What are the Pathfinder projects?
North Norfolk District Council has been awarded from the government £3
million for Coastal Pathfinder Projects. These projects aim to address the
consequences of the changes to the coast and the impact this has on
coastal communities.
The projects are ‘Pathfinders’ and are the first of their kind in Great Britain.
It is important to remember that these projects will not solve all the coastal
issues in north Norfolk, but they will begin to form the approach which we
hope will be adopted by the government and implemented across all our
coasts with erosion and flooding issues.
How is the money being spent?
NNDC has worked closely with many representatives of coastal
communities over recent years in order to understand the issues from the
communities’ perspective. The Pathfinder projects have been developed
from this work.
What is happening in Happisburgh? Happisburgh is the only parish in
north Norfolk which is receiving a broad suite of Pathfinder projects to
tackle coastal issues. The projects are as
follows:
Purchase and demolish properties at
immediate risk.
• Purchase and lease back properties at
medium risk.
• Establish a cliff top buffer between the
cliff edge and properties and establish
paths, a new car park, public lavatories,
new beach access and move community
infrastructure.
• Investigate the ‘rolling back’ of the
Manor Farm Caravan Park.
• Improve the beach environment by
removing beach debris.
The projects in Happisburgh have been
provisionally allocated £1,650,300.
•
Other Pathfinder projects in
north Norfolk
Business Projects:
•
•
•
•
Provide business advice to coastal businesses suffering from the
impacts of coastal change.
Investigate and enable the ‘rolling back’ of some businesses from cliff
top sites.
Encourage and support investment in businesses.
Work with businesses to promote the east Norfolk coast.
Infrastructure:
•
•
•
•
Improve the beach environment at Beeston Regis by removing beach
debris.
Re-route the Marram’s footpath in Cromer to connect the Runton
Road Car Park with the Town.
Enable a new village hall to be provided in Trimingham in place of the
Pilgrim Shelter which is at risk from coastal erosion.
Investigate the relocation of Salthouse car park.
•
When does it have to be finished by?
We have until April 2011 to complete these projects so that we can
report back to the government in June the same year on the
successes and lessons learnt. In some cases it may not be possible
to complete the projects in the tight timeframe and we may be
allowed to continue for a short period of time following April 2011.
How were the projects
developed?
The Pathfinder projects are the result of work carried out by NNDC and
lots of other organisations. The basis of the projects in Happisburgh were
planned following the Coastal Village Workshop which took place in
September 2007. Below is a summary of what the community was proud
of, sorry about, hoped and feared of in 2007 at that workshop. The full
report from that workshop is available today for you to look at.
Proud
There was great pride expressed about the facilities that serve the local people of Happisburgh
and about its environment and heritage, but most notable was the pride in the people of the
village and their willingness to fight to protect these things.
Sorry
Many participants expressed sorrow at the state that the coastal frontage has got into–the
dereliction and degradation of the cliff-top, the poor state of the beach and the limited public
accessibility of these. People were sad that this had been allowed to happen and that the
government seemingly will not take notice of their plight.
The rapid pace of erosion has attracted media attention and this has led to much negative
publicity and scaremongering, which may have exacerbated blight and caused disinvestment.
This in turn might have lowered the aspirations of local people and businesses.
Hope
It was hoped that the possible spiral of decline will be arrested by improvements to the local
environment (particularly along the cliff-top and beach), together with continued investment in
local infrastructure and key community facilities (such as play equipment and public toilets).
This, it was hoped, would bring confidence in a brighter future for the village and positive media
attention. It was also hoped that investment in sea defences would continue.
Participants hoped that development of new affordable housing would attract young people and
foster a balanced community that will further support the facilities of the village.
Good, environmentally aware, design was considered to be an essential characteristic of future
development, if it is to make a positive contribution to the village.
Fear
There was fear that adequate sea defences will not be maintained, the consequences of
erosion would not be properly managed and that blight would continue to be caused with no
compensation or social justice. The fears were also expressed that the village would tumble into
a spiral of decline as a result of the loss of some of the economic life of the village (principally
through the holiday trade). This would impact upon the viability of village facilities.
