Homeowner
Are you a homeowner concerned about coastal erosion?
Finding out that your home or a property you own is at risk of coastal erosion can be a worrying and stressful time. The following information aims to help homeowners understand the risks posed to them by coastal change and the responsibilities and liabilities associated with this risk.
Who manages the coast?
The management of coastal change largely falls to local authorities (such as district and borough councils) but it can also fall to the Environment Agency depending on your location. You may hear these authorities and agencies referred to as Risk Management Authorities (RMAs). RMA’s have what’s known as permissive powers to manage the coast.
It is important to understand that permissive powers are different to duties, in that there is no requirement for an RMA to carry out works such as those which protect people’s properties.
How is the coast managed?
The management intention is set out in a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). These are high-level strategic plans set over a timespan of 100 years up until the year 2105. SMPs take into account environmental, social and economic considerations when setting out the most sustainable way to manage the coast into the future.
Find out more about SMP
How they intend to manage the coast along with any actions planned for a particular stretch of coast.
Why can’t we defend the entire coast?
It isn’t feasible to hold the line on our entire coast. Attempts at this would prove extremely costly and sea level rise would make repairs and maintenance on any installed measures difficult because we would have to make repairs more often and sometimes underwater.
We are also reliant on the movement of sediment to maintain healthy beaches which in turn drive our tourist industry and act as a natural form of coastal defence. Instead SMPs seek to work with natural coastal processes to hold the line in locations that are appropriate, and to look at adaptation options in locations where managed realignment or no active intervention are the favoured policy.
What are my options if my property is at risk of coastal erosion?
Many properties impacted by coastal erosion will not benefit from buildings insurance. Unlike properties impacted by flooding which benefit from Flood:Re, (able to obtain affordable insurance premiums until 2039), there is currently no equivalent for properties impacted by coastal erosion.
Some local authorities will have planning policies that provide planning permission for a replacement dwelling for any residential property affected by coastal erosion providing that certain conditions are met.
Find your local council to enquire below.
Find your local councilIf my property is impacted by coastal erosion, who pays for the cost of clearing it?
In this situation, the property owner is required to pay for any costs associated with clearing the property in the aftermath of an erosion event. Local Authorities are able to access a grant of up to £6000 to help property owners with costs surrounding demolition such as the demolition works themselves, costs of consents and licences, and the removal of waste materials and making good the landscape.
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