SDRT-EastScopingstudy regarding

Coastal current coastalCoastNet

Activity
activity and the national ICZM
programme, and implications for East of
England

Prepared by CoastNet

For the Sustainable Development Round Table – East

March 2007

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SDRT-East Coastal Activity CoastNet

Contents

Executive summary

1 Background
1.1 Purpose of the report
1.2 What is ICZM?
1.2.1 How is ICZM implemented in England?
1.3 Coastal Issues in the East of England
1.3.1 General context
1.3.2 Character of Eastern Region Coast

2 Inventory of coastal activity

2.1 Organisations and functions
2.2 Initiatives
2.3 Designations
2.4 Regional issues

3 National and EU policy initiatives

3.1 National policy initiatives
3.2 EU Policy Initiatives

4 Analysis of potential implications of national policy initiatives for East

of England

5 Conclusions, and recommendations for further action for the SDRT

East, and for the region

6 Next steps

7 Disclaimer

Annex 1 Links to maps of Eastern Region and of relevant activities

Annex 2 National and regional stakeholders

About CoastNet

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Executive Summary

An audit of coastal activity in the East Of England Region reveals complex

management arrangements: many management bodies, with overlapping
responsibilities and jurisdictions, and a wide range of stakeholders.

A complex policy framework is illustrated by reference to the many designations

that are in place – the coast seeming to have a higher density than elsewhere –
but obscured by the poor information pertaining specifically to the coast for
environmental, social and economic issues.

This situation is bound to lead to confusion at all levels, poor integration of policy
and management activity, and poor decision-making. The achievement of good
sustainable development outcomes must be compromised.

Recommendations are made with regard to communicating roles and

responsibilities, mechanisms for integration, regarding information and indicators,
and in relation to the role of an SDRT-East ‘Coastal Group’.

For the region as a whole it is recommended that an inclusive vision be

developed, to provide a common policy goal for all those involved in the
management of the coastal zone. Further, it is recommended that the role of
Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements be explored in relation
to delivery of these goals, and that a particular focus on the future of flood and
coastal defence is developed.

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1 Background
The preparation of a Marine Act in the UK, of a Maritime Policy for the EU, and of a
national strategy for integrated coastal zone management for England are focussing
more attention on coastal zones.

The Sustainable Development Round Table for the East of England (SDRT-East)
was established in 1998, as a "champion body" working to promote Sustainable
Development principles throughout the East of England region. It works with regional
policy makers to provide influence and support, and it commissions’ research and
provides conferences, education and information about specific issues which affect
the East of England, and neighbourhoods beyond. It also acts as a "critical friend" to
regional and local government bodies - a similar relationship to that which the
Sustainable Development Commission has with central government.

The SDRT East work programme identifies the need to investigate coastal activity. In
this context CoastNet have been commissioned to undertake a scoping study.

CoastNet is an independent sustainable development charity, working in the UK,

Europe and beyond, from an East of England base.

• CoastNet brings together policy, practice, and the public, through conferences
and events www.coastnet.org.uk

• CoastNet provides news and information, through publications and the web
www.coastweb.info

• CoastNet runs the CoastNet Centre for Futures Research

1.1 Purpose of the report

The SDRT East work programme includes eight themes, one of which is integrated
coastal zone management. The short-term action for this focal area is to prepare a

‘Scoping study to gather information about current coastal activity and gain
understanding of the national ICZM programme and implications for East of
England.’

This is intended to inform the following activities for 2007/8:

1 Regional workshop held in Spring 2007 to share information and create

an East of England Coastal Group
2 Coastal Group to formulate an agreed and consistent communications
package
3 Event held to disseminate information to those working or affected by
coastal issues.

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Definitions
In order to communicate more clearly the objectives of the study it is necessary to
consider some definitions. Thus:

Scoping report: to gather together information and so define the nature and scale of
coastal activity in the region, and the key drivers that give rise to it.

Coastal activity: activity that is generated in large part by the presence of the coast
and sea. This is a more open and flexible definition than applying a zoning approach.
It is necessary because some drivers of coastal activity are initiated well outside the
coastal zone. For example, agricultural practices well inland can have an influence on
coastal water quality and sediment fluxes. Similarly, watersports enthusiasts may live
a long way from the coast and to engage them may necessitate activity in their home
region.

National ICZM programme: There is a single initiative of Government to develop a

national ICZM strategy for England. However, this would be too narrow a perspective
for this study. A wider approach is taken to include other local, regional, national and
EU initiatives that are particularly relevant to the management of the coast.

‘Gain an understanding…’ (of and the implications for East of England): to know
which initiatives are relevant to the coast in the Region and why.

What this report will not do – undertake a stocktake/analysis of regional policy, data
and information.

1.2 What is ICZM?

Government says the following on integrated coastal zone management:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/marine/uk/iczm/index.htm

The objective of Integrated Coastal Zone management (ICZM) is to establish

sustainable levels of economic and social activity in our coastal areas while
protecting the coastal environment. It brings together all those involved in the
development, management and use of the coast within a framework that
facilitates the integration of their interests and responsibilities.

Successful integrated coastal zone management may involve adopting the

following principles:

• A long term view

• A broad holistic approach
• Adaptive management
• Working with natural processes
• Support and involvement of all relevant administrative bodies
• Use of a combination of instruments
• Participatory planning
• Reflecting local characteristics

This is a clear reflection of the EU Communication on ICZM

(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/iczm/home.htm).

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1.2.1 How is ICZM implemented in England?

A plethora of plans
One of the driving forces behind the development of integrated coastal management
is the proliferation of plans and strategies on the coast. Typically, any section of
coast will have:

1. Local Plan or Local Development Framework (and related Structure Plan and
RSS), and related development strategies which may have more than just the
spatial dimension (Economic, Leisure, Health etc)
2. Catchment management plan
3. Shoreline management plan

Optionally, there may also be

1. European Marine Site Management Scheme
2. SSSI site management agreement
3. Harbour management plan
4. Environmentally Sensitive Area strategy
5. AoNB or Heritage Coast Management Plan
6. Water level management plan
7. Beach management plan
8. Estuary management plan or strategy
9. Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan
10. Shellfish regulatory order byelaws and regulations
11. Fishery protected areas (e.g. Bass nursery areas)
12. Leased areas for marine aggregate extraction of wind farms
13. Objective area plans (for EU structural funds)
14. Various other formal and informal action plans

The Marine Bill will add:

1. Marine Spatial Plan
2. Marine conservation zones

The purpose of ICZM initiatives may be two-fold:

• To provide for coordination and liaison between these plans
• To develop a common understanding of objectives and priorities to inform
plan and strategy revision. This is so that all can progress towards integration
of policy and action.