Aside from the physical and economic effects of erosion, there was real fear that the spirit of the
community would sink into apathy and gloom and that confidence in the village, from residents
and outsiders would be lost. New development, if not properly designed and planned, would
cause further harm.
How are the Pathfinder projects
being delivered in Happisburgh?
The projects at Happisburgh will be managed in house at North Norfolk
District Council, with the exception of the Heritage Project which will be
managed by Norfolk Landscape Archaeology. Where necessary the
projects will use external resources to deliver specific skills and services.
Each project has a lead officer who will co-ordinate the progress of the
project. The officer will report directly, or through the programme
manager to the Pathfinder Project Board. The Pathfinder Project Board
makes the decisions about how the Pathfinder funds are spent and
directs the method in which the projects are delivered.
The development and implementation of the projects are being overseen
by an independent Reference Group who’s members are not officers or
councillors of NNDC. They are acting as a ‘sounding board’ and a ‘critical
friend’ and its main purposes will be to ensure effective communication
with local communities and to inform the Board’s decisions.
For the projects to
be a success it is
important that
Happisburgh is
involved. The
Parish Council have
helped to set up a
Project Liaison
Group which will
oversee the
implementation of
the projects.
Organisational structure and communication channels
PATHFINDER PROJECT BOARD
(Programme management)
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM
(Project Management)
LOCAL PROJECT LIAISON GROUPS
(Overseeing implementation of local projects)
REFERENCE GROUP
(Overseeing Project Development)
NORTH NORFOLK
BUSINESS FORUM
(Overseeing the
development and
implementation of the
Business Support
Package)
1692)
01692)
0258
650258
Who is in the Happisburgh
Project Liaison Group?
A Happisburgh Project Liaison Group has been established to oversee
the implementation of the Pathfinder projects which affect Happisburgh.
The group is made up of the following local people who were nominated
by the Parish Council:
Glenn Berry (Chair)
Jack Hall
Jim Whiteside
Dave Mole
George Siely
Cubitt Siely
(01692) 650321
(01692) 650860
(01692) 650553
(01692) 650826
(01692) 650617
(01692) 650258
The aims of the group are:
• to keep local people informed of the implementation of the
• projects in Happisburgh
• to ensure that projects are sensitive to local circumstances and
that those who are directly affected by the implementation of
• particular project interventions are content with the approach
that is being taken
• to identify issues that arise during project implementation and to
act as a channel between the residents and local businesses and
the Project Team, communicating any issues that arise
• to help foster a sense of ownership of the project outcomes
Should you have any queries or comments about the projects in
Happisburgh you can either discuss these with any member of the
Liaison Group, or contact North Norfolk District Council’s Coastal
Management Team on (01263) 516004.
The Liaison Group will meet regularly as the projects develop to
discuss with NNDC progress, suggest improvements, discuss how the
community is engaged or any other issues which have been brought to
their attention around the projects.
Demolition of properties most
imminently at risk
Aim: To purchase through negotiations with the owners, properties on
Beach Road Happisburgh most imminently at risk. This will enable these
householders to be able to plan for their futures whilst taking the
opportunity to enhance the local environment.
Background: The owners of some of the houses that are most
imminently at risk of erosion on Beach Road are currently not able to
make decisions about their future. There is not just a financial impact on
these householders but a loss of freedom of choice and a reduction in
their standard of living, as they may not be able to invest in their
properties as they would choose to do so.
In some cases these properties are barely habitable and they have begun
to blight the wider cliff-top environment.
Where the owners are willing, the properties will be bought by NNDC at a
price that is mutually acceptable and they will be demolished. The rubble
may be utilised for a new car park and new beach ramp and the cleared
sites will become part of the cliff-top enhancement scheme.
Purchase & lease-back
Aim: To purchase blighted properties and lease back.
