Coastal defence

About 72% of the Hampshire coastline is protected from erosion or flooding by hard defences.

For about 90% of the coastline the official policy (as set out in Shoreline Management Plans) is to ‘hold the line’; for 8% it is to ‘do nothing’ and for 2% it is ‘retreat the line’.

These policies will be reviewed in 2006.

Areas totalling 3,994 hectares (9,869 acres) are considered to be potentially at risk from tidal flooding; within those areas are approximately 17,700 dwellings and a population of 37,600.

There are a number of different plans which help to tackle the issue of coastal defence. These include district local plans, shoreline management plans, estuary management plans and coastal defence strategies.

Further information on coastal defences and County Council sites can be found on the Coastal Change pages of this website.

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