ECONOMICALLY important beaches in some populated parts of Devon could be lost to the sea if flood defences are retained over the next 50 years, a report suggests.

Popular coastal resorts such as Teignmouth could lose their miles of golden sand because of tidal erosion if their “hard” sea defences are maintained, according to the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) for Devon and Dorset. (more…)

Almost 200 miles of some of the most precious stretches of south-west England’s coastline are threatened by rising sea levels, it is claimed today.

Fabulous beaches and cliffs, harbours and buildings are in danger. At least 142 scheduled ancient monuments, 111 listed buildings and one historic garden lie within a “risk zone”. More than 100 miles of public rights of way have already been lost, or could be soon.

The claims are made in Shifting Shores, a report published by the National Trust, which warns that 173 miles of the coastline that it cares for in south-west England could be lost or damaged. Amongst the world-famous sites in danger is St Michael’s Mount, the island off Penzance in Cornwall. The trust says the causeway which is used to cross to the site at low tide may be lost within 45 years. (more…)

The owners of about 40 homes perched on a cliff top in Dorset have been told their houses are at risk of falling into the sea over the next 20 years.

The residents, in the Old Castle Road area of Weymouth, have already had part of their gardens fall into the sea.

A survey to assess the risk was carried out by coastal engineers from the local authority following recent landslips.

Because the cliff is part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, the government policy is for no intervention.

A further 30 homes are at risk over the next 150 years, the report said. (more…)