Ministers’ visit to Norfolk Coast

Amid much publicity, Defra's Environment Minister, Ian Pearson, visited North Norfolk to view the state of coastal defences and discuss the future of coastal communities – both urban and rural. The CLA gave him the following messages:

The standard of coastal defence must be maintained for the next 15-20 years while a new integrated coastal policy is developed and researched in conjunction with local communities.

A holistic, transparent and auditable cost:benefit analysis method is needed to assess coastal options. This must take into proper account both the tangible and intangible assets.

Long-term plans, based on better understanding of coastal processes, must thoroughly consider the choice between properly managed retreat; relocation of businesses, houses and environmental assets and alternative engineering techniques to defend the coast. New forms and new sources of funding - plus joined up planning across departments will be needed.

We bring to your attention Dr Richard Silvester's ideas for stable bays and circular headlands – please see paper enclosed. His proposals merit proper research with full modelling and costing.

Investigage more cost effective ways of defending our coastline in the short-term. We are pleased that the National Audit Office is currently investigating this subject.

Coastal defence is being addressed too hurriedly, without holistic planning. The reefs off Sea Palling were not adequately modelled before construction and whilst they defend that village, they maybe adversely affecting sediment flow.

The current 'do nothing' policy in relation to coastal defence is affecting the economy and communities in the risk areas, and it has a real cost. Blight reduces property values and deters owners from making improvements - leading to less work for the building industry. Business people are loth to expand, affecting the economy and provision of jobs. The money being spent to regenerate coastal towns will be wasted if coastal defence is not addressed.

Our major environmental assets have legal protection (e.g. Habitats Directive) but our homes, communities, historic buildings and businesses do not. The three legs of sustainability – economic, environmental and social – start from a position of inequality, which is making a truly sustainable solution difficult to achieve in many coastal communities.

Is it equitable that tax payers' money be spent on defending large urban populations from flood risk but not our rural communities? The large developments being constructed in the Thames Gateway - a floodplain - will have £millions spent on flood defence. Is this fair to those in Norfolk who want a fraction of that sum to recharge beaches and repair local defences?

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