Coastwise is working with local communities to co-create transition plans

Date published: 10th July 2025

North Norfolk District Council, through its Coastwise project, is working with communities, businesses and the Government to plan for coastal erosion risk.

This work provides an opportunity to develop plans to better prepare coastal communities in North Norfolk for accelerating coastal erosion and offer guidance for other places around the United Kingdom.

Previous work (including rock and ramp investigations, development of housing options and investigations into groundwater) has identified a need to create a series of transition plans, which are strategic documents aimed at determining coastal risk, possible adaptation and resourcing options available, and when these options should be triggered.

The transition plans will cover topics such as housing options, highways, graveyards and churches, local facilities such as car parks and utilities, farmland, community buildings and other assets.

Coastwise has contracted consultants with coastal expertise, JBA Consulting, Jacobs and Haskoning DHV. To do this they will work with community groups made up of local people in Weybourne, Trimingham, Overstrand, Bacton/Walcott and Happisburgh.

This is an opportunity to bring in additional skills and knowledge to local communities, building upon the work Coastwise has already been doing in these areas. For example, work identified at Coastwise Cafés, such as:

• Groundwater investigation in Trimingham
• Graveyard decommissioning and legislative investigations to provide some foundations for making future decisions

The transition plans will be co-created with local people and other relevant stakeholders, including infrastructure owners, and involve lots of opportunities to get involved, including local meetings and workshops (dates to be confirmed).

Cllr Harry Blathwayt, portfolio holder for Coast, said:

"While funding for the Coastwise Project will only span several more years, coastal transition plans can support our communities for decades to come.

“Through the Coastwise team, our expert contractors, and our local communities, we can not only create transition plans for North Norfolk, but also a wealth of learning that can be applied nationally - or internationally - for other areas facing rapid coastal erosion."

If you are interested in getting involved in helping shape the future of your local community, please get in touch with the Coastwise team at coastwise@north-norfolk.gov.uk

This project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.