Coastal Issues
Coastal issues are particularly relevant for Southampton with its prominent position on the south coast. Southampton city council contributes to the protection and management of the coastline in the following ways:
Solent Forum
Southampton city council is a funding partner of the Solent Forum, which improves the management of the Solent area and its coastline through networks and member organisations.
Flood and coastal defence
The Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) commissioned a joint Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) for the sub-region, prepared in accordance with PPS 25: Development and Flood Risk (PPS25). The SFRA will help the city council choose appropriate locations for new development and will provide important information for developers when submitting planning applications. There is a link to a website with the final report and a series of maps in the right hand panel.
Southampton city council and the Environment Agency are the main authorities responsible for delivering flood defence and coastal protection in Southampton. The City Council has produced a Policy Statement on Flood and Coastal Defence, as required by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to outline how the Council proposes to reduce or manage flood and coastal erosion risks.
The 'at risk' coastal areas were identified for Southampton city council by WS Atkins Consultants who carried out an Assessment of Coastal Defence Priorities in 1999. Weston Point, Northam, Town Depot and Mayflower Park were found to need work such as beach nourishment, rock revetment or replacement of sea walls.
As a further preventative measure, in areas at risk from tidal or fluvial flooding development will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that flood defence or flood protection measures exist or will be provided as part of development to minimise the risk of flooding on the site (City of Southampton Adopted Local Plan 2006).
There is also a Shoreline Management Plan that covers Western Solent and Southampton Water. This is a non-statutory document that sets out a strategy for coastal defence along the Western Solent and Southampton Water coastline, taking account of natural coastal processes and other environmental and human influences and needs. Southampton city council consults this document to develop coastal defence strategies for the River Test, River Itchen and Weston Shore, in cooperation with other authorities through the Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline (SCOPAC).
Coastal habitat management
The intertidal habitats of the River Test and River Itchen are internationally important for migratory birds. The mudflats and saltmarsh of the estuaries provide a valuable food source for the birds and also support a wealth of other wildlife. The importance of these areas has been recognised by their designation as a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area. English Nature is responsible for setting objectives for these sites and Southampton city council is working in partnership with other organisations to produce a scheme of management. Also the city council will resist development which would result in the reclamation of, or disturbance to, the reamining intertidal mudfalt habitat (City of Southampton Adopted Local Plan 2006).
Maritime archaeology
Southampton city council gives a grant to the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology, which promotes interest, research and knowledge of maritime archaeology and heritage in Great Britain with core activities concentrated in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the adjacent South Coast areas. The city council archaeology unit's work includes community surveys of coastal sites and the maritime museum tells the story of the port since 1838.
Last updated: 22 July 2008
