North Norfolk Coastal Change Pathfinder
Helping communities adapt to coastal change
Pathfinder Conference 2011
22 March 2011
Cromer
Rob Young
Senior Planner (Coastal Strategy)
North Norfolk District Council
robert.young@north–norfolk.gov.uk
www.northnorfolk.org
01263 516162
Overview
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Scouting about
Surveying the land
Finding the path
Trailblazing
We’ve got it all!
The evolution of
coastal management
Management
Dynamic coast
Turmoil
Control
Development
The Dynamics of
Coastal Management
What is technically
feasible
What is affordable
(economically viable)
COASTAL
ENGINEERS
GOVERNMENT
(TREASURY)
what should
happen
what can
happen
want to
happen
COASTAL
COMMUNITIES
What is desirable
Photograph courtesy of Mike Page
Coastal Management Objectives
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Adopt a ‘no-regrets’ approach to coastal decision making
Prepare for coastal change
Take positive action (including making investment)
Pro-actively respond to the impacts
Safeguard local culture and community identity
Maintain the vitality of coastal areas
Increase people’s understanding of coastal change
Work creatively and innovatively
Work with and lobby appropriate organisations
Change Management
Dissatisfaction + Vision + First steps > Resistance
Fear of staying the same > fear of change
Understand your community
– is it an ostrich or a meerkat?
Understand the pace people are willing to work at
What do we want?
When do we want it?
Gradual change.
In due course…….
Involve people in agreeing common objectives – early on
Involvement is hard work for everyone – not just you!
Keep it real!
Understand perceptions of time
HOW FAR INTO THE FUTURE?
Today
25
50
100
200
YEARS AHEAD
1,000
LDF Core Strategy
• Safeguarding the future sustainability
of coastal settlements
• taking a precautionary approach to
new development
• facilitating adaptation to coastal
change (“roll back”)
North Norfolk LDF Proposals Map
LDF Site Specific Proposals: Housing Allocation
North Norfolk Coastal Change Pathfinder
• Confident and better informed communities in locations experiencing or
threatened by coastal change
• Support for businesses and householders whose decisions about their
future are fettered by the uncertainty due to coastal change and its
predictions
• Practical improvements to the physical environment
• Enabling local communities and businesses to be more resilient to future
change
Removing and Replacing Houses
that are Imminently at Risk
www.northnorfolk.org/coastal
Alleviating Blight
www.northnorfolk.org/coastal
Relocating Facilities and Establishing a ‘Buffer’
www.northnorfolk.org/coastal
Enhancing the Cliff Top Environment
www.northnorfolk.org/coastal
Improving the Beach
Environment
Understanding and Recording Coastal Heritage
www.northnorfolk.org/coastal
Facilitating the relocation of a Cliff Top Caravan
Site
www.northnorfolk.org/coastal
Replacing Threatened Infrastructure
www.northnorfolk.org/coastal
Business Support and Promotion
Developing Mechanisms
for contributions to
flood defences
Lessons
Be prepared!
And
…more helpful lessons
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Build projects upon communities’ own ideas and needs
Manage the time and budget carefully
Set up a robust governance structure
Be open and accountable but manage the message
Be creative
Teamwork