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.