North Catchment Flood Management Plan Summary Report December 2009 managing flood risk We are the Environment Agency. It’s our job to look after your environment and make it a better place – for you, and for future generations. Your environment is the air you breathe, the water you drink and the ground you walk on. Working with business, Government and society as a whole, we are making your environment cleaner and healthier. The Environment Agency. Out there, making your environment a better place.

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All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency. December 2009 Introduction

I am pleased to introduce our summary of the Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP). This CFMP gives an overview of the flood risk in the North Norfolk CFMP area and sets out our preferred plan for sustainable flood risk management over the next 50 to 100 years.

The North Norfolk CFMP is one of 77 CFMPs for occur quite often as there are no formal flood defences and Wales. Through the CFMPs, we have assessed in the catchment. Flooding is made worse in many places inland flood risk across all of England and Wales for by bridges, culverts, fords and walls that restrict the flow the first time. The CFMP considers all types of inland of water downstream. High tide levels can prevent flooding, from , ground water, surface water flows from draining away and this is called ‘tide-locking’. and tidal flooding, but not flooding directly from the Tide-locking can increase flood water levels locally on sea (coastal flooding). This is covered by Shoreline the lower reaches of the rivers Glaven, Burn, and Management Plans (SMPs). Our coverage of surface and Hun and the Cley watercourses. Groundwater, sewers groundwater flooding is however limited due to a lack of and surface water flooding has also occurred in the past. available information. For example, surface water flooding has occurred in . The role of CFMPs is to establish flood risk management policies which will deliver sustainable flood risk We cannot reduce flood risk on our own. We will management for the long term. This is essential if we are therefore work closely with all our partners to improve to make the right investment decisions for the future and the co-ordination of flood risk activities and agree the to help prepare ourselves effectively for the impact of most effective way to manage flood risk in the future. We climate change. We will use CFMPs to help us target our work with many organisations, groups and individuals limited resources where the risks are greatest. with an interest in how flood risk is managed including local authorities, Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs), This CFMP identifies flood risk management policies to water companies, conservation bodies such as Natural assist all key decision makers in the catchment. It was England and the public. produced through a wide consultation and appraisal process, however it is only the first step towards an This is a summary of the main CFMP document. If you integrated approach to flood risk management. As we would like to see the full document an electronic version all work together to achieve our objectives, we must can be obtained by emailing enquiries@environment- monitor and listen to each others progress, discuss what agency.gov.uk or telephoning 08708 506 506. has been achieved and consider where we may need to Alternatively, paper copies can be viewed at any of our review parts of the CFMP. offices in Anglian Region.

There are different sources of flood risk in the catchment. The North Norfolk CFMP area is prone to sudden summer storms with heavy rainfall and this can cause flooding on the , Weybourne Beck, , River Paul Woodcock Stiffkey, River Burn and . River flooding can Regional Director Anglian Region

Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan 1 Contents

The purpose of a CFMP in managing flood risk 3

Catchment overview 4

Current and future flood risk 6

Future direction for flood risk management 10

Sub-areas 1 Rural areas 12 2 14 3 North Norfolk Coast 16 4 and Sheringham 18 5 19

Map of CFMP policies 20

Cley Catchwater Drain

2 Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan The purpose of a CFMP in managing flood risk

CFMPs help us to understand the • Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs), CFMPs aim to promote more scale and extent of flooding now water companies and other sustainable approaches to managing and in the future, and set policies utilities to help plan their flood risk. The policies identified in for managing flood risk within the activities in the wider context the CFMP will be delivered through a catchment. CFMPs should be used of the catchment; combination of different approaches. to inform planning and decision Together with our partners, we • transportation planners; making by key stakeholders such as: will implement these approaches • land owners, farmers and through a range of delivery plans, • the Environment Agency, who will land managers that manage projects and actions. use the plan to guide decisions and operate land for on investment in further plans, The relationship between the CFMP, agriculture, conservation projects or actions; delivery plans, strategies, projects and amenity purposes; and actions is shown in Figure 1. • regional planning bodies and • the public and businesses to local authorities who can use the enhance their understanding plan to inform spatial planning of flood risk and how it will activities and emergency be managed. planning;

Figure 1 The relationship between CFMPs, delivery plans, projects and actions

Policy planning • CFMPs and Shoreline Management Plans. • Action plans define requirement for delivery plans, projects and actions.

