Coastal Survey and Shoreline Planning

The Coastal Historic Environment Remains of 19th and 20th century oyster fishery, Packing Marsh Island, Essex © Essex County Council 

Coastal archaeological sites range in date from prehistoric land surfaces, now submerged by rising sea-level, to evidence for 19th and 20th century reclamation and coastal industry. They are very vulnerable to natural erosion, shoreline management schemes and commercial developments. Many historic buildings, too, will be at risk from coastal change during this century.

Shoreline Management

Government has indicated that, in future, shoreline management should move away from being simply ‘defence’, towards development of more natural coastlines which are sustainable on ecological and economic grounds for the next 100 years. Several policy options for stretches of coasts are available, ranging from ‘Hold the Line’ to ‘Managed Realignment’.

A Bronze Age hearth used for evaporating brine to produce salt, Crouch Estuary, Essex © Peter Murphy, English Heritage Coastal Survey

For English Heritage and local authority heritage managers to participate effectively in the shoreline planning process, we need to have complete information on the historic environment of the coastal zone. English Heritage is currently supporting a series of Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Surveys to help ensure this. Armed with this information, we can judge the likely impacts of management schemes, and develop ways of protecting or recording sites and structures in advance of implementation.