The Solent Coastal Management Conference took place April 27-28 2004 in the Langstone Centre of Portsmouth University, Langstone Campus.

Day one covered the coastal planning and policy operating framework, updates on various Solent initiatives and the role of coastal fora and their members.

Day two focused on the two key topics of the area: the economy and recreation.

The conference was attended by 150 people with over 120 attending each day, of which 108 were either named Solent Forum members or were accompanying members. The remainder had no connection with the Solent Forum and were mainly coastal consultants or students. At the conference debriefing meeting held on June 10, the conference was considered a success.

A number of outcomes came from the conferences derived from the 'Ask the Audience' and Summary sessions and the findings of the conference questionnaire. Recommended key actions for the Solent Forum relate to:

• Inclusion and representation Is the balance right within the Solent Forum? Are members acting as "bridging" personnel? Encourage consistency of message within an organisation;
• Consultation and Transparency We should raise awareness amongst the general public of coastal issues and coastal management, in particular on coastal defence policies. We should explain the scale of consultation from participation to information;
• Landownership/Stewardship There is a need to work with landowners to ensure their needs are understood and where possible met when considering coastal defence policy. Opportunity to offer best practice solution nationally;
• Spatial Planning in the Solent We should consider the value of a long term vision and spatial plan for the Solent's coast and waters. Solent's Cultural Heritage The Solent Forum should host a cultural event;
• ICZM We should consider ways to prove the benefits of ICZM, especially to industry who are most likely the ones to pay for the process.

These actions will be taken forward by the Solent Forum's work programme.

Conference Programme

Day 1

SESSION 1 - INTRODUCTION Chairman: Maldwin Drummond O.B.E., J.P., D.L., Hon.D.Sc.

Moving On and Rationale for the conference Professor Mike Collins, Southampton Oceanography Centre and Professor David Johnson, Southampton Institute
Key note address: Marine Stewardship and Coastal Management, Dr John Roberts, DEFRA

SESSION 2 - WORKING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK - Chairman: Professor Gerald Smart, C.B.E., MA.

Paper 1. The Challenges of Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Dr Duncan Huggett, RSPB
Paper 2. Changes in the planning system: opportunities Dr. Jane Taussik, Independent Consultant
Paper 3. Legislative Drivers tbc
Discussion

SESSION 3 - CUTTING EDGE INITIATIVES IN THE SOLENT Chairman: Eur Geol Robin McInnes, FICE, FGS, FRSA

Paper 4. Responding to the Revisions to the Bathing Water Directive, Dr Keiran Conlan, Cascade Consulting
Paper 5. Responding to the Habitats Regulations, Wanda Fojt, English Nature
Paper 6. Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change, Professor Andy Bradbury, SCOPAC
Paper 7. Marine Archaeology, Ian Oxley, English Heritage
Discussion

POSTER SESSION and SWEET

SESSION 4 -PARTICIPATION IN COASTAL MANAGEMENT Chairman: Alan Inder, MRTPI

Paper 8. Engaging in the Process, Dr Steve Fletcher, Southampton Institute
Paper 9. The Role of Coastal Fora, Alex Midlen, Chairman of CoastNET
Discussion and Questionnaire

CONFERENCE DINNER, HMS WARRIOR

DAY 2 Welcome Maldwin Drummond, Solent Forum
Summary of Day One, Dr David Johnson

SESSION 5 - THE SOLENT'S ECONOMY Chairman: Dr Jonathan Williams, Marine Tech
Paper 10 The Solent's economic profile: Where is the wealth generated in the Solent? Kathy Slack, SEEDA
Paper 11 Dibden Terminal, ABP Southampton
Paper 12 Defence interests in the Solent, Commander Tom Herman, Queen's Harbour Master, Portsmouth
Paper 13 Future of Marine Industry, Justine Cooper, British Marine Federation
Discussion

SESSION 6 - RECREATION Chairman: Tim Goodhead, RICS
Paper 14 Recreation in the Solent: today and in the future Dr Chris Hill, Geodata Institute
Paper 15 Visitor Moorings in the Solent Clive Hogan, Tourism South East
Paper 16 Participation in waterbased recreation, Jenny Anderson, Southampton Institute
Paper 17 Carrying capacity in the Solent, Graham Rabbits
Discussion

SESSION 7 - ASK THE AUDIENCE: FUTURE COASTAL MANAGEMENT Chairman: Prof. David Johnson
Summary of management discussion, Dr Steve Fletcher, Southampton Institute
Facilitated sessions on the policy problems and future management, Prof. Mike Clark, Geodata Institute
Conclusions and management agenda, Ian Townend, ABP MER
Close Maldwin Drummond

The conference was sponsered by:

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