Coastal communities across the country are being urged to unite in a single strong voice as they battle for Whitehall help to fight erosion problems.

The initiative comes from a Norfolk MP who is calling a Westminster-based conference to put the issues faced by threatened seaside towns and villages on a national stage.

Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb says it is unfair that such communities are facing the brunt of picking up the bill for the impact of climate change - when the whole nation is responsible for causing it.

His calls came as the true cost of abandoning north Norfolk’s sea defences was highlighted in a report seeking to help campaigners battle to get a better deal for people who homes, businesses and communities are on that front line. (more…)

People faced with losing their homes to coastal erosion or flooding by the North Sea last night welcomed a breakthrough in their fight for financial compensation.

A senior government adviser, the new chairman of the Environment Agency, Lord Smith of Finsbury, yesterday urged the government seriously to consider using taxpayers’ money to re-house those who lose out to the encroaching sea.

It is the first time anyone of such standing has responded to the pleas of homeowners not to be left empty-handed after the sea claims their homes. (more…)

A 15,000-name petition calling for the government to confirm a commitment to protect the Broads from being swamped by the sea will be handed in tomorrow before parliament shuts for the summer.

The bumper document follows a pledge to protect a vulnerable stretch of coast for at least 50 years, made by environment minister Phil Woolas during a recent visit to north east Norfolk.

He defused fears over a Natural England scenario which said one option in the face of coastal erosion was to surrender six villages and 25 square miles of Broads countryside to the sea, if defences were too expensive or difficult. (more…)

Villagers in Norfolk in fear of a scheme to flood their land to save the coast have been told that is not the government’s intention. - Piece on BBC Look East

“The minister also visited some of the sea defences and was told about places like Happisburgh where homes are falling into the sea. On that issue he could offer no hope. “We can’t stop coastal erosion” he said. But on the Broads, his message was clear - they will be protected.

Norfolk is to stand firm against the ravages of the ever-encroaching North Sea for at least another half century after the government confirmed £100m will be spent on sea defences over the next 50 years.

People living in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas of Norfolk breathed a sigh of relief yesterday after environment minister Phil Woolas gave reassurances their homes would not be left to flood.

Responding to worries over a Natural England draft report, which includes the option of allowing a 25sqm area of Norfolk to flood, Mr Woolas said the proposal was “not an option,” and stressed it was the government who drew up sea defence policy not Natural England.

As he visited the county to see the effect of coastal erosion and listen to local concerns Mr Woolas said the government was committed to keeping the sea at bay for at least the next 50 years and pledged £100m of investment in sea defences over that period. (more…)

A campaigner who has been told her house is worth less than a loaf of bread will today try to show the man in charge of the nation’s sea defences the true human cost of the government’s coastal policies.

The bungalow Jane Archer and her partner bought as a happy family home 21 years ago is still 60m from the clifftop, but is now worth just £1.

Today when environment minister Phil Woolas makes a fact-finding visit to north Norfolk over erosion and flooding issues she will be among the people keen to show him the impact of the government policy of abandoning sea defences without any compensation.

“I will tell him he is destroying our lives,” said 49-year-old Ms Archer. “Lots of money is spent by the authorities compensating and finding new habitats for rare birds whose homes are threatened by climate and coastal management changes - but what about people? Are they just going to let my house fall over the edge of a cliff, and leave us with nothing?” (more…)

People who faced losing their homes through the effects of climate change should be compensated, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said yesterday.

He met a handful of people at Happisburgh whose homes have been blighted by sea erosion, then addressed hundreds more at Hickling about the idea to surrender 25 square miles of the broads area to the sea.

Mr Clegg hit out at Natural England, which wrote the report suggesting at least six villages could be sacrificed to the sea as continuing to defend them was too difficult and costly. He said it was an insensitive, cavalier approach to the issue. (more…)

An MP fighting plans to surrender thousands of acres of Norfolk to the sea has spoken of his anger and frustration after yesterday meeting senior executives from the government agency behind the proposals.

Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, had written to Natural England formally asking it to withdraw its draft report setting out four options for dealing with the consequences of climate change in the northern Broads.

The last of these was a proposal to abandon nine miles of sea defences between Eccles and Winterton, flooding an area stretching inland as far as Stalham and Potter Heigham, with the loss of 25sq miles of land, including at least six villages.

Mr Lamb asked Natural England to withdraw the report, claiming no proper analysis had been made of the cost of abandoning the area and that the issue of compensation had not been considered.

He said people living in the area were already suffering the effects of planning blight, with house sales falling through and property prices falling, after details of the proposals were leaked.

Natural England’s chief executive Dr Helen Phillips wrote back to Mr Lamb, saying: “I am not persuaded that withdrawing the report or the fourth option within the report would serve a useful purpose. (more…)

A government spending watchdog is to look into the effects of offshore dredging on the East Anglian coast.

And a Norfolk MP says he will ask the National Audit Office, which oversees spending by government departments, to hold a full investigation into the issue.

Environmental pressure group Marinet, part of Friends of the Earth, has asked the office to investigate whether it is cost-effective to dredge sand and gravel for sea defences when the dredging itself may be contributing to erosion. (more…)

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)