DRAFT proposals to protect local residents from West Norfolk’s crumbling coastline are due to go before councillors this week, amid shock news there is already a “significant risk to life” in some areas.

The Wash Shoreline Management Plan (2), due to go before West Norfolk Council’s regeneration and environment panel tomorrow, sets out concerns about forthcoming erosion, including a possible threat to Hunstanton lighthouse.

It predicts relocation of facilities such as caravans from the flood zone between Wolferton Creek to South Hunstanton might be necessary as, it says, there is already “a significant risk to life” for those right behind the current shingle ridge frontline defence.

“During large parts of the year, a large number of people are staying directly behind the defence, which has a relatively low standard of protection,” says the report which has been written by the Environment Agency and partner agencies, including West Norfolk Council.

Holiday homes and caravan parks are very important for the local and regional economy and, although relocating the facilities could be considered, it was acknowledged this might reduce their tourism value.

Already, a pre-consultation stakeholder meeting has taken place with people and businesses with an interest in the area.

However, the report adds, there would have to be “sufficient time” for adaptation for people and businesses that could be affected.

A gradual move to a wide defence zone between the shingle ridge and the sea bank could be the answer, says the report, with, from 2025, the shingle ridge no longer maintained as a frontline defence with the sea bank performing this role. However, there is doubt over the affordability of this idea.

In other parts of the report, the point is made that Hunstanton cliffs are currently undefended, with erosion likely to threaten the lighthouse in the short term and even the B1161 cliff top road – and homes – in the long run.

Hunstanton would have to be supported as a tourist resort and regional commercial centre even though there might be a change in the way the shoreline here was managed.

These considerations have steered development of the plan, whose principles include balancing flood and erosion risk management against the value of features it protects, as well as taking into account any adaptations options.

Between Gibraltar Point to Wolferton Creek, it is noted that an increase of management is needed to sustain the current level of flood risk in the face of climate change.

Agricultural land might be lost with the realignment of defences.

However, it would provide a more sustainable flood defence for people living there.

The plan’s authors also note that there is a “significant uncertainty” about the medium and long-term rate of sea-level rise, the increase of storminess and the role of flood defences in all this.

The idea of the plan is to sustain a long-term solution by establishing a process of co-operation between partner organisations, with land use adaption having to start before 2025.

In the short term, the idea is to hold frontline defences in place.

• Public consultation of the plan will last until Friday, January 15, 2010.

Both the summary document and full draft plan are available at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/re search/planning/105014.aspx then click on the link for Gibraltar Point to Hunstanton (The Wash) or see them at Hunstanton library.

Story by Sarah Reedman in the Lynn News