Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport Part 1 8 December 2010 Item No. 1

Subject Severn Estuary Shoreline Management Plan Review Study (SMP2)

Purpose To formally approve and adopt the plan Author R A Lloyd Ward All Wards Summary The Shoreline Management Plan is a non-statutory document containing

draft policies proposing how the shoreline around the Severn Estuary should be managed over the next 100 years.

The SMP2 has been developed by the Severn Estuary Coastal Group (SECG), in consultation with the people that live, work and visit the shoreline of the Severn Estuary using government-agreed guidance documents. The SECG is a partnership of the Environment Agency, conservation authorities, Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) and various local authorities around the Severn Estuary.

The study area of the SMP2 follows the shoreline from Lavernock Point, near Penarth in Wales to Anchor Head, just north of Weston Bay in England. The upstream boundary is at Haw Bridge, near Gloucester, which is just below the current tidal limit and still influenced by the sea. It also includes the islands of Flat Holm and Steep Holm.

The shoreline has been divided into 17 Theme Areas based on regions, towns and cities around the Severn Estuary. Each Theme Area has been sub-divided into manageable lengths of coast, called Policy Units. For each Policy Unit and for epoch (0-20 years, 20-50 years and 50-100 years) the SMP2 recommends one of four policy options. These options set out the chosen policy approach for managing the shoreline, e.g. holding the line.

Before the final SMP will be made available the SMP must be adopted by

the Coastal Operating Authorities, Regional Flood Defence Committees, Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment Agency.

Proposal It is recommended that the SMP2 is approved & adopted by the Cabinet

Member for Highways & Transport Action by Head of Engineering & Construction Timetable Immediate This report was prepared after consultation with:

• Lindsay Christian – Planning Policy

• Jo Gossage – Countryside & Conservation Manager

Signed:

1. Background 1.1 The first set of SMPs was published several years ago. An SMP for the Severn Estuary

was completed in November 2000. It covered the shoreline from Lavernock Point in Wales, to Haw Bridge near Gloucester and down to Brean Down, west of Weston Bay in England. Since 2000, progress has been made in understanding and mapping the shoreline of England and Wales and the way it changes. All SMPs around England and Wales are now being updated. This document is the Severn Estuary Shoreline Management Plan Review (SMP2). It includes:

• An assessment of the way that the coast will change over time – identifying the natural

forces shaping the shoreline and predicting, as far as possible, how the shoreline will change over time with erosion, sea level rise and climate change (in 20, 50 and 100 years);

• Identifying the risks to people, property, the natural and historic environment as the coast changes; and

• Policies for the different stretches of shoreline (Policy Units) to manage the risks in a sustainable way.

1.2 The assessments carried out to develop the SMP2 have been done at a high level and a

very large scale (covering over 275 miles of shoreline), so that it provides a general picture of change, but does not focus on very local issues.

1.3 The SMP2 has been developed in partnership by the Severn Estuary Coastal Group

(SECG), in consultation with the people that live, work and visit the shoreline of the Severn Estuary.

1.4 It is important to have a co-ordinated approach to managing the coastline. The SMP can

support the planning system in discouraging inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding and coastal erosion. The SMP can also give developers background information about particular sites, so that they are aware of possible problems.

1.5 Due to the non-statutory nature of the Shoreline Management Plan it is considered necessary

that the document is endorsed by each member of the SECG to enable the successful application of the actions required by the plan. To ensure the successful delivery of the actions outlined in the final SMP2, there needs to be an adequate level of resources set aside.

2. Policy Choices 2.1 The preferred policies outlined for the Newport area in the Shoreline Management Plan are

generally welcomed. As you are aware the SMPs boundary influences the River Usk up to its tidal limit at Newbridge on Usk, plans of each policy unit are attached to the report.

2.2 Much flood defence work has been undertaken in Newport over the years but there are still

a number of areas which continue to be at flood risk. Such flood risk areas have been identified within the Newport City Council s River Usk Strategy. A recent bid for funding to tackle these flood risk has the potential to result in works which will be in line with the current SMP policies.

2.3 For each Policy Unit a choice of four policy options has been made as to its future, for

Newport only two options are relevant. They are:

Hold The Line - to provide some level of coastal defence. This does not automatically mean that defences will be improved to counteract climate change, or that there is

guaranteed funding available. The decision on how the policy is to be implemented is considered in the Severn Estuary Flood Risk Management Strategy, see section 8. No Active Intervention – assumes that no maintenance, repair or replacement of existing defence structures takes place. This does not mean that defences will be allowed to fail in an uncontrolled or unsafe manner. Monitoring will be required in this area and there may be minor repaid or engineering works in places.

