The Coastal Zone Environment
11
Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs)
More closely related to the concept of sediment cells is the SMP, “a document which
sets out defence strategy for coastal defence for a specified length of coast taking
account of natural coastal processes and human and other environmental influences and
needs” (MAFF, 1995, p. 1). SMPs are aimed at the local Coastal Protection Authorities
(CPAs) and should provide the opportunity to develop sustainable coastal defence
policies within a sediment cell, and to set objectives for the future management of the
shoreline (MAFF, 1995). Coastal defence groups, in theory, provide a forum for CPAs
and other interested groups to discuss the needs of a sediment cell and develop a
forward-looking SMP.
In many ways the SMPs face the same problems as coastal defence groups, in
that they are based on sediment cell boundaries and are non-statutory and not
compulsory. They may, however, be useful in informing decisions on Structure, Local
and Unitary Development Plans which do become law.
If a CPA does design an SMP, they are supposed to review:
i) i)
iii)
iv)
Coastal processes
Coastal defences
Land use and the human and built environment
The natural environment
Coastal Processes
Coastal processes are important because they can determine the past and future
evolution of a coastline. Beaches are continually changing, and the processes of erosion
and accretion are part of the natural tendency of the coast to find an equilibrium.
Structures implemented at the coast by humans can have a significant affect on natural
processes, particularly sediment transport; no matter the size of the structures, from
groynes to harbours, they can still lock up supplies of sediments, affecting long-shore
drift and rates of erosion and accretion.
Tide and wave-induced currents have a major bearing on the transport of
seabed sediments.
Coastal Defence
In the DoE review of coastal planning and management (1993), it was suggested that
the coastal zone of England has an inheritance of what were (in modern terms) poorly
designed coastal defence structures.
Coastal structures such as harbours and jetties act as a dam to littoral drift.
There is often extensive shoreline advance on the updrift side of the harbour, while
erosion can occur on the downdrift side. Deposition and erosion can extend large
distances from the structures (Komar, 1983).
ii)
11
Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs)
More closely related to the concept of sediment cells is the SMP, “a document which
sets out defence strategy for coastal defence for a specified length of coast taking
account of natural coastal processes and human and other environmental influences and
needs” (MAFF, 1995, p. 1). SMPs are aimed at the local Coastal Protection Authorities
(CPAs) and should provide the opportunity to develop sustainable coastal defence
policies within a sediment cell, and to set objectives for the future management of the
shoreline (MAFF, 1995). Coastal defence groups, in theory, provide a forum for CPAs
and other interested groups to discuss the needs of a sediment cell and develop a
forward-looking SMP.
In many ways the SMPs face the same problems as coastal defence groups, in
that they are based on sediment cell boundaries and are non-statutory and not
compulsory. They may, however, be useful in informing decisions on Structure, Local
and Unitary Development Plans which do become law.
If a CPA does design an SMP, they are supposed to review:
i) i)
iii)
iv)
Coastal processes
Coastal defences
Land use and the human and built environment
The natural environment
Coastal Processes
Coastal processes are important because they can determine the past and future
evolution of a coastline. Beaches are continually changing, and the processes of erosion
and accretion are part of the natural tendency of the coast to find an equilibrium.
Structures implemented at the coast by humans can have a significant affect on natural
processes, particularly sediment transport; no matter the size of the structures, from
groynes to harbours, they can still lock up supplies of sediments, affecting long-shore
drift and rates of erosion and accretion.
Tide and wave-induced currents have a major bearing on the transport of
seabed sediments.
Coastal Defence
In the DoE review of coastal planning and management (1993), it was suggested that
the coastal zone of England has an inheritance of what were (in modern terms) poorly
designed coastal defence structures.
Coastal structures such as harbours and jetties act as a dam to littoral drift.
There is often extensive shoreline advance on the updrift side of the harbour, while
erosion can occur on the downdrift side. Deposition and erosion can extend large
distances from the structures (Komar, 1983).
ii)