast is covered by four SMPs which can also be accessed via the links below:
- South Devon and Dorset SMP
- Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly SMP
- North Devon and Somerset
- Severn Estuary SMP
Use the Map Viewer below to see the SMP boundaries and policies for the South West of England, together with other coastal management designations.
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