Coastal Embankment Breaching, Lowering or Removal

Date published: 22 December, 2016

For recent changes to this guidance, please see the bottom of the page.

The aim of this capital item is to restore intertidal habitats that will help manage flood risk and benefit biodiversity.

This will be achieved through the removal or lowering of all or part of coastal embankments.

Any land adjacent to the coast with an embankment designed to prevent flooding is eligible.

You can check if this item is available on your holding here.

You must prepare a plan showing the locations of the embankment you propose to remove or lower on a map and detailing how spoil material will be disposed.

You must remove or lower all or part of the embankments that are no longer required as a defence, as detailed in your plan.

You must have completed all the necessary pre-works assessments and designs, and obtained all relevant permissions / approvals prior to commencing the works and submitted these with the claim.

Payment will be made on an actual cost basis, upon completion of the work.

There is a separate management option to support the management of coastal floodplains:

The inspectors will check:

  • the location and extent of the work
  • you have removed or lowered all or part of the embankments that are no longer required as a defence, as detailed in your plan

Section Change
Spatial targetingRemoval of text advising that this option may be available outside the target area.

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