The boundaries for the extent of this report are consistent with the Isle of Grain to Dover
Harbour Shoreline Management Plan (1996), comprising Management Unit 5E. The
5km stretch of coastline covers the North Kent coastline from Reculver Towers to the
start of Minnis Bay, and is managed by the Environment Agency. Hold the Line policy
options are utilised in order to protect rail/road infrastructure, settlements and low lying
farmland.
The Northern Sea Wall is situated immediately behind the beach, with the exception of
the Wantsum Delta and St. Augustine’s Bank, where the wall is set back encompassing
two saline lagoons. St. Augustine’s Bank (to the west of Plumpudding Island) is an
important sink for shingle. The shingle ridges that prevent inundation and excessive
overtopping maintain the defence line. The shingle beaches that dominate the area are
relict beaches, which have been enlarged artificially through beach nourishment. There
is little feed of beach material into the area due to the implementation of beach
defenses to the west, at Reculver Towers. There is also seepage of shingle through the
eastern-most rock groyne into Minnis Bay (estimated to be 2,000m3
/year).
The low-lying land behind the beach includes the main railway line linking Faversham
and Thanet. This land is sparsely populated but represents a considerable flood plain.
This unit is designated as a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area, a
RAMSAR site and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The far east of the section is a
Special Marine Area. In the short-term monitoring of the coastline at Northern Sea Wall
must continue, with beach recharge being carried out when and where necessary.
Erosion dominates, and it is thought that material will be eroded relatively rapidly,
reducing beach volume, and hence the protection afforded to the coastline.
According to the Isle of Grain to South Foreland SMP (2007), sediment transport
patterns along this section are somewhat complicated. This complication is thought to
be introduced by the presence of Margate Sands. Depending on the coastal
orientation, material shows net movements to both the east and west. The erosion –
accretion pattern continues to reverse as this year has seen a loss of material, in
comparison to last year’s accretion.