In practice ICZM is about organisations working together to achieve these goals.

A partnership approach
In the UK, a wide range of partnership models have evolved in relation to
management of the coast.

• Coastal Groups: Established to support Defra policy in relation to shoreline

management plans for coastal flood and erosion risk management, e.g.
ACAG (Anglian Coastal Authorities Group)
http://www.northnorfolk.org/acag/default.asp
• Estuary partnerships – established specifically to take forward ICZM,
through English Nature’s Estuaries Initiative of 1992-97. In this region the
following estuaries have such partnerships: Wash, Alde/Ore, Stour and
Orwell, Colne, Blackwater (demised), Crouch and Roach, Thames.

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• European Marine Site management groups – established to coordinate

activity to safeguard the nature conservation status of the designated sites. In
this region: Essex Estuaries, Wash and North Norfolk. However, there are
other European Marine Sites, which are managed through other
arrangements.
• Coastal Fora – as the Estuary Partnerships. There are none in the East of
England, although the Essex Estuaries Initiative/SAIL project came close.
• Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty/Heritage Coast steering groups.
Established to pursue the landscape and nature protection objectives of
AONBs. In this Region: Suffolk Coast and Heaths, North Norfolk
• Marine National Park. None in this region.
• Voluntary Marine Nature Reserve groups. Status in this region not known
• Other, ad hoc, coastal projects, eg Interreg funded initiatives, such as ‘SAIL’.

Others to mention:
• National Park – the Broads National park falls within the coastal zone, but it
is a single authority rather than a partnership. However, its functions overlap
with those of the relevant Districts and there is cross-representation.

All these types of partnership may be engaged in the integrated management of the
coast. However, many have a sectoral purpose, such as nature conservation, or
coast protection. Only Coastal Fora and Estuary Partnerships (now generically
referred to as Coastal Partnerships) have a specific purpose to implement ICZM.
However, this purpose is not statutory, nor even clearly defined nationally.

As a result of the lack of a clear framework for coastal partnerships, their fortunes
wax and wane, and most in the region have been ‘mothballed’ from time to time.
Currently, those in Essex are suffering from recent budget cuts and have greatly
diminished capacity. Apart from the local impact on integration, there is also a
regional impact. Thus the approach to ICZM within the region (as in other regions) is
ad hoc, and thus inconsistent and lacking in coherence in its application.

1.3 Coastal Issues in the East of England

1.3.1 General context

The East of England Regional Assembly have this to say about the region:

The East of England (http://www.eera.gov.uk/category.asp?cat=390)

The East of England incorporates six counties:

• Bedfordshire
• Cambridgeshire
• Essex
• Hertfordshire
• Norfolk
• Suffolk

The unitary local authorities of Luton, Peterborough, Southend and Thurrock are also
within the region.

The East of England is one of the largest of the English regions at just over 19,000
square kilometres. It extends from the fringes of London in the south to the North
Norfolk coast. It is mainly low-lying with parts at or below sea level.

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It is a region of diverse landscapes with a rich built environment and archaeological

heritage, extensive sites of national heritage importance and ecological and
landscape value, including the Chiltern Hills, the Broads, wetlands, fens and heritage
coast.

Nearly 5½ million people live in the East of England. There are no major
conurbations but the region has many historic towns and cities, and centres
of academic and cultural heritage as well as a network of county and market towns
and villages. About a quarter of England's market towns are located in the East of
England.

The largest urban areas are Southend and Castle Point, with a population of 250,000
and Luton/Dunstable/Houghton Regis with a population of 230,000.

Basildon, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich, Norwich and Peterborough all

have populations between 100,000 and 200,000 and Bedford (including Kempston) is
fast approaching a population of 100,000.

The majority of the region's larger towns (over 25,000 population) are located along
the region's southern fringes in Hertfordshire and South Essex. By contrast the more
rural and coastal areas are more sparsely populated and a pattern of small towns,
villages and hamlets predominates. There are more than 1,800 Parishes across the
region and 43% of people live in rural areas.

London, a city of global importance, is to the south of the region and the South East
and East Midlands regions to the west. There are strong relationships with these
regions, especially London, and the region provides a major link between the UK and
the rest of the world through the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Tilbury,
international airports at Stansted and Luton and regional airports at Norwich and
Southend-on-Sea.

The importance of the coast to the region is emphasised in the location of many of
the key settlements, and the importance of ports. What is overlooked in this
perspective is the marine part of the coast. The East of England has a shallow,
sedimentary marine environment. This once gave access to abundant fish stocks.
Though much diminished, fishing is still important, but new economic sectors are
emerging or already important: offshore wind power generation (and with prospects
of tidal and wave power in the future), gas extraction (and in the future, CO2 storage),
aggregate extraction, and related marine services.

1.3.2 Character of Eastern Region Coast

A variety of maps are available at the East of England Observatory and elsewhere
which give some clues as to the key issues, or drivers, in relation to the coast.
However, it is important to note that it is not actually possible to separate out the
coastal information to objectively compare with the hinterland, either separately for
individual issues, or in aggregate form so as to give a picture of the sustainable
development status of the coast. That is, we cannot answer the question

“Is the coast different from the hinterland?”

All we can do is to visually scan the maps and to make some subjective judgements.
Given this caveat, the maps in Annex 1 have been selected for two reasons:

1. Their subject matter illustrates the range of issues that CoastNet believes
should be of interest to the Region, and

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2. They appear to indicate that the coast is different. This is in relation to:
• landscape designation
• wildlife designations
• pattern of settlement
• economy
• demography
• environmental risk.

The EU Interreg funded ICZM project ‘SAIL’ undertook a study to define and
calculate sustainable development indicators for the coast of the southern North Sea,
which included Essex. The results can be viewed at http://www.vliz.be/projects/SAIL/
(note: the interactive maps require you to have an SVG viewer installed on your
computer. Follow the link in the panel to the right of the screen – the software only
takes a minute to download).

2 Inventory of coastal activity

In this section the principle institutional (public and charitable/trade association)

stakeholders are identified and categorised, their principle initiatives catalogued, and
the designations that are typical of coastal areas and indicative of policy activity are
listed. Individual businesses have been excluded, as being outside the scope of this
review (that is, their activities will be represented under the jurisdiction of one of the
public bodies listed).

2.1 Organisations and functions

The following table sets out the principle authorities which are active in the region,
and attempts to summarise their functions. Organisations are active at different
scales (national down to local), there is a mix of ‘cultures’ (political, economic
development, environmental etc), and jurisdictions and functions overlap.
Furthermore, there is an enormous diversity and large number of stakeholders (just
at the national and regional scale).

