In a written statement to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Hilary Benn):

I am today publishing “Adapting to Coastal Change: Developing a Policy Framework”, which takes forward some of the ideas on supporting community adaptation to coastal change that we consulted on last summer. The work of the coastal change pathfinders that I announced on 1 December 2009 is part of this work.

“Adapting to Coastal Change: Developing a Policy Framework” sets out ideas and guidance on how communities can plan for coastal change as well as looking at what managing change might mean for business, local infrastructure and our historic and natural environment. In doing so, it draws on examples of best practice, including the pathfinders which are looking at new approaches. It also confirms the introduction of a new coastal erosion assistance grant. This is a fixed grant of £6,000 available to local authorities to help homeowners with the costs of demolishing a home at risk of loss to coastal erosion and some basic moving costs.

“Adapting to Coastal Change”, together with a report summarising responses to last summer’s coastal change policy consultation and new guidance on community adaptation planning and engagement, will be published on the DEFRA website today.

Both documents are available online via http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/flooding/manage/coastalchange.htm.

It is perhaps appropriate to recognise the extent and complexity of the possible problems facing the UK Government (irrespective of political persuasion) in managing the coast through what science is telling us may well be a significant and prolonged period of climate change. Of paramount importance will be our adopted Governance and how we manage our way through that period in the interests of all our people.

The coast is, of course, in the absolute front line of climate change where sea level rise and more unpredictable weather patterns could have a significant impact on communities within the coastal zone.

Read the full response to Defra’s Consultation on Coastal Change Policy by the Coastal Concern Action Group on the CCAG website.

The consultation on ‘ Coastal Change Policy’ was launched by DEFRA in June 2009 . The document set out DEFRA’s ideas for how coastal communities can successfully adapt to the impacts of coastal change and Government’s role in supporting this . All official Consultees were invited to respond by 25 September 2009.

DOC has provided DEFRA with a detailed response on behalf of its members and has urged all relevant  Local Authorities to do the same.  At the end of the consultation period copies of all responses received by Defra will be made  publicly available through their Information Resource Centre in London.

Following the consultation, the Government will analyse the responses and draft a final version of the policy. Government’s  aim is to publish this revised policy in 2010.

Read the full response from Defend Our Coast on the DOC website

A DISTRICT council says it is “disappointed” to have been left off an eight-page list of consultees to Defra’s Coastal Change Policy discussions.

The cross-government project is developing approaches to support communities facing the risk of coastal erosion and flooding in cases where properties, businesses and infrastructure are significantly impacted.

Although everyone from Action Mersey Estuary to Yorkshire Water has been consulted, East Devon District Council was left off the list. (more…)

PENSIONERS whose homes have been left on the brink of crumbling cliffs by devastating landslips could benefit from a new bid for North Yorkshire to lead the way in helping coastal communities which have no hope of getting expensive sea defences.

Scarborough is pressing to be one of the towns that will test ways of helping communities in erosion hot spots too small to warrant investment in expensive schemes, such as rock armour and sea walls.

It is also hoped that the private estate of Knipe Point, near Filey, where pensioners’ homes are under threat because of flooding and slippage on adjoining National Trust land, may be among those to benefit from the scheme. (more…)

From a press release from North Norfolk District Council:

North Norfolk District Council is answering the Government’s call for ‘pathfinder’ bids for a share of £11 million designated to help coastal communities adapt to coastal change.

NNDC has been at the forefront of lobbying and policy-making on coastal adaptation, through national working groups comprising national Government departments and agencies alongside local councils, and, as a result, the Government is developing a Coastal Change Policy for England — supported by the £11 million fund for innovative adaptation projects. (more…)