This document discusses strategic approaches to flood defence and coastal protection. It recommends adopting long-term strategic plans, such as Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) and Tiered Strategic Studies (TSSs), to help with decision making and investment. SMPs provide a framework for sustainable coastal defence policies over 50 years, while TSSs identify flood risks, options, and preferred solutions with implementation plans. Both align with the government's "Making Space for Water" initiative, which also supports catchment-wide and shoreline-wide strategic approaches.