South Downs Coastal Group

The Group was set up in 1994, with the primary purpose of producing a Shoreline Management Plan for the coast between Beachy Head and Selsey Bill.
This was completed in 1997 and has recently been reviewed (see the SMP tab for more information).

The Group continues to meet regularly with its stated aim:
To achieve co-ordinated strategic management of the shoreline between Beachy Head and Selsey Bill.

This is done by:

• taking forward the recommendations of the SMP (through sub-groups where necessary);
• overseeing the production of Coastal Defence Strategies;
• ensuring that the management of the shoreline is carried out in a co-ordinated manner and
• ultimately, to keep the SMP under review - either through formal Reviews or simply by ensuring data that will help in the next review is catalogued, managed and made available on a day to day basis.

The Group's Principles are to:

• Work in a professional and practical manner, paying due regard to Defra, regional and local policies and guidance;
• Work in close collaboration with other disciplines, in recognition of the impact which technical management of the coast has on environmental, economic and social issues;
• Concentrate its activities at the strategic level of operation with due regard to members’ operational activities where appropriate;
• Work in co-operation with Defra and other coastal groups;
• Ensure that, in developing Shoreline Management Plans, due regard is taken of risk management, land use planning and other strategic plans prepared by partner organisations which have an influence on the wider coastal zone;
• Maintain awareness and understanding of current technical and policy developments as well as initiatives that are likely to have a bearing on coastal management as carried out by member authorities;
• Lobby on behalf of Group members on matters of strategic and specific interest to them in their role as operating authorities and
• Be financed by means of contributions paid by member authorities.

The Group consists of all the maritime operating authorities (i.e. Borough, District and Unitary Councils), the Environment Agency, the two County Councils, Port/Harbour/Marina Authorities, Natural England, English Heritage, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the South Downs Joint Committee, the Coastal Biodiversity Officer and fisheries interests.