Working with others

Hampshire County Council works with a number of different organisations on matters concerning the coastline.

The Solent Forum

One of the main findings of ‘A Strategy for Hampshire’s Coast’ (1991) was the need for a broadly-based consultative forum. As a result the Solent Forum was established in 1992 with the aim of facilitating more integrated planning and management. The Forum, which meets twice a year, comprises more than 65 organisations, representing a wide spectrum of interests. The County Council is one of 12 authorities and agencies that fund the Forum, and is host to the two Solent Forum Officers. The Solent Forum produced ‘Strategic Guidance for the Solent’ in 1997, and since then effort has focused on implementing flagship projects: Solent Information Network; Strategy for Access and Environmental Improvements; State of the Solent Report; Solent Outreach; and Solent Science Conference. The Forum publishes a Solent Newsletter twice a year in June and December.

The Solent European Marine Sites

The international importance of the Solent for wildlife is reflected in the designation of the Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and three Special Protection Areas (SPAs), which together form the Solent European Marine Sites (SEMS). The relevant authorities that have responsibility for ensuring the conservation of the SEMS produced a Management Scheme in 2004 which is now being implemented. A strategic advisory group has also been formed, with representatives of commercial, recreational, environmental and other interests.

The County Council is one of the 23 authorities and agencies that are funding the preparation of the Management Scheme, and is hosting the Project Officer.

The Biodiversity Action Plan

The Hampshire Biodiversity Partnership(comprising 34 organisations including local authorities, environmental bodies, and others) has been formed to produce the Biodiversity Action Plan for Hampshire, which will comprise a range of plans for different habitats, species and topics.

The County Council is the lead body for the preparation of a Biodiversity Action Plan for Coastal Habitats, that will cover: mudflats and eelgrass beds; saltmarsh; lagoons; coastal wet grassland; maritime cliffs; and shingle and sand dunes.

SCOPAC

Following a major conference on the Isle of Wight in 1986, the Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline (SCOPAC) was formed in order to provide a more co-ordinated approach to coastal defence planning. Membership of SCOPAC consists mainly of the coastal local authorities from West Dorset to Worthing, and includes the Environment Agency, English Nature, harbour authorities and others. Hampshire County Council has been an active member for many years.

espace (European Spatial Planning: Adapting to Climate Events)

espace is a four-year European project that aims to promote awareness of the importance of adapting to climate change and to recommend that it is incorporated within spatial planning mechanisms at local, regional, national and European levels. As lead partner, Hampshire County Council will be responsible for project management and communications, and will be at the forefront of developing policies to tackle the issues in Hampshire. The ESPACE partnership consists of ten partners from the UK, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

Branch (Biodiversity Requires Adaption in Northwest under a CHanging climate)

Hampshire County Council are a partner in the European Branch project which advocates change to the spatial planning and land use system to allow wildlife to adapt to climate change.

Back to top of page