Government Departments (not having a regional structure)

MCEU, Defra The Marine Consents and Environment Unit (MCEU) is responsible, on
behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, for
the administration of a range of applications for statutory licences and
consents to undertake works in tidal waters and at sea in UK waters and
beyond; including marine developments, offshore energy, coast defences,
dredging and waste disposal. The Unit also administers certain applications
on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government for which it is the licensing
authority in Welsh waters.

The MCEU is advised on environmental matters by Cefas in Burnham on

Crouch, which is in the Region.
DfT Concerned with regulatory matters concerning ports, principally Harbour
Orders, and major road and rail infrastructure
DTI Licensing and Consents Unit of the Department for Trade and Industry with
regard to the consenting of offshore renewable energy generation schemes.

Regional bodies
Go-East Government Offices are part of the Department for Communities and Local
Government, which covers regional and urban policy, local government,
planning, housing and regeneration. The Government Office network
website is now available at http://www.gos.gov.uk

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Other departments with a stake in Government Offices are the

• Department for Education and Skills (DfES)

• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Department for Transport (DfT)
• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
• Home Office (HO)
• Department for Culture Media & Sport (DCMS)
• Cabinet Office (CO)

GO also work closely with the public health teams from the Department of
Health (DH).

Go-East is currently leading a new initiative:

East of England Coastline Project

A new initiative that builds on some of the region’s most distinctive natural
assets – its coastline and waterways – to stimulate economic activity in
coastal and rural communities.

The project is particularly driven by the recognition that the need for growth,
in its broadest sense, extends beyond areas destined for major housing
development to include our peripheral rural and coastal communities.

www.go-east.gov.uk

East of England http://www.eera.gov.uk/category.asp?cat=386

Regional Assembly
(EERA) The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) exists to promote the
economic, social and environmental well-being of the region.

It consists of a partnership of elected representatives from the 54 local

authorities in the East of England and appointed representatives from social,
economic and environmental interests (Community Stakeholders).

The full Assembly has 105 members in 2006/7 and meets approximately
twice a year. In addition, there are a number of specialist Panels that meet
more frequently to look at issues of regional strategic importance such as
planning and housing.

The suite of strategies for which the Assembly is the ‘author’ pays varying
regard to coastal issues – Integrated Regional Strategy; East of England
Plan; Regional Social Strategy; Regional Environment Strategy.

The ‘proposed changes’ East of England Plan is the most pertinent. Policy
SS9 specifically addresses coastal issues and proposes an integrated
approach.

Policy SS9: The Coast

The strategy for the coast is to adopt an integrated approach that recognises:
• its needs for environmental protection and enhancement; and
• the economic and social role of the region’s ports, seaside towns, and coastal
areas important to tourism.

Within this approach local planning authorities and other agencies should seek,
through their plans and management strategies, to achieve:
• the regeneration of coastal towns and communities, reinforcing their local
economic and social roles and importance to the wider region; and
• the conservation of the coastal environment and coastal waters, particularly

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the natural character, historic environment and tranquillity of undeveloped

areas.

Local development documents should:

• adopt policies which support the restructuring of coastal economies and the
provision of jobs to satisfy local needs;
• treat Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Ipswich, Harwich, Felixstowe and urbanised
coastal areas in Essex Thames Gateway as regional strategic employment
locations in accordance with policy E4;
• ensure, in the case of coastal resorts, that:
- the town centre continues to provide for local and visitor needs;
- improved linkages are created between the town centre and the main
leisure area(s) to secure mutual strengthening of their vitality and viability;
and
- retailing in main leisure area(s) is limited to that necessary to support the
vitality and viability of the leisure function without having adverse impacts
on the retail function of the town centre
• ensure that new development is compatible with shoreline management plans,
so as to avoid constraining effective future flood management or increasing the
need for new sea defences;
• protect important coastal environmental assets, if practicable and sustainable
without causing adverse impacts elsewhere, including on sites of European
importance for wildlife. If it is not practicable to protect sites and habitats in situ,
shoreline management plans and development plans should include proposals
for their long-term replacement and the recording of any lost historic assets;
• investigate and pursue opportunities for creation of new coastal habitats, such
as salt marsh and mudflat, in areas identified for managed realignment. New
development should not be permitted in such areas.

Other policies deal with coastal issues by proposing ways of dealing with
sub-regional matters and regeneration.

The Assembly will continue, after the publication of the Plan in July 2007, to
prepare and produce an Annual Monitoring Report regarding the
implementation of the Plan.

In addition to the role regarding strategy preparation and implementation,

EERA works across a number of areas which impact directly or indirectly on
the coast, e.g. by helping to access and manage European Funding in
support of coastal management and through sponsorship of the region’s
Climate Change Co-ordinator.

East of England EEDA works at a regional level, using a budget of £140 million to focus on
Development Agency three key roles:
(EEDA)
• Setting and shaping the direction of economic development in the
East of England
• Persuading and influencing others to bring resources together to
find innovative ways to solve challenging economic issues
• Investing in imaginative projects that challenge the norm and will
have a significant impact on economic development in the East of
England.

On a local level EEDA work with a range of sub-regional economic

partnerships. You can find out more about sub-regional
economic partnerships here.

Of particular note are the Thames Gateway South Essex and Haven
Gateway partnerships. They are noteworthy in the context of this report for
two reasons: they are in clearly coastal locations and have a strong

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relationship to the coast, and they will be the focus for the delivery of large-
scale infrastructure and will thus have a very concentrated and visible
impact.

EEDA also work very closely with the East of England Regional Assembly
(EERA). You can find out how EERA and EEDA work together here.

Local delivery vehicles

Other key sub-regional partners include local delivery vehicles (LDVs).

LDVs seek to achieve big physical transformations of specific areas. They
co-ordinate investment plans from both the public and the private sectors,
and attract new investment through promotion and regeneration of their
areas. Coastal LDVs in the East of England include:

• Renaissance Southend
• Thurrock Urban Development Company
• 1st East (Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft)

EEDA also has partnerships with other regional organisations - from region-
wide organisations such as Government Office for the East of England
(GO-East) and the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA).

EEDA http://www.eeda.org.uk/about_eeda_23.asp

Environment Agency Regulate and manage fresh water, estuarine and coastal (out to 1 mile)
water resources, and air pollution on land
Strategic overview of coastal flood management and coast protection works,
and implementation of flood management works
Management of migratory fish, and general recreation management role
where its assets are concerned
www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Natural England, Natural England was launched in October 2006, bringing together English
Nature, the landscape, access and recreation elements of the Countryside
Agency, and the environmental land management functions of the Rural
Development Service.

