People in coastal communities in north Norfolk are being given a chance to voice their views about the challenges faced by their erosion-threatened villages and towns.

Sixty residents and representatives are attending a meeting at Overstrand next Tuesday aimed at kick starting a conversation between the local council and communities.

North Norfolk District Council is developing a coastal management plan to tackle the issues for communities in the firing line for potential worsening erosion as sea defence policies change, but says it is crucial to get local people’s involvement.

The session, to be held at the historic Pleasaunce conference centre and staged by consultation consultants Dialogue by Design, will aim to:

• foster a mutual understanding of coastal issues
• identify common and site specific themes
• find a set of aims and values to underpin decisions on coastal management planning.

The district’s 44-mile of coastline is part of a stretch covered by an emerging Shoreline Management Plan, which includes long term abandonment of established sea defences in all areas bar the main resort towns of Sheringham and Cromer, and the nationally important Bacton gas site.

Coastal strategy planner Rob Young said the visioning conference would focus on wider issues than just sea defence policy. It would look at how communities could adapt and adjust to changes through compensation, relocation, and regeneration.

A strong voice would help when drawing up planning blueprints, coastal policies, and make funding bids.

District cabinet councillor for coastal issues Clive Stockton said: “There is no doubt that one of North Norfolk’s greatest assets is its beautiful coastline. The contribution it makes to the quality of life of the district’s residents and visitors as well as to the economy of the area cannot be underestimated.”

“However people in coastal communities are also all too familiar with the threats that the North Sea poses and of the fragile nature of our coastline. So far there has been little debate over how communities along whole length of our coast are going to respond to future changes.”

“The council wants to hear from communities about how we should manage coastal change, whatever its causes and effects.”

The invitation only meeting would help get opinions, and a wider public consultation will happen when the coastal management plan is published next year.

Concern Action Group campaigner Malcolm Kerby welcomed the council’s move to reflect people’s aspirations and wishes, and encouraged communities to have their say.

Story by Richard Batson in the Eastern Daily Press