Background: Evidence suggests that the threat of erosion affects the
value of properties even if that threat is not at all imminent. This applies
to both businesses and houses. It therefore affects people’s ability to
raise money against their property to undertake improvements and their
ability to move. It may also deter people from maintaining their property
in a way they would if the threat was not present. In these blighted
areas there may be some properties that are difficult to sell because of
this and therefore some owners may feel ‘trapped’ (unable to extend, to
improve or to move).
The Pathfinder includes a project that will enable some of these
properties to be purchased and then leased either to the existing
occupant or to a new one for the remainder of the property’s life. This
should give the owners of these properties greater freedom of choice
and help to ensure that the properties remain in beneficial use and well
maintained – thus helping to combat blight. The most likely candidates
for this in Happisburgh lie in the medium to long-term erosion risk areas
(i.e. beyond the year 2025).
•
•
Map showing the properties NNNC wishes to
purchase following negotiations with the
owners.
Do you have any comments or ideas about the ‘purchase to
demolish’ and ‘purchase to lease-back’ project?
Please write your comments on a sticky note and attach it below.
Cliff-top enhancement
Aim: To create a pleasant landscaped buffer of land between the village
and the cliff-top, free from debris and blight.
Background: The physical effects of coastal erosion have caused
dereliction on the cliff-top and the uncertainty has meant that facilities
here have not been maintained. The whole environment has thus
become blighted and less welcoming than it deserves. The Pathfinder
includes a project to improve the environment of this important aspect of
the village. (Separate display boards explain the projects to remove
some of the houses, relocate the car park, build new public lavatories and
create a new beach access).
This space which will be left as a ‘buffer’ along the cliff-top could take
many forms but these must consider that the cliff line will continue to
erode steadily over time.
When planning the layout of the cliff-top area
are there any facilities or ideas which should
be included?
Please write or draw your ideas on a sticky note and attach it below or
mark on the map.
Cliff-top enhancement - Beach
Road car park & public
conveniences
Aim: To relocate the beach car park and re-provide public conveniences.
Background: Due mainly to the blighting effect of coastal erosion the
Beach Road car park is in a very poor condition and the public
conveniences have been demolished. The Pathfinder includes a project to
replace the car park and to provide new public conveniences. It is felt that
the most suitable place is close to the new beach access (off Beach
Road?). It may be possible to combine the new conveniences with other
facilities, such as a relocated Coastguard Station and perhaps a shelter
with some display information.
These facilities could either be:
Quite close to the beach,
temporary in nature and
re-locatable.
Set further away from the
beach and more permanent.
Please attach a sticker in the box next to your preference.
Cliff-top enhancement project Beach Access
Aim: To provide a new beach access ramp close to Happisburgh Village
to enable an easy pedestrian decent to the beach.
Background: The loss of the lifeboat ramp was thought to be a turning
point in the village. The steps are considered to be a useful interim
measure, but no substitute for a new pedestrian earth ramp. The
Pathfinder includes a project to build a new ramp to provide a more
suitable pedestrian access to the beach. This should be at the most
stable part of the cliff and designed to be able to gradually ‘roll-back’ as
the coast recedes.
It is felt that the most suitable location (if feasible) is to the south of
Beach Road (shown on the map) and designed to be parallel with the
cliff.
If the ramp is sited here what issues do you think this will give rise
to?
Please write your comments on a sticky label and attach next to the
map.
Map of beach access & potential
car park location
Possible car park?
Possible car park?
Probable Beach
Access Location
Possible car park?
Do you have any comment, ideas or issues with the location of the
car park and beach access?
Please write you comments on a sticky note and attach it below or mark
on the map.
Removal of beach debris
Aim: This project aims to improve the beach environment by the careful
removal of beach debris.
Background: Failure of the sea defences and other infrastructure has left
a wide variety of debris on the beach. Rocks have been placed on the
beach to help slow the rate of erosion at key locations. In some cases the
remains of the sea defences still provide some protection of the cliffs; in
other cases they have just become an eyesore and a potential hazard.
The Pathfinder includes a project to remove beach debris. This is a very
sensitive issue and therefore before any of it is removed, the interests of
those with cliff-top properties need to be taken into account wherever
possible.
