2. Understanding the area

A special place

The Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty The Area was legally designated in 1968, following is a protected National Landscape that sweeps around a five-year process of consideration of its landscape quality, most of the coast of Norfolk, . Comprising 451 statutory assessments by national conservation agencies, square kilometres of intertidal, coastal and agricultural and consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, land that stretches across the territory of three different including local landowners, residents and businesses, local authorities and one county council, the Area is as well as visitors and the wider public14. It runs along just characterised by remarkable natural landscapes, over 90 kilometres of the Norfolk coast, stretching from the and renowned as one of the few lowland areas in the mean low water mark and up to eight kilometres inland; UK to have a genuine ‘wilderness’ quality. It is physically within its boundaries there are a wealth of different split into three separate zones that encompass large natural and manmade landscapes, many rich with wildlife: sections of the coast: heaths and moors, salt marshes and high cliffs, chalk rivers and busy harbours. • The western zone lies just north of King’s Lynn, taking in parts of the Sandringham Estate (including 13. http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/mediaps/pdfuploads/pd003377.pdf Sandringham House) and an area of the south-eastern 14. http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/mediaps/pdfuploads/pd001161.pdf corner of • The central zone runs from Old to Weybourne (a stretch protected under a separate designation: the ‘ Heritage Coast’13) and then on to a point near Bacton in the east, excluding the resort areas of , and • The eastern zone runs from to Winterton-on-Sea, taking in Winterton Dunes

Landscape character areas

Open coastal marshes Rolling open farmland Tributary farmland Large valley Settlement

OpenDrained coastal marshescoastal marshes Rolling open farmlandPlateau farmlandTributary farmland WoodedLarge valleywith parkland SettlementEstuarine marshland Rivers

DrainedCoastal coastal slopes marshes Plateau farmland Rolling heath andWooded arable with parkland CoastalEstuarine plain marshland Rivers Settled farmland Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty Coastal slopes Rolling heath and arable Coastal plain Settled farmland Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty (outline) (outline) WoodedWooded slopes slopes with estate with land estate landSmall valleys Small valleys Coastal towns and villages CoastalDunes, towns coastal andlevels andvillages resorts Dunes, coastal levels and resorts

N 0 10km Wells-next 0 10km -the-Sea N Wells-next Information based upon © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. -the-Sea Sheringham Licence No. 100019340 2020 Cromer Hunstanton Information based upon © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Sheringham Licence No. 100019340 2020 Cromer Hunstanton A148 Holt

Fakenham A148 Holt North Walsham A148 Aylsham A149 Stalham

King’s Lynn Fakenham A140 A1067 North Walsham Aylsham A148 Hemsby A1151 A149 A47 Dereham Stalham

