KQ4 - What are the management challenges associated with the development of coastal areas?

Question 1

What are the socio - economic needs of North Norfolk’s coastline?

Answer 1

• Protect the environment as a source of revenue from tourism and recreation, especially the beaches, salt marshes, and sand dunes
• Diversifying the economy: away from relying on seasonal tourism and agriculture to a range of skilled, service jibs to increase the wealth in the area and reduce out migration of young people
• Build affordable housing: house prices have been increasing due to in migration of retirees and growth of second homes
• Improve accessibility t the area for shipping and fishing boats
• Improve accessibility for vehicles: lack of motorway access which limits inwards investment by businesses
• Maintain coastal defences to reduce the risk of flooding of important historic / residential / business centres

Question 2

What are the environmental needs of North Norfolk’s coastline?

Answer 2

• Preserve National Nature Reserves e.g. Holkham, Blakeney Point NNRs
• Protect wildlife and marine biodiversity e.g. the seal colonies of Scolt Head Island
• Protect rare heaths and woodlands e.g. Salthouse Heath
• Regenerate salt marshes which are being lost due to reclamation e.g. Royal West Norfolk Golf Course
• Conserve the dramatic coastal scenery: the beaches, sand dunes, salt marshes and mudflats which need to be protected to maintain biodiversity
• Preserve geological sites e.g. Hunstanton Cliffs; West Rutton (mammoth + fossil findings)
• Build up fish stocks and aquatic life populations
• Scratby Sand dunes need protection

Question 3

How is the balance between the socio-economic and environmental needs resolved by planning and management in this coastal area? (NN)

Answer 3

• Shoreline Management Plan = document which examines risks associated with coastal processes + presents a policy to manage them. They use sub-cells so they can appropriately manage areas within Norfolk.
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management manages the shoreline and the whole of the coastal zone, and was set up in 1996.