Cabinet approve programme to work with communities at risk of coastal erosion

Date published: 4th January 2023

Yesterday, the Council’s Cabinet approved the governance arrangements for the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP), which will enable the Council to finalise funding with the Environment Agency (EA) to develop coastal change approaches.

North Norfolk has been selected by the government to receive funds to explore innovative approaches to adapting to the effects of coastal erosion.

As the programme develops, it will involve engagement with communities, individuals, infrastructure providers and businesses along the North Norfolk coastline.

The Cabinet approval also includes authority to submit the necessary outline business case to the EA and delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder and Monitoring Officer to acquire land and assets in excess of £100,000 on value, where it will assist with the coastal transition accelerator programme.

This CTAP fund is not a compensation scheme, but rather, is intended to help coastal communities that cannot sustainably be defended from coastal erosion prepare and plan for the long term.

Martyn Fulcher, Director for Place and Climate Change, said:

“The CTAP programme seeks to create initiatives and develop local preparedness for coastal change on a long-term basis. As this programme will take time to develop, there is an immediate need to provide some initial support to help those at imminent risk of erosion.”

The Council’s Cabinet supports the proposals for an initial Coastal Transition Support Package, and this support will be available once resources and processes are in place.” 

Cllr. Angie Fitch-Tillet, portfolio holder for Coast, said:

“We are very pleased to be given the chance to extend our work on Coastal Adaptation and to share our learning with all other coastal authorities throughout the UK and look forward to further discussion with communities and all our partners as the programme develops.”

The North Norfolk coast has eroded for many thousands of years but the coast continues to change and there is a need to adapt.

The need to adapt is not new, for example, Sidestrand Church was relocated inland in 1881. Over the last decade the Council has worked with communities, businesses and individuals to find ways to live on this changing coast.

Due to climate change, the sea level is rising, and coastal erosion is likely to accelerate. Rather than waiting and reacting to when erosion occurs, this new opportunity will enable North Norfolk to work with stakeholders to develop innovative solutions.

Confirmation the Council received the CTAP funding in March 2022 and more details can be found here.