A £245,000 community-based project to prepare for coastal changes at Slapton is one of six national pilot schemes to look at new ways of shaping policies on flooding and erosion.

The ways that local communities can adapt to the pressures of coastal erosion will be investigated as part of a new Defra funded study.

Other projects will consider the contribution farmland can make in reducing flood risk as well as how communities can better understand and adapt to the pressures of coastal erosion.

The Slapton Coastal Zone Adaptation Plan, co-ordinated by the Slapton Line Partnership, will produce a plan working with local communities to respond to the effects of coastal erosion in the area, including transport links, environmental issues, heritage and the local economy.

Announcing the six pilots, minister for climate change and environment Ian Pearson, said: "We can't hide from the consequences of climate change.

"When we consider the possibility of higher sea levels and storms of greater intensity we have to start thinking differently about how to deal with flooding and coastal erosion - this means adapting to the consequences now and developing greater resilience.

"The government has spent some £4bn since 1996/1997 managing the risk of flooding and coastal erosion faced by communities across England.

"But climate change will ratchet up the threats faced by communities which is why we need to investigate new and different responses to dealing with flooding and coastal erosion.

"The pilot projects I have announced today are testing out new and innovative approaches to deal with flooding and coastal erosion.

"These pilots will see whether we can push the boundaries of policy and test the potential of whether these innovative ideas can form part of our mainstream policy and delivery.

"Our aim is to get maximum value from taxpayer's money spent on reducing flood risk whilst delivering other benefits for communities and the environment if at all possible."

Ruth Bagley, chief executive of South Hams District Council and chairman of the Slapton Line Partnership, welcomed the news.

He said: "Recent research has shown that the greatest risk to Slapton Line is in the longer term - 30 to 50 years - and that gives us some time to plan.

"We cannot afford to be complacent because it will take many years to understand and deliver any necessary changes and meanwhile we will need to respond to threats to the road by realignment and shingle defences.

"Our Innovation Fund award will help us to work with the local community around Slapton, with transport and service providers, the small businesses and tourism sector, land managers and so on, so that we can all put the right adaptations in place now to face the future with confidence."