Coastal Change Pathfinders:
the national picture
Claire Wilding
Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Programme
Defra
Aims of the pathfinder programme
• Pathfinder programme designed to help plug the coastal adaptation evidence gap.
• Provide an evidence base which can inform future policy decision making.
• 15 pathfinder local authorities, working in partnership with their communities, are
exploring different approaches to planning for, and adapting to, coastal change.
• Programme completing in spring.
Geographical representation of
pathfinder projects
–
Scarborough
(Knipe Point)
East Riding
Sefton
Lincolnshire CC
North Norfolk DC
Great Yarmouth
BC
Waveney
Tendring
Somerset CC
South Hams –
Slapton Line Partnership
Hastings BC
East Sussex
Cuckmere
Dorset
© 2001 -2009 Pictures of England.com
Hampshire Chichester
(Lepe Country
Park)
Progress to date
•
• 15 schemes now reaching completion
• Innovative approaches including:
- Engaging and educating communities
- Adaptation planning
- Rollback (homes and assets)
- Buy and lease back
Examples
Coastal Literacy (Chichester)
An 18 month Coastal Literacy Programme led by CoastNet, to produce web based
learning, information materials and other tools to equip local people with the
knowledge and understanding needed to participate in adaptation decision making.
Research (Hastings)
Changing coastline and impact on fishing fleet
and identification of short, medium and long term
solutions.
Examples 2
Producing an adaptation plan (Scarborough)
Produce a communication plan and action
plan for ground movement events that may
trigger the implementation of the adaption
approach.
Next phase: evaluating and sharing
learning
• Local authority-led dissemination activities
• Defra evaluation – by autumn
• Defra national event – 15 June
Defra evaluation
• Key questions to be considered:
• What worked and what didn’t? Why?
• What barriers did Pathfinders come across?
• What benefits were delivered?
• Was good value for money achieved?
• How could schemes be replicated/extended – including
possible future funding sources?
• Are there promising ideas that need further testing?
Next steps
• Future funding consultation
• Encourage LAs and other partners to continue
active engagement in Defra-led evaluation and
other activities to share learning
• Consider next steps in light of results of pathfinder
scheme.