2.4 The policy choice is set out below for each of the Newport Policy Units:

Policy Unit Wentlooge 1& 2

The policy for this section is to Hold The Line (HTL) for the three epochs of the plan period. This policy is satisfactory in terms of the protection if affords to the levels historic landscape, the countryside framework and amenity value of this area. The features of greatest concern to us, in this theme area are the PROW links to the coast and particularly the route of the Wales Coastal Path which runs along the top of the sea wall.

Policy Unit Newport 1,2, 4 &5 The policy for this section is to HTL for the three epochs of the plan period. This policy is satisfactory in terms of the protection if affords to the working dock area on the western bank of the Usk and the industrial premises on the eastern bank of the Usk.

The features of greatest concern in this theme area are the: • impact on access and amenity; and • the effect of coastal squeeze on the riparian habitat.

Policy Unit Newport 3 The policy for this section is No Active Intervention (NAI) for the first two epochs and then a managed re-alignment in the third epoch. This policy is satisfactory in terms of the protection if affords to flood plain of the River Usk and the policy would fit well with both the proposed Special Landscape Area policy and also the need for habitat creation to balance riparian/tidal vegetation losses lower down the corridor. There is a flood management scheme outlined for the Home Farm area of Caerleon in the next 1-3 years, this is an example of where controlled works can take place.

3. Next Stages 3.1 The SMP2 sets out the policy options for the shoreline but not the detail of how such policy

choices are to be implemented. The Severn Estuary Flood Risk Management Strategy (SEFRMS) has been running in parallel to the SMP2 in order that those policy decisions of SMP2 can be developed into practical management options.

3.2 The SEFRMS is an engineering focussed study which develop the chosen policies into a

strategy to deliver the most environmentally and economically sustainable coastal defence options possible. The SEFRMS will provide detail on how policies should be implemented, including where defences will be, the level of flood and erosion risk protection they will provide and will identify where any remaining risk of flooding and erosion will need to be managed e.g. flood storage, habitat creation, community resilience.

3.3 Formal consultation of the SEFRMS is expected in January 2011. 4. Financial Summary: 4.1 There are no financial implications at present 5. Risks: Risk

Impact of Risk if it occurs* (H/M/L)

Probability of Risk occurring (H/M/L)

What is the Council doing or what has it done to avoid the risk or reduce its effect

Who is responsible for dealing with the risk?

The loss of land, property and infrastructure to coastal erosion. To be managed by community engagement to identify and facilitate social mitigation measures to minimise impacts.

H

L

Liaison with interested parties.

Head of Engineering & Construction

Uncertainty of predictions for rates of erosion of the coastline and predictions for sea level rise, the output of which will inform future policy reviews.

M

M

Monitor and review future predictions as and when they become available.

Head of Engineering & Construction

6. Links to Council Policies and Priorities 6.1 The policies for coastal management will impact upon the built and natural environment and

be a key factor in the delivery of community aspirations for employment, tourism, recreation and nature conservation.

7. Options Considered/Available

• To approve and adopt the SMP2 • Not to approve and adopt the SMP2

8. Preferred choice and reasons 8.1 To approve and adopt the SMP2 in order to ensure the SMP2 is available for future coastal

assessments as part of the planning process and for any necessary grant applications. There is also a need to update the previous SMP. The recommendation will ensure that coastal management policies and implementation plans are updated in line with latest information.

9. Comments of Chief Financial Officer 9.1 I have no objections to the proposed action.

10. Comments of Monitoring Officer 10.1 There are no direct legal implications. The SMP is a non-statutory plan but it's adoption by

the Council and the other partners within the SECG will provide a strategic basis for future coastal management and the determination of any planning or grant applications relating to these coastal areas.

11. Comments of Head of Human Resources and Policy 11.1 Not applicable.

12. Consultation with Non Executive Members Councillor P H C Davies Could the head of service confirm that the report on the Severn Estuary Shoreline has been drawn to the attention of the Newport Harbour Commissioners. Response by the Head of Engineering & Construction I can confirm that Newport Harbour Commissioners were included as a key stakeholder during the SMP 2 development.

