SMP-R & NCERM2

The Shoreline Management Plans Refresh (SMP-R) and the National Coastal Erosion Risk Mapping version 2 (NCERM2) are two separate but related projects. They both provide information about the changing coastline in England and how this can be managed via policies, action plans and risk maps. The recipients of this information includes the general public, Local Authorities, Coastal Groups, Regional Flood and Coast Committees (RFCCs) and planning professionals / consultants.

Shoreline management plans are non-statutory plans which identify the most sustainable approach to management of the flood and coastal erosion risks at the coast in the:

• Short term (0 to 20 years)
• Medium term (20 to 50 years)
• Long term (50-100 years)

The Environment Agency is working with Coastal Groups to improve the access and use of Shoreline Management Plans by all stakeholders. This will be through the development of a web-based tool. This will be published (go live) c. January 2023. The Environment Agency is also refreshing the evidence and technical guidance which underpins Shoreline Management Plans (the NCERM2 project is part of this).

Coastal Groups will then be able to use this evidence and technical guidance to keep their Shoreline Management Plans up to date and 'and where appropriate manage change to shoreline management where this has been identified as an action in the current SMP Refresh.