Films
Watch short films that help explain what’s happening along Bude’s coastline, why it’s changing and what that could mean for the future. Click below to view.
Interactive Map
Explore how Bude’s coastline has changed over time through an interactive map, bringing together local stories, archaeological information, images and artwork. Click on the image below to begin exploring.
Understanding Coastal Change
Read short guides that explain some of the key processes shaping the coastline, helping to build a clearer understanding of the challenges and changes taking place. Click on the name to view.
Coastal Change at Key Locations
Explore the history of familiar places along Bude’s coastline and how they have changed over time, helping to connect the past with what we see today. Click on the name to view.
We’re working with the community to create a Coastal Vision for Bude.
This will set out shared priorities for how our coastline should adapt to the challenges of coastal change, now and in the future.
To help shape this, we’re inviting residents to take part in a series of Community Conversations.
The Coastal Vision will reflect what matters most to people living and working in Bude.
It will help guide future plans and decisions about our coastline, including how we respond to coastal change.
Before asking for your views, we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing our coast.
Community Conversations are relaxed, drop-in sessions where you can:
- learn more about coastal change
- explore information at your own pace
- speak to people involved in the project
- ask questions
- share your thoughts and ideas
In the lead up to these events, you may also see us out and about in the community sharing information and starting conversations in different locations.
You don’t need any prior knowledge. Just come along, learn something new and take part in a way that suits you.
Upcoming Events:
More Future Coast Bude events and opportunities to get involved will be announced soon — stay tuned for updates.
Previous Events:
Thursday 23 April, 4pm - 7pm
Ivor Potter Hall, Parkhouse Centre
Join us to explore the history of the coast, find out how our coastline is changing and learn more about the Future Coast Bude project.
You’ll be able to watch short films, explore interactive maps, speak to experts, ask questions and share your initial thoughts.
Saturday 9 May, 10am - 2pm
Ivor Potter Hall, Parkhouse Centre
Join us to take the next step in the conversation and have your say on the future of Bude’s coastline.
You’ll be able to explore key locations, take part in interactive activities, ask questions and share your views on what matters most and how the coastline could adapt in the future.
Thursday 14 May, 6pm - 9pm
The 2 Minute Foundation HQ, Crooklets Road Bude, EX23 8HN
Come along for a relaxed evening of creativity, conversation and free food as Future Coast Bude hosts a special Community Conversation Social for people aged 16–35 living in Bude.
The evening will include creative activities, short films, pizza, an optional coastal walk and opportunities to share ideas about the future of Bude’s coastline and how the town adapts to coastal change. There will also be the chance to contribute to a collaborative mural celebrating what young people love most about Bude.
Places are free, but booking is encouraged:
Book free tickets on Eventbrite
About the Future Coast Bude Project
The Future Coast Bude project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme (FCIP), which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programme will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate. Future Coast Bude is one of several projects around the country funded through the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP) portion of this fund.
The approach to how we address a changing coastline for Bude (and the country) are set out in national plans known as the Shoreline Management Plan. The aim of Future Coast Bude is to encourage the more sustainable use and development of the coastal fringe in line with the national plan, whilst considering the social and economic challenges presented by a naturally changing coastal environment.
What is the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP)?
The Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP) helps communities to plan for coastal change in the long term, including:
- interventions such as improving and replacing damaged community infrastructure like beach access or coastal transport links,
- repurposing land in coastal erosion zones for different uses, and
- restoring and creating habitats to include green buffer zones.
Local authorities in the South West have been allocated £6 million in funding to improve the resilience of communities to the effects of coastal erosion and benefit the local economy. Bude is one of only two communities in the South West who will share this funding. For Bude the project will be delivered by Cornwall Council supported by the Environment Agency.
What can the £3 million funding be used for?
The funding can be used to promote adaptation actions to help communities transition away from an eroding coastline. Things the Future Coast Bude funding can be spent on include:
- Moving structures, amenities and properties away from risk at the coast
- Changing land use in areas vulnerable to coastal erosion
- Making changes to community infrastructure, such as car parks or toilet blocks, so that the impact of coastal erosion on them is minimised
- Looking into how funding can be secured for changes that will need to be made to adapt to a changing coastline
- Working with the planning authority to ensure coastal change is taken into account
- Working with businesses, community groups, as well as the wider public to help inform decisions.
Is there anything the funding can't be spent on?
The funding has been allocated to allow communities to adapt to change. It can be used in locations where the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) policy is for Managed Realignment (MR). i.e. Summerleaze and Crooklets
The programme will not fund:
- The building of any new flood defences
- Any activity in areas where the Shoreline Management Plan policy is for ‘Hold the Line’ (HTL) i.e work to the breakwater
- Activities that should take place as Business as Usual or routine maintenance
- Any work to address damage caused by storm
- Any work to undertake coastal clean up
What sort of thing might Future Coast Bude deliver?
Future Coast Bude will explore with the community a plan for coastal change. This will include:
- The development of a Coastal Change Management Plan (CCMP). This is designated through the Local Plan and is required where changes are expected to the coast in the next 100 years.
- The introduction of a Coastal Change Management Area (CCMA) in areas not identified as ‘Hold the line’ in the Shoreline Management Plan. This can then be used to inform planning and management decisions in the future.
- Undertaking a transport and accessibility study which will help to determine how and when people access the beaches and local areas in Bude and how this can be improved in the future.
- Making plans for the future for infrastructure on the coast that may be impacted by sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Other opportunities that will be explored with the community include the potential:
- Relocating of public facilities to alternative locations to make sure they can still be used by the public in the future
- Relocating emergency services facilities, so that they can remain operational in the future
- Designing facilities in the future in a way that will help them adapt and respond to climate change (for example the Gig Club has been designed so it can be relocated)
- Decommissioning parts of the carpark which are currently covered by the dunes
- Improving accessibility to and at the coast.
Potential coast path routes.pdf (713 KB) (pdf)