Natural England's purpose is to ensure the natural environment is

conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of existing and future
generations

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/

Anglian Regional http://www.environment-

Flood Defence agency.gov.uk/regions/anglian/484767/485055/486870/?version=1&lang=_e
Committee
It is through the three Regional Flood Defence Committees that Environment Agency
Anglian Region carries out its work on flood defence and land drainage.They are
responsible for:

• Recommending the amount of money which local authorities will contribute

to flood defence works.
• Preparing an annual programme of flood defence maintenance and
improvement works determining the necessary funding and obtaining
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs approval.

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• Providing and operating flood warning systems

The three Regional Flood Defence Committees are:

• Anglian (Northern) Regional Flood Defence Committee (RFDC)

• Anglian (Central) Regional Flood Defence Committee (RFDC)
• Anglian (Eastern) Regional Flood Defence Committee (RFDC)

East of England The East of England Observatory is a dedicated interactive web site
Observatory maintained by the Policy Unit of the East of England Development Agency
(EEDA) for the benefit of the agency and its partner organisations. The site
seeks to collect, analyse and disseminate key regional information in order
to present an accurate and continuously updated picture of the socio-
economic and environmental structure of the East of England.

www.eastofenglandobservatory.org.uk

The Marine Fisheries The Marine Fisheries Agency was established as an Executive Agency of
Agency Defra on 1 October 2005. This was part of the Fisheries Directorate
Restructuring Programme, which was initiated in response to a number of
change initiatives within Defra and across Government.

The Agency was created to take direct responsibility for a number of

executive delivery activities hitherto the responsibility of policy teams within
the Fisheries Directorate and the Sea Fisheries Inspectorate. It brings
together for the first time in one organisation the service delivery, inspection
and enforcement activities provided by the Government to the fishing
industry and other marine stakeholders in England and Wales.
http://www.mfa.gov.uk/

Anglian Coastal The Anglian Coastal Authorities Group (ACAG) was founded in May 1987. It
Authorities Group is now one of eighteen similar groups covering 98% of the coastline of
England and Wales, which are concerned with the management of coastal
protection and flood management works.

Initially, the Group was based upon East Anglia from the Wash to the River
Thames. It was extended in 1989 to cover the whole of the Environment
Agency Anglia Region coastline which extends 450 km from the River
Humber to the River Thames.

In 1998 the northern boundary was changed from the River Humber to
Gibraltar Point following discussion with the Humber Estuaries Coastal
Authorities Group and reconsideration of the coastal processes.

Primary Objective:
To influence and support members to manage the coast for the benefit of
the Anglian Region.

Secondary Objectives:
1. To develop compatible management policies within the cell or sub-cells.
2. To work with other Regional Coastal Groups to the benefit of the Nation,
the Group and its individual members.
3. To secure the necessary data to enable the Group to meet its primary
objective.
4. To ensure that individual members have access to national, regional and
local information.

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5. To assist DEFRA in the development of national coastal defence

policies.

www.northnorfolk.org/acag

East of England East of England Tourism came into being on 1st January 2007. It covers the
Tourism counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and
http://www.eetb.org.uk/ Suffolk and is responsible for promoting sustainable tourism in partnership
with the East of England Development Agency, local authorities and the
tourism industry.

Given the likely regional importance of tourism to the economy of the region,
a strong partnership with EEDA should be expected to evolve.

Sea Fisheries Responsible for management of inshore fishing activity out to the 6 mile
Committees: limit. Mostly through byelaw making and enforcement, in contrast to MFA
Eastern, powers to licence boats and to set and allocate catch quotas.
Kent and Essex
Sub-regional bodies
Harbours Harbour Authorities generally perform a range of statutory functions, as well
In this region: as commercial operations. Individual Harbours are established by a specific
1 Port of London Act of Parliament, with specific provisions (such as powers to consent
2 Crouch Harbour works) made in the Act. General provisions made through other legislation
Authority apply. Principally these are concerning Pilotage; Local Lighthouse functions
3 Brightlingsea Harbour (navigational aids within Harbour jurisdiction). Additional responsibilities may
Commissioners be made through general regulations, for example with regard to port waste,
4 Maldon Harbour or nature conservation.
Improvement
Commissioners
5 Harwich Haven Harbour Authorities may be Municipal, in Trust, or Corporate.
Authority
6 Ipswich Port Authority
7 Lowestoft Port
Authority
8 Great Yarmouth Port
Authority
9 Kings Lynn
Conservancy Board

Local Authorities – Specific local authority coastal responsibilities comprise: spatial planning,
1. County (3) environmental health (port health, beach management, shellfish hygiene,
2. Coastal District (i.e. boat licencing, pleasure boat speed limits), Harbour functions (in the case of
having some tidal Municipal Harbours), fisheries management (direct management is mainly in
shoreline) (14 – relation to shellfish, but there are other examples, and indirect through Sea
includes Ipswich Fisheries Committees). All other functions of Local Authorities are relevant.
Borough, Chelmsford
Borough and
Brentwood District,
which have estuaries
or tidal creeks
extending into their
jurisdiction)
3. Unitary (2)
Local access forums advising upon strategic access and recreation issues and act as a statutory
Norfolk advisor to the local highway authority
Essex
Suffolk
Thurrock
Southend

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Other key regional stakeholders

Chambers of Commerce; Providing training and information services to Business. County-
Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk based structure.
Universities and To provide higher education, to undertake research and
research centres (secondarily?) to stimulate innovation. Renowned coastal and
maritime expertise in the region.
Crown Estate The Crown Estate owns most of the land which lies under UK
marine waters. Exceptions are some parts of the foreshore, and
some estuary beds or parts thereof. In fact, In the East of England
the land ownership in estuaries is commonly quite complex.
The Crown Estate can offer licences, as can any landowner, but
does not have a regulatory function. Having said that, it works
very closely with Government in relation to marine consents.

Other key stakeholders

See Annex 2

2.2 Initiatives
There are a range of initiatives underway in the region that are concerned with
coastal activity. They do to some extent reflect the issues prevalent in the region, and
are usually additional to normal statutory functions.

Estuary Flood Management Strategies: Essex, Suffolk

http://www.essex-estuaries.co.uk/EastAnglianStrategies/Default.htm
The Environment Agency is undertaking a further raft of strategy work to underpin
decision-making on coastal flood management works in the region. Considerable
stakeholder resistance has been encountered, slowing the process. This is because
the policy implications of the work go well beyond the EA remit.

EERA Maritime Task Force. Established to develop a response to the EU

consultation on a European Maritime Policy. This has been submitted.

SDRT Climate change topic group. Has produced a range of reports concerning
adaptation to climate change to inform activities in the Region.
http://www.sustainabilityeast.org.uk/topic-groups.php

EMS management schemes. The European Marine Sites in the region will have
Management Groups and action plans to work to, for the nature conservation benefit
of the sites. There is a considerable concentration of nature designations on the
coast.

