Coastal Change Management Areas

Implementation through planning

The lines on the maps and what we do with them

Matt Dickins - East District Council and Ian Rowland – Council Two contrasting coastlines that were assessed

East Devon Cliffs Torridge Estuary The (Government) National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) tells us:

• Coastal change management is a strategic issue (NPPF para 20). • In CCMAs (NPPF para 167): a) be clear about what development will be appropriate and in what circumstances; and b) make provision for development/infrastructure that needs to be relocated. • Development in CCMAs (NPPF para 168) appropriate only where: a) It is safe and does not have adverse impacts on coastal change; b) the character of the coast including designations is not compromised; c) It provides wider sustainability benefits; and d) It does not hinder the creation/maintenance of managed routes. • Use temporary permissions and restoration conditions (NPPF para 169) where necessary to reduce risk to people and the development. From the NPPF - development that will be appropriate and in what circumstances – on face value its quite simple.

 Things that are temporary and can be relocated may well be acceptable.

 Things that are permanent and cannot be relocated are not going to be acceptable. From the NPPF - provision for development/ infrastructure that needs to be relocated

Relocating a coastal house to a new location overlooking the sea is easy, there is plenty of land – except for:  World Heritage Sites;  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty;  The undeveloped coast policy;  Countryside protection policy;  Lack of services and facilities. Challenges for policy making

• General contentiousness of lines on maps showing land that may fall into the sea (especially for urban areas); • Past boundary lines arguably lacked precision and accuracy – policy makers may have used their own interpretation; • It’s a complex business defining lines – and consistent and robust methodologies for doing so are lacking; • The NPPF is quite open-ended in what it expects and it does not tell you how to define lines. • Policy making, producing a local plan, takes a long time – including need for robust evidence, local politics, public consultation and potential opposition, meeting statutory agency requirements, examination by inspector and potential for legal challenge. It has been possible to ‘duck the issue’ – at least in the past. Lots of plans in the UK do not have policies for CCMAs or they lack detail. For policy planners we do not:

 Address management of beaches and cliffs and associated safety issues;  Produce proposals for building new coastal defences; These can be contentious and potentially costly work areas and we may be drawn into debate and challenges on such matters – not unreasonably the public do not differentiate between differing roles and functions of Council services. The University of work will, we trust, overcome the evidence side challenges

 Clear mapping that shows 20, 50 and 100 year time horizons, plus buffers. Note Shoreline Management Plan lines.

This is showing lines and residential properties. But there are well advanced plans for coastal defence works. Hand over to Ian Rowland – Torridge District Council

Some potential future policy approaches and responses – what our plans in the future may say… Why do we need to plan for this?

Planning for Coastal Change

 About managing the the social, environmental and economic impacts and opportunities  Managing the process of necessary change  Consideration of risk  Giving consideration to the longer term implications  Applying local approaches to reflect local situations How do we do it?

 Through the preparation of a local plan  Designate one or more Coastal Change Management Area (CCMA)  Setting out policies to manage development  Need to engage and consult  Tested through examination Different approaches for different things?

 Infrastructure  Prevention

 Housing  Relocation

 Tourism  Resilience

 Transport  Timeframes

 Green Infrastructure What are the potential approaches? Planning Reforms – All change?

 Government consulting on fundamental reforms to the planning system  Simplifying and streamlining the planning system

 Does it limit scope for managing coastal change? Thank you for listening

Any Questions? ?