BUSINESSES and landowners are among those being given a say in the future of The Wash coastline between Wolferton Creek and South Hunstanton.

The newly formed key stakeholders sub-group is a partnership set up between the Environment Agency and West Norfolk Council to represent the interests of the local community and tourism.

These are the most likely parties to be affected by future changes.

Members of the subgroup, representing caravan site owners, beach bungalow owners, landowners, parish and town councils and other local businesses, are working together as a result of the Wash Shoreline Management Plan which completed a three-month public consultation
on January 15.

Chairman of the group, Brian Long, who is the borough council’s cabinet
member for the environment, said: “The Shoreline Management Plan sets out how The Wash coast may be managed over the next 100 years, taking into account the likely effects of erosion and sea level rise.

This group has been set up to ensure that those most affected by any
changes have a say in what happens. We have been very pleased with the support the members have given to the group so far.”

At a meeting this month, members discussed initial funding options for the management of the shoreline.

This included the allocation of £20,000 from the Government’s Pathfinder funding initiative which aims to help communities affected by coastal change.

The sub-group was also informed about work between the borough council and the Environment Agency, working together to produce a protocol which both would use to determine planning applications in the flood risk area along the Wolferton Creek to Hunstanton coastline.

The protocol, which has yet to be finalised, will be subject to a public consultation as part of the process.

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