Estuary Partnerships. See earlier description of Coastal Partnerships (s1.2)

London Array An important offshore wind energy scheme in the Greater Thames
Estuary. Possibly a model of the future? http://www.londonarray.com/

Project: A Collaborative Approach to Sustainable Coastal Land Management

(National Farmers Union) – will encourage and assist land owners on the coast to
make informed and sustainable management decisions. This project is based in
Essex and funded by Defra.

Renewables East and Orbis Energy

The southern North Sea is currently emerging as the worldwide focal point for
strategic development and deployment of new offshore renewable energy

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technologies. This means businesses in the East of England are ideally situated to
benefit from the growing supply chain and service opportunities presented by wind,
wave and tidal technologies. Orbis Energy is designed to provide an energy efficient
landmark building to stimulate the development of the offshore renewable energy
sector for Lowestoft and the East of England.

• It is expected to provide employment opportunities for up to 150 people.

• It will provide a physical focus to showcase the region's strengths in offshore
renewable energy.

Sub-regional economic partnerships

The relevant SREPs are:

Basildon Renaissance
Greater Essex Prosperity Forum (GEPF)
Shaping Norfolk's Future
Suffolk Development Agency
Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership
Haven Gateway Partnership

Coastal Tourism
Conspicuous by its absence is any clear information on coastal tourism at the
regional level. Rather, targeted interventions in areas of need (e.g. Great Yarmouth,
Southend-on-sea) provide a fragmented approach to what must be an important
economic sector. Again the need to disaggregate coastal information from that for the
whole region is evident so as to provide a strategic focus on the coast.

2.3 Designations
Statutory designations provide a picture of policy activity and of underlying issues.
The principle designations relevant to the coast are listed here, with web links to
sources of further information.

Nature: SAC, SPA, Ramsar, SSSI (wildlife and geology)

http://www.naturenet.net/status/

Landscape: AONB, HC, National Park http://www.naturenet.net/status/

Growth Areas: Thames Gateway South Essex

Growth Point: Haven Gateway
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1140039

Economic development: Objective 2 (Yarmouth, Leigh on Sea)

http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/structure/obj2.htm

Nitrate sensitive areas http://www.environment-

agency.gov.uk/yourenv/eff/1190084/water/210440/210566/?version=1&lang=_e

Agricultural land classification

http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/land-use/pdf/alcleaflet.pdf

Environmentally Sensitive Areas http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/esas/default.htm

Scheduled Ancient monuments http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1369

Protected wrecks http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1278

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2.4 Regional issues

Strategic issues
In order to understand the origin and nature of regional issues for the coast, it is
important to recognise that the coast is not isolated from the wider strategic issues in
our society, such as:
1. Climate and environmental change
2. Global economic change
3. Migration (both internal and external)
4. Demographic change
5. Social change
6. Development pressure
7. Technological development
8. Governance.

As to how these are manifest at the regional level, it is unwise to generalise as to

what are the key issues, given previous statements about the poor level of
information on the coast. However, it is possible to make some assessment, based
on expert judgement and opinion.

1. Climate and environmental change

• Sea level rise - Coastal flood and erosion risk management – LA/EA
management role, development pressure
• Environment – constraint/opportunity of nature designations on the coast,
development pressure

2. Global economic change

• Tourism and recreation – coastal resorts, recreational goods and services
provided by coast, coastal access
• Energy – nuclear, wind, grid connections, offshore gas infrastructure and
services
• Economic change – new opportunity (offshore), loss of traditional
industries (fishing/shellfish, boat/ship-building, ports and shipping, resort
tourism)

3. Migration (both internal and external)

• Inward migration of older people and outward migration of young people

4. Demographic change
• Demographics and deprivation, equality and diversity –
a) more deprivation on the coast - how is this manifest in Housing,
Employment, Health, Education, Poverty, and between urban and
rural areas?
b) Community – migration (in and out), loss of services (connected
with periferality), ability to engage with strategic policy
development, loss of traditional industries (fishing/shellfish,
boat/ship-building, ports and shipping, resort tourism)

5. Social change
• See above
• Lifestyle – attraction of the coast for leisure activity and holidays

6. Development pressure
• Port development

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SDRT-East Coastal Activity CoastNet

• Housing demand
• Tourism infrastructure

7. Technological development
• Renewable energy and carbon capture and storage

8. Governance
• Inconsistent and ad hoc approach. Without a strategic framework for
ICZM there is unlikely to be consistency and coherence across the region
in management of coastal activity.
• Not understanding, and therefore not recognising, the different nature of
the coast across the full range of societal issues.
• Engagement of a numerous and diverse range of stakeholders.

The introduction of a spatial planning system for the sea, and the likely trend of more
targeted spending on flood and coastal defence works (leaving some areas
unprotected) is likely to expose the tensions with society at particular hotspots.
Ongoing reform of the planning system, and the introduction of measures under the
water framework directive will add further layers of potential conflict.

These hotspots are most likely to be areas suffering high rates of erosion or at high
risk of coastal flooding, where private property is at risk. Lesser localised tensions will
be seen in relation to watersport management (particularly in conflicts between
powered water craft users and others), and individual developments. Large
developments in particular will cause tension: ports and coastal and offshore wind
farms. If a new generation of nuclear power stations go ahead, they are likely to be
proposed for existing sites (Sizewell and Bradwell in this region).

A debate is required as to whether there is a regional role in relation to more

localised issues. That is: what is the regional dimension? Is there a relevant strategic
spatial perspective at the regional level? In particular with regard to erosion and flood
risk, the argument for doing or not doing protection works is ‘for the greater good’.
This is often difficult to reconcile at the local (District) level, as we have seen in
Happisburgh with proposals to discontinue coast protection works. Furthermore, we
see an ad hoc approach to the measures that are introduced to deal with local issues
across the region, and there may be regional benefits to more consistency.

3 National and EU policy initiatives

3.1 National
It is fair to say that all national policy initiatives are relevant to the coast, coastal
regions representing just another subset of society. However, that does not mean
that coastal regions are the same as everywhere else. There is of course one
fundamental difference – the sea and the tide – which profoundly affects life there.
The following paragraphs aim to highlight those government policy initiatives which
are either particularly important for the coast, or where the coast represents a special
case.

