April 2011
Helping coastal communities adapt to coastal change
Welcome to the latest North Norfolk Pathfinder
newsletter to update you on the latest.
Marrams Footpath - Cromer
Business Projects
The Marram’s footpath, a vital link between Cromer’s
Runton Road car park and the Melbourne beach access
slope, was closed in January 2007 following a cliff slip,
but thanks to North Norfolk District Council’s Coastal
Pathfinder project the path has been successfully
rerouted and reopened, once again providing safe
access for visitors to walk along the attractive cliff-top
route from the busy car park into town.
The Pathfinder business advice project, which aims to
assist businesses affected by coastal change has now
exceeded its target number of enrolled businesses.
The businesses are not only able to access advice, but
will also be in a position to access further support. The
support is being developed and it is anticipated that a
suite of grants, loans, skills development and business
networking will become available in the coming
months.
The redirected footpath at the Marrams
The rerouting of the
path would not have
been possible without
the co-operation of
the local property
owners. Support for
the scheme was also
received from Cromer
Town Council and
Norfolk
County
Council.
Construction work began in mid January 2011 and is now
substantially complete. To complete the process the old
footpath will now need to be closed legally and the new,
realigned route to be formally dedicated as a public right
of way.
Pathfinder Conference
On 21 and 22 March other
P a t h f i n d e r a u t h o r i t ie s , t h e
Environment Agency, and other
organisations with coastal interests
attended a conference on the
North Norfolk Pathfinder projects.
The group visited the coast,
stopping at Happisburgh,
Mundesley, Trimingham and
Cromer, in order to gain an
understanding of the north Norfolk
coast and the Pathfinder projects.
Following the site visits
the conference detailed
the approach of the
different projects and
the lessons learned so
far. A key message we
wished to share is the
importance of working
together, with our
communities.
Delegates on a site visit to the
Happisburgh Pathfinder Project
The East Norfolk Coast Marketing Action Plan
which was developed with local business and
attractions has now been completed. Over the next
three years the North Norfolk Tourism Forum will be
delivering many actions to enhance and improve the
marketing of the area and assist businesses make the
most of marketing opportunities. The Forum will also be
investigating and co-ordinating a scheme to improve
the tourism brown signs and develop visitor
interpretation panels.
The Pathfinder has also developed a toolkit to assist
businesses in improving, developing and implementing
their marketing activities. This will include resources
such as a free to access photo library which
businesses can use in their promotional materials. The
toolkit was launched at the Real North Norfolk event
(please see below) and is available free online at
http://www.northnorfolk.org/pathfinder/7247.asp
Real North Norfolk
The Real North Norfolk event was held at Woodlands
Holiday Park in Trimingham on 31 March. This
enabled local tourist attractions and providers to
showcase their goods and services. The event also
launched the Pathfinder Marketing Toolkit.
Many businesses attended and there was particular
interest in the Web Workshop, during which many
delegates obtained an in-depth and detailed
understanding of the principles of how search engines
work, and how to make the most of them.
Issue 9
North Norfolk Pathfinder
Beach Debris Removal at Happisburgh
As an integral part of the North Norfolk Coastal Pathfinder
project at Happisburgh the Council intends to remove the
remains of the failed sea defences and other debris which has
accrued on the
foreshore over
many years.
The start of the
debris removal
is dependent
on other
Pathfinder
projects;
however, it is
the intention of
the Council to
begin in June
2011.
Current beach debris at Happisburgh
The debris on the beach is an eyesore and poses a
serious risk to the safety of anybody using the beach.
The Council has discussed the removal of the debris
with the Parish Council, the Pathfinder Local Liaison
group and at other public meetings. The considered
response has always been that the debris should be
removed.
At the same time as removing the debris the Council
will take the opportunity to adjust the current rock bund
which protects the toe of the cliff to make it as effective
as possible as a sea defence along the Beach Road
frontage.
In proposing the removal of the debris and any subsequent
realignment of the rock armour, the Council has also considered
if there might be any impact on the current rate of recession of
the cliffs in this area. It is the Council’s belief that any impacts
would be minor and of a short duration but this cannot be verified
in advance.
Update
•
The purchase of 10 properties on Beach Road
Happisburgh are now proceeding. The Council is
considering how and where these properties will be
relocated.
•
An appraisal of the housing market over the past 10 years
at Happisburgh has been completed and is available at
http://www.northnorfolk.org/pathfinder/7217.asp
•
A planning application for the new Happisburgh Car Park
and ramp has been approved by the Planning Authority.
•
A draft landscape and layout scheme is being developed
for the relocation of Manor Caravan Park at Happisburgh.
•
A celebration of Happisburgh Heritage took place at
Happisburgh School Hall on 26 March. The day
comprised of a number of presentations about different
aspects of Happisburgh's history and archaeology as well
as displays and exhibits. The day was also the official
launch of the new Happisburgh Heritage Group and an
opportunity to order a copy of the new ‘Book of
Happisburgh’.
•
Trimingham Parish Council has agreed a funding
agreement which secures their access to £200,000 to
enable the purchase of a site for a new village hall and
contribute to the design and build costs.
The cliff line over the frontage is, however, expected to
adjust quite quickly to the removal of the debris and the
newly rebuilt and relocated rock armour works. This might
have the effect of straightening the cliff toe-line in the
short term, particularly on the north-east corner, but there
are not expected to be any longer term impacts on rates
of erosion.
There is a strong local view that the removal of the beach
debris will certainly improve the beach experience and
make it much safer for everyone, and that it will have a
wider positive impact on the community and economy of
Happisburgh.
We are building upon this through the provision of the
new public car park and beach access ramp on the cliff
top to the
south of
Beach
Road.
To see the
Council’s
statement
regarding
the beach
debris
removal
please
view the
February
Cabinet
papers at www.northnorfolk.org or visit the Parish Notice
boards at Happisburgh.
How to keep up to date with what’s
happening
NNDC’s Coastal Website has pages specifically
dedicated to the North Norfolk Pathfinder. Please visit
www.northnorfolk.org/pathfinder/
This Newsletter is regularly produced to help keep you up
to date with the Pathfinder Programme. It is available at
local libraries, on our Coastal Website and at our offices.
It can be emailed or posted directly to you by contacting:
Marti Tipper
Coastal Management Team
North Norfolk District Council
Holt Road
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9EN
coastalmanagement@north-norfolk.gov.uk
01263 516004
If you would like to receive this newsletter in
large print, Braille, alternative format or in a
different language please
telephone 01263 516004 and
we will do our best to help.