Potential social and community issues in the Kelling to Lowestoft Ness Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) have made it difficult for North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) to accept these recommendations. In considering its response, NNDC decided to prepare a Coastal Management Plan that aims to address many of the social and community issues that the SMP was unable to tackle. The aim of the Coastal Management Plan is to develop a positive vision and address the consequences of coastal change.

An evidence gathering study aimed to derive data and support a strategy for the long-term management of change along the North Norfolk coast. The focus of the study is on managing change, to minimise the negative consequences of coastal erosion.

Adaptation to changing coastlines entails costs and how those costs are shared out raises issues of distributive justice. Many institutions have recognised that the current policy of putting the burden on the individual resident or business to manage the losses resulting from the change in approach to managing coastlines is unsustainable.

The final report of the evidence gathering study published in August 2008 is availble on the North Norfolk District Council website

A report by the National Trust –’Shifting Shores‘ – shows that more than seventy percent of its coastline in Wales, much of it internationally renowned, could be severely affected by coastal erosion and flooding in the next 100 years.

From the National Trust website:

In the United Kingdom no one lives more than 75 miles from the sea.

For us, as an island nation, the sea has an all-embracing presence. Spiritually and physically we are intimately connected with our shores. The sea has immense power, which we ignore at our peril. (more…)

From the Autumn edition of the Environment Agency’s newsletter Flood News:

In April this year the Environment Agency became the lead organisation responsible for all flood and erosion risk management around the coastline of England.

This new role is a “first”, giving us a unique opportunity to lead the country in developing a coastal management plan that works at local, regional and national level. Our partner organisations, including local authorities, will put agreed plans into practical action. We will support them by giving Grant-in-Aid (GiA) funding and overseeing the work carried out.

A Management Plan for the Suffolk Coast and Heaths, the officially designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) stretching from Kessingland to the Stour estuary has just been published. It is part of the family of protected landscapes that make up Britain’s finest countryside. At the heart of the plan, is a new twenty-year vision that sets out in detail the aims for the conservation of this beautiful landscape. The plan brings together the work of a 26 member Partnership that includes Natural England, Local Authorities, conservation organisations, community groups and businesses in the area.

More information can be obtained on the Suffolk Coast and Heaths website

The infrastructure network in the UK, including power stations, water plants, and transport systems is still far too vulnerable to flooding events according to a report, Flooding: Engineering Resilience, by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

In a section concentrating on the East of England, it also comments that:

“No other area of the UK is in such real and immediate danger from flooding as the East of England. It’s at risk from all sides: coastal erosion and flooding, tidal surges, river flooding and overflowing drains in towns and cities.

“In November 2007 Great Yarmouth and Ipswich came within 120mm of being swamped by a North Sea tidal surge. A controversial ‘managed realignment’ could sacrifice 6,000 ha of the Norfolk coastline to rising sea levels, according to the Environment Agency.”

Full details on the ICE website

The old English Nature website which hosted the original 2003 Coastal Habitat Management Plans (CHaMPs) and had been unavailable for a few months is now back online. The site had apparently been victim to malicious damage which has taken all this time to rectify.

The Winterton Dunes Coastal Habitat Management Plan is a contributor to thinking behind the leaked Natural England report with the infamous ‘option 4′ considering the implications of intentionally withdrawing sea defences to Potter Heigham and Stalham, resulting in ‘embayment of the Upper Thurne Basin’.

From the conclusions:

Given the long term (>50 years) potential for changes to the line of defence and the questionable sustainability of maintaining the existing coastal configuration along the Horsey-Winterton frontage, brief consideration has been given to the option of allowing breach of the dune system and the partial flooding of the northern Broadland area. While, clearly, this would have major implications of a socio-economic nature, it is apparent that the consequences for nature conservation and ecological interests would be of huge and beneficial significance. This is seen as a potential long term option opportunity that offers the scope for major ecological gain at a national level and in a location where, perhaps, socio-economic and land-planning issues may be more compatible with the overall vision than potentially similar large-scale habitat creation opportunities in other areas of eastern and southern England. It is clear though, that further study of the proposal would be required, particularly with respect to the viability of other long term coastal defence options. In this context it is important that continued monitoring of the Winterton frontage is undertaken in order to determine the accuracy of the predictions made in this CHaMP. Only with additional and longer term datasets can informed decisions on the future sustainability and strategic direction of coastal defence requirements be made for this stretch of the Norfolk coastline.

The original documents are now available again for download at http://www.english-nature.gov.uk/livingwiththesea/champs/pilots.asp

From a press release on the Natural England website:

On launching its ‘State of the Natural Environment‘ report, Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said:

“England needs a new approach to conservation if we are to tackle effectively the modern pressures on land created by climate change and development. The natural environment is increasingly under threat, both within and especially away from protected areas.

“We need to find ways to manage our landscape to create a mosaic of uses so that we can help wildlife survive – be it through a new ‘national park’ around the length of England’s coastline, better use of the green belt or improved use of public funding for farmers to deliver a better natural environment.

“If we don’t act, there’s a real danger some of our most precious wildlife will be lost forever and our lives will be poorer for it,” concluded Helen Phillips.

From the Eastern Region section:

Meeting the challenge in the East of England region

We will work collaboratively with others for a better quality of life, creating a prosperous, healthy, socially cohesive region with an attractive, high quality environment. We will provide leadership within the region on actions needed to protect, enhance and enjoy the natural environment.

We will work closely with other partners, such as the Environment Agency, to get our SSSIs into favourable condition, particularly those suffering from coastal and water related pressures.

…

We will work with partner agencies and local communities to understand the impacts of climate change and develop solutions, including a resilient, natural coastline.

…

Protecting our communities and defending Norfolk’s coastline: Parliamentary Petition

Linked below, you will find a copy of the Parliamentary Petition I have launched to give local people and others the chance to send a very clear message to the Government and the Environment Agency that this part of Norfolk MUST be protected. Reassurance to local people is essential.

As you will probably know, Malcolm Kerby – from Coastal Concern Action Group – and I have held meetings in Hickling, Potter Heigham and Sea Palling. Hundreds of people have turned out to each meeting. There was strong support for the plan to collect as many signatures as possible on this petition. Anything you can do to help collect signatures would be really appreciated. All those who visit this beautiful area should also have the chance to sign up. Please feel free to photocopy the petition as often as you wish.

I am also keen for as many people as possible to write to me expressing their views. All letters and emails will be presented to the Minister and to the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency – as well as Natural England. You should address letters to 15 Market Place in North Walsham. Emails should be sent to normanlamb@hotmail.com

We are very fortunate that we have strong communities locally. It is very important to make ourselves heard and to speak with one voice.

Many thanks in anticipation for any help you can offer.

Best wishes,

Norman Lamb,

Member of Parliament for North Norfolk

Download the Parliamentary Petition (PDF)

All 3 meetings were chaired by Malcolm Kerby of Coastal Concern Action Group in conjunction with Norman Lamb MP and were organised to give villagers the chance to voice their concerns following recent newspaper reports on Natural England plans to “abandon sea defences” in this area.

…

These are the main, recurring points from the meetings, and the attendance at the meetings show the strength of feeling of the local communities.

The vast majority agree that the coast must be defended, social justice must be included in any plan & the local communities will fight for their rights in accordance with the Human Rights Act if necessary.

They will petition the Government for assurances that this area will be defended.

Download CCAG notes from public meetings, April 2008 (PDF)