Spatial planning
• PPS 25 requires strategic flood risk assessments. These are particularly relevant
to development in low-lying coastal areas.
• PPG20 (Coastal Planning) is outdated. The national ICZM strategy may initiate
its revision as PPS20

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• LDFs provide an opportunity to develop a much more appropriate planning

framework for the coast, through joint geographic and thematic strategies
click here for more on planning reform

English ICZM Strategy. The government has made a commitment to provide a

strategy. It is unclear as to how strong it will be. Its focus is likely to be on better
coordination within government, and support for local delivery of integration (not of
management activity itself). It is clear that Defra will resist demands for additional
funding for ICZM. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/marine/uk/iczm/index.htm

Marine Bill The White Paper addresses four aspects of management of the sea for
which new legislation is believed necessary: the establishment of a Marine
Management Organisation, Marine Spatial Planning, marine consents, marine nature
conservation. The Bill is necessary in order to establish a sound sustainable
development framework for the coastal and offshore areas, but there are some key
weaknesses. These are particularly pertinent in the coastal zone, where the
interaction between land and sea uses and management instruments will be
complex. The Marine Strategy Statement that will underpin the spatial plans will be
particularly important.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/marine/uk/policy/marine-bill/key.htm
click here for CoastNet workshop report

Coastal Towns The Communities and Local Government Committee of Parliament

inquiry into coastal towns has recently reported. It concluded that “Our analysis has
identified a number of common characteristics shared by many coastal towns. These
include: their physical isolation, deprivation levels, the inward migration of older
people, the high levels of transience, the outward migration of young people, poor
quality housing and the nature of the coastal economy. Excluding their physical
location, none of these characteristics are unique to coastal towns. The combination
of these characteristics, however, with the environmental challenges that coastal
towns face, does lead to a conclusion that they are in need of focused, specific
Government attention.” The government’s response is awaited.
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/odpm/coastalinq.cfm

Energy Review http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review/page31995.html

Its relevance is on two fronts: further support for the development of offshore
renewables, and for support for a new generation of nuclear power stations. All UK
nuclear generation has taken place on coastal sites, two site (three reactors) being in
the region. It is very likely that existing sites will be looked to to accommodate new
capacity.

Climate Change Bill

Needs to be closely watched as the Governments direction unfolds. Carbon capture
is likely to become a new sector of the economy and the East of England is well-
placed in relation to North Sea geological reservoirs that will play a vital role in any
such strategy. Such developments would extend the life of the North Sea gas
infrastructure and its servicing requirements. The raising of carbon taxes on aviation
and the introduction of personal carbon accounts could have a beneficial effect on
UK coastal tourism.

Sustainable Communities Plan

The pressure for housing has an impact throughout the region, but particularly in
South Essex and Haven Gateway as coastal areas which have been identified as
priorities for growth. However, on a smaller scale development pressure affects many
communities through the redevelopment of brownfield land. In smaller communities it

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can have a significant impact. In other coastal communities, such as coastal resorts,
their character and the visual quality of the place may be particularly sensitive to
change brought about by increasing housing density.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1502377

Making Space for Water

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/strategy.htm

Defra’s aim is:

To manage the risks from flooding and coastal erosion by employing an integrated
portfolio of approaches which reflect both national and local priorities, so as:

• to reduce the threat to people and their property; and

• to deliver the greatest environmental, social and economic benefit, consistent
with the Government's sustainable development principles.

To secure efficient and reliable funding mechanisms that deliver the levels of
investment required to achieve the vision of this strategy.

This strategy is under development, through a series of working groups.

Ports policy
The region has nationally important ports infrastructure.
• Felixstowe Port is the biggest container port in UK. Harwich provides freight
and passenger ferry services to the continent, and the proposed Bathside Bay
development will create a significant new container terminal.
• Plans for Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour project is projected to “create
around 1,000 jobs, bring over 120,000 extra visitors a year to the region and
bring further significant private sector investment to an area earmarked for
regeneration.”
• London Gateway development will create a second major new container
terminal, on Canvey Island. Like Bathside Bay, this will be of national
significance.
• Tilbury Docks are an important gateway for bulk and container goods to
London and the SE
• A number of small ports survive in the region, providing a sustainable
transport option for bulk goods, and servicing the growing marine recreation
sector.

The Ports Policy review, currently underway, is concerned with

• the likely future demand for port capacity;

• how to ensure that the market response to that demand reflects the objectives
of sustainable development
• how far the Government should reflect regional development objectives in
encouraging the future provision of ports capacity;
• how the Government can help smaller ports, which in many cases are owned
by trusts or local authorities, to realise their potential as businesses and for
the benefit of their wider communities.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/shippingports/ports/modern/modernportsaukpolicy

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Thus it will clearly be of considerable interest to the region.

Foresight marine – Part of the Government Foresight initiative. Considered the

economic potential of the maritime/marine sector.
http://www.foresight.gov.uk/Previous_Rounds/Foresight_1994__1999/Marine/PTP%2
0-%20Marine/13_Annex_1.htm

Local Government White Paper. How will coastal issues feature in the priorities for
LSPs and Local Area Agreements? If this link is not made, it will become increasingly
difficult to sustain the non-statutory initiatives that support ICZM as local government
activity becomes more and more focussed on funding priorities, such as housing,
employment, education and so on.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1503999

Water Framework Directive

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/wfd/index.htm
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is the most substantial piece of EC water
legislation to date. It requires all inland and coastal waters to reach "good status" by
2015. It will do this by establishing a River Basin District structure within which
demanding environmental objectives will be set, including ecological targets for
coastal waters.

Its impacts will most likely come in stricter standards for waterwater treatment and for
water management generally, and through its indirect impacts on spatial policy.

See the Defra webpage for a summary of the Governments approach.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/wfd/index.htm

The Environment Agency is the competent authority in England and Wales.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/444217/444663/955573/?version=1&lang=_e

Coastal Access Review

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2004, which allowed for greater public
access to open countryside, put in place reserved powers in relation to public access
to the coast. Defra has commissioned Natural England to report on the issues,
recognising that complex solutions may be required. Their report is now with Defra.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/issues/accesscoast.htm

3.2 EU Policy Initiatives

Many of the topics listed in the previous section are mirrored at an EU level.
However, of particular note are:

Maritime Policy proposals. Only at the Green Paper stage at the moment, so too
early to say what form proposals will take. However, a Directive requiring integration
between all maritime sectors, for the benefit of growth and jobs, and sustainable
development could have important ramifications for regions.
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy_en.html

EU ICZM Recommendation review of progress. This review commissioned by the

EU shows that ICZM is not being consistently applied, and that more time is needed
for Member States to put strategies in place. This report is unlikely to create any
renewed pressure in the UK. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/iczm/home.htm#publ

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4 Analysis of potential implications of national policy initiatives for East of England

The audit of stakeholders and activity has highlighted some key issues, which are summarised in the table below. Remedial actions are
proposed, and potential benefits highlighted.

