Introduction

Coastal change exacerbated by climate change has enormous implications for development on the coast and is therefore a major consideration for spatial planning in shaping places that are resilient to climate change. Coasts have changed continuously through history but climate change is speeding up change, increasing risks from coastal erosion and flooding. Development on the coast is expected to become a major aspect of climate change adaptation.

Strong planning policy to manage coastal flooding is already in place (PPS 25), however currently planning decisions in relation to coastal erosion risks are made with reference to Planning Policy Guidance note 20 (PPG 20). PPG 20 published in 1992 adopted a strongly precautionary approach restricting any development in areas of risk of coastal erosion. This means that even appropriate development that would support the economic and social viability of the community is unable to go ahead.

The new planning policy for managing the impacts of coastal change sets out a planning framework for the continuing economic and social viability of coastal communications to ensure that the impacts of coastal change are taken into account at all stages of the planning process.

The policy aims to strike the right balance between economic prosperity and reducing the consequences of coastal change on communities.

The policy promotes a strategic risk-based approach to managing future physical changes to the coastline, so that long-term adaptation of communities can be planned whilst allowing necessary development that is appropriate and safe.

It will also introduce a more coordinated approach to planning and investment at the coast, ensuring that spatial strategies to deliver regeneration and sustainable economic development take proper account of the impact of physical processes affecting the coastline and decisions regarding the planning and management of coastal defences.

The aim of this conference is to enable stakeholders to understand and develop their views and contribute to the development of planning policy and guidance in relation to key issues on development and coastal change.

Objectives

• To enable a wide range of stakeholders to understand and develop their organisations responses to the consultation
• To help test and develop the Planning policy and guidance
• To collect views that will enable stakeholders and government to frame their views
• To explore in detail a number of key issues that are being put forward in the new policy