Protecting our coasts

Kent's coast designations

Kent is home to some special coastal and marine habitats, many of which are nationally and internationally significant.

On a national scale, the Kent coast contributes to the national resource with approximately 35% of coastal chalk, 16% of saline lagoons and 40% of vegetated shingle.

Some key areas include:

• The 8km of coastline between Dover and Kingsdown, representing the best example of vegetated chalk cliff in the UK.
• The north Kent marshes, an internationally important area for supporting wintering and breeding waders and waterfowl.
• Dungeness, the largest vegetated shingle habitat in the UK.

These important habitats are largely protected by statutory legislation and designations, which include Ramsar Sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.

The Kent Biodiversity Action Plan complements this protection, and seeks to be proactive in setting out what needs to be achieved to safeguard a future for our biodiversity. It has 12 Habitat Action Plans for coastal and marine habitats.

For more information on the Kent Biodiversity Action Plan for coastal biodiversity, view the Kent Coast fact sheet.

Other organisations working to benefit Kent's coast

A number of different bodies work for the benefit of the Kent coast:

• Natural England and the Environment Agency, who play a regulatory and advisory role
• The Kent Wildlife Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) manage a number of coastal reserves in Kent and work to protect wildlife, educate the public and restore habitats
• Kent & Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority lead, champion and manage a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries, by making sure there is the right balance between social, environmental and economic benefits to ensure healthy seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable industry
• In addition to the bodies above, there is a wide range of special interest groups and coastal stakeholders that work together to conserve and enhance the coastal environment.

Our coast under threat

Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, over-fishing and the decline in traditional holidaymaking are now challenging these assets.

The demand for maritime recreation, an aging residential population, and Kent's proximity to the world's busiest shipping lanes generate other pressures.

There is therefore a growing need to manage the coast responsibly, and effectively for the benefit of all who use it in any way.

Protecting our coast

In recent years, a number of partnerships have been established in Kent to manage important sections of the coastline, including the Medway Swale estuary, Thanet coast and the Thames estuary.

These partnerships are beginning to demonstrate the benefits of their work.

• Covering the estuary from Tower Bridge in London to the outer estuary limit of the Isle of Grain (Kent) and Shoeburyness (Essex) is the Thames Estuary Partnership.
• Covering the Medway Estuary (including the tidal stretch of the river as far as Allington Lock near Maidstone) and the Swale (which separates the Isle of Sheppey from the mainland) is the Medway Swale Estuary Partnership.
• Running from Herne Bay to Sandwich Bay is the Thanet Coast Project.
• White Cliffs Countryside Project - covering the Dover-Folkestone Heritage Coast, and the South Foreland Heritage Coast between Dover and Kingsdown.
• Covering Romney Marsh and Dungeness is the Romney Marsh Countryside Project.

In addition to the work of these groups, individual coastal authorities are managing the interests of their coastal region. The Environment Agency and Natural England play a regulatory and advisory role.

Finally, there is the work of special interest groups, stakeholders and coastal industries that also contribute to the sustainability of the Kent coast. Kent County Council plays a strategic role on the coast.

Kent Coastal Network

In order to improve communication between Kent's coastal stakeholders and raise awareness of the activities taking place around the coast, Kent County Council established the Kent Coastal Network.

By working in partnership with other coastal stakeholders, the Kent Coastal Network co-ordinates activities, improves communication and raises awareness of the important work being undertaken for the benefit of the coast.

For more details on the network, and to find out about what's happening on the Kent coast, visit the Kent Coastal Network website.

If you would like to become a member of the network, register online.