Shoreline - keeping Overstrand informed about coastal defence plans
"Shoreline plan ... threat to future of our village" by Michael Clarke
Overstrand village will face an uncertain future if the recommendations of new Shoreline Management consultation document are approved.
Proposals include retreat from maintenance of existing shore defences, resulting in long term unabated erosion of Overstrand's cliff top formation.
If the policy is adopted many of the village's features currently enjoyed by locals and holiday makers could be allowed to start slipping away within 20 years.
The document, produced by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs claims there is insufficient economic justification to build new sea defences to protect Overstrand.
For the immediate short term future, until around 2025, a "hold the line policy", is recommended. However works will only be carried out where economically justified.
Sea wall not rebuilt
Overstrand promenade and beach access would be maintained over the next 20 years. However amid the flexibility jargon is a clear message that if the sea wall collapses during this period it will not be rebuilt.
The plan anticipates fewer than five properties might be lost to natural cliff failure during this initial 20 year hold the line period. There are also concerns about the stability of the Jubilee Ground.
The managed retreat policy favoured for the following 30 years poses the biggest threat to the village. Sea defences would not be replaced if they become ineffective, allowing the sea to retreat.
Astonishingly the report recognises this policy could result in the loss of cliff top properties, seriously affecting businesses, families and tourism.
Sand for other beaches
However under certain circumstances there could be justification for occasional intervention.
But only for the purpose of slowing rather than halting erosion, providing the measures do not prevent alongshore transportation of beach sediment.
The reality is the document proposes the gradual surrender of Overstrand to provide sand to down coast beaches!
Entire village at risk
The pragmatic policy predicts by 2055, after 30 years of planned "no active intervention", between 20 and 60 houses and commercial premises might be lost.
Including vital holiday attractions Ivy Farm holiday park, Sea Marge Hotel, Cliff Top Cafe and Fisherman's Green, close to the heart of Overstrand's important conservation area.
Half a century of observed erosion, supported by way of no active intervention, is proposed. Leaving properties in Beach Close, Clifton Way, High Street, lower Hobbard Road, lower Londs, lower Cliff Road, Thurst Road and Pauls Lane exposed to risk, any time during the next 50 years.
Nothing would to be done during this period to prevent loss of the promenade. Local roads could also disappear.
It is also predicted the village sewage pumping station could disappear. If this happened the viability of the entire Overstrand community would be at risk.
A devastated village would still face the prospect of further erosion. The preferred policy of managed retreat could mean a cumulative loss over the next 100 years of between 60 and 135 village houses.
By 2105 the future of more properties in Mundesley Road, Carr Lane, Clifton Way, High Street, The Londs, Cliff Road, White Horse Gardens, Pauls Larte, Danish House and Hillingdon Park and The Pleasance would be jeopardised.
Longer for Mundesley Sidestrand and Trimingham with no active intervention planned over the next 100 years, face bleak futures.
Mundesley will also suffer, but the hold the line policy there is planned for 50 years, more than twice the period suggested for Overstrand.
SHORELINE PLAN
A century of winners and losers
The short term, policy of the Shoreline Management plan aims to continue to protect some existing communities against flooding and erosion, for a mere 20 years.
Beyond two decades it is claimed to defend the shore line in the way it is today would prove too expensive and difficult to maintain.
It would also be damaging to the natural environment. Mundesley and Overstrand beaches have been highlighted as having the potential to prevent 70 % sediment supply to down coast beaches.
So the preferred plan for these popular villages would be managed retreat, a gradual surrender to nature. While Sheringham Cromer, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth would be saved.
MANAGEMENT PLAN PREFERED OPTIONS
- NEXT 100 YEARS Protect: Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Sheringham, Cromer.
- NEXT 50 YEARS Protect: Mundesley
- NEXT 20 YEARS Protect: Overstrand then "managed retreat" No active protection: Sidestrand, Trimingham
OPINION
Until now most Overstrand villagers will have thought they were fortunate to live in this delightful rural North Norfolk fishing village. A village with a history and real sense of community, its cliff top location and safe, sandy beaches attracting hundreds of thousands of holiday makers every year.
But it's not quite the same now. The tranquility has been rocked by proposals in a Shoreline Management document spelling out bleak prospects for a village so many care about. Or do they?
If the people of Overstrand were to choose not to react to the report because it will not happen in their life time, then it will soon be all over for a village forever the immortalized epitome of Poppyland.
There is reason to be grateful to those who popularised Overstrand a hundred years ago, laying foundations for the thriving village enjoyed today.
Overstrand is not just some insignificant dot on the coastal map, ripe for being allowed to slip quietly over the cliffs, suiting the whim of the economists, ecologists and the shifting, drifting sands.
It's a real place where people enjoy living, working and relaxing. Today's villagers are custodians of the village, the guardians of its future. To sit back, abdicate responsibility and watch Overstrand slowly die is surely not an option?
It's time to stand up and fight for Overstrand's future, otherwise a volunteer will be needed to stay behind, be the last one out and switch the lights off.
Those involved developing plan ...
The revision of the Shoreline Management Plan was led by technical officers and representatives of:
- North Norfolk District Council
- Great Yarmouth Borough Council
- Waveney District Council
- Environment Agency
- English Nature
- Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
- Great Yarmouth Port Authority
- Elected representatives
- 30 other stake holders.