King’s Caister A47 -on-Sea Lynn A140 A10 Swaffham A1067 Great Yarmouth

Wymondham Downham Market Watton Hemsby A1151 Norwich A47 Dereham

Caister Attleborough A47 -on-Sea

A10 Swaffham Great Yarmouth

Wymondham Downham Market Watton

Attleborough Understanding the area

These two layers of official purpose mean designation How designation helps to protect not just an AONB’s natural features (its trees, fields and open spaces) but also the settlements informs management and working environments that are distinctive characteristics of the local countryside. This nuanced status allows The statutory purpose of designating an area of land as an for the sustainable development of communities and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is to conserve economic activity, including rural businesses, in ways and enhance natural beauty. It is important to note that that further enhance the character of the area – an AONB ‘natural beauty’ is a definition not limited simply to may be uniquely beautiful but that doesn’t mean its aesthetics; it includes everything that contributes to landscape should be preserved entirely unchanged. a unique sense of place, so not only an area’s landscapes A degree of sensitive pragmatism has to be factored into but also its plants, wildlife, biodiversity, geodiversity the management of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding and manmade historical and cultural features. Natural Beauty because, like many others, the Area relies There are also secondary, non-statutory recognised heavily on tourism to drive a thriving economy; also, more purposes of AONBs: firstly, to take account of the needs recently, it has started to rely on power generation – both of agriculture, forestry, fishing and other local rural industries via offshore wind power and by the importation of a large and of the economic and social needs of local communities, portion of the nation’s gas supply via a site near Bacton paying particular regard to promoting sustainable forms (a pipeline to Zeebrugge in Belgium connects the UK to of social and economic development that in themselves mainland Europe’s gas network). conserve and enhance the area’s natural beauty; In managing the Area, the Norfolk Coast Partnership and secondly, to seek to meet the demand for recreation also has a non-statutory responsibility to protect the so far as this is consistent with the statutory purpose North Norfolk Heritage Coast15, a stretch running from of conserving and enhancing the area’s natural beauty – Holme-next-the-Sea to Weybourne that is an officially and which preferably supports this purpose by increasing defined landscape in its own right, and which is recognised understanding, valuation and care for the area – as one of the finest stretches of undeveloped coast in and is also consistent with the needs of rural industries. Heritage Coast England and Wales. In addition, the Area also encompasses

Settlement and has to be managed within the context of a range Rivers of other designations and important features, including Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty (outline) 85 County Wildlife Sites, 59 Scheduled Monuments, 42 Conservation Areas, 28 sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and numerous listed buildings. It's also worth noting

Heritage Coast that although the statutory boundaries of the Norfolk Coast

North NorfolkSettlement Heritage Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty remain as originally Rivers designated in 1968, there is a national move towards Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty Wells-next (outline) a landscape-scale approach with less dependence on rigid -the-Sea Heritage Coast 0 10km N boundaries, and there is also some local pressure from parish SheringhamSettlement Information based upon © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. councils and other organisations to extend the boundaries Blakeney Cromer Lincence No. 100019340 2020 16 Hunstanton Rivers of the Area to cover a larger physical territory .

Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty (outline) 15. http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/mediaps/pdfuploads/pd003377.pdf A148 Holt 16. http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/partnership/aonb-designation/1050 Wells-next -the-Sea N 0 10km

Sheringham Information based upon © Crown copyright. Fakenham All rights reserved. Blakeney Cromer Lincence No. 100019340 2020 Hunstanton North Walsham A148 Aylsham A149 Stalham A148 Holt

King’s Lynn A140 A1067 Fakenham Wells-next North Hemsby -the-Sea Walsham 0 10km A148A1151 Aylsham N Dereham Norwich A149 A47 Stalham Sheringham Information based upon © Crown copyright. King’s Caister All rights reserved. -on-Sea Blakeney Lynn A47 A140 Cromer Lincence No. 100019340 2020 Hunstanton A1067 A10 Swaffham Great Yarmouth Hemsby A1151 Norwich Wymondham A47 Dereham Downham Market Watton A148 Holt Caister -on-Sea A47

A10 Swaffham Great Yarmouth Attleborough Fakenham Wymondham Downham Market Watton North Walsham A148 Aylsham A149 Stalham

