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Coastal Management Overview

The District of North Norfolk has a coastal frontage of approximately 68km stretching from Holkham in the west to Horsey in the south-east. The central 34km of the coastal frontage, from Kelling Hard through to Cart Gap, Happisburgh, is characterised by soft glacial cliffs and sandy beaches. This is in stark contrast to the low lying areas found on either flank. In the west there are saltmarshes and the famous shingle ridge leading to Blakeney Point spit, while to the east the beaches and sand-dunes are all that separates the North Sea from the Norfolk Broads. North Norfolk is host to several popular holiday destinations such as Cromer, Sheringham and Wells-next-the-Sea.

District plan showing areas of coastal responsibility

Download a copy of the map (.pdf 76Kb)

The North Norfolk coastline makes a vital contribution to the environmental quality of the District as well as to the health of the local economy and the quality of life of the inhabitants and visitors to the area. The coast brings huge opportunities but also many challenges, that local communities, local authorities and a host of other organisations are facing. North Norfolk District Council is keen to ensure that the future of the coastal area brings both environmental benefits and economic prosperity in order to safeguard the wellbeing of today's communities, and that of future generations.

The Environment Agency has Strategic Overview of the management of the whole coast, however, the District Council maintains the coastal defences and related coastal infrastructure between Kelling Hard and Cart Gap. The Environment Agency is also the responsible authority for flooding (both river and coastal).

Coastal Management Challenges
The challenges facing coastal communities in North Norfolk are explained by clicking on the following links.

North Norfolk Pathfinder Logo

Pathfinder Programme

NNDC has been awarded a grant of £3 million to develop new ways of managing the impacts of coastal change on our coastal communities.  This comes from the Coastal Change Fund announced in the Government’s Coastal Change Policy.

Further details about the work of the Coastal Management Team can be found by accessing the pages in the 'Also in this section' box at the top right of this page. Alternatively contact us directly: 

Post Coastal Management Team
North Norfolk District Council
Council Offices
Holt Road
CROMER
NR27 9EN
Telephone General Coastal Enquires 01263 516004
  Coastal Strategy 01263 516180
  Coastal Engineering 01263 516193
  Coastal Planning 01263 516162
Fax 01263 515042
Email coastalmanagement@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Contact Coastal Management Tel: 01263 516162 (Coastal Planning)
or Tel: 01263 516193 (Coastal Protection)
Email: coastalmanagement@north-norfolk.gov.uk
 
The North Norfolk Coastal Environment Education Material

The education page provides a range of information related to the Council's coast protection role, from the physical processes operating on the coast to a detailed description of the defences in place. Although the information is aimed at school and college students, it should be of use to anyone interested in the history and the options for the future of the North Norfolk coast.