Discuss some of the challenges which come with deciding to protect and manage a coastline, use examples where possible.

Challenges often fall within one of the following categories: social or economic. Social issues often come from the local community, for example they may not agree with the instillation of a particular sea defence such as a sea wall or groynes. They can take away from the aesthetics of the beach which can not only impact locals but also tourists, deterring them from visiting. This can then have negative impacts on the local economy if tourism reduces. It is also very expensive to build a sea defences, for example a sea wall costs roughly £2,000 a metre. If an area of coast has a very small population and little land value, the local council may choose not to protect it. Installing such defences can have very positive impacts also, they can provide safety and security from flooding and erosion for locals in the event of a storm. This can result in reduced costs overall by protecting houses and business from floods and relocation.
In Lincolnshire, the Environment Agency set up a meeting with locals to allow them to have a say in the management of the coast and voice any concerns. This resulted in a beach management system where the local community and businesses are supportive of the work being done and can understand why and how it works. This kind of open communication is a great example of how to overcome social challenges and benefit the economy.