Natural Coastal ResourcesEngland Siobhan Browne Senior Specialist Coastal

Natural Coastal Resources-England Siobhan Browne- Senior Specialist Coastal Geomorphology

Contents • • Who are Natural England? Natural England the coast Natural England’s long term vision for the coast Using the vision to shape our work How we use projections of future change Strategic thinking over long timescales Limitations to long term sustainable management Conclusions

Who are Natural England? Our remit • The government’s advisor on the natural environment. • Ensure sustainable stewardship of the land sea so that people and nature can thrive. • It is our responsibility to see that England’s rich natural environment can adapt and survive intact for future generations to enjoy. Image from Windygap. co. uk

Agri. Environment Schemes Coastal Access Landscape & seascape (National Parks, Heritage Coasts) SSSI’s, SAC’s, SPA’s, MCZ’s (geology, habitats, birds)

Natural England’s Long Term Vision for the coast • Management should focus on the development of a dynamic environment resilient to the action of coastal processes and sea level rise. • Sediment supply is vital for healthy coastal systems and needs to be managed. • Natural Change is acceptable on designated sites- even if this results in a change to designated features. Image courtesy of Sue Rees

How we use the vision to shape current delivery • Involvement with shoreline management planning and input to government planning guidance • SSSI boundaries need to be robust to coastal change- a 50 yr boundary • Review of NNR Management plans, embedding coastal and climate change into site management for 100 year period. • Coastal access- rollback of the trail.

Projections of Future Change • Predominantly rely on data from other sources e. g. UKCP 09 for data such as sea level rise and EA for coastal change through NCERM and SMP’s. Central estimate of relative sea level change (cm) by 2095 (medium emission scenario. Image © UK Climate Projections 2009

Strategic thinking over long timescales • Limited to a 50 -100 year perspective due to planning timeframes (e. g. SMP’s) and “certainty” of data • Decisions need to be evidenced based Image Environment Agency

Limitations to long term sustainable management • Uncertainties in longer term change predictions • Perceptionsof coastal change- “It can and should be defended” • Difference of opiniondiffering reasons why people use the coast • The “value” of nature conservation • Lack of understanding of the wider benefits of coastal sites Photograph Neil A White

Cley (Norfolk)- October 2013

Cley-December 2013 Image Environment Agency

Conclusions • Natural England accept that coastal change is a reality • Climate change is likely to result in further challenges in managing the coast • Our vision needs to be evidenced based and so is limited to a 100 year time frame. • Constraints are around communication and value of conservation Image Dave Caulkin/AP Image from English Heritage

Questions?