By 1997, a combination of coastal erosion, sea level rise and wave action had made some of the defences distinctly fragile and at risk from failure.

As a result, in 2002 the Environment Agency produced the Stolford to Combwich Coastal Defence Strategy Study to examine options for the future.

[6] In the early part of World War II Stockland Bristol was chosen by the Radio Security Service[7] (RSS) as the site for two wireless Direction Finding (D/F) stations known as Y-stations.

Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.

[9] It is also part of the Bridgwater county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.