Policy delivery plans (see note) Projects and actions • Influence spatial planning to reduce risk • Make sure our spending delivers the best and restore floodplains. possible outcomes. • Prepare for and manage floods • Focus on risk based targets, for example (including local Flood Warning plans). numbers of households at risk. • Managing assets. • Water level management plans. • Land management and habitat creation. Note: Some plans may not be led by us – we may • Surface water management plans. identify the need and encourage their development.

Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan 3 Catchment overview

The North Norfolk CFMP area is enjoy the coastline and they help The larger rivers rise in the south of located in the and to support the local economy. The the CFMP area, and are generally covers an area of around 500 km2, CFMP area covers the River Mun, small and steep in their upper with a population of 50,000 Weybourne Beck, River Glaven, reaches. In their lower reaches the people. Map 1 shows the location Cley Catchwater Drain, Cley New geography is flatter and the rivers and extent of the North Norfolk Cut, , River Burn and become wider. The Cley Catchwater CFMP area. The downstream limit River Hun. Norfolk Rivers IDB has Drain, Cley New Cut and River Hun of the CFMP area is located at the an important role in managing land are small rivers that cross areas of to Hard and drainage in the North Norfolk CFMP environmental significance. The Kelling Hard to Lowestoft Ness area. River Glaven, Cley Catchwater Drain, Shoreline Management Plans Cley New Cut, River Stiffkey, River Glacial till and sand and gravel (SMPs). The SMP deals with coastal Burn, River Hun and Weybourne dominate the drift geology of flood management issues and tidal Beck all outfall through coastal CFMP area. The chalk geology dips flooding along this coastline. The defences. from west to east and there are CFMP considers tide-locking on the marine derived sands and fossil The landscape value of North lower reaches of the River Glaven, shells and clays to the east along Norfolk is recognised in its Burn, Stiffkey and Hun when the the narrow strip of the CFMP area. designation as part of the Norfolk outfalls are closed. This covers Sheringham, Cromer Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Most of the CFMP area is used and Mundesley. Glacial sands and Beauty (AONB) which covers for arable crop production, with gravels, and boulder clay overlie the lower river valleys and the the majority being grade three the solid geology in many places. coast. There are a number of sites agricultural land. The quality of the The River Burn is influenced most designated for their environmental land generally improves to grades by the underlying chalk and suffers importance including Special Area one and two towards the east of from intermittent flows during dry of Conservation (SAC), Special the CFMP area. Small areas of land periods. In the areas where there is Protection Area (SPA), Ramsar site in the centre and the west are chalk bedrock, runoff may infiltrate and Biosphere Reserve (BR). Sites classified as grade four. There is the rock delaying the response of of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) no grade five land in North Norfolk rivers to rainfall and reducing peak in North Norfolk include wetland CFMP area. Cromer, Sheringham flood flows. There is also a risk fen, marsh, grassland and coastal and Holt are the largest settlements from groundwater flooding in habitats. Scheduled Monuments in the CFMP area. There are a large these areas. (SMs) designated for their heritage number of tourists in the summer value, are distributed across the months that come particularly to CFMP area.

4 Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan Map 1 Location and extent of the North Norfolk CFMP area

River Glaven

Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan 5 Current and future flood risk

Overview of the current flood risk What is at risk?

