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Contents
01 Why Atkins
02 How we can help
03 Drivers
04 Our experience: Strategic coastal and marine planning
05 Our experience: Marine environment regulation and compliance
06 Our experience: Future beach management and design
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Atkins is one of the world’s leading engineering and design consultancies.
Within the coastal environment, our specialists provide an integrated approach to the planning and management of coastal and marine environments to ensure their sustainable use and protection.
We create sustainable beach designs and assess the environmental impact of new coastline developments around the world. Our dedicated team can also provide experienced advice on the adaptive design of coastal defence structures and landforms to prepare for a changing climate.
We use innovative modelling techniques to study waves, currents and sediment movement for a variety of purposes ranging from beach tourism design, marina engineering to forecasting storm surge inundation.
Our extensive experience enables us to provide holistic solutions for a wide range of projects, seeking to help coastal conservationists, landscape architects, waterfront developers, industrial port planners and public sector clients.
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Nick
Elderfield
(Taunton)
Jonathon
McCue
(Warrington)
Melissa
Boyd
(Epsom)
Nigel
Coulshed
(Glasgow)
Kath
Winnard
(Swansea)
Paul
Canning
(Bristol) Strategic coastal and marine planning
Our team conduct studies and provide strategic advice on coastal and marine management to inform the planning process. The information we provide helps to clarify objectives, set priorities and direct decision-making to ensure the sustainable use of our coastal and marine environments.
Our range of strategic studies and planning support we provide include:
• Coastal strategy studies (UK)
• Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM)
• Shoreline management plans (SMPs)
• Marine spatial plans – to assist with the implementation of the
Marine and Coastal Access Bill
• Coastal emergency planning
• Coastal tourism and resort feasibility studies

Marine environmental assessment and regulatory compliance
Our specialists have extensive experience assisting clients to meet regulatory requirements and obtain the necessary permits for intertidal, shoreline or offshore developments.
We can identify risks and the impacts of human activity on the marine environment and develop measures to mitigate them. Our team can create a clear picture of what there is to protect, how to conserve them and from this help to meet the delicate balance between conservation and development.
Our marine environmental assessment services include:
• Coastal /marine EIA or SEA and environmental appraisals- to identify risks and impacts from development proposals
• Marine habitat surveys – to undertake baseline marine surveys to support EIA studies
• Coastal water quality assessments- to assist in (for example) bathing water quality assessments
• Design of coastal habitat re-creation, restoration and translocation of species/habitats
Future beach design and management
Beaches aren’t just for sunbathers. They are an asset to many of our clients and we help to maximise the socio-economic benefits that beaches bring through improving existing management practices to creating new safe beaches.
We can help to:
• Design new sustainable sand and shingle beaches
• Conduct beach safety and risk management studies
• Improve flood defence advice and mitigate coastal erosion
• Provide emergency planning services- e.g. business continuity or complying with the Civil Contingency Act
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Sea levels are rising twice as fast as predicted
More than 70% of the world’s population live along coastal plains and will be vulnerable to increases in sea levels. Despite the IPCC predicting a worst case scenario of a rise of 59cm by 2100, new evidence shows this estimate may be exceeded faster than predicted.
A changing climate for coastal nations will affect all aspects of modern life from local economies, water resources, flood risk, fisheries and marine habitats. Therefore, it is important that the impacts of climate change are recognised and adaptation strategies are employed.

Less than 1% of the world’s oceans are protected
The eight Millennium Development Goals sets a framework for the development activities of over 190 countries. In response to the loss of global biodiversity, land and marine protection is encouraged through these goals. However despite their importance to the sustainability of fish stocks and livelihoods, only 0.7 per cent of the world’s oceans are protected. At Atkins, we feel protection alone is insufficient- all protected areas must also be managed effectively for conservation and incorporate socio-economic factors to secure sustainable livelihoods.
Adapting to a changing political environment – marine planning
Marine spatial planning is an effective way to establish a planning process to balance the conservation of marine resources with the impact of human activities. The process provides a sound understanding of all human activities in marine areas and sets a comprehensive plan to create a more balanced and sustainable approach to marine resource management, including the development of marine renewable energy.
This integrated approach is currently being considered in the UK through new legislation and new Marine Strategy Frameworks and
Policies being reviewed for pan European acceptance.
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Client: Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd
Atkins created a picture of all aquaculture activities in the European
Union in five years time. Our work helped to inform the European
Commission on any gaps in environmental legislation and helped them assess the impact of aquaculture if EU waters achieved ‘good ecological status.’
Output from the report for Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd
Production Systems
Pressure Categories
1. Sedimentation
2. Change in bio-geochemistry
3. Infrastructure Impacts
4. Visual land and seascape modification
5. Disturbance
6. Predator control
7. Hazardous substance use
8. Pathogen transmission
9. Inter-breeding with wild organisms
10. Introduction of alien species
Level of pressure exerted:
High Moderate Low Negligible ? Uncertain 12
The benefit of this has been to clarify parameters where aquacultural development should take place.
The study showed that various pressure categories can be exerted on the marine environment from different aquacultural production systems (as outlined in the diagram). The new Marine Framework
Directive is asking Member States to now take these findings into consideration.

