Coastal developments in the South-east could be abandoned because of climate change, the South-east England Regional Assembly has warned.
They will become vastly more vulnerable to flooding over the next 20 years and those with relatively small developments are likely to see projects abandoned.

The river valleys along the Medway and Thames are also likely to be affected, with repercussions for the Thames Gateway growth area.

The South-east can expect to get up to 30% wetter over the coming 50 years. A rise in sea levels that will cause a significant reduction in the availability of land is also predicted.

SEERA said abandonment – also known as managed realignment – is "going to have to be considered".

SEERA planning officer David Payne said: "It is an area we need to flag up for debate because some areas can't be protected for ever."

Planning officers are working with the Environment Agency, local authorities and other partners to find ways to manage climate change, flood risk and water supply.

They are considering a range of options for inclusion in the region's planning blueprint, the South-east Plan, which will be presented for consultation early next year.

Alternatives under consideration for flood defence include paying farmers to set aside large swathes of land to hold water.

This would prevent run-off during flash floods and heavy rainfall. It has already been piloted in the Netherlands.