Cabinet adopts long-term strategy to manage coastal flood and erosion risk for Exmouth over the next 100 years

The BMP, produced with South West Flood and Coastal, the Environment Agency and AECOM, says ageing defences, rising seas and climate change raise risk. Without action, Exmouth could face £800m in flood, erosion and beach-loss damage in 100 years.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) has formally adopted the updated Exmouth Beach Management Plan (BMP), setting out how coastal flood and erosion risks will be managed along the Exmouth seafront over the next century.

The BMP has been developed with South West Flood and Coastal, the Environment Agency, and technical coastal specialists from consultancy AECOM. It recognises that ageing defences, rising sea levels, and the changing climate are increasing risk along the frontage. If no action were taken over the next 100 years, Exmouth could face around £800 million in damages from coastal flooding, erosion, and the potential loss of the beach.

Councillor Geoff Jung, EDDC's Portfolio Holder Environment - Operations, said:

“This is a major milestone for Exmouth and provides the town with a clear and evidence-based long-term plan for managing coastal flooding and erosion. The updated BMP identifies where and when future schemes may be required, how they could be delivered and what they may cost. Above all, it ensures we take a coordinated approach so that any future works do not cause problems elsewhere and create opportunities to enhance the beach and surrounding environment.”

“The scale of potential damages highlights why doing nothing is not a realistic option and why we must plan now. With the support of the Environment Agency, this BMP puts us in a much stronger position to pursue national funding rather than relying solely on local budgets. Exmouth’s beach is central to the identity and economy of the town, and this strategy gives us the best chance of protecting it for future generations.”

By adopting the updated BMP, Cabinet has endorsed an 'adaptive pathway' that sets out three leading options for long-term coastal protection. This approach means the Council and future authorities can respond flexibly as asset conditions, environmental requirements, and funding opportunities evolve.

The leading options include:

• National Economic Option based on seawall encasement with a setback floodwall, which is the most cost beneficial approach under national appraisal rules.
• Local Aspirational Option, shaped by strong community support, proposes a combination of new and replacement groynes, beach nourishment, and a future setback floodwall to retain the wider amenity and tourism value of the beach.
• Back up Option is also identified, which continues small-scale repairs and maintenance. This approach has a lower short-term cost but becomes increasingly unsustainable over the long term, creating higher future risk. Public consultation held between November 2024 and February 2025 showed clear local preference for the Local Aspirational Option, subject to environmental concerns being addressed and funding being secured.

Councils do not have a statutory responsibility to deliver coastal defence schemes if central government funding is not available. Coastal protection authorities operate under permissive powers, meaning works can only proceed when there is clear justification and sufficient funding. If additional partnership funding for the National Economic or Local Aspirational options cannot be secured, the BMP will default to the option that identifies the minimum amount of intervention through maintenance of existing defences for as long as it is feasible to do so. This recognises that some structures may not be maintainable indefinitely. Under current funding rules, the amount available from central Government will not cover the full cost of new coastal defences at Exmouth. With the BMP now adopted, a commitment has been made to identify how funding shortfalls over the coming years can be addressed through partnership contributions or alternative funding sources. Funding rule changes expected in April 2026 are anticipated to reduce the scale of the funding gap and improve the prospects of progressing a long-term scheme.

With Cabinet’s approval, the Council will continue with the routine monitoring and maintenance activities already undertaken as part of its existing coastal responsibilities; this includes the ongoing seawall emergency repair works at Exmouth that have been progressed in a parallel project to the BMP development but factored into the long-term options contained in the BMP. These short-term actions, as outlined in the BMP, focus on ensuring the seafront and defences are observed and maintained at current levels while further evidence, studies and preparatory work are developed. This supports the gathering of information needed for any future scheme without signalling or committing to additional works at this stage. Cabinet also agreed that early preparatory technical studies may continue to ensure that all required evidence, surveys, and modelling are ready for future scheme business case development from 2028 or 2029.

Due to Local Government Reorganisation, major scheme decisions will be taken forward by the successor authority. Adoption of the BMP ensures that the project will transfer fully prepared, structured and evidence based, with a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities. The ongoing seawall emergency repair works at Exmouth will remain a separate and important project. With Local Government Reorganisation, the planned public consultation has been paused while the timeline is reviewed. This pause reflects the governance changes rather than the priority of the works, and all preparatory material is being finalised so the successor authority can progress the project smoothly.

The BMP highlights that without intervention Exmouth could face the long-term loss of its beach, an asset valued at more than £800 million to the local economy over 100 years. Cabinet’s decision provides the strategic direction needed to secure Exmouth’s coastline and its much-loved beach for future generations.