Output from the report for Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd
Production Systems
Pressure Categories
1. Sedimentation
2. Change in bio-geochemistry
3. Infrastructure Impacts
4. Visual land and seascape modification
5. Disturbance
6. Predator control
7. Hazardous substance use
8. Pathogen transmission
9. Inter-breeding with wild organisms
10. Introduction of alien species
Level of pressure exerted:
High Moderate Low Negligible ? Uncertain 12
Client: Environmental Agency and Severn Estuary Coastal Group
Our team has developed a flood risk management strategy for the
Severn Estuary, that has informed the client of the extent of flood risk and strategic areas where more active flood management programmes maybe required.
The team is also simultaneously conducting a shoreline management plan to provide strategic guidance for coastal defence decision making and sets a policy framework over 20, 50 and 100 years to manage any risks to people and the built and natural environment.
The merging of the two programmes has enabled the joint management of a number of key risks and opportunities identified in both studies and has brought significant time and cost savings to the client.
“I believe the particular choice of staff for the Shoreline Management
Plan has been the main reason for it’s excellent progress and results”
David Harris,
Severn Estuary Coastal Group Chair
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Client: EC Delegation, Guyana
Following the worst natural flooding disaster event in Guyana’s history in December 2004, significant efforts were made to plan and enable environmental strategies and donor funded recovery initiatives to prevent future incidents.
Atkins prepared a Country Environmental Profile (CEP) which is a key mechanism used to formulate a strategic response on national environmental issues. Being the first CEP ever completed for Guyana, it established linkages between the environment and addressing poverty reduction in the country.
Our work has helped to strategically outline future environmental opportunities and challenges for Guyana in the coming years, and subsequently the team was asked to review future EC financial intervention programmes relating to sea defence management in Guyana.
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“The Atkins document was consulted widely with
Government, environmental agencies and nonstate actors as well as within the donor community.
The team produced a comprehensive document which will inform all stakeholders in their future programming activities. The Delegation in Guyana thanks the team for their professional grip and efficient execution of the mission.”
Regional Co-ordinator, European Union
Delegation, Guyana
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“The IOC Working Group formally recognise the work by Atkins as being very useful reference for future discussion”
Bernado Aliaga
Technical Secretary IOC
Client: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
Atkins assisted the IOC (part of UNESCO) in planning future research and programmes to assist all coastal nations around the world.
The Atkins team work closely with UNESCO in producing an online questionnaire and subsequent analysis report to establish a working group on the “Future of the IOC.” This was established to help prioritise attention on where Member States require specific coastal and oceanographic research needs in the coming decade.
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Client: Countryside Council for Wales
From an extensive review of existing information on current and potential impacts of climate change along the Welsh coastline,
Atkins helped to improve understanding of existing coastal data to better determine future knowledge management requirements to deliver ICZM in Wales.
The project enabled the client to address weaknesses in existing coastal datasets in relation to improving coastal access, nature conservation and shoreline evolution. It provided recommendations for future actions and improvements in knowledge relating to the Marine Bill implementation, sea level rise and shoreline management in Wales.
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Client: SOM Architects
Atkins completed pioneering work towards setting a framework for
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in Bahrain. Particular attention was focused on coastal demarcation and the delivery of a framework from which marine spatial planning for Bahrain can successfully be implemented. From our study, a route map for delivering sustainable marine management and marine spatial planning in Bahrain over the next 25 years was created to assist various
Bahrain ministries.

