The Environment Agency should work with MHCLG to strengthen the role of SMPs within Local Plans and use the ongoing Local Plan reforms to establish a statutory requirement for coastal planning authorities to incorporate SMPs as a core part of the evidence base for planmaking, with compliance monitored through the Local Plan examination process. By December 2026, Defra and MHCLG should publish a fully costed roadmap for coastal planning authorities to achieve this. (Recommendation, Paragraph 37)