Residents to have say on coastal plans

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

Sixty residents and representatives will attend 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 for communities in the firing line for potentially 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 miles 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 making funding bids.

District cabinet councillor for coastal issues Clive Stockton said the council wanted to hear from communities about how it should manage coastal change.

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.