But now this destructive climate cycle has left the shores crumbling and communities fearing they could be lost under water forever.

After years of protecting the shoreline, local authorities could wave the white flag at mother nature as they consider leaving the future of the Lancashire coastline in the hands of the gods.

Lancaster City Council is working with the North West England and North Wales Coastal Group, the Environment Agency and other organisations to draw up a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP), to establish the best way to manage the changing coast, now and for future generations.

Plans are to either to maintain the current coastal defences or allow the defences to weaken and let swathes of agricultural land turn to marshland.

Up to 10 farms and 17 properties could be destroyed and four large caravan parks in the Cockerham and Thurnham areas are at risk as environment bosses review the sea defences along the shoreline of Morecambe Bay.

The SMP options include maintaining current defences, realigning the coastline in a managed way or no active intervention.

The plan suggests studies into realignment in the Thurnham, Overton and Lune Estuary areas, which would lead to a new waterline being created inland.

In the Knott End Golf Course and Sunderland Village areas the plan suggests a ‘no active intervention’ policy, leaving nature to take its course.

Brenda Lawson, who lives at Bank End Farm, Cockerham, is one of the residents who would be affected by the plans. She is so concerned she has started a campaign group to put forward alternatives to the Environment Agency.

She says: “We farm 230 acres and have done since the 1930s. All our farm would go into the sea. It would be a considerable loss of livelihood.

“The top and bottom of it is money. They are saying it would cost £12m to maintain this stretch of coastline for 100 years, but they are maintaining they could build a new defence further back for £6m.

“But that is just the cost of building it. There is no compensation for the people who own the land they are going to build on.”

Up to 1035 acres of farmland could revert to marsh land, including the Cockerham Sands Country Park.

Director Kate Bateson says: “It is a concern of ours but it is very early days. It would affect the local economy. If they decided there would be no action taken like they have at Sunderland Point, we would be cut off.”

A decision not to fight the ebbing tide at the windswept peninsula could mean Sunderland Point could be lost to the sea.

The historic village was used as a port for slave ships and cotton ships but its importance declined as other ports such as Lancaster developed.

During high tides the village is already cut off from neighbouring Overton when the single track road that links the two becomes flooded. But if the defences are not maintained it could be lost forever, as the waters encroach on the land.

Coun Jon Barry, cabinet member with responsibility for the environment at Lancaster City Council, said: “We are not able to protect all coastal homes, businesses, land and wildlife habitats from coastal erosion and flooding.

“But with (the community’s] help, we will know where these risks are greatest and set out effective ways to manage these in a sustainable way.”

Pete Fox, the flood and coastal risk manager for the Environment Agency North West, added: “It’s really important that local communities work with the Environment Agency, Local Authorities and others to produce the shoreline management plans and coastal erosion risk maps.

“This will ensure we all get the best possible outcomes for people and the environment in the area and beyond.”

Graham Lymbery, chairman of the North West England and North Wales Coastal Group, says: “Climate change and sea level rise will mean that protecting our coast from flooding and erosion will become harder in the future. This means making tough decisions.”

Story in the Lancashire Evening Post

Four Lancashire dairy farms covering 1035 acres could disappear under the sea if the Environment Agency gives the go ahead for a shoreline management plan along the coast of Morecambe Bay.

The scheme, which will affect 10 farms in total and destroy 17 properties and four large caravan parks, is part of a review of sea defences along a stretch of north-west coastline south of Lancaster. The current sea-wall embankment runs for about five miles.

One of the farms that would be lost is John and Brenda Lawson’s Bank End Farm at Cockerham, which stands virtually on the shoreline of Morecambe Bay. This highly productive dairy farm carries around 350 cows.

“It’s unbelievable that someone has come up with a plan that will mean our farms and the future of our families will disappear under the sea and none of us has received a letter or a phone call so that we could at least be represented at the [planning] meetings,” said Mrs Lawson.

“The future of three generations of our family is now in jeopardy. How can you make any plans and invest in the farm when someone is planning on wiping out everything you’ve spent your life working for,” she added.

Local farmers have been incensed by the lack of consultation.

Even though the first official meeting to discuss the proposals to allow the sea to cover the four farms was held last September it was only a week ago that the farmers were given their first opportunity to put their case.

“We’ve now formed an action group to fight these proposals. The cost of building new sea defences along this stretch of coast would be around £6m,” said Mrs Lawson.

“The alternative is to spend £12m over 100 years to maintain the existing embankment and allow the farms to remain – and that has to be the common sense option,” she said.

