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There is an increasing desire amongst those concerned in the planning process for the availability of adequate information on potential geological constraints to development. The potential for landsliding is a hazard of relevance to many areas of the United Kingdom, including South Wales, where the Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office have sponsored a research project to produce a methodology for the preparation of ‘Landslip Potential Planning Maps’. This paper describes the methodologies used to reduce hazards through planning in various parts of the world and outlines the proposed implementation of the pilot scheme in the Rhondda Valleys.

This article reports on a seminar held at the Institution of Civil Engineers in May 2004. This, and a previous meeting in 2002, stemmed from Government-funded research into soft cliff erosion. While the previous meeting dealt with the theory, this one dealt with more practical issues by way of four papers. Dr Neil Dixon described work carried out on landsliding of unprotected London Clay cliffs at Warden Point on the Isle of Sheppey. Dr Alan Clark described practical examples of engineering schemes at Lyme Regis and at Castlehaven, Niton and the Military Road on the Isle of Wight. The final two papers described aspects of work on the Norfolk coast: Dr Mike Walkden presented a process-based regional model of shoreline recession while Peter Frew of North Norfolk District Council described the problems faced by his authority in managing a retreating coastline where property is under threat.

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With the threat of rising sea levels and more frequent and intense storms, coastal defence is being considered on a more strategic basis. This aims to enable coastal change to occur as naturally as possible while sustaining both coastal habitats and those developments on the coast for which such a location is necessary. There will inevitably be some compromises but decisions will be made on a much more rigorous basis than in the past. This note outlines the methods being employed and directs the reader to more detailed guidance.