Attleborough King’s Lynn A140 A1067

Hemsby A1151 Norwich A47 Dereham

Caister -on-Sea A47

A10 Swaffham Great Yarmouth

Wymondham Downham Market Watton

Attleborough Understanding the area

Although they are protected by law, the UK’s AONBs National Landscapes are far from being unchanging physical museums. Instead they are vibrant, living, working landscapes that contribute The desire to designate a number of special areas of the some £16bn every year to the national economy. Over two countryside to be managed in the interest of everyone – thirds of England’s population live within half an hour’s local residents, businesses, visitors, and the wider public – drive of an AONB and around 150 million people visit English and protected for future generations, irrespective of wider AONBs every year, spending in excess of £2bn. In addition political and economic pressures, emerged from the mood to being part of a UK family of National Landscapes, AONBs of civic renewal that characterised the decades following the are recognised internationally as part of a global family of end of the Second World War. The principles of protecting protected areas, identified by the International Union for areas of intrinsic worth from inappropriate development the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as ‘Category V: Protected and taking action for ‘preserving and enhancing natural Landscapes’ as those ‘where the interaction of people and beauty’ were first defined in law by the 1949 National Parks nature over time has produced an area of distinct character and Access to the Countryside Act17, and have been further with significant ecological, biological, cultural and scenic shaped by a number of subsequent legislation and guidance value, and where safeguarding the integrity of this documents18; most notably, the 2000 Countryside and Rights interaction is vital to protecting and sustaining the area of Way Act (CRoW)19 strengthened the provisions of the and its associated nature conservation and other values.’21 1949 Act, confirming the purpose and significance of AONBs and creating a firm legislative basis for their designation, protection and management. The resultant 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty20 and 15 National Parks (one of which, the Norfolk Broads, overlaps a small portion of the eastern zone of the Norfolk Coast AONB) represent Northumberland the UK’s most outstanding and cherished landscapes: unique and irreplaceable national assets, each with its own distinctive character and natural beauty.

Solway North Coast Pennines

Lake District North York Moors Yorkshire Dales Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Arnside & Howardian Silverdale Hills Nidderdale National Park

Anglesey Clwydian Range Peak District Norfolk Coast Lleyn

Snowdonia Shropshire England The Broads N Hills Malvern Suffolk Coast Hills & Heaths Dedham Wales Vale Pembrokeshire Brecon Beacons Coast Chilterns Gower

North Wessex Downs 0 100km Quantock Surrey Hills Kent Hills Mendip Cranborne East Downs North Chase & West Devon Exmoor Hills Hampshire Wiltshire High Downs South Weald Blackdown Downs © Crown copyright. All rights reserved Hills Natural England, Lincence No. 100046223 2020 Dorset Tamar Sussex Downs Valley Chichester Dartmoor East Harbour Devon Isle of Wight

South Devon

17. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/12-13-14/97 18. http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/partnership/supporting-information/409 19. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37 20. https://landscapesforlife.org.uk/about-aonbs/aonbs/overview 21. http://www.tinyurl.com/y82jqgdb 11

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Park Understanding the area

Statement of Significance

The special qualities that underpin the designation of each one of the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are outlined in documents called Statements of Significance. The Statement for the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is based on a Landscape Assessment produced by the Countryside Commission in 1995, which is summarised as:

