About us

Coastal Partners are a team of engineers, surveyors, project managers, environment and research experts.

We manage coastal flood and erosion risk across 246km of coastline in five Local Authorities : Fareham Borough Council, Gosport Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council, Havant Borough Council and Chichester District Council. 

Why we formed

The Local Authorities our organisation represent share coastal management for both the open coast and natural harbours. Previously the authorities worked together in the spirit of partnership through local planning initiatives. With the recognition that the impacts of coastal flooding and erosion are not limited to the administrative boundaries, the Council's formed the 'Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership' (ESCP) in 2008.

The formation of our organisation has evolved through local service level agreements and partnership working. In 2012 we began delivering a fully combined, efficient and comprehensive coastal management service, which has been identified as an example of best practice by the Environment Agency and Defra.

In 2020 we rebranded to 'Coastal Partners'. This natural  evolution looks beyond the Eastern Solent and strengthens our principles of sharing experience, skills and services.

What we do

We strive to reduce the risk of coastal flooding and erosion to people and the environment through the provision of innovative, economic and sustainable coastal defences. Our broad range of coastal management activities include:

  • Working at a strategic level to deliver Shoreline Management Plans and Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management (CFERM) Strategies. These plans enable us to bid for funding to implement the recommended management approach.
  • Designing and implementing CFERM engineering schemes that improves the standard of flood and erosion protection.
  • Undertaking regular management, inspection and maintenance of the sea defences to ensure a safe standard of protection for our communities.
  • Carrying out coastal monitoring and research to ensure we have the most accurate and up to date information to undertake our work.
  • Engaging with local communities, organisations and business on all aspects of our work to ensure local people help to shape coastal management decisions.

We also act as a lead on key studies for the Environment Agency, generating income that helps to reduce public costs. During a visit by Defra and the Treasury, we received feedback that our service should be a model that is encouraged throughout the UK.

Vision

Our vision is to, manage coastlines, improve community resilience and enhance the natural environment.

  • To deliver an improved, efficient, reduced cost, professional, adequately resourced coastal management service through co-ownership of objectives and an equitable fee structure.
  • To Increase public and internal confidence that key coastal management objectives can be achieved.
  • To promote efficiency savings for procurement across LA partners maximising the benefits to each authority.
  • To promote the efficient use of staff resource whilst sharing and strengthening ‘In House’ coastal expertise.
  • To challenge historical ways of working.

Head of Service

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