Location reference:
Gorleston to Hopton
Policy Unit reference:
6.19
SUMMARY OF PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS AND JUSTIFICATION
Plan:
The long-term Plan is for cliff retreat to allow sediment to be sourced from cliff erosion and to pass
freely along this frontage. This sediment feed from here is vital to feed beaches and enhance
protection to areas north and south, where defence is a priority along this length of coast. It is
estimated that erosion of cliffs between Gorleston and Lowestoft provides up to 10% of the total SMP
area sediment and frontages along this stretch rely heavily upon this local source of sediment, due to
the continued interruption to supply from areas further north within the SMP. Therefore the long-term
Plan for this section of coast is to allow retreat, enabling a naturally functioning coast with minimal
human interference. This will not result in the loss of any built assets but will have an impact upon the
golf course. However, when these defences eventually fail, there will be the potential for outflanking of
the sea walls at the southern end of Gorleston and the northern end of Hopton. As a consequence
there may be impacts on these defences in the next 10-15 years.
Policies to implement Plan:
From present day:
The policy option is to allow retreat by not maintain existing defences, however
some intervention may be required to make safe defences that are no longer
effective. The policy is therefore managed realignment. However, the timber
revetments along this frontage have an estimated residual life of between 10
and 15 years, so during this period will continue to slow retreat and erosion
along the seaward edge of the golf course. These defences will not be replaced
as they reach the end of their effective life.
Further investigations will be undertaken to identify technical options and
establish an appropriate package of social mitigation measures, to address the
potential outflanking of defences in Gorleston and Hopton and subsequent
impact on property and people. Where it can be financially justified, minor
temporary works (for example placement of areas of rock, beach replenishment
etc) may be undertaken at selected areas to slow the rate of coastal erosion,
but not with a view to protecting the coast within the management unit into the
medium or long term. As and when a suitable package of social, economic and
planning measures is identified, maintenance and minor repair of defences will
cease, and the coastline will be allowed to continue its natural regression.
This approach is consistent with the long-term Plan for this section of shoreline.
Medium-term:
In the medium-term, the policy option is no active intervention, as it is likely that
the previous defences will no longer function, and will have been safely
removed.. This policy option will begin to have significant technical benefits
through providing sediment feed to adjacent frontages.
Long-term:
No change from the medium-term policy option of no active intervention.
The above provides the local details in respect of the SMP-wide Plan; therefore the above must be read in the context of the
wider-scale issues and policy implications, as presented in the preceding sections and Appendices to this Plan document.
Location reference:
Gorleston to Hopton
Policy Unit reference:
6.19
PREDICTED IMPLICATIONS OF THE PLAN FOR THIS LOCATION
Time
Period
By 2025
By 2055
By 2105
Property & Land Use
Nature Conservation
Landscape
Historic Environment
Amenity & Recreational
Use
Loss of golf course land,
including holes.
No nature conservation
objectives identified.
No landscape objectives
identified.
No heritage objectives identified.
No objectives identified, other
than the golf course.
Further loss of golf course.
No nature conservation
objectives identified, but naturally
functioning coast promoted.
No landscape objectives
identified.
No heritage objectives identified.
No objectives identified, other
than the golf course.
Further loss of golf course.
No nature conservation
objectives identified, but naturally
functioning coast promoted.
No landscape objectives
identified.
No heritage objectives identified.
No objectives identified, other
than the golf course.