Issue Implications Proposed action Proposed lead body Potential benefit

Definitions in Confusion regarding Better define scope and terms of SDRT East (Coastal Clarity regarding the role of the group,
the brief (s1.1) the purpose of the reference of the group Group) for the group and for others
‘Coastal Group’
‘Plethora of Poor integration of Explore potential regional solutions, for EERA and Go East A clear regional perspective on ICZM to
plans’ (s1.2.1) policy and action and example through the RSS and LDFs inform decisions of regional, sub-
user confusion regional and local bodies
ICZM Inconsistency in SDRT East influence government, and SDRT East (Coastal Clarity as to role of ICZM initiatives,
partnerships coastal management regional and local bodies, to provide Group) such as Coastal partnerships, in relation
and activity consistent and long-term support for to regional, subregional and local policy
implementation ICZM and to clarify its role in relation to and activity
(s1.2.1) coastal activity
Information Poor information leads SDRT East to call upon EERA, EEDA SDRT East (Coastal Improved and more holistic
(s1.3.2) to poor decisions and others to fund a coastal indicators Group) understanding of the issues and trends
research and monitoring programme apparent at the coast to inform decision-
making

Provide evidence-based input to

government policy reviews, and to
regional policy development and review
Organisations Confusion amongst Communicate widely the roles and Secretariat for coastal Improvements in coordination and
and functions stakeholders regarding interrelationships between all relevant group (e.g. SDRT East liaison, and better stakeholder
(s2.1) roles and bodies secretariat, or third party) understanding of coastal governance
responsibilities, and
poor integration of
policy and action
Coastal Uncoordinated Widely communicate the purpose of Secretariat for coastal Sharing of experience and exchange of
initiatives (s2.2) initiatives can lead to initiatives, and enable the initiatives to group (e.g. SDRT East knowledge across the region and

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confusion and poor share experience and exchange secretariat, or third party) sectors, leading to better sustainable
integration knowledge (networking) development outcomes
Designations The profusion of Undertake research to better understand EERA/Go East Provide evidence-based input to
(s2.3) designations causes the potential conflicts between government policy reviews, and to
confusion and can lead overlapping and contiguous designations regional policy development and review
to conflicts in policy
and management
activity
Regional issues Sectoral approaches Develop an inclusive vision for the coast High level working group, An integrating tool to provide a common
(s2.4) can lead to conflict, of the East of England, and promote it comprising Go-East, policy goal for all authorities
and poor sustainable widely EEDA, EERA,
development outcomes Environment Agency,
Consider whether any strategic initiatives Natural England, other Recommend to EEDA, EERA and/or
are required to better integrate regional key stakeholders Go-East, appropriate initiatives
activity (e.g. in tourism, coastal access) SDRT East (Coastal
Group)

Consider the future of coastal flood and SDRT East (Coastal Understand the potential implications of
erosion management, for which the Group) government funding decisions, and take
Making Space for Water review may action accordingly
have profound implications for the
Region.

Consider how coastal needs may be SDRT East (Coastal Achieve a better reflection of coastal
reflected in Community Strategies and Group) needs within local government (and
Local Area Agreements, and how these other bodies) funding priorities
might deliver the regional vision

Identify hotspots of activity/conflict within SDRT East (Coastal Clearly identify priorities for local action,
the region’s coastal areas Group) within a regional perspective

National Sectoral approaches SDRT East to call upon government, and SDRT East An integrating tool to provide a common
initiatives (s3.1) can lead to conflict, to lobby other regional authorities to do policy goal for all English Regions
and poor sustainable the same, to develop an inclusive vision

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development outcomes for the coast of England so as to provide

a single policy goal for management
activity related to the coast

SDRT East to raise awareness regarding SDRT East (Coastal Enable regional bodies to plan for and
the potential conflicts in the Group) to integrate the implementation of these
implementation of Water Framework instruments better
Directive, Marine Spatial Planning
system and the ongoing reform of the
[terrestrial] planning system

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5 Conclusions, and recommendations for further action for the SDRT

East, and for the region.

A proposal has previously been made to establish a regional ‘Coastal Group’. It is

clear from the many organisations and policies related to coastal activity that have
been identified in this report, that a vehicle is needed for discussion and debate
regarding issues that are of common interest to many. The question then is what
should be the scope of a regional group, and what form should it take?

This report has shown that there are a very broad range of issues concerned with the
coast in the Region, and the task of the group will be to develop priorities appropriate
to its nature and role. Proposals as to what these priorities might be are set out in s4.

Recommended approach
Regarding the form of the group, there are at least three options:

1. Expert ‘Task Force’

2. a stakeholder Forum, and
3. an inclusive network.

The task force would be a small group of experts with a good knowledge of the
region, and from a broad range of disciplines, who would work together to set and
implement a work programme. (Example: SDRT East Climate Change Group).

A Forum, would be a wider group of representatives meeting periodically to table

issues of concern for debate. The Forum might be appointed to have an advisory
capacity in respect of regional institutions. (Example: North West Coastal Forum).

A network would be a communication mechanism, having a central point of contact to

manage information flows. Its purpose would be twofold: to inform stakeholders
regarding policy initiatives and so on; a bottom up and horizontal function, of sharing
experience and exchanging knowledge in the management of the coast (examples:
Kent coastal network www.coastalkent.net ; CoastNet www.coastnet.org.uk ).

It would be advisable to suggest that all three be considered as a regional ICZM

initiative:

initially establish a task force to develop coastal sustainable development

indicators for the region, and so add value to what is already being done
within the region. These indicators would provide a valuable focal point for the
covening of a Forum of key stakeholders, and subsequent debates regarding
its purpose. A network would provide the means to communicate with a
wider range of stakeholders – it will be impossible to involve all in either a
forum or task group.

Alternative approach 1
An alternative way to approach the brief would be to focus on coastal activity rather
than ICZM. At the highest level are statutory programmes, comprising the RSS (and
District and Unitary development frameworks), the Water Framework Directive action
plans for the Anglian River Basin District (to come in the future), and marine spatial
plans. However, this statutory framework is not yet fully in place. Further, its
achievement will probably require a considerable amount of development work, as
the process of integration and continued dialogue between these three components
proceeds.

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SDRT-East Coastal Activity CoastNet

Alternative approach 2
A third option, would be to take a more ‘organic’ approach, whereby information
regarding coastal activity is disseminated widely and activities and tools are put in
place to enable stakeholders to interact, should they wish to. Clearly, this lacks a
strategic approach.

6 Next steps

The brief states that this report is intended to inform the following activities for
2007/8:

1 Regional workshop held in Spring 2007 to share information and create an

East of England Coastal Group
2 Coastal Group to formulate an agreed and consistent communications
package
3 Event held to disseminate information to those working or affected by coastal
issues.

