CCATCH The Solent

Coastal Communities Adapting to Change (CCATCH - the Solent) was part of a larger European funded project that was led by the Environment Agency called ‘Coastal Communities 2150 and Beyond’ (CC2150)'. It ran between 2011 and 2014.

Hampshire County Council led the CCATCH project, which also included the Environment Agency, Natural England, Solent coastal authorities, Channel Coastal Observatory and the Solent Forum. The Solent Forum also helped to implement the work programme for CCATCH. Please download the introduction leaflet.

The ‘CCATCH - the Solent’ project focussed on six discrete stretches of coast around the Solent and involved all sectors of the community via Local Engagement Groups. Key questions addressed were:

• How is your coast changing?
• How will this affect you in the future?
• How can the community agree a vision and adaptation plan for the area.

Community involvement was vital to make sure that views were heard and knowledge shared. There were opportunities for local people to get involved via workshops, public exhibitions, education programmes and demonstrations of resilience measures.

The parent project closed in 2014.  A Lessons Learnt and Practical Guide was produced. A closing conference was held in Brighton on 12th February 2014. Best Practice awards were made to a number of people that worked on the CCATCH Project including Bernadine Maguire for the work of Southampton City Council, Peter Taylor for his work supporting his community in Southampton Itchen, and Kate Ansell (Solent Forum) and Nic Barnes (Yarmouth Primary School) for their work developing and implementing the Yarmouth School pack.

Which Communities were included in CCATCH – the Solent?

Six sites were chosen that reflect a range of different communities and issues.

1. Beaulieu to Calshot - an area with a small number of large private landowners which includes Calshot Activities Centre and Lepe Country Park.
2. Southampton, Upper West Itchen - an area of mixed urban community with social housing, private landlords, owner occupiers and numerous commercial waterside properties.
3. Royal Victoria Country Park - a coastal country park which draws many recreational visitors.
4. Solent Breezes Holiday Park - an area with a holiday park with some permanent residents, holidaymakers and numerous recreational uses, also includes farmland and utilities infrastructure.
5. Langstone - a small rural community with residential and commercial assets at risk.
6. Yarmouth - small affluent town with a working harbour and high levels of water-based recreation.

Coastal Adaptation Plans

Each community was encouraged to develop a vision for the area and agree an Adaptation Plan to take forward agreed actions for the short, medium and long terms. A coastal Adaptation Plan helps the community adapt to future change, thereby reducing the negative and enhancing the beneficial consequences of coastal change.