Jonathan Croft, the EA’s coastal team leader, said discussions were still at an early stage and the agency was considering several options.

“We’re looking at this as a 20-year plan during which time we will evaluate various options. It may be that we decide to hold the existing line of the sea defences or advance the line. Discussions will be held during this time as we assess the situation,” said Mr Croft.

Story by Jeremy Hunt in the Farmers Weekly

PARTS of Morecambe could disappear beneath the waves if rising sea levels continue over the next 100 years, according to a new report.

Experts looking at the erosion of the North West coastline say roads and railways in the town could be affected by coastal flooding. Schools and potentially, the Queen Victoria Hospital Centre are all in the coastal flood risk zone.

Adam Barker, a researcher at Manchester University, said: “It’s a pressing issue.

“Large parts of the coastline – some of which are highly populated – are likely to recede.”

Heysham is also potentially vulnerable to coastal erosion and flooding. Promenade and beach front properties in Heysham, whilst an important attraction for tourists, are clearly at higher risk of coastal flooding and erosion.

Carnforth, Silverdale and Arnside, located as they are along the banks of Morecambe Bay, may also be prone to coastal erosion and flooding.

Half Moon Bay at Heysham, Morecambe North and South beaches and Hest Bank could be lost if erosion is allowed to continue unchecked.

Leighton Moss RSPB reserve at Silverdale is particularly vulnerable to land drainage and tide inundation, the report adds.

Researchers at Manchester University have put an interactive map online to allow families to have their say about the future of the 250-mile stretch of coastline from Cumbria to north Wales.

Adam Barker, from the university, said: “Local authorities are under pressure to release more land for development.

“Something needs to be done to manage this transition and to involve the people who live in these areas in the decision-making process.

“The Lancashire, Cumbrian and Welsh coastlines contain a number of low lying or vulnerable sections which are particularly at risk from the adverse impacts of climate change.

“If local agencies are forced to abandon sections of our coast to the sea, this can only be effectively done with the knowledge and understanding of local communities.”

Sea levels around Britain are expected to rise by between 10 and 34 inches by 2080, according to the UK Climate Change Impacts Programme.

Mr Barker and his colleague Richard Kingston are encouraging members of the public to engage with their local authorities on the best ways to manage the threat.

View the map and have your say by visiting www.ppgis.manchester.ac.uk/projects.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency, which is concerned with flooding, rivers and pollution, said: “The seafront at Morecambe is protected from coastal erosion along its entire length.

“As of 2008 the ‘Morecambe Coastal Works Comprehensive Improvement Scheme’ was in progress, affecting approximately 8.1km of coastline.

“The Improvement Scheme combines both coastal erosion protection and flood defences.

“The flood defence consists of four sections stretching from Morecambe Golf Course at the south-west up to Sandylands Promenade, between Rydal Road and Oakley Road, at the north-east.

“The flood warning areas have recently been re-mapped, using the latest technology, to take into account the flood defences.

“This helps give us a more accurate view of what could happen during coastal flooding.

“There are currently 59 properties in the Flood Warning Areas, the majority of these in the south Morecambe area.

“Members of the public can visit the Environment Agency website, enter their postcode and find out if they are in the flood risk area.”

Ged McAllister, engineering manager for Lancaster City Council, said: “The Morecambe coastal defences have been designed taking into account the current government guidance on sea level rise.

“The effect of sea level rise in the North West of England is offset by the fact the land is rising in this region.

“Work in this field is constantly under review and Lancaster City Council is constantly monitoring the current situation with regard to coastal defence issues.

“All the North West Coastal authorities extending from Great Orme in Wales to the Scottish border are currently engaged in a joint project for the revision of the Shoreline Management Plan, which is programmed for completion in 2010.

“This project will determine the future policies for the management of the North West coast.

“Further information is available on the project website www.mycoastline.org where there is an opportunity to voice your opinion on the proposals so far.”

Story by Michelle Blade in the Lakeland Echo

MERSEYSIDE councils are uniting to create a “super shoreline” in a move which could one day provide a template for tackling beach litter.

Across the region authorities are creating a “Shoreline Management Plan” to address the problem of coastal erosion.

The united shoreline will link Wirral, Denbighshire, Conway and Sefton as well as Morecambe Bay and the Cumbrian coast.

Consultations will take place with beach users to see how best to address rising sea levels and the predicted effects of climate change.

For the Marine Conservation Society, it is the kind of initiative which could be used to create a united front against litter.

Read the full story on the Liverpool Echo website