Pathfinder Projects

What is the North Norfolk Pathfinder?

In 2009 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (Defra) invited local authorities to apply to an £11 million funded Coastal Change Pathfinder Programme. The Programme is an 18 month ‘road test’ for local authorities to explore ways of helping coastal communities plan and adapt to coastal change.

NNDC were successful in securing the largest amount of funding (£3 million) to trial its projects from December 2009 to April 2011.

The North Norfolk Pathfinder intends to trial a range of initiatives and evaluate their effectiveness, the issues faced and lessons learnt and then to report back to Defra. This information will then inform future government coastal policies; however it is not yet clear how the findings will be interpreted or what support, financial or otherwise, will be available beyond these initial North Norfolk Pathfinder projects.

Whilst implementing the Pathfinder projects some issues which affect individuals and communities will be tackled, unfortunately the projects will not enable everyone’s needs to be met.

What is Coastal Change?

The term Coastal Change is used to describe the effects of wave action and weather on the geology of the coastline. This process is heavily influenced by the building, failure or removal of sea defences and also by sea level rise.

The adjustment of our coastline has had a detrimental effect on housing, on people’s livelihoods, on the coastal environment and on the economic prospects of the whole community. These impacts are being experienced now and are likely to become worse in the future.

How is NNDC responding to Coastal Change?

NNDC is responsible for coast defences for approximately half of the District's coastline.  Wherever feasible, our programme of maintaining existing sea defences will continue: the North Norfolk Pathfinder is in addition to this - not an alternative.

The extent of coastal change is predicted by Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs).  These plans provide the policy basis for investment in coast defences; however, they have limited scope to address the consequences of coastal change.  A different approach to coastal management has therefore been developed in north Norfolk and our experience of manageing our dynamic coastline has put us at the forefront of coastal change issues nationally.  The Coastal Concern Action Group (based in Happisburgh) has also become an influential lobby organisation.

Further Information

• EDP article
• What are Pathfinders?