With this in mind; to what extent do you feel we should remove
debris?
Please attach a sticker next to your answer
All that is an eyesore.
Anything that has no
significant impact on
the rate of erosion.
Only that which is a
hazard and has no
benefit.
None of it.
Locations of beach debris
and issues
No access between the old
ramp and the new rocks.
Please write on a note and stick it here if there are any other beach
debris or issues on the beach.
Old concrete filled pipes
Old Lifeboat Ramp
These remains of old sea defences now have
very limited defensive properties and are now
moved around by the sea.
The old ramp is not an appealing
addition to the beach. It does however
act to break waves and protect the
base of the cliff below the coastguard
station from the sea.
Revetment
uprights
The uprights can no
longer be used or
repaired and are no
longer a defence.
Old Groynes
The groynes no
longer hold the
sand on the beach
and are potentially
hazardous as they
are submerged
throughout much
of the tide.
To gauge opinion on the
extent to which debris
should be removed please
attach a red sticker to
indicate remove, or a green
sticker for retain, if you wish
to add a comment please do
this on a sticky note.
Revetment
Some pieces of
revetment remain in
reasonable order and
do have a defensive
value.
Sheet Piles
The remainder of the
sheet piles do take
some of the force of
the waves, they are
however sharp and a
potential hazard on
the beach.
Relocation of Manor Farm
Caravan Park
Aim: This project will work with the owner of Manor Farm Caravan Park at
assessing the options and constraints to relocating or adapting the existing
business to the changing coastline. Should an appropriate option be
available, the project will aid in the initial relocation.
Background: Manor Farm Caravan Park is close to the cliff edge and lies
almost entirely within the area identified in the Shoreline Management Plan
as at risk before the year 2025. It is reducing in size and this will in time
affect the viability of the business.
It has been suggested that the caravan park makes a significant
contribution to the vitality of the village and the viability of local services
and facilities.
Do you agree that it is important to try to retain the park in the village
of Happisburgh (on an alternative site)?
Please attach a sticker next to your answer
Yes
No
No opinion
Relocation of Manor Farm
Caravan Park
There are various sites around the village that the caravan park could
be relocated to. Please indicated on the map sites which would be
suitable or unsuitable.
Please use a sticky note to mark on the map any issues or sites.
Heritage Project
Aim: The project aims to encourage groups and individuals to actively
investigate their heritage, allowing them to take an active part in
preparing for the impact coastal change will have on their heritage.
Background:
The Norfolk coast has very rich and diverse physical form, cultural
heritage and natural environment. This includes historic towns and
villages, historic buildings, archaeological features, cliff, sand dune,
beach, marsh and fen environments and agricultural landscapes.
Buildings, heritage assets and museum collections form part of or
contribute to our knowledge and understanding of the current historic
environment. These, combined with less tangible sources (such as
local traditions and oral history) all contribute to the sense of place of
coastal communities.
The area around Happisburgh is one of the most significant in heritage
terms, with a wide range of important features located within the area
expected to be affected by erosion. These include an internationally
significant Palaeolithic site, ring ditches (probably ploughed-out Bronze
Age burial mounds), the buried remains of possible Saxon buildings,
St Mary’s church, a manor house built in 1900, the remnants of a
lighthouse and World War Two structures.
1.
For further information on this project please talk to David Robertson
from Norfolk Landscape Archaeology, who is at the open day today.
How do I keep up to date about
what’s going on?
To keep up to date you can visit the North Norfolk Pathfinder web pages at
www.northnorfolk.org/coastal/6346
We are also producing a newsletter every month with information about
each project and its progress. If you would like to receive the Pathfinder
Newsletter by email or post, please write your contact details on a note
and stick it below.
I wish to be kept informed by receiving a newsletter and my details
are:
Are there any other ways you would like to be kept informed about
this project?
Please write your thoughts on a note and stick it here.
Please use this board to let us
know what you have thought
about this Open Day and any
other thoughts about the Pathfinder projects.
To keep up to date you can visit the North Norfolk Pathfinder web
pages at www.northnorfolk.org/coastal/6346.