The Coastwise Team is working with the community in Happisburgh

Date published: 21st November 2024

The cliffs at Happisburgh, particularly at the end of Beach Road, are being closely monitored. The rate of coastal erosion can accelerate during the winter months due to wet and stormy weather conditions, which make the cliffs unstable and lead to more rapid collapse.

Coastwise is working with the community, residents and the Parish Council on a number of projects. This includes developing and providing options to support the most immediately affected property owners, and the replacement of the car park and its access.

Come along to the next Coastwise Café from 9am-1pm on Saturday 23 November at the Wenn Evans Centre to learn more and get involved.

Working with property owners

The Coastwise team has been assisting property owners in the village, whose properties are at immediate risk of coastal erosion. The team has set out to each of those owners the possible options on offer with respect to their property and has been in ongoing discussions with them to help them choose which options would suit their future needs best. 

This dialogue includes planning for the timely demolition of the at-risk properties, but due to the uncertain rate of erosion and the needs of the owners, there is no set timeline.

Happisburgh Car Park entrance

Earlier this year, Coastwise funded work to enable continued access via the existing entrance to the car park as coastal erosion progressed. This was done, with the kind cooperation of a neighbouring property owner, by extending the entrance using part of their garden.

This continued access has extended the life of the car park in its current form. However, this is only a temporary solution; as further cliff is lost, this entrance will become unsafe for vehicle access, this could occur this winter.

Moving Happisburgh Car Park

Earlier this year planning permission has been granted for the car park and its access to be relocated further inland on a field behind the existing car park. Whilst the land purchase is completed, work is being done on the detailed design of the new car park and actions such as discharging the planning conditions, surveys and preparing to seek a construction contractor.

The current car park was designed with rollback in mind, so many materials are reusable. As much of this material as possible will be used in the relocated car park.

Rock armour and ramp

Over a number of years the rock armour scheme at Happisburgh has slowed erosion rates as it helps to absorb wave energy. The current rock sill has been relocated twice as the cliff has receded, most recently in 2018. The Coastwise and Coastal Management Teams at North Norfolk District Council have jointly commissioned a project to assess the effectiveness of the existing rock armour and consider and assess alternative options for using it at Happisburgh.

This work will also help to identify and assess potential alternative options to the current beach access.

Graveyard

Coastwise, with input from the church authorities, is in the process of commissioning a study to better understand nationally the policy, legislation and operational guidance around graveyards that are at risk of loss. What we find out will be used to inform how graveyards continue to be used and how they can sensitively transition when they face loss due to coastal erosion.

Get involved and find out more

If you would like to find out more or discuss what's happening in Happisburgh further, you can email Coastwise@north-norfolk,gov.uk or send a letter to Coastwise, North Norfolk District Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer, NR27 9EN.

Alternativity Coastwise is continuing its community events with a Coastwise Cafe at the Wenn Evans Centre on 23 November 2024, from 9am to 1pm, where we will provide updates on the project's activities in Happisburgh and be seeking input.

Cllr Harry Blathwayt, portfolio holder for Coast, said:

"These events are proving to be a forum where those with concerns caused by our eroding coast can have those concerns listened to. The Coastwise Team will be on hand to provide information and advice as well as realistic assurance. I hope everyone with these concerns and experiences will be able to attend."

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.

Find out more about the Coastwise project at www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/coastwise