Flood risk has two components: Currently the main sources of At present there are around 300 the chance (probability) of a flood risk for people, property, people and 200 commercial and particular flood and the impact (or infrastructure and the land are: residential properties at risk from consequence) that the flood would the 1% annual probability river • river flooding of all watercourses, have if it happened. The probability flood. This means that only 0.6% particularly in the villages of of a flood relates to the likelihood of of the total population in the South Creake and Mundesley; a flood of that size occurring within CFMP area is currently at risk a one year period, it is expressed • the impacts of rivers not being from flooding. as a percentage. For example, a able to flow freely to the sea There is approximately 92 km2 of 1% annual probability flood has a during high tide (called tidal grade one and two agricultural land 1% chance or 0.01 probability of locking), particularly on the lower in the CFMP area and less than 1% occurring in any one year, and a reaches of the River Glaven, is at risk of flooding in the current 0.5% annual probability flood has a Stiffkey and Burn; 1% annual probability river flood. 0.5% chance or 0.005 probability of Currently there are no significant occurring in any one year. The flood • surface water drainage and sewer lengths of transport routes at risk risks quoted in this report are those flooding. Surface flooding has and the only infrastructure at risk that take account of flood defences caused significant disruption in is an electricity sub-station. already in place. Cromer and Sheringham in the past. The risk of sewer flooding is It is difficult to assess the current The catchment has a history scattered but can be a particular impact of flooding on environmental of flooding. River flooding has problem in the upper Burn valley. features but an SPA, a Ramsar happened on many of the rivers site, two SACs, six SSSIs and three in the catchment and has affected National Nature Reserves (NNR) most properties on the Rivers Burn are at flood risk. There are also 10 and Stiffkey. For example in July Scheduled Monuments (SMs) at 2004, properties were flooded in flood risk the 1% annual probability South Creake and . river flood. Groundwater and surface water flooding have also occurred in the catchment, the most significant being in Sheringham in August 2006.

6 Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan Where is the risk?

Approximately 40% of the people Table 1 Locations of towns and villages with 25 or more properties and properties that are currently at at risk in a 1% annual probability river flood risk from a 1% annual probability Number of properties at risk Locations river flood within the CFMP area are located in South Creake, with a 50 to 100 South Creake further 20% located in Mundesley.

The distribution of properties at risk 25 to 50 Mundesley, North Creake and from a 1% annual probability river flood is illustrated in Map 2. Table 1 summarises where there is flood risk to more than 25 properties. Table 2 Critical infrastructure at risk in a 1% annual probability river flood Table 2 summarises the critical One electricity sub-station infrastructure that is at risk from a 1% annual probability river flood. We recognise that there is also a potential risk from surface water and groundwater flooding. However, further studies following on from the CFMP are required by us and our partners to quantify this potential risk.

Spring Beck

Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan 7 Map 2 Flood risks to property in a 1% annual probability river flood, taking into account current flood defences

How we currently manage the risk in the catchment

The CFMP area has a history of activities which help to reduce the Activities that reduce the flooding, generally due to sudden probability of flooding and those consequences of flooding include: storms leading to flash flooding that address the consequences of • working with local authorities to on watercourses and surface water flooding. influence the location, layout and flooding in urban areas. There Activities that reduce the design of new and redeveloped are no formal flood defences in consequences of flooding include: property and ensuring that this CFMP area however there are only appropriate development informal flood banks along some • maintaining river channels; is allowed on the floodplain river reaches and many of the through the application of rivers have been modified and • maintenance of drainage Planning Policy Statement 25 straightened in the past. networks by the Norfolk Rivers Internal Drainage Board (IDB) (PPS25); In addition to these engineering and landowners; • understanding where flooding schemes, other flood risk is likely by using flood risk management activities are carried • maintenance of road drainage mapping; out in the CFMP area. These include and sewer systems.

