Strategic coastal-defence planning: The role of the planning system

If a shoreline management plan is to lead to sustainable coastal defences, a long-term strategic view is necessary This paper examines the issues whic h are involved in shoreline management planning and the role of the plannin g system in achieving sustainable coastal defence. Using case studies from the Holderness coastline, it (a) reviews the options with respect to erosio n control on a rapidly eroding coast, and (b) acknowledges the need to intr oduce change gradually if it is to be accepted. Specifically, it assesses t he potential to use planning permission controls to prevent new development in areas where maintaining a hard defence line will interrupt longshore tr ansport, with potentially significant down-drift effects.