South East of England Strategy Studies

What was originally proposed as three separate Strategy studies – 2. Upper Tidal Medway, 3. Medway Basin & Swale, and 4. Isle of Sheppey – has developed to become the Medway Estuary and Swale Strategy (MEASS).

MEASS covers the area from Stoke on the Isle of Grain to Graveney (encompassing the Isle of Sheppey and the Swale), and the tidal Medway up to Allington Lock.

Work started in 2014. The project team developed leading options for each section of the strategy area based on economic, technical, and environmental appraisals. In 2017-18 the Environment Agency carried out a consultation with key stakeholders and the final strategy was published in 2019.

Further information is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/medway-estuary-and-swale-flood-and-coastal-risk-management-strategy/medway-estuary-and-swale-flood-and-coastal-risk-management-strategy

Contact: Jon Byne on 03708 506 506 or email meass@environment-agency.gov.uk

The Strategy Study covers the frontage from Faversham Creek to the commencement of the Tankerton slopes to the east of Whitstable Harbour. The study was led by Canterbury City Council and was completed in 2004.

Contact: Ted Edwards at Canterbury City Council, email ted.edwards@canterbury.gov.uk

A strategy-type study for Tankerton was completed by Canterbury City Council in 1995. The Swalecliffe Strategy Study, from Long Rock to Hampton Pier, was completed to draft stage in 2011 but requires amendment and additional information. As at 2012 it was due to be reviewed by the Environment Agency. The study is led by Canterbury City Council.

Contact: Ted Edwards at Canterbury City Council, email ted.edwards@canterbury.gov.uk

The Strategy Study covers the frontage from Hampton Pier to Reculver and commenced in 2010. It is about to go to final public consultation and was due to be submitted for agreement by the Environment Agency in late 2012. The study is led by Canterbury City Council.

Contact: Ted Edwards at Canterbury City Council, email ted.edwards@canterbury.gov.uk

The Strategy Study covers the frontage from just west of Reculver Towers through to Minnis Bay. The study was led by Canterbury City Council and was completed in 1997.

Contact: Ted Edwards at Canterbury City Council, email ted.edwards@canterbury.gov.uk

The Strategy Study has been completed and the 2007 Coastal Flood Risk Management Strategy Pegwell Bay to Kingsdown guide for local communities is available to download at www.moderngov.dover.gov.uk (PDF) 

Contact: Roger Walton at Dover District Council, email: roger.walton@dover.gov.uk

The Strategy Study was led by the Environment Agency and adopted in June 2010.

Information and documentation is available at webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140328151710/http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/129213 (archived March 2014)

Updates are available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/folkestone-to-cliff-end-strategy/folkestone-to-cliff-end-strategy

Contact: Tom Dauben at the Environment Agency on 03708 506506 or email romneyschemes@environment-agency.gov.uk.

This Strategy Study was led by the Environment Agency in co-operation with Hastings Borough Council and Rother District Council. It was completed in 2002.

The 2004 Coonden to Cliff End Coastal Defence Strategy Project Appraisal Report is available at www.se-coastalgroup.org.uk/coastal-defence-strategies/

This Strategy which was led by the Environment Agency in co-operation with Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council was completed in 2003.

Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

This Strategy was led by the Environment Agency in co-operation with Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council and was completed in 2003.

The 2003 Cuckmere Haven to Redoubt Gardens Coastal Defence Strategy Project Appraisal Report is available at www.se-coastalgroup.org.uk/coastal-defence-strategies/

Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

This Strategy Study was led by the Environment Agency and covers the River Ouse from the A27 road bridge to Newhaven, and the coastline between Newhaven and Seaford. The strategy was formally approved and adopted in June 2012.

Download the River Ouse to Seaford Head Strategy Appraisal Report 2012.pdf (4Mb)

The first Strategy Study (Saltdean to Newhaven) was approved in 2002 and considered options for managing the chalk cliff frontage. In 2014 Lewes District Council commissioned a study with Brighton and Hove City Council that covered a wider area; the resulting Brighton Marina to Newhaven Coastal Management Implementation Plan (2016) reviews and updates a number of previous studies, developing a single plan in-line with current government flood and coastal risk management guidance.

Contact: Lindsay Frost at Lewes District Council, email: lindsay.frost@lewes.gov.uk
Contact: Martin Eade at Brighton & Hove City Council, email martin.eade@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Work on the Brighton Marina to River Adur strategy began in March 2012 and was completed in 2014. It was approved by the Environment Agency and allocated grant aid for an initial phase of improvements to the coast defences that are due to begin in the financial year 2020/21. 

Further information at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/environment/how-we-protect-our-environment/brighton-marina-river-adur-strategy

Contact: Martin Eade at Brighton & Hove City Council, email: martin.eade@brighton-hove.gov.uk

This Strategy Study gained formal approval in April 2010 and a programme of recommended works is now being implemented. 

Further information and the management strategy document is available to download at www.se-coastalgroup.org.uk/coastal-defence-strategies/

This Environment Agency led Strategy Study commenced in 2009; the River Arun to Pagham Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy was adopted in September 2015.

Information and documentation is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/arun-to-pagham-flood-risk-strategy

This strategy, led by the Environment Agency in co-operation with Arun and Chichester District Councils was approved in 2009.

Information and documentation is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/pagham-to-east-head-coastal-defence-strategy

This Environment Agency led Strategy Study was due to start in 2013/2014 and will investigate management of future flood and coastal erosion in Chichester Harbour, from Emsworth Yacht Harbour to Ella Nore Lane.