‘Across the region Arabian Gulf countries are surging ahead to satisfy an appetite for commercial, residential, tourism and leisure development and a number of factors make coastal areas the preferred location for such activity. This work by Atkins provides Bahrain with a real chance to make the right decisions for our coast’
Undersecretary at Bahrain’s Ministry of Works,
Nayef Omar Al-Kalali
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Client: Defra
Atkins produced the first ever UK national stocktaking exercise on
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), which analysed the current framework for managing UK coastal zones and identified issues of common concern such as the scale of integration.
The findings provide the UK Government with a sound, objective basis to develop national strategies for implementing the principles of ICZM.
The level of integration and co-ordination in ICZM principles were assessed. The study found how differently organisations interact with each other at the coast. The main aspects of the project were:
• Describing the environmental, social and economic characteristics of the UK’s coastal zone
• Describing the key laws, institutions and stakeholders
• Analysing how these laws, institutions and stakeholders interact and integrate with each other
• Identifying key gaps, overlaps and inconsistencies in these interactions

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Evaluating sustainable marine practices in
Negril Marine Park, Jamaica
Client: Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society
Our team evaluated the sustainability of current marine management approaches being employed at Negril Marine Park. From the evaluation, our team showed how such practices could be improved to help with the engagement of local business and stakeholders and to drive forward social and tourism development, fisheries and wider local economies in the area.
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MARINE PLANNING IN A CROSS BORDER SITUATION –
CONCEPTUAL APPROACH FOR ACHIEVING MARINE
ECOSYSTEM OBJECTIVES
ACTION
Build positive working relationships
ACTION
Acknowledging and Dealing with past marine consenting challenges
OBJECTVE 1
Delivering a Marine
Ecosystem
Approach
OBJECTIVE 2
Contributing to a Shared
Marine Vision
ACTION
Develop a shared vision of a sustainable marine environment
ACTION
Develop key institutional capacities
Client: Environment Agency, Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales
This project considered the management arrangements required under a proposed new marine planning and marine management regime. The Dee Estuary was used as a case study to help identify the challenges of managing marine activities across a national border (between England and Wales). The Atkins project output was used specifically to assist the clients in responding formally to the UK Government Draft Marine
Bill in April 2008.
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Client: Bunn Leisure
Atkins undertook an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for a scheme designed to provide protection from coastal erosion and flooding for a privately owned holiday village in Selsey, West Sussex.
The EIA included a Habitats Regulations Assessment, Archaeological
Assessment, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment and Public
Safety Risk Assessment.
The results of a numerical modelling study of the scheme helped to determine potential scheme effects on coastal processes and adjacent shorelines. The findings of the assessments were submitted as part of an application for planning permission, marine consents (FEPA/CPA licence), as well as Environment Agency and Crown Estate consent.
To date, the FEPA/CPA licence and Environment Agency consent have been awarded. Planning permission and Crown Estate consent are expected shortly, with a letter of support already received from
Natural England.

“I consider the Environmental
Management Plan, as one of the best I have ever read.
Very well thought out.”
Project Director, Blue City
Company
Client: Blue City Company 1
Atkins successfully completed an EIA for Phase 1 of the Blue City development and continued to assist the client by producing a detailed Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The Plan covered all environmental management delivery procedures, ranging from GIS management to arranging disaster preparedness “drills” in case of pollution incidents along the Batinah coastline of Oman.
“The potential impacts on the physical and social environment of a major scheme like Blue City are significant and have to be closely managed. The
Atkins team has drawn upon their global and local experience to assist the project team and contribute to the development of strategies that aim to place environmental management at the centre of the design and construction process.”
Blue City Development Project, Oman.
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Client: Banana Industry Trust
Our team is working across half of St Lucia’s coastline to help produce a series of coastal habitat maps (see example inset). As this data doesn’t currently exist, it will prove invaluable to guide future land use and planning decisions to ensure development on this popular tourism island is balanced with habitat conservation. Our work has involved aerial and GIS tools to help interpret and visualise marine habitat data for the first time in St Lucia. A series of national training events were held to educate and inform stakeholders on future coastal habitat mapping techniques and how decision making can be improved on the coast through correct use and interpretation of the habitat maps produced.