The landscape of the Norfolk Coast is complemented by the rising backdrop inland habitats such as heathland, are unique, with qualities of natural beauty of largely agricultural land, which particularly important. The area also that define its character and make the includes open chalk downland, quiet, has geodiversity features of national area distinctive. These encompass its secluded river valleys and the woodlands importance, including outstanding scenic and aesthetic value, the geology and heath of the Cromer Ridge. examples of coastal, glacial and and landform, its climate and soils, The coastal areas of north Norfolk are glacio-fluvial landforms such as eskers its wildlife and ecology, the rich history marked by the sharp contrast between and outwash plains, as well as significant of human settlement and land use the flat marsh area and open farmed geological sites. over the centuries, its archaeology chalklands that are separated by the The landscape of the Norfolk and buildings, its cultural associations, coastal road. Elsewhere the transition Coast is also the result of a complex and the people who live in it, past between distinctive landscapes covers interaction between people and their and present. a wider area. At national level, the environment. Many of the smaller-scale The basic shape and contours Norfolk Coast AONB is one of the features that give the area its unique of the land and the coast are the product few remaining examples of relatively character are the result of the actions of natural processes, linked to long- undeveloped and unspoilt coastal of people who have lived in and used term climate changes acting on the areas of this character; at a regional the area for thousands of years. Even underlying geology, particularly level it forms a wild, rich and diverse the present ‘wild’ coast is a product the action of ice sheets and water. compliment to the intensive agricultural of a combination of natural processes The action of the sea, both eroding landscapes that dominate East Anglia. and human activities, with enclosure and building, produces an ever-changing The AONB offers a wide variety of saltmarsh by protective banks to coast. The influence of the sea provides of landscape character and local provide agricultural land influencing a unifying theme, with the variety and distinctiveness, including variation coastal processes over a much wider interrelationship of dynamic coastal in the character of coastal settlements, area. Connections between people features such as saltmarsh, sand dunes, buildings and settlement patterns. and the landscape remain important. shingle and eroding sand and gravel There is a strong contrast between Employment in ‘traditional’ industries cliffs especially important. The links the coastal communities and those such as agriculture and fishing has between land and sea are an essential in the hinterland. The area is rich declined but these still have a key part of its unique character – the quality in archaeological and historical sites, role to play in the area’s character and of coastal landscapes, looking to, from with remains and features covering contribute to the wealth of distinctive and along the coast, the dynamic coastal all periods from the Palaeolithic to local produce. landforms and processes, ecological the Second World War giving a strong The area’s perceived qualities interdependencies, biodiversity and ‘time depth’ to much of its landscape; of remoteness, as an area apart from cultural, architectural, economic, its important heritage of Ice Age the pattern of life elsewhere, and of historical and archaeological character. landforms contributes another tranquillity – it’s quiet and peaceful The area is noted for the quality dimension of this kind. atmosphere and relaxed pace of life – of its night skies, the relative lack Its many nature conservation are qualities reflected in the vibrant of artificial lighting away from main designations testify to the area’s national local art scene and in literature. roads and towns providing fine views and international importance for The opportunity for quiet enjoyment of constellations and, occasionally, wildlife. Coastal and intertidal habitats of the area is often mentioned as the Northern Lights. (cliffs, shingle banks, sand dunes, something that people particularly The coastal plain of the North lagoons, saltmarsh, mudflats, sandflats value and which contributes to their Norfolk Heritage Coast, a section and freshwater marsh) and the birds and health and wellbeing. of the coast from Holme-next-the- other wildlife they support (particularly Sea to Weybourne, in particular the wildfowl and waders in areas along has a wilderness quality rare in the North Norfolk Heritage Coast lowland England, distinct from but and in the Wash), together with some

12 Understanding the area

Image #7 Waxham Summary of special qualities

To help to decide on management priorities, it’s useful for the Norfolk Coast Partnership to summarise the special qualities that underpin the designation of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; here they are divided into the same categories used to organise the strategic objectives (outlined in the next section, starting on p.23):

Natural environment

• The dynamic character of the coast • The strong and distinctive links between the land, rivers and sea • The exceptional, internationally important, varied and distinctive habitats and species • The nationally and internationally important geology

Recreation

• The sense of tranquillity, wildness and remoteness, and the

Image #8 opportunity for quiet enjoyment of the area Wells-next-the-Sea Built environment

• The richness of archaeological heritage and the historic environment • The low level of development and population density, and the lack of major roads and settlements compared to much of lowland England • The variety, richness and interrelationships between landscapes, settlements, settlement patterns, building character and archaeology across the area • The lack of light pollution and the resultant dark night skies

Local communities and the rural economy

• The strong connections between people and the landscape • The quiet and peaceful atmosphere and relaxed pace of life • The distinctive local produce and vibrant art scene

13 Understanding the area

It is generally accepted that Key external factors emission of ‘greenhouse The purpose of the work of the Norfolk Coast Partnership is not to preserve the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding gases’ (mainly carbon dioxide Natural Beauty as unchanged. External factors – both from burning fossil fuels) environmental and human – inevitably alter any physical area over time, and it is the role of the Partnership to actively is now accelerating the rate manage that process of change where it impacts on natural beauty and landscape character. The key external factors of change in the global that drive change in the Area have the potential to create significant and inter-related effects both within the five-year climate, and that urgent period covered by the strategy detailed in this document, action is needed in response and in the longer term. They are: Climate change

