Heritage at risk from flooding and coastal erosion

Hurst Castle, New Forest (Case Study 3) – the collapse of a section of the East Wing Wall, February 2021

Background

A large number of designated heritage sites are located along the SCOPAC coastline. Many of these have either historically benefited from Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) protection or in some cases perform a direct coastal defence function themselves. Many of these assets however are becoming increasingly vulnerable to coastal change, and their management is often obfuscated by a lack of clarity surrounding responsibility, accountability, and funding.

Where historic sites sit within a wider FCERM funded scheme, protecting homes and businesses, appropriate management of the heritage asset often results in significantly increased costs (over 20%) and in some cases the scheme becomes unaffordable. Where heritage assets do not sit within a qualifying FCERM Grant in Aid scheme, they increase the risk of their permanent, irretrievable loss or damage.

A better understanding of complexities regarding the management of these important historic sites along with a body of evidence to communicate them is essential to the FCERM sector in order to secure alternative funding options to appropriately manage sites at risk of flood and coastal erosion and avoid increased costs to FCERM schemes.

Aims & Objectives

The aim of this study is to highlight the implications of managing heritage assets on the coast in relation to Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) schemes and over-stretched local authority maintenance budgets.

The key project objectives are to:

• Appraise current guidance and policies in relation to the protection of these assets;
• Investigate the limited funding mechanisms available to Risk Management Authorities to do so;
• Raise awareness of any limitations that hinder vital maintenance and prevent irretrievable damage of these locally, regionally, and nationally important assets;
• Highlight some of the key issues specifically faced by local authorities who are often seen as the responsible party when it comes to maintenance and protection of these key historic sites, particularly when they become exposed to risks from coastal flooding and erosion.

We hope by highlighting the scale of the challenge, a more sustainable solution can be found to help preserve coastal heritage assets for future generations whilst achieving a better balance with wider FCERM priorities.

Outputs

The key output of the study is to evidence the many management uncertainties and complexities which underpin the management of Heritage sites within the FCERM sector, providing a strong body of evidence which can facilitate effective communication to raise awareness of these issues.

The key output of the study is to evidence the many management uncertainties and complexities which underpin the management of Heritage sites within the FCERM sector.

The main deliverables are:

• A GIS based study, with corresponding statistics offering a regional breakdown of designated Heritage sites at risk along the SCOPAC coastline;
• Roles, responsibilities and legislation which underpin decision making;
• Suitability and capacity of various funding streams to accommodate associated costs.
• A number of carefully selected case studies which outline the various management complexities associated with these sites;
• A detailed report;
• An infographic summarising the key findings;
• Roadshow of presentations and webinars to the Southern and Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, Southern Coastal Group and SCOPAC, Flood and Coast conference, ICE conference and LGA SiG.

The report, infographic and webinar provide a strong body of evidence to facilitate effective communication to raise awareness of these issues. It is anticipated that raising awareness of this issue will be a first step in securing alternative funding options to protect or move heritage sites at risk of flood and coastal erosion and avoid increased costs to FCERM schemes in the future.

Coastal Heritage within FCERM: The challenge of conflicting priorities