“Was very impressed with the professionalism and the quality of the work provided by the team ...
.... very likely to recommend the Atkins team to others in this field.”
Laverne Walker ICZM
Officer and Client.
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Client: Defra
Atkins produced the first stakeholder led “best practice” document for Defra on how to manage, implement and enforce coastal byelaws within the UK Local Government planning framework. Close liaison with English Tourist Boards, Crown Estate, Defra Integrated Coastal
Management Unit and Coastal SIG was instrumental in successfully delivering the study. The guidance document is now used extensively by English local authorities to help plan water based recreational activities on the coast.

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Client: Haulfryn Summer Homes
Atkins produced a series of environmental and coastal modelling reports (see example inset) to assist towards the development of a formal planning application for a new sea defence scheme. A series of consultation meetings were facilitated to provide strategic long term advice for a private holiday resort to enable them to plan for sea level rise. Advice focused on the physical parameters of a potential EIA /
Appropriate Assessment / SEA associated with the Lleyn Peninsula and Sarnauc SAC designation.
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Client: Aqaba Strategic Economic Zone Authority, Jordan
With the aim to make Aqaba a more desirable destination for tourists, it was found that improving the status of its beaches would bolster its competitiveness. The Atkins team reviewed the current status of beaches, designed and adapted a blue flag programme system for the beaches in Aqaba. The beaches have now been reviewed to help local agencies apply for full blue flag status, which shall help to attract tourism and to improve future beach management on
Jordanian beaches.

Client: Oman – OMRAN
Atkins is involved in the development of the masterplan for the 2nd
Asian Beach Games to take place in Oman in 2010. The proposed development was located on an existing beach and included a new marina protruding through the intertidal zone. We have conducted studies and developed numerical waves models (see opposite) to improve understanding of the impact of the new marina structure on the existing beach. Our work developed solutions to mitigate any negative impacts and ensure sustainable development.
Client: Fylde Borough Council
The pioneering approach of SaferSands (Atkins developed initiative), a beach risk and safety management procedure, was introduced by Atkins to assist in future beach safety management for the Lytham St Annes frontage. Our team designed a recreational policy and zoning plan for St Annes beach and nearshore areas to minimise conflict between beach users and the health and safety risks associated with these activities. We have continued to work with the client and recently risk assessed a windsport centre on the beach towards Lytham St Annes.
FYE01
!
THE BEACH AND FORESHORE ARE MUL
PLEASE ENSURE YOUR OWN SAFETY AND THA
HAZARDS
TI-ACTIVITY AREAS
T OF OTHER USERS
PROHIBITIONS
Jetty
Tides
Marsh/mud
Vehicles
No shooting
No bonfir or barbecues
No unauthorised vehicles
No fireworks
No tipping/ littering
No dog fouling
DOGS ON LEADS
Dogs must be on a lead at all times in the fol
Footpaths, Promenades
, Car Parks, Lytham Gr lowing areas: een and Fairhaven Lak e
!
in this area
For enquiries, contact the Beach Patr
Tel: 01253 658658 www ol Officer
.fylde.gov
.uk
www.cmyk.uk.com
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“LYP is pleased to have successfully gained this consultancy project to upgrade the facilities at
Trinidad’s premier beach
Maracas against international competition. Having Atkins on the consultancy team allows us to bring world standards and new techniques to bear on the project. We hope that this will develop into a leader project for other beach facilities development and upgrade projects in Trinidad and Tobago”.
Project Manager,
Lee Young and Partners:
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Client: Lee Young and Partners, Trinidad
Atkins delivered a SaferSands approach for Maracas Beach in Trinidad.
The needs of local vendors, future job creation, lifeguarding services, management of beach recreational activities, future zoning, car park safety and environmental maintenance (including solid waste management) were all considered to ensure sustainable future beach management.
Concept drawings of our beach structures, boardwalks and access paths were developed for wider stakeholder review and acceptance.

Client: EC Delegation, Dhaka
Atkins designed an implementation plan for a Bangladesh Disaster
Preparedness Programme (BDPP). Tasks involved widespread consultation with the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management to identify the needs and constraints in implementing the programme and the design of a project proposal for a comprehensive, cost-effective and sustainable intervention in the field of disaster preparedness.
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Jonathan McCue
Atkins
Woodcote Grove
Ashley Road
Epsom
Surrey
KT18 5BW
Tel: +44 (0)1372 726 140
Fax: +44 (0)1372 740 055 jonathan.mccue@atkinsglobal.com
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