By Marine partner Lara Moore and Real Estate partner Robin de Wreede, Ashfords

Coastal regeneration delivers best when three factors align: shared ambition across public and private partners, first‑mover investment that builds confidence, and an approach that reflects how people want to live, work and spend time in these locations (supported by the right regulatory and policy framework!).

Long‑term value and sustainable outcomes depend on thoughtful design, resilient infrastructure and targeted investment in the skills, sectors and ecosystems that can sustain coastal communities into the future.

Ahead of expert discussions at this year’s UKREiiF on coastal regeneration, we outline some of the key, and often unique to the coast, requirements and considerations that we see when supporting project delivery around the UK’s coast.

Partnership

Projects achieve the best outcomes when there is a shared, long‑term plan owned by key partners such as local government, businesses, developers, harbour authorities, investors and education providers. Clear roles, transparent decision‑making and early visible wins help build confidence and maintain momentum.

As facilitators on projects, we often sit at the intersection of a wide range of stakeholders involved in regeneration. From that vantage point, it is clear that strong, well‑aligned partnerships with an agreed vision at the outset are among the biggest determinants of how a project progresses, whether it meets its objectives and ultimately succeeds for coastal communities.

Planning and consenting reform opportunities

Uncertainty and delay in the planning process is often cited as a barrier to project success.Coastal development is emerging as a critical priority in recent UK planning reforms and national policy consultations, aimed at balancing housing and infrastructure needs with the escalating risks of climate change, such as coastal erosion and flooding. These reforms present an opportunity to unlock regeneration schemes and bring forward development in these communities.  

Updated development‑corporation powers and clearer routes for bringing forward green, grey and brownfield land may further accelerate delivery, especially within mayoral authority areas.  Projects moving forwards faster and with more confidence will drive opportunities for coastal development and attract investment and jobs.  

Coastal development that crosses the line of mean high water, sits within one of the UK’s most complex consenting environments, often requiring a combination of planning permission, marine licences, harbour works licences, statutory consent (through Transport and Works Act Orders, Harbour Orders or Development Consent Order) and sometimes the use of compulsory purchase powers.  Mapping these requirements early avoids pursuing the wrong consenting strategy, reduces risk, cost and delay and gives projects a much clearer path to delivery.

Skills

Coastal communities thrive when people can work locally and when the workforce has the skills needed to attract business and investment. The specific skills required will depend on current employers and the types of businesses the community wants to bring in.

Large employers, including harbour authorities, can play a major role in driving skills investment. This works best when education providers collaborate closely with them to ensure training is aligned with long‑term plans and workforce needs.

Housing development and affordability

A skilled local workforce and other people in the area need good quality homes and communities to live in.  Many coastal areas face ageing or poor‑quality housing, neglected public realm, flood‑risk constraints and higher remediation costs. Delivering resilient, affordable and commercially viable homes requires funding aligned with experienced delivery partners, working with key stakeholders like Homes England, and the strategic use of assembly and delivery tools, including compulsory purchase powers.  

Unlocking sites is and will remain a challenge, but one that is essential for successful regeneration, the creation of sustainable, affordable homes and long‑term economic growth.

Investable destinations

Some coastal areas struggle to overcome negative external perceptions. Success depends on clearly communicating the area’s opportunities and creating a brand that aligns with that positive story.

Committed anchor organisations, better travel connections and targeted upgrades to key areas can all act as early triggers for successful regeneration and perception shifts. These are often underpinned by a blend of public and private funding to unlock sites and create momentum. When combined with coordinated, long‑term planning, coastal towns become far more attractive to investors, developers and businesses.

Green coasts and shore power

Our coast is playing a central role in the UK’s transition to net zero. Shore power, private‑wire renewables, energy storage and hydrogen pilots create major opportunities for cleaner operations and bring opportunity for the wider development of supply chains.

Project delivery needs long-term commercial arrangements that work for all stakeholders and that will attract the necessary investment. Getting this right isn’t always easy, but helps projects progress with certainty,  delivering clean energy and for coastal regeneration,  bringing the investment and jobs that support successful long-term regeneration.

The next big opportunity?

The UK’s coastline holds significant opportunity. Much of this is well understood by those who live and work in coastal areas, but challenges in communicating it to third parties can leave major potential untapped.

Activity in coastal areas aligns with many of the high‑growth sectors outlined in the Government’s industrial strategy. With clear vision, long‑term thinking and cross‑organisation collaboration, coastal regeneration will continue to grow as a key area of activity and opportunity in the years ahead.