Journal of Coastal Zone Management

Abstract

How Anglo/Dutch Collaboration Produced Radical Long-Term Integrated Coastal Planning Solutions for a Vulnerable Peninsula on Britain's South Coast

Jane Cunningham and Carolyn Cobbold

This paper describes how a small and vulnerable coastal community achieved one of the first examples in Britain of an integrated long-term planning strategy by reaching out to their European neighbours. Centred around Medmerry, Europe’s largest open-coast realignment scheme when it opened in November 2013, the strategy incorporates integrated and long-term adaptation of the Manhood Peninsula’s economy, environment and planning, recognising the particular climate change, development and infrastructure challenges facing a low lying, exposed peninsula in the south east of England. This paper describes the unusual history behind Towards ICZM on the Manhood Peninsula, demonstrating the value of listening to locals, combining different approaches and drawing on diverse disciplines and international experience and expertise. The paper describes how two local residents facilitated a ground-breaking five-day planning workshop involving experts from the Netherlands and Britain brainstorming with the local community and local authorities to explore a variety of sustainable, resilient and radical coastal management strategies to ensure the long term economic, social and environment future for the whole peninsula. The Going Dutch workshop helped a diverse and divided local population to understand and articulate their problems and aspirations. It also allowed representatives from local and national organisations to exchange views and concerns with each other and with local people in an informal but constructive manner. As a result of the workshop, the Manhood Peninsula Partnership was created, enabling further exploration and implementation of sustainable coastal, environmental and economic adaptations for the area. The paper outlines the partnership and its achievements, including its ICZM strategy that has been incorporated this year into the Chichester District Local Plan.