Sustainable Coastal Management for Clacton and Holland on Sea

The Clacton and Holland on Sea Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy (“the Strategy”) is required to develop a sustainable approach to coastal and flood risk management for a 6.5km stretch of the Essex coast. The frontage comprises low to medium soft cliffs fronted by a narrow sand and shingle beach, and is protected from erosion by defences managed by Tendring District Council (TDC). In addition, there are Environment Agency managed flood defences directly adjacent to the Strategy frontage. The full area was considered through a high level review at the start of the Strategy, to ensure a coherent and integrated approach to coastal management, ensuring that any strategic approach for the Clacton and Holland on Sea frontage took account of the broader issues associated with the area as a whole. A core difficulty with management of the area has been its economic justification in terms solely of flood and coastal erosion risk. The Strategy had to evolve an approach to coastal management that promotes flexibility and encourages partnership working over its lifetime. Supported by the current funding regime, this flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) Strategy not only looks at maximising the return on investment in flood and erosion risk management but it also looks to how management of flood and erosion risk can play an integral part in regenerating the wider area. In January 2013 the Strategy, developed by close working between framework partners RHDHV, the Environment Agency and TDC was approved and the first works arising under the Strategy are programmed for 2014.