8 Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan • providing flood forecasting and For rural land management, we In the North Norfolk CFMP area, warning services; adjusted the river models to climate change was shown to have represent the effect of reducing the greatest impact on flood risk. • promoting awareness of intensive farming practices. At a Therefore, the scenario used to flooding so that organisations, catchment scale this had a limited model future flood risk was based communities and individuals impact on flood risk. Therefore, only on climate change as described. are aware of the risk and are changes in rural land management prepared in case they need to Using river models we estimate were not taken forward into the final take action in time of flood; that by 2100, around 400 people future scenario. and 300 properties will be at flood • promoting resilience and For climate change we tested the risk from the 1% annual probability resistance measures for those following changes up to 2100: river flood. There is no significant properties already in the increase in the number of people floodplain. • 20% increase in peak flow in all or properties at risk in the North watercourses. This will increase Combinations of engineering and Norfolk CFMP area in the future, the probability of large-scale other flood risk management although the risk to life will increase flood events; activities are used to reduce the in Mundesley, where there is a probability or consequences of • A total sea level rise of 980 mm danger from deep and fast flowing flooding. We have investigated by the year 2100. This will water during a flood. Figure 2 shows which activities are likely to be increase the probability of tidal the difference between current and most effective and appropriate in flooding (this is looked at in the future flood risks at key locations, different parts of the CFMP area in relevant SMP) and increase the focusing on river flooding and tide the future. length of time of tide-locking on locking. the rivers Glaven, Stiffkey, Burn, It is unlikely that the impact of Hun, Weybourne Beck and the flooding on environmental sites will Cley watercourses. The impact of climate change significantly in the future. change and future Climate change was shown to have Ten additional listed buildings may flood risk a significant impact on flood risk. be at flood risk in the future.

In the future, flooding can be influenced by climate change, Figure 2 Current and future (2100) flood risk to property from a 1% annual changes in land use (for example probability river flood urban development) and rural land management. Using river models we tested the sensitivity of the rivers in the CFMP area to these drivers.

For urbanisation, we tested increases to the urban area of 10% up to 2100. Increasing urbanisation did not have a significant impact on flood risk. Therefore, urbanisation was not taken forward into the final future scenario.

Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan 9 Future direction for flood risk management

Approaches in each sub-area

We have divided the North Norfolk the most appropriate approach To select the most appropriate catchment into 5 distinct sub- to managing flood risk for each of policy, the plan has considered how areas which have similar physical the sub-areas and allocated one of social, economic and environmental characteristics, sources of flooding six generic flood risk management objectives are affected by flood risk and level of risk. We have identified policies, shown in Table 3. management activities under each policy option. Map 3 Sub-areas and flood risk management policies

10 Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan Table 3 Flood risk management policy options ➜ Policy 1 Areas of little or no flood risk where we will continue to monitor and advise This policy will tend to be applied in those areas where there are very few properties at risk of flooding. It reflects a commitment to work with the natural flood processes as far as possible.

➜ Policy 2 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk management actions This policy will tend to be applied where the overall level of risk to people and property is low to moderate. It may no longer be value for money to focus on continuing current levels of maintenance of existing defences if we can use resources to reduce risk where there are more people at higher risk. We would therefore review the flood risk management actions being taken so that they are proportionate to the level of risk.

➜ Policy 3 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we are generally managing existing flood risk effectively This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently appropriately managed and where the risk of flooding is not expected to increase significantly in the future. However, we keep our approach under review, looking for improvements and responding to new challenges or information as they emerge. We may review our approach to managing flood defences and other flood risk management actions, to ensure that we are managing efficiently and taking the best approach to managing flood risk in the longer term.

➜ Policy 4 Areas of low, moderate or high flood risk where we are already managing the flood risk effectively but where we may need to take further actions to keep pace with climate change This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently deemed to be appropriately-managed, but where the risk of flooding is expected to significantly rise in the future. In this case we would need to do more in the future to contain what would otherwise be increasing risk. Taking further action to reduce risk will require further appraisal to assess whether there are socially and environmentally sustainable, technically viable and economically justified options.

➜ Policy 5 Areas of moderate to high flood risk where we can generally take further action to reduce flood risk This policy will tend to be applied to those areas where the case for further action to reduce flood risk is most compelling, for example where there are many people at high risk, or where changes in the environment have already increased risk. Taking further action to reduce risk will require additional appraisal to assess whether there are socially and environmentally sustainable, technically viable and economically justified options.