Scientific research and historic records show that over time, both global and local climates have gone through a series of natural cycles. However, it is generally accepted that emission of ‘greenhouse gases’ (mainly carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels) is now accelerating the rate of change in the global climate, and that urgent action is needed in response. The latest series of reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Image #9 23 Stiffkey published in 2019 , concluded that the world has arrived at a crucial crossroads, characterised by the following factors:

• That climate change is here, is man-made, is accelerating and is already having dangerous impacts across all continents and in the ocean • That it is possible to keep global warming below the politically agreed limit of 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, but only if action is taken without further delay • That securing a safe climate future is possible and economically viable if immediate action is taken to transition to a low-carbon economy, with restricted emissions from additional fossil-fuel burning matched by a move to dependence on renewable energy (the capacity of which will need to triple or quadruple by 2050)

There are many indirect effects of the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide and the acceleration of climate change that are likely to have additional impacts24, including disruption of the jet stream, increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, the recession of polar ice, changes in ocean currents, and ocean acidification. All this means that the Norfolk coast can in the future expect, on average, warmer, drier summers and wetter winters, more erratic weather patterns, and storms of increased frequency and severity. Significant potential impacts include increased flooding, changes to habitats and species, changes to the availability of water resources, harm to agricultural yields and changes in viable crops, changes in population and distribution, and changes to the desirability of the area for tourism and the income related to it.

23. https://www.ipcc.ch/ 24. https://350.org/10-important-findings-from-the-ipcc-reports

15 Understanding the area

Sea level rise If allowed to continue on the cliffed coast from Weybourne to Bacton, natural erosion and slumping of the In the main, sea level rise is caused by two factors: isostatic cliffs would maintain biodiversity, geological importance and readjustment25 and climate change. The first of those two landscape character. There would, however, be implications processes means that the British landmass is still adjusting for some coastal communities where the cliffs are not to the removal of the huge weight of ice sheets over its fronted by defences or where they become ineffective. northern parts during the last Ice Age, by tilting on a north From Horsey to Winterton, the prospect of significant west/south east axis. On the Norfolk coast, this process is sea level rise is likely to threaten existing coastal settlements, causing a relative sea level rise of around 1–2mm a year. archaeology and buildings, including some of architectural Although this has some impact on erosion rates on the and historical value. It also threatens to damage or destroy cliffed section of the coast of the Area of Outstanding characteristic and designated coastal habitats, although Natural Beauty, saltmarshes have easily been able to keep it could also lead to the creation of other valuable and up with this rise through sediment accretion. Sea level rise characteristic habitats. Though it might be possible driven by climate change is a result of both the thermal (if not necessarily desirable in some quarters) to continue expansion of sea water and the input of additional water to maintain and even extend existing sea walls in some through melting of land ice (Antarctic and Greenland ice places for a considerable period, rapid sea level rise would sheets, and mountain ice caps and glaciers). cancel the viability of this work. Allowing for isostatic readjustment, Norfolk coast sea levels rose by about 1mm a year during the 20th century, with the rate since the 1990s climbing more quickly, Public policy at about 3mm a year. The 2019 IPCC Special Report on 26 the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) Policy decisions and changes at national and international predicts increasing sea level rise, with global mean level can affect what happens in the area, either directly levels rising between 0.29m and 1.1m by the end of this or by influencing local policy. century – the largest sea level rise projections ever made by the IPCC. Environmental policy Shoreline Management Plans and Strategic Flood Risk Assessments model these effects. In the low-lying coastal Following the economic crash of 2008, central government areas from south of Hunstanton to Weybourne, a rise of policy included reducing the cost of the public sector as part between 0.29 and 1.1m, considered without the influence of reducing the UK budget deficit. This included reductions of human-made sea walls, would cover much of the in funding for local authorities and AONB partnerships, saltmarsh and freshwater marshes, reaching back as far followed by an agreement for an extended period of stable as the rising ground of the coastal slope and affecting funding during 2016–20. Since 2015, central government some coastal communities. has committed to work ‘to make ours the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than 27 Image #10 we found it.’ It has produced an ambitious 25 Year Scolt Head Environment Plan28 (with a new Environment Act to follow) and committed to Nature Recovery and use of Biodiversity Net Gain29 and eco-systems services30 assessments, joint concepts that ensure decision-making includes appropriate consideration of biodiversity value. In 2018, central government commissioned a review of protected landscapes, the Glover Review31, which was very positive for AONB partnerships and, amongst other findings, concluded that they require better funding and increased resources. The National Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty published a response to Glover, the Colchester Declaration32, with commitments for delivery of its recommendations. It remains to be seen whether, and if so how, the funding, resourcing, roles and operation of AONB partnerships, and other partner organisations that play a critical role in meeting AONB objectives will change as a result.