How should this programme be implemented?

A regional workshop: It is suggested that such an event consider the three options
presented above (s5) for monitoring and shaping coastal activity in the Region, so as
to provide a clear recommendation for regional institutions that has a wide base of
support. The workshop should also consider the wider proposals contained in section
4 of this report, to consider their relative merits and means of implementation.

Coastal Group: This could initially be a steering group of key officers from the
region, to guide the planning and delivery of the workshop as an initial
communication and strategic activity. Its’ longer term role would be dependant on the
outcome of the workshop.

Dissemination event: This objective would be served by the workshop and the
dissemination through existing networks of its outputs.

Timescales:
Anticipating it taking two months to make a decision, it is unreasonable to expect a
workshop before late July in this case, and a delay until September may be
advisable. If a decision to proceed can be made within a month, then a July
workshop would be feasible.

7 Disclaimer

This report was produced to a very specific brief and within a limited timescale. It
does not purport to present a comprehensive picture of coastal activity in the region.

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Annex 1

Links to maps of Eastern Region and of relevant activities

Rural Local Authority map click here or here

Growth areas map click here

Objective 2 areas map click here

Map showing settlements click here or click here

Assisted areas (showing Gt Yarmouth area) click here

Map showing coastal Districts click here

Energy UK map – showing diversity and concentration on coast for East of England
click here

Crown Estate offshore sites – note concentration in East of England click here

SSSI click here

ESA click here

Agricultural land click here

Deprivation click here

Economy - Showing differences in performance and reflecting deprivation

click here

Demography – high % older people at the coast - click here

Health and poverty click here and here

Climate change spatial response regions – includes coast (p9) and Thames Gateway
click here and here

Tourism/second homes
click here and go to page 29, Fig 14

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Annex 2

National and regional stakeholders

Stakeholder
Management authorities and other public sector bodies

1. Government Office, East of England (Go-East)

2. East of England Development Agency (EEDA)
3. East of England Regional Assembly (EERA)
4. Environment Agency
5. Natural England
6. English Heritage
7. Chambers of Commerce
8. East of England Observatory
9. Universities and research establishments (incl. Cefas)
10. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
11. Maritime and Coastguard Agency
12. Marine and Fisheries Agency
13. Anglian Coastal Authorities Group
14. Ports and Harbours
15. Local Authorities
16. Kent and Essex Sea Fisheries Committee
17. Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee
18. Marine Environment Consents Unit, Defra
19. Department of Trade and Industry
20. Ministry of Defence
21. Sector Skills Council
22. Crown Estate
Public sector partnerships and delivery vehicles

23. Thames Gateway South Essex

24. 1st East (Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft)
25. Haven Gateway Partnership
26. Wash Estuary Forum
27. North Norfolk AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Partnership
28. Suffolk Coasts and Heaths AONB Partnership
29. Alde and Ore Estuary Planning Partnership
30. Stour and Orwell Estuary Partnership
31. Hamford Water Management Committee
32. Colne Estuary Partnership
33. Blackwater Project (demised)
34. Crouch and Roach Estuary Partnership
35. Thames Estuary Partnership
36. East Of England Rural Forum
37. East of England Climate Change Partnership

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SDRT-East Coastal Activity CoastNet

Key individual businesses

38. British Nuclear Group (Sizewell, Bradwell)
39. London Array Consortium
40. Hutchison Ports
41. Stena Ferries/DFDS Seaways
42. Shell Haven/London Gateway (Shell/PO)

Business sector associations

43. British Marine Federation
44. UK Major Ports Group (national)
45. British Ports Association (national)
46. British Wind Energy Association
47. National Federation of Fishermens Organisations
48. Shellfish Association of Great Britain
49. British Marine Aggregate Producers Association
50. UK Offshore Operators Association
51. British Hospitality Association
52. British Beer and Pub Association http://www.beerandpub.com/
53. Federation of Licenced Victualers Associations http://www.flva.co.uk/
54. Country Land and Business Association
55. Association of Electricity Producers http://www.aepuk.com/members.php

Community and Voluntary sector

56. RYA (Royal Yachting Association)
57. Cruising Association
58. National Federation of Sea Anglers
59. RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)
60. Marine Conservation Society
61. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-UK)
62. Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
63. County Wildlife Trusts (Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk)
64. Ramblers Association
65. Greenpeace
66. Friends of the Earth
67. British Association for Shooting and Conservation
68. Council for the Protection of Rural England

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About CoastNet

CoastNET is a sustainable development charity, established in 1996, covering the whole of

the UK, Europe and with links worldwide. In its recent review the membership adopted the
following as its goal:

‘To champion sustainable coasts, working with government, industry, local

communities and the public’

OUR VISION - CoastNet’s vision is one of a thriving coast across the world that continues to
support the many communities of people and wildlife that depend upon it without degrading
the very coastal systems needed to maintain this vital resource.

MISSION STATEMENT – Our mission is to safeguard the world’s coast and those communities of
people and wildlife that depend upon it for their future. To do this we work with all coastal
interests to promote the exchange of ideas, information and expertise to find long term
solutions to coastal issues.

How CoastNet works

To achieve our aims, we work in three broad areas:
1 Information and networking
- We promote the exchange of ideas, information and expertise through a virtual and
physical networking space that embraces all coastal perspectives from all walks of
life. (see www.coastweb.info and www.coastnet.org.uk )
- We have a successful conference and workshop programme both in the UK and
Europe.
- We produce a quarterly membership magazine, The edge, containing articles, news
and practice on current coastal issues.
- Our website contains news, links and publications on current coastal issues as well
as listing upcoming coastal events and conferences.
- CoastNet is a partner in various European projects including:
ƒ ENCORA – the development of European networks for coastal mangement
and research
ƒ Corepoint – development of good practice in coastal zone management

2 Ideas and innovation

- We collate and publish best practice solutions for sustainable coastal management.
Documents can be found on our website www.coastnet.org.uk and
www.coastweb.info
- We have established the CoastNet Centre for Futures Research (CCFR).
-
3 Engagement and awareness
- We run, in partnership, public events aimed at raising awareness about coastal
issues.
- We work closely with coastal groups and partnerships
- We set up and now provide the Secretariat function for the All Party Parliamentary
Group on coastal and marine issues to encourage government debate and action to
further sustainable coastal management.

For specific details about CoastNet and our publications visit www.coastnet.org.uk
For the Coastal Portal visit www.coastweb.info

CoastNet, The Gatehouse, Rowhedge Wharf, High Street, Rowhedge, Essex CO5 7ET
Ph./fax 01206 728644 email, admin@coastnet.org.uk
Charity no. 1055763. Company limited by guarantee no. 3204452

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