Anger as residents are left out of the debate
By John Welch (Eastern Daily Press, 28 March 2008)
North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb spoke of his shock at learning that conservation chiefs were considering a plan that would see a large part of his constituency disappear under water. "The implications are pretty horrifying for the communities involved in that part of north-east Norfolk," he said. "What shocks me is that profound, devastating implications are being discussed at a conference between delegates without the communities affected being part of the decision at all."
Dr Martin George, of the Broads Society, said the potential loss of Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere was a "horrifying" prospect. "I'm extremely concerned at the prospect of a significant number of houses effectively finishing up in the sea and I think it's very sad that a significant amount of agricultural land is going to be lost," he added. If the plan were put into action, about 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of National Trust land would be lost to the sea.
Jenny Hawley, the trust's regional policy manager, said: "Our policy is to try to find solutions that are sustainable in the long term. I think it's a possibility, and in the long term it may be inevitable, but in the short-to-medium term, we don't just let it go."
Robin Buxton, leaseholder of the Horsey Estate, said he doubted the proposals would ever become reality. "These things can get up a head of steam if someone decides it's a good thing to do, but there are so many assets that would be damaged that I would hope whoever does an assessment would see that the economical thing to do is to maintain what we have got."
Reg Land, conservation manager at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, which owns Hickling and Martham Broads, said: "If it were to happen, Hickling Broad as we know it would disappear. That would not be a complete catastrophe because it would be replaced by a huge area of coastal habitat."
Christopher Deane, National Farmers' Union group secretary for East Norfolk, said: "It's just not a realistic option. It's not just land - it's land, livelihoods and the environment at risk."
David Russell, chairman of Sea Palling and Waxham parish council, said: "It's scandalous and outrageous that people who live in Sea Palling and Waxham have not been consulted about this."
Norman Grayling, Somerton parish clerk, said: "Any further debate on managed retreat of the coastline should include the people who may be affected and their elected representatives."