Updates are available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/emsworth-to-east-head-flood-and-coastal-risk-management-scheme/emsworth-to-east-head-flood-and-coastal-risk-management-scheme

Contact: ems2eh@environment-agency.gov.uk

This two-stage Strategy Study (2006-2009), which was led by the Environment Agency in co-operation with Havant Borough Council, covers the south eastern corner of Hayling Island.

Details can be found at coastalpartners.org.uk/project/eastoke-sectoral-strategy

Contact: the Coastal Partners, email coastal.team@havant.gov.uk

This Strategy Study was led by the Environment Agency and completed in 2003.

Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

This Strategy Study, led by Portsmouth City Council, gained final Defra approval in April 2012. It will, in combination with the Portchester Castle to Emsworth Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy, complete the long-term strategic approach to Portsmouth’s entire coastline.

Details can be found at coastalpartners.org.uk/project/portsea-island-coastal-strategy

Contact: the Coastal Partners, email coastal.team@havant.gov.uk

This 2012 Strategy Study was led by the Environment Agency in partnership with Havant Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council, Chichester District Council and Fareham Borough Council. 

Details available at coastalpartners.org.uk/project/portchester-castle-to-emsworth-strategy

Contact: the Coastal Partners, email coastal.team@havant.gov.uk

This strategy was led by the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership on behalf of Gosport and Fareham Borough Councils, commencing 2012; it was adopted in 2015 and approved by the Environment Agency in 2016.

Details available at coastalpartners.org.uk/project/river-hamble-to-portchester-strategy

Contact: the Coastal Partners, email coastal.team@havant.gov.uk

This technical study was led by Southampton City Council in partnership with Eastleigh Borough Council and Fareham Borough Council. The study was completed in November 2011.

Information and documentation is available at www.southampton.gov.uk/environmental-issues/flood-risk-management/strategies-plans-studies/river-itchen-hamble-coastal-study/

The Strategy Study, which commenced in July 2010, extends the 22km stretch of the city’s coastline from  Woodmill to Redbridge; it was completed and approved in 2012.

Information and documentation is available at www.southampton.gov.uk/environmental-issues/flood-risk-management/strategies-plans-studies/southampton-coastal-strategy/

This Strategy Study was led by the Isle of Wight Council and extends from the Shrape Breakwater at East Cowes to Culver Cliff. It was completed and adopted in 2005.

Contact: Jenny Jakeways at the Isle of Wight Council, email coast@iow.gov.uk

This Strategy was led by the Environment Agency in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council’s Centre for the Coastal Environment. It commenced in 2006 covering the Eastern Yar Valley and Bembridge Harbour and was approved in 2010.

Information and documentation is available from webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120907211704/http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/cy/135514 (archived September 2012)

This Strategy Study was led by the Isle of Wight Council. The original study area from Culver Cliff to Dunnose Point, Shanklin was extended southwards and westwards to include the Undercliff as far west as Blackgang Chine; estimated completion 2013 (no update available).

Contact: Jenny Jakeways at the Isle of Wight Council, email coast@iow.gov.uk

This Strategy Study was led by the Isle of Wight Council; it extends from Blackgang to the Needles and along the Island ‘s north-west coast to Old Castle Point, East Cowes. The Strategy adopted, approved and published in 2017.

Information and documentation is available at www.iow.gov.uk

Contact: Jenny Jakeways at the Isle of Wight Council, email coast@iow.gov.uk

This Strategy Study, extending from Calshot Spit to Hurst Spit, commenced in 2005 and was led by the New Forest District Council on behalf of Hampshire County Council.

The study involved extensive national and local level discussions on the complex environmental legislation requirements and private landownership issues which were subsequently resolved in the North Solent SMP. Following discussions with partners, the strategic Western Solent Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Study was expected to be concluded in 2012/13.

Contact: Andrew Colenutt at the New Forest District Council, email andrew.colenutt@nfdc.gov.uk

A Strategy Study, extending from Hurst Spit to Hengistbury Head, including Christchurch Harbour, commenced in 2001 and was led by New Forest District Council on behalf of Christchurch Borough Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and the Environment Agency. Between 2001 and 2008 there were significant changes in national flood and erosion risk guidance which resulted in numerous revisions to the strategy. The strategic Christchurch Bay and Harbour FCERM Study was delivered in 2012. By 2020, however, it was felt not to fully reflect the latest guidance on climate change and sea level rise, and it also identified some key areas of uncertainty that required further investigation.

In July 2021 a new Strategy Study (2021-2023) was announced, to be carried out by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council and New Forest District Council – details at www.twobays.net/project/christchurch-fcerm-strategy/

Contact: Steve Cook at the New Forest District Council, email steve.cook@nfdc.gov.uk

The strategy covers the coastline between Hengistbury Head and Durlston Head and includes the coastline of Poole Bay, Poole Harbour and islands, and Wareham. The study commenced July 2010, led by the Environment Agency with technical input from Bournemouth, Poole and Purbeck Councils. The final Strategy was published in 2014.

Information and documentation can be found at www.twobays.net/strategies-plans/

It was decided that a Strategy Study would not be the best method of agreeing detailed information. Therefore, it was proposed that a Coastal Processes study be undertaken for Weymouth Bay, funded by the Local Levy, commending 2012/13.

The Weymouth Bay Coastal Processes Study (WBCPS) final report is anticipated to be published in 2018/19. 

Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk