Managing of our Coastline

South Lakeland has approximately 60km of coastline that lies within Morecambe Bay and the Duddon Estuary.The District Council is the operating authority for:

• Coastal protection - measures against coastal erosion
• Sea defences - measures against flooding from the sea

South Lakeland, Cumbria County Highways, the Environment Agency, Network Rail and private landowners are all responsible for their own defences.

South Lakelands primary role is to monitor the coastline and to ensure that future development is suitably located. South Lakeland also maintains any existing sea defence structures for which they are responsible.

Before carrying out work of a coastal defence nature it is important that landowners seek approval from South Lakeland District Council and from the Environment Agency.

Have your say on coastal management

Our coastlines are constantly changing due to the natural processes. In addtion the social, economic and environmental pressures are increasing in the coastal areas around Britain.

To help plan the future management of the coastline and coastal defences, a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) was produced in 1999.

A draft second generation Shoreline Management Plan (SMP2) has now been produced by the North West and North Wales Coastal Group, which takes into account the latest available information based upon current understanding of flood and coastal erosion risks. The plan sets out how the public, organisations and businesses will be involved.

If you live near to, or have an interest in this area of coastline and you would like to take part in the SMP2 consultation, visit www.mycoastline.org (external link). You can also view the draft plan by downloading the documents below:

• Main Document (Word) 1.7MB(1.67MB)
  
• Heald Brow to Humphrey Head (0.99MB Word)
  
• Kent Estuary (531KB Word)
  
• Humphrey Head to Cark (624KB Word)
  
• Outer Leven Estuary (561KB Word)
  
• Leven Estuary (368KB Word)
  
• Bardsea to Piel Island (549KB Word)
  
• Duddon Estuary (622KB Word)
  
• Glossary (240KB)- technical terms are explained in the glossary
  
• Appendices – link to background documents

The document is available to view at the Council Offices in Kendal and Ulverston and libraries at Kendal, Milnthorpe, Arnside, Grange, Ulverston and Broughton in Furness during normal opening times.

The consultation period has now begun and you have until Sunday 10 January 2010 to provide feedback or comments.

Contact us

For more information about the South Lakeland Coastline please contact: 0845 050 4434