Welcome to the West of Wales Shoreline Management Plan website

A Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) provides a large-scale assessment of the risks associated with coastal processes that result in both erosion and flooding and presents a policy framework to reduce these risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment in a sustainable manner into the 22nd century.

SMPs were first produced nationwide in the early 2000s and are now being reviewed. We need to take account of:-

• Existing concerns
• The new risks associated with sea level rise
• What benefits defences provide against future flooding
• Whether we can continue to maintain defences
• How management of the coast and estuaries affect other interests

They are developed following guidance issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/flooding/policy/guidance/smp.htm but this guidance has to be interpreted in Wales in the light of the Welsh Assembly Government policies under the New Approaches Programme.

 The New Approaches Programme aims to reduce risks by:-

• encouraging the provision of adequate and cost-effective flood warning systems;
• encouraging the provision of adequate, technically, environmentally and economically sound and sustainable flood and coastal defence measures;
• discouraging inappropriate development in areas at risk from flooding or coastal erosion.
• Awareness of the uncertainties associated with predicting future shoreline requirements and the importance of monitoring and regular plan review to confirm or otherwise plan policies over time.

It is the intention of the coastal group to undertake a thorough revision of the first generation Shoreline Management Plan and take account of information subsequently collected and changing circumstances.  The revision process will produce one new integrated plan for the coastline covered by local authorities within the Plan area including Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Powys, Gwynedd, Conwy and Ynys Mon. Other members of the Steering Group responsible for preparing the plan are The Countryside Council for Wales, The Environment Agency Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the Welsh Assembly Government, Network Rail and The National Trust.

The West of Wales second generation shoreline management plan is being prepared by Royal Haskoning on behalf of the Cardigan Bay Coastal Group and the Ynys Enli to Great Orme Coastal Group

WCMC First Annual Report Exec Summary