Coast protection
Coast protection
Northumberland County Council is defined as a coast protection authority under the Coast Protection Act 1949. Northumberland County Council does not have a legal obligation to protect any of its coastline from erosion.
Our coastline and the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP)
Northumberland has a coastline of approximately 132km (82 miles), stretching from the Scottish Border in the north to Seaton Sluice in the south.
The coast has a rich diversity in its physical form and natural environment.
This includes:
- dramatic cliff lines
- complex river estuaries
- extensive and beautiful beaches
- large urban and industrial areas
- valuable agricultural land
All of which fringe our unique coastline.
Northumberland coastal area is largely designated and protected for:
- its natural beauty
- its wildlife
- habitats
- geology
- its historical importance
This combination of assets creates a coastline of great value, with a tourism economy of regional importance.
Much of our coastline is natural, and only has man-made defences at the coastal towns, villages and communities. It isn't practical or desirable to defend against all erosion risk and this is considered within the Northumberland and North Tyneside shoreline management plan (PDF).
Scottish Border Shoreline Management Plan
Check coastal erosion risk by area
Coastal protection schemes
The council is committed to finding a cost effective and environmentally acceptable solution to the issues at Lynemouth Bay.
Coastal monitoring
Scarborough Borough Council undertakes coastal monitoring on behalf of authorities from the Scottish Borders down to Flamborough Head.
It involves a variety of surveys at different locations along the coastline. This survey data and inspection reports are collated. It can be downloaded from the North East Coastal Observatory website.
Consent for coastal works and activities
This note offers guidance for those planning coastal work, summarising the necessary consent and additional factors to consider:
- planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for infrastructure to the boundary jurisdiction of the Local Planning Authority (LPA, Northumberland County Council) generally, the seaward boundary is the Mean Low Water Mark (MLWM)
- a Marine Licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 for works below Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) it is assessed and issued by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO)
Depending on the environmental importance of the area, various nature conservation permits may be required, even if the works don't need planning permission or a marine license. Possible permits include:
- Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Consent under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (issued by Natural England)
- Habitat Regulations Assessment required under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended 2012) if works have the potential to impact European protected sites
The planning, marine licensing and nature conservation consenting systems work independently of each other and are administered by Northumberland County Council, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Natural England respectively. Discuss this work with the respective bodies.
Landowners permission should be sought from all landowners whose land will be affected either permanently, or temporarily during works.
The Crown Estate owns much of the foreshore and seabed around the UK, from Mean High Water (MHW) to the 12 nautical mile territorial limit, including parts of many estuaries and tidal rivers.
Instead of selling these areas, the Crown Estate grants leases for activities on them.
If consent is needed, a brief application form must be completed, and processing can take up to four weeks.
For further information or clarification:
Email: consents@thecrownestate.co.uk
In Northumberland, many areas of the shore are under multiple landowners including:
- the National Trust
- Northumberland Wildlife Trust
- private owners
Further information
Northumberland County Council Local Planning Authority
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