Norfolk Flashcards
What villages does Norfolk include?
Happisburgh, Bacton, Sea Palling and Winterton
Population of Happisburgh
1400
Population of Bacton
1200
Population of Sea Palling
650
Population of Winterton-on-Sea
1200
How much land was lost between 1600 and 1850?
250m of land
Current rates of erosion
2m a year on average
What happened in 1953?
Catastrophic flood
53 deaths
What is the coast composed of?
Glacial till
Layers of silt, clay and sands
Height of cliffs at Happisburgh
6-10m
What coastal management was used in the 1950’s?
Hard engineering
- wooden revetments
- groynes
- riprap
What happened in 1990?
Storm destroyed 300m of wooden revetment east of Happisburgh
Causing a significant increase in the rate of erosion behind
What happened in 1996?
Remaining revetments were damaged by storms
6 cliff-top properties were lost
What were the changes in government policy?
Happisburgh was no longer funded by the government
What year was the SMP created for Happisburgh?
1996
Key stakeholders in SMP6
The Environment Agency
North Norfolk District Council
Local borough councils
Reginal Coastal Groups
What did SMP6 cover?
Sub-cell of sediment cell 3
What year was SMP6 updated?
2009
What must a sustainable plan be? (4)
Technically sound
Environmentally sustainable
Economically justifiable
Socially acceptable
Why was the previous traditional approach unsustainable?
Geology of the coast
Sizable fetch and storms of the North Sea
Tidal ranges of 5 metres
Frequent storm surges
Social factors
Many people who live there believe their safety and security must be maintained
Some disagree where the sea defences have been located
Economic factors
Some sea defences can negatively impact tourism and reduce income in the area
Sea defences are very expensive
Environmental factors
Important to help preserve and protect wildlife and natural habitats
Placing a monetary value on biodiversity can be challenging
Why is Bacton Gas Terminal important?
National and International importance
Connect the UK to the southern North Sea oilfields and to Europe through a pipeline
What is the current policy at Bacton?
Hold the line
What is the plan at Bacton?
Maintain 1950’s concrete walls
Install new riprap
Build fresh groynes
Negative impacts of coastal management at Bacton
- Trapping sediment starves beaches further down the coast of sediment
- Making other coastline more vulnerable to erosion
What is the current policy at Happisburgh?
Managed retreat/ coastal realignment
Why is Happisburgh different to Bacton?
Happisburgh lies on relatively high relief so flood risk is minimal
Who campaigned against coastal management at Happisburgh?
Coastal Resident Group (CRG)
Formed of local residents
Campaigned to raise funds for coastal defences
Unsuccessful- policy of managed retreat is due to remain for duration of SMP
Negative impacts of coastal management at Happisburgh
Huge financial losses for locals
House prices have plummeted
How many properties are due to be lost in the 100-year-lifespan of SMP6?
35 properties
Caravan Park
Church
Coastguard station
What coastal management is occurring at Sea Palling?
14km sand-dune ridge
What is the current policy at Sea Palling?
Hold the line- in the short and medium term
Managed retreat- long term
What policy was adopted in Sea Palling in 1996?
Advance the line
Building of 9 offshore reefs
Initial cost of $16 million
Costs £1.5/2 million to defend
Sediment deposited behind the reefs cause tombolo effect
What was done in Winterton in the 18th century?
Sand dunes were stabilised with marram grass
What is Winterton now known as?
Area of Outstanding Beauty
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Natural Nature Reserve
What are the current coastal management plans at Winterton?
No current plans
What percentage of the Environment Agency budget is allocated to coastal defences?
5%
What do SMP’s fail to consider?
Inland areas which are intrinsically linked to the coastal zone
What does SMP6 recognise as the biggest variable?
Community impact
What is happening to old defences?
Removed to allow the coast to retreat effectively