➜ Policy 6 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we will take action with others to store water or manage run-off in locations that provide overall flood risk reduction or environmental benefits This policy will tend to be applied where there may be opportunities in some locations to reduce flood risk locally or more widely in a catchment by storing water or managing run-off. The policy has been applied to an area (where the potential to apply the policy exists), but would only be implemented in specific locations within the area, after more detailed appraisal and consultation.

Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan 11 Sub-area 1

Rural areas

Our key partners are: The vision and preferred policy

Norfolk County Council Policy option 2: Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk North Norfolk District Council management actions.

Natural England In the rural reaches the current activity to manage flooding is out of proportion with the level of flood risk, or is not effective. In general, overall flood The issues in this sub-area risk management activities will be reduced within the sub-area, however where flood risk is more This sub-area contains mainly agricultural land but concentrated (for example in towns and villages) includes many small villages, hamlets and isolated existing actions to manage flooding may be continued. properties. Currently, 75 properties located in this sub-area are at risk from the 1% annual probability The preferred approach is to reduce bank and channel river flood. maintenance in some locations. This will enable limited resources to be targeted to other areas of the Those at risk are located in isolated areas scattered catchment where the risks are greater, to ensure value throughout the sub-area. There is approximately 3% for money. The preferred policy will also help improve of grade two agricultural land at risk from flooding the flow between the river and its floodplain and so within this sub-area. The A149 Coast Road, A148 improve wetland and aquatic habitats. Cromer to King’s Lynn, B1149, B110, B1355 and B1155 are at risk in the 1% annual probability river flood. Flood warning is an important way of managing the One electricity sub-station is at risk in the 1% annual consequences of flooding throughout the catchment. probability river flood. Some environmental sites in Therefore, the local flood warning infrastructure (such this sub-area may benefit from flooding. Table 4 details as river flow gauging stations) needs to be maintained. flood risk to people and property in this sub-area. Table 4 Risk to people and property within the Rural The key messages areas sub-area during a 1% annual probability river flood • Where feasible, flood risk management activities will be reduced as the current activity to manage flooding Current Future is out of proportion with the level of flood risk. (2100) • Reducing bank and channel maintenance will help Number of people 116 197 naturalise rivers and improve the flow between the river and its floodplain. Number of properties 75 123 • Maintain flood warning infrastructure (such as river flow gauging stations) to ensure that an effective flood warning service can be provided throughout the catchment.

12 Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement • Encourage planners to develop policies to prevent the preferred policy inappropriate development in the floodplain. The floodplain should be maintained as an asset to make • Investigate options to cease or reduce current space for water. bank and channel maintenance and flood defence • Work with partners to develop an emergency maintenance. In addition, changes in land use, response plan for critical infrastructure and transport development of sustainable farming practices and links at risk of flooding. environmental enhancement should be investigated to mitigate an increase in flooding in the future.

• Continue with the flood warning service including the maintenance of flood warning infrastructure (i.e. river flow gauging stations) and public awareness plans.

River Stiffkey

Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan 13 Sub-area 2

South Creake

Our key partners are: Table 5 Risk to people and property within the South Creake sub-area during a 1% annual probability The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk river flood Current Future North Norfolk District Council (2100) Norfolk Rivers IDB Number of people 122 136

Number of properties 79 85 The issues in this sub-area

This sub-area includes the urban area of South Creake at the upstream end of the River Burn. Currently, The vision and preferred policy 79 properties located in this sub-area are at risk from the 1% annual probability river flood. The cause of Policy option 3: Areas of low to moderate flood risk flooding is predominantly river flooding which can where we are generally managing existing flood risk be made worse by the backing up of water behind effectively. structures such as bridges. There is approximately The settlements in this sub-area have been built in the 14% of grade two agricultural land at risk from flooding floodplain and as a result have a history of flooding. within this sub-area. One B-road (B11145) is at risk in In the past flood defences have been constructed the 1% annual probability river flood. There is also risk and maintenance work carried out to reduce flood from surface water and sewer flooding in this sub-area. risk. Although flood risk is not expected to increase Table 5 details flood risk to people and property in significantly in the future, as there is a concentration this sub-area. of people and property within the floodplain, it is still We currently undertake a maintenance programme that feasible and effective to continue with the current helps flow to be conveyed in South Creake. We do not level of flood risk management. This will be achieved maintain any flood defences in South Creake, but we do by continuing with existing flood risk management target our maintenance here to keep the culverts clear activities. and reduce the risk of blockage. We provide a flood warning service for the River Burn.

