Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
6th Report - Erosion of trust: the impact of coastal erosion on communities
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 1317
Published 20 March 2026
Recommendations
12
Rejected
The Environment Agency should work with MHCLG to strengthen the role of SMPs within Local...
Recommendation
The Environment Agency should work with MHCLG to strengthen the role of SMPs within Local Plans and use the ongoing Local Plan reforms to establish a statutory requirement for coastal planning authorities to incorporate SMPs as a core part of …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states that the existing National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) already require local authorities to consider Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs). It acknowledges a consultation on NPPF changes and will publish a response, but indicates an aim to reduce the complexity of evidence for local plans, directly contradicting the recommendation for a statutory requirement for SMPs and a fully costed roadmap.
15
Rejected
In response to this report the Government should publish an indicative ratio or allocation range...
Recommendation
In response to this report the Government should publish an indicative ratio or allocation range for projects under £3 million, broken down by flood and coastal projects, to prevent unintended competition between inland and coastal schemes and ensure balanced investment. …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to publish an indicative ratio for projects under £3 million, stating that it would risk constraining their evidence-led approach to the flood and coastal erosion investment programme. They explain that funding decisions are based on the best available risk evidence and local priorities, ensuring responsiveness to changing risks.