1. There was no formal policy identified in the SMP, instead an interim policy of No Active Intervention was defined. Since the SMP the shingle barrier has narrowed further and there is a high risk of it becoming breached. A formation of a permanent breach would have significant impacts on the Alde-Ore Estuary, which are very uncertain at present. This outcome would also be contrary to the objectives of the Alde and Ore Estuary Plan, which was endorsed by the Local Authorities after the SMP was adopted.
2. A revised policy of Managed Realignment will enable the council, working together with the Environment Agency, to provide resilience against erosion whilst working with a dynamic coast, through maintaining the shingle ridge to minimise the risk of a permanent breach. This does not, however, commit the local council to additional financial expenditure, but does allow a more flexible approach to the situation than the current interim policy of no active intervention, which infers no further investment or management works.
3. Any future works will, however, still need to appraise the potential loss or damage to internationally designated habitats within the site.
4. There was a consensus between those agencies that manage the coast in Suffolk, as well as significant support from the local community, for the proposed change to this SMP policy.