14 Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan The key messages Proposed actions to implement

• The current level of flood risk management should the preferred policy be continued. • Continue with the flood warning service including the • Continue current flood risk management activities. maintenance of flood warning infrastructure (i.e. river flow gauging stations) and public awareness plans to improve the uptake of flood warning.

• Continue current maintenance activities.

River Burn, South Creake

Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan 15 Sub-area 3

North Norfolk Coast

Our key partners are: The vision and preferred policy

Natural England Policy option 2: Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk Norfolk Coast Partnership management actions.

Within this coastal sub-area the current activity to manage flooding is out of proportion with the level The issues in this sub-area of flood risk, or is not effective. In general, overall flood risk management activities will be reduced This large sub-area covers the North Norfolk Coastal within the sub-area. However where flood risk is more area and the environmentally designated sites there concentrated (for example in towns and villages), (North Norfolk Coast SPA, RAMSAR, SAC, Norfolk Valley or where an increase in river flooding would have Fen SAC, Warham Camp SSSI, Marston Cliffs SSSI, North a negative impact on an internationally designated Norfolk Coast SSSI and Holme Dune NNR). Coastal conservation area, existing actions to manage flooding flooding is the main cause of flood risk in this policy may be continued. unit and this is covered by the Hunstanton to Kelling Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). The existing level of The preferred approach is to reduce bank and channel flood risk is low. Although we do not maintain any river maintenance in some locations. This will enable flood defences in this sub-area, we do carry out flood limited resources to be targeted to other areas of risk management activities for environmental reasons. the catchment where the risks are greater, to ensure Currently, 15 properties located in this sub-area are at value for money. We need to make sure that the way risk from the 1% annual probability river flood. There is the policy is implemented in this sub-area does not no grade two agricultural land at risk of flooding in this cause adverse effects for internationally designated sub-area, but there is 33% of grade three at risk in a conservation sites. 1% annual probability river flood. The main risk to the environment in this sub-area is to the environmental Flood warning is an important way of managing the sites as well as to historical features such as listed consequences of flooding throughout the catchment. buildings and Scheduled Monuments (SMs). Table 6 Therefore, the local tidal flood warning infrastructure details flood risk to people and property in this sub-area. needs to be maintained.

Table 6 Risk to people and property within the North Norfolk Coast sub-area during a 1% annual probability The key messages river flood Current Future • Where feasible, flood risk management activities will (2100) be reduced as the current activity to manage flooding is out of proportion with the level of flood risk. Number of people 6 6 • Maintain tidal flood warning infrastructure to ensure Number of properties 15 17 that an effective tidal flood warning service can be provided throughout the CFMP area.

• The implementation of this policy must not cause adverse effects for internationally designated conservation areas.

16 Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan Proposed actions to implement • Continue with the tidal flood warning service the preferred policy including the maintenance of flood warning infrastructure. • Investigate options to cease or reduce current • Develop resilience and resistance projects to bank and channel maintenance and flood defence investigate the impact and extent of flooding on the maintenance. In addition, changes in land use, environmental sites and also the impact of reducing development of sustainable farming practices and maintenance on the sites. environmental enhancement should be investigated to mitigate an increase in flooding in the future.