The consultation period is now relatively short with the closing date for representation 29 April 2005.
You can make a difference
Your views and comments can really make a difference in the development and progress of the plan..
Pressure from groups and individuals, including an e-mail from Overstrand, sent by Simon Davies, concerned that the time scale set for people to air their views was too short has resulted in the consultation period being extended to April 29. Signing petitions alone is not enough. The authors of the report and local politicians need to be made aware of the opinions of communities likely to be affected by the proposals by scores of locals.
If you are concerned about the proposals outlined in the preferred SMP and its impact on the future of Overstrand it is important to make representations and objections as soon as possible. Get writing now!
The partners involved in production of the SMP have appointed Terry Oakes Associates, Lowestoft, to manage the consultation process and receive comments.
Address written objections and concerns to:
TERRY OAKES ASSOCIATES PO BOX 186
LOWESTOFT
NR33 OWY
or by Email: smp3b@terryoakes.com
Also canvass the support of District Councillor, Mrs Tillett and Mr. Norman Lamb MP.
Avoid disaster not expenditure
The proposed Shoreline Management plan proposes the sacrifice of Overstrand. However it is the preferred option, not the only option. There are underlying economic reasons for the preferred option. The alternative ... avoid disaster for Overstrand not expenditure.
Village hall packed for shore debate
It was standing room only in Overstrand Parish Hall as villagers gathered to discuss the Shoreline Management Plan for the first time.
Over 80 villagers squeezed into the hall to hear Overstrand Parish Council I debate the plan at its February 2 meeting.
Parish Council chairman Mr. Keith Fathers told the meeting the Council's first opportunity of hearing about the plan did not come until 7 December, 2004 when he and Parish Councillors Mrs. Audrey Brittlebank and Mr. Michael Clarke attended a SMP seminar at North Norfolk District Council offices, Cromer.
Reality different
The presentation given on the night had not appeared to pose as severe a threat to Overstrand's future as the reality of the hard copy of the bulky full report, delivered to the Parish Council just a week before Christmas on 18 December.
The Shore Line Management plan then had to be read by nine councillors and the Parish Clerk before a forward strategy could be considered.
Golf clubs consulted
The report's appendices revealed some parish councils from Sea Palling southwards and even Sheringham and Cromer golf clubs had been involved in early consultation meetings with district councils, environment agencies and major stake holders.
Surprisingly the villages of Overstrand, Mundesley, Trimingham and Sidestrand, preferred in the report to make the biggest sacrifices had not been invited to the discussions.
At one of these formulative meetings only eight North Norfolk District councillors, including our local councillor Angie Tillett, out of 31 elected attended.
Tillett pledges opposition
Conservative District Councillor Angie Tillett assured the Parish Council meeting that her part would oppose the Shoreline Management plan.
"My colleagues absolutely refute the proposed Shoreline Management Plan", said Councillor Tillett. "Our national policy on coastal defence is just that - defence."
She also announced Conservative Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Mr. James Pace MP be backing opposition to the plan when he addresses a public meeting in the area on Wednesday March 16. Time and venue of meeting to be confirmed.
Overstrand tourism written off by report
Overstrand is repeatedly written off by the Shoreline Management Plan as being mainly a residential coastal village.
Despite, attracting visitors to its beaches Overstrand Is not considered a centre or tourist location of any significance.
Yet the consultants show no evidence in the report of having gained data on business turnover or the number of visitors visiting the village annually.
Well SHORELINE has been doing its homework and information collated so far indicates Overstrand has not been researched adequately by the reports authors.
Here are just a few statistics: Cliff Top Cafe submitted a conservative estimate of at least 90,000 customers a year.
Ivy Farm Holiday Park entertain at least 20,000 holiday makers during the summer season.
Kingswood Educational Activity Centre, Overstrand Hall, close on 10,000 students annually.
Returns are still awaited from hotels and it would be a mammoth task to survey holiday cottage numbers in the time available.
We were not given advance notice to enable us to do a daily head count on the beach last summer!
400 customers a day pass our village shops doors at the height of the season. Mentioned businesses are but a few of at least 26 local businesses who trade directly or indirectly with village visitors.
Village Steering Group
Tourism will not be the only Overstrand aspect the SMP team may have apparently fudged. But is likely to be a topic considered by the Overstrand SMP Steering Group, comprised of Parish Councillors Gordon Partridge, Alan Wilson, Mj. Joe Aylwood, Michael Clarke, coopted parishioners, Jim Guyton, Simon Davies, Richard Coward and Mr. J. Laidlow.
Their first meeting takes place in The Parish Hall, The Londs, 7.30 pm Wednesday, 9 February.
It is an open public meeting and all Overstrand residents are invited along.
Shoreline
SHORELINE the community newsletter aiming to keep Overstrand informed about the progress and impact on the village of the Shoreline Management Plan.
Three editions are anticipated during the consultation period. It's your newsletter and like every aspect of village strategy during this crucial time you can play a part. If you have ideas, comments or questions write to Shoreline Editor, Michael Clarke Sea Breeze 2b Cliff Road Overstrand.