Christchurch Bay and Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) and New Forest District Council (NFDC) are working together with the Environment Agency to produce a strategy for Christchurch Bay and Harbour. It will guide how the frontage from Hengistbury Head to Hurst Spit, encompassing Christchurch Harbour, may be sustainably managed for the next 100 years.

It will identify where, when and broadly what type of works are needed to manage the risks of coastal flooding and erosion and what they may cost. It will also consider the effects of predicted climate change on coastal communities, including sea level rise and increased levels of storminess.

In Autumn 2020, BCP Council successfully secured £450,000 of government Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) to produce the Strategy on behalf of the partners. We have appointed specialist technical consultant AECOM to help support us in this work and we anticipate the final Strategy will be adopted in early 2024.

As Coast Protection Authorities, BCP and NFDC have permissive powers to manage coastal flooding and erosion risk where it is appropriate and feasible to do so. Along with the Environment Agency, BCP as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) has additional statutory responsibilities for managing flood risk; and Hampshire County Council are the LLFA covering the NFDC area.

Project timeline

We have developed a phased approach to deliver the Christchurch Bay & Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy. Development of the Strategy will involve 6 stages of engagement:

  • Summer 2021 – Phase 1: To support our data gathering process we asked people to share their views and provide comments on the 5 key geographical areas covered by the Strategy area. You can see full details on Phase 1 here.
  • Spring 2022 - Phase 2: We shared our initial findings from Phase 1 and asked people to tell us if we had missed something. We are using the information gathered to start developing the new coastal Strategy. You can see full details on Phase 2 here.
  • Summer 2022 - Phase 3: We presented the risks of doing nothing with the addition of climate change impacts to workshop groups to help identify a long list of options to do something to manage the coastal flood and erosion risks across the Strategy area. You can see full details on Phase 3 here.
  • Winter 2022 - Phase 4: We asked respondents for feedback to help short list all potential viable options that were developed in Phase 3. You can see full details on Phase 4 here.
  • Summer 2023 - Phase 5: We held a formal public consultation to listen to views on the draft short-list option appraisal findings to manage the risk of coastal flooding and erosion. You can see full details of the consultation here.
  • Early 2024 - Phase 6: We will present the findings of the final Strategy once it has been adopted by all partners and anticipate that this will be in early 2024.

If you have any questions or comments, please email coastal@bcpcouncil.gov.uk(External link).

Further information can be found on twobays.net(External link).

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) and New Forest District Council (NFDC) are working together with the Environment Agency to produce a strategy for Christchurch Bay and Harbour. It will guide how the frontage from Hengistbury Head to Hurst Spit, encompassing Christchurch Harbour, may be sustainably managed for the next 100 years.

It will identify where, when and broadly what type of works are needed to manage the risks of coastal flooding and erosion and what they may cost. It will also consider the effects of predicted climate change on coastal communities, including sea level rise and increased levels of storminess.

In Autumn 2020, BCP Council successfully secured £450,000 of government Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) to produce the Strategy on behalf of the partners. We have appointed specialist technical consultant AECOM to help support us in this work and we anticipate the final Strategy will be adopted in early 2024.

As Coast Protection Authorities, BCP and NFDC have permissive powers to manage coastal flooding and erosion risk where it is appropriate and feasible to do so. Along with the Environment Agency, BCP as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) has additional statutory responsibilities for managing flood risk; and Hampshire County Council are the LLFA covering the NFDC area.

Project timeline

We have developed a phased approach to deliver the Christchurch Bay & Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy. Development of the Strategy will involve 6 stages of engagement:

  • Summer 2021 – Phase 1: To support our data gathering process we asked people to share their views and provide comments on the 5 key geographical areas covered by the Strategy area. You can see full details on Phase 1 here.
  • Spring 2022 - Phase 2: We shared our initial findings from Phase 1 and asked people to tell us if we had missed something. We are using the information gathered to start developing the new coastal Strategy. You can see full details on Phase 2 here.
  • Summer 2022 - Phase 3: We presented the risks of doing nothing with the addition of climate change impacts to workshop groups to help identify a long list of options to do something to manage the coastal flood and erosion risks across the Strategy area. You can see full details on Phase 3 here.
  • Winter 2022 - Phase 4: We asked respondents for feedback to help short list all potential viable options that were developed in Phase 3. You can see full details on Phase 4 here.
  • Summer 2023 - Phase 5: We held a formal public consultation to listen to views on the draft short-list option appraisal findings to manage the risk of coastal flooding and erosion. You can see full details of the consultation here.
  • Early 2024 - Phase 6: We will present the findings of the final Strategy once it has been adopted by all partners and anticipate that this will be in early 2024.

If you have any questions or comments, please email coastal@bcpcouncil.gov.uk(External link).

Further information can be found on twobays.net(External link).

Page last updated: 12 Apr 2024, 01:49 PM