North Norfolk Pathfinder
Helping coastal communities adapt to coastal change
The Pathfinder projects were set up as pilot studies to trial ways to help communities adapt to coastal change.
A key project in Happisburgh was to find an equitable method in which offers could be made to purchase and
demolish cliff top properties at risk of erosion. This project helped to enable those property owners to move
on with their lives before their homes were lost. The properties purchased by NNDC were bought with the
intention of demolition so that they could be replaced on sites beyond the erosion area and so that a landscaped ‘buffer’ could be created on the cliff top. In addition to the houses, the Council is arranging for the old
RNLI and Coastguard buildings to also be demolished.
Offers of purchase were made to thirteen residential properties, of which ten offers were accepted. The final
property purchase was completed in November 2011. Since that date environmental and asbestos surveys
have been completed on all the properties, utilities have been disconnected and the relevant permissions for
demolition have been obtained. A process to select a demolition contractor has been completed and the
Council is now ready to progress with the demolition of the properties outlined in red on the plan below.
It is important to note that three properties, which remain in private ownership, will not be affected by these
proposals.
Plan of properties to be demolished and extent of landscaping work
During demolition the area around the properties will be securely fenced off and the demolition process will be
carefully managed. There will be traffic moving to and from the site during working hours and the drivers will
be briefed to drive carefully in the village. Should you have any queries prior to or during the works taking
place, please contact North Norfolk District Council (details given below).
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Brian Farrow (NNDC Coastal Engineer) - 01263 516193 for any queries regarding the works
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Peter Battrick (NNDC Communications Manager) - 01263 516344 for any issues relating to the media
Following the demolition, the site where the houses stood, along with the old car park and adjacent land,
will be landscaped (as shown shaded green on the plan overleaf). Appropriate boundary features will be
created around the land in question to mark the boundaries. The area will be sown with an appropriate
wildflower mix.
This is the last of the Pathfinder projects affecting this part of the village and when it has been completed,
the residents of Beach Road will be left undisturbed. North Norfolk District Council will be revisiting the
beach to remove further debris and when required re-cut the beach access ramp.
Key Points
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The demolition of the properties identified in the plan overleaf will begin in late March to early April
and is expected to last for several weeks.
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There will be heavy goods vehicular traffic through the village during the course of the work.
There is expected to be a great deal of interest from the local, national and even international media.
NNDC will publish a news release and hold a briefing event for the media. We would be grateful if
you receive any enquiries from the press you would direct them to NNDC.
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Following the demolition works the area will be landscaped and sown with a wildflower mix.
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The area of the old RNLI and Coastguard buildings will become part of the adjacent caravan park.
Following completion, the new cliff top habitats will be maintained by NNDC through a grounds
maintenance contract.
Happisburgh Parish Council will manage the new car park, toilets and picnic area for the benefit of
visitors and the residents of Happisburgh.
Photograph courtesy of Mike Page www.mike-page.co.uk – Copyright
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