Cley Catchwater Drain,

Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan 17 Sub-area 4

Cromer and Sheringham

Our key partners are: The vision and preferred policy

Anglian Water Policy option 5: Areas of moderate to high flood risk where we can generally take further action to reduce flood risk. North Norfolk District Council Surface water flooding is a complex issue and we Cromer Town Council need to investigate further the sources and impacts of this risk in partnership with North Norfolk District Sheringham Town Council Council and Anglian Water. Producing a study means that we can plan appropriate actions to manage the Highways Agency risk. Foe example, better information can be used to development emergency plans to manage the consequences of surface water flooding. The issues in this sub-area This sub-area contains the urban areas of Cromer and The key messages Sheringham and the development in between at East , and . As there are • Organisations need to work together to investigate no main rivers flowing through this sub-area and the the risk of surface water flooding. coastline is formed by cliffs, the probability of tidal and river flood risk is low. The coastline is formed by cliffs which protect the area from tidal flooding. There is a Proposed actions to implement risk to people and property from surface water flooding the preferred policy in Cromer and Sheringham, due to the impermeable surfaces in the urban areas and the short intense • Work with our partners to develop a Surface Water rainfall which the area is prone to. Management Plan for Cromer and Sheringham.

The factors that influence the likelihood of surface • Encourage planners to develop policies to locate water flooding include landuse, the intensity and any new developments in the areas of lowest location of rainfall and the local topography and surface water risk. Any new development should geology. The saturation of the ground and the actual not increase the risk from surface water flooding to condition of the sewerage and drainage system also existing developments. affect the risk.

18 Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan Sub-area 5

Mundesley

Our key partners are: pond the preferred approach is to undertake a study to investigate how we can reduce flood risk, with particular North Norfolk District Council consideration to obstructions. For the chalet park, the preferred approach is to take immediate action to Norfolk County Council improve flood warning and awareness. This will inform residents of the risk of flooding and action they can take to protect themselves. However in the long term, the The issues in this sub-area most sustainable way of reducing flood risk will be to work with planners to relocate the chalet park away from This sub-area includes the River Mun at Mundesley (also areas at risk of flooding. known as Mundesley Beck). There are 45 properties at risk from deep flooding. This includes three properties used for holiday accommodation and 14 chalets. The key messages Flooding could be very deep to the chalets. River • Develop a study to investigate how flood risk flooding is made worse by backing up behind structures upstream of the former mill pond can be reduced. such as bridges. There is approximately 33% of grade two agricultural land at risk from flooding within this • In the short term, flood warning and flood awareness sub-area. The B1145 road and one electricity sub-station plans will be used to manage the consequences of are at risk of flooding. There is also the risk of surface flooding to the chalet park. water and sewer flooding in this sub-area. Table 7 details risk to people and property within sub-area. • In the long term, work with planners to relocate the chalet park away from areas at risk of flooding. Table 7 Risk to people and property within the Mundesley sub-area during a 1% annual probability river flood Proposed actions to implement Current Future the preferred policy (2100) • Undertake a study to investigate how we can reduce Number of people 64 80 flood risk to areas of Mundelsey upstream of the former mill pond with particular consideration to Number of properties 45 59 river obstructions. Options considered should ensure that risk is not increased outside Mundesley.

The vision and preferred policy • Work with the local authority and home-owners to relocate the chalet park away from areas at risk Policy option 5: Areas of moderate to high flood risk of flooding. Also policies should be put into the where we can generally take further action to reduce Local Development Framework to prevent further flood risk. development on this site in the future. The total number of people and property at risk of • Improve the flood warning service and develop flood flooding in Mundesley are not very high compared to awareness plans for the chalet park. This will help to other places in . However, there is a risk to life encourage people to sign up to and respond to flood here due to sudden, fast and deep flooding, particularly warnings. in the chalet park. Flood depths, flows and volumes are expected to increase in the future. Therefore, it is • Work with partners to develop an emergency response important that we take further action to reduce flood plan for critical infrastructure at risk of flooding. risk. For areas of Mudlesley upstream of the former mill Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan 19 Map of CFMP policies

Map 4 The flood risk management policies for the North Norfolk CFMP area

20 Environment Agency North Norfolk Catchment Flood Management Plan

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