Background Papers Severn Estuary Shoreline Management Plan Review (SMP2) Further information is available here: http://www.severnestuary.net/secg/smpr.html

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Severn Estuary SMP2 Main Report (Part B) Policy Statements DRAFT

WENTLOOGE

This Theme area contains the Policy Units WEN 1 and WEN 2.

It starts at Lamby Way Landfill Site drainfoutfall on the west shoreline of the, Severn Estuary, and ends on the River Ebbw (west bank) at the Maesglas railway bridge.

The Key Polley Drivers in this area are:

• International nature conservation sites —.Severn Estuary SAC, SPA and Ramsar;

Critical infrastructure — railway line, electricity substations;

• Residential developments.

The above provides the local details in respect of the SMP-wide policy presented in the preceding sections of this Plan 50 document. These details most be read in the context of the wider-scales issues and policy implications, as reported therein.

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Severn Estuary SMP2 Main Report (Part B) Policy Statements DRAFT

Policy Unit: WEN 1 - Lamby Way landfill site drain to Sluice House Farm (Tarwick Rhyne)

The above provides the local details In respect of the SMP-vvide policy presented in the preceding sections of this Plan 51 document. These details must be read in the context of the wider-scales issues and policy Implications, as reported therein.

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The above provides the local details in respect of the SMP-wide policy presented in the preceding sections of this Pfah 56 document. These details must be read in the context of the wider-scales issues and policy implications, as reportad fhb-rain:

Severn Estuary SMP2 Main Report (Part B) Policy Statements DRAFT

Policy Unit: WEN 2 - Sluice House Farm (Tarwick Rhyne) to the River Ebbw (west bank) at Maesglas Railway Bridge

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Severn Estuary SMP2 Main Report (Part B) Policy Statements DRAFT

NEWPORT AND THE RIVER USK

This Theme area contains the Policy Units NEW 1, NEW 2, NEW 3 and NEW 4.

It starts on the River Ebbw (east bank) at the Maesglas railway bridge, and, ends on the River Usk at Spytty Pill, north of the A48 crossing.

The Key Policy Drivers in this area are:

• International nature conservation sites - Severn Estuary SAC, SPA and Ramaar, River Usk SAC;

o Critical infrastructure - railway line, electricity substations, docks, M4;

• Residential developments - Newport and the outskirts of Newport.

The above provides the local details in respect of the SIVIP-wIde policy presented In the preceding section's of this Plan 61 document These details must be read In the context of the wider-scales issues and policy implications, as reported therein.

Severn Estuary SMP2 Main Report (Part B) Policy Statements DRAFT

Policy Unit: NEW 1 — River Ebbw (east bank) at Maesglas Railway Bridge to River Usk at the transporter bridge (west bank)

The above provides the local details in respect of the SMP-wide policy presented in the preceding sections of this Plan 63 document These details must be read in the context of the wider-scales issues an . d policy implications, es reporterilhorein.

Severn Estuary SMP2 Main Report (Part B) Policy Statements DRAFT

Policy Unit: NEW 2 - River Usk at the transporter bridge (west bank) to River Usk at M4 crossing (west bank)

The above provides the local details in respect of the SMP-wide policy presented in the preceding sections of this Plan 66 document. These details must be read in the context of the wider-scales issues and policy implications, as reported therein.

Severn Estuary SMP2 Main Report (Part B) Policy Statements DRAFT

Policy Unit: NEW 3 - River Usk (both banks) from M4 crossing to Newbridge on Usk

The above provides the local details in respect of the SMP-wide policy presented in the preceding sections of this Plan 69 document. These details must be read in the context of the wider-scales issues and policy implications, as reported therein.

Severn Estuary SMP2 Main Report (Part B) . Policy Statements DRAFT

Policy Unit: NEW 4 - River Usk (east bank) at M4 crossing to Spytty Pill (north of A48 crossing)

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The above provides the local details in respect of the 8MP-wide policy presented in the preceding sections of this Plan 72 document These details must be read in the context of the wider-scales issues and policy implications, as reported therein.

Severn Estuary SMP2 Main Report (Part B) Policy Statements DRAFT

Policy Unit: NEW 5 - River Usk (East bank) at Spytty Pill (North of A48 crossing) to Uskrnouth Power Station point

The above provides the local details in respect of the SMP-wide policy presented In the preceding sections of this Plan 76 document. These details must be read in the context of the wider-scales issues and policy implications, as reported therein.