Development policy The UK’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)33 retains strong protection for AONBs and National Parks, stating that ‘Great weight should be given to conserving

25. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/glacial-adjustment.html 30. https://biodiversity.europa.eu/topics/ecosystem-services 26. https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/ 31. http://www.tinyurl.com/ybdgxr8l 27. http://ucrel.lancs.ac.uk/wmatrix/ukmanifestos2015/localpdf/Conservatives.pdf 32. http://www.tinyurl.com/yyyhq7qb 28. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan 33. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework 16 29. http://www.tinyurl.com/y3v6x6t6 Understanding the area

landscape and scenic beauty in National Parks, the Broads Energy policy and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which have The 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report38 the highest status of protection in relation to landscape is clear that meeting climate change targets requires an and scenic beauty. The conservation of wildlife and increase in low-carbon energy investment. In response, cultural heritage are also important in all these areas’ the UK government has declared a ‘climate emergency’39 and that ‘planning permission should be refused for and committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the major developments except in exceptional circumstances by 50 per cent on 1990 levels by 2025, and and where it can be demonstrated they are in the public by 80 per cent on 1990 levels by 2050, thus driving the need 34 interest.’ However, this policy also includes a strong for the introduction of renewable energy technologies. For the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ Area, this is currently apparent in the development of wind as a driver of economic growth, which may lead to further and solar farms. With wind energy, the main focus at present pressure for development in or on the fringes of AONBs. is on offshore development, although a few relatively Local Plans (previously known as Local Development small-scale onshore wind farms are present in or close to 35 Frameworks) , developed and administered by local the area. Offshore, large wind farms are operating and authorities, are the prime local planning policy documents frequently clearly visible from the area in the Wash off the for managing development in the Area. Although the Lincolnshire coast (Lincs, Lynn, Inner Dowsing), off Sheringham majority of areas earmarked for significant development (Race Bank, Sheringham Shoal, Dudgeon) and off Winterton- within Norfolk Coast local authority Local Plans are well on-Sea (Scroby Sands), with significantly more planned; outside of the Area, at North Walsham and south of King’s their onshore cable routes cause temporary disruption to Lynn around the A10 road, significant development has the landscape. One solar farm has been granted planning occurred just outside the boundary around Heacham and permission in the Area along with a few others on its edge, Hunstanton, and there is a proposal for a significant housing although visual impacts from these are expected to be 36 development within the Area on the outskirts of Cromer . limited compared to wind farms. Other development over the life of the current Local Plans is anticipated to be at a relatively low level in the larger villages and towns (the local service centres), and via infill between Marine policy existing properties37. Since the Area includes an intertidal zone, and has many ecological, cultural and visual links with the sea, what happens Image #11 in the marine area is highly relevant to the conservation Titchwell and enhancement of its natural beauty. An important provision of the 2009 Marine and Coastal Access Act40 is the development of Marine Plans, which interpret the principles of the high-level marine objectives from the government’s Marine Policy Statement41 in a detailed spatial management plan for sections of offshore and inshore waters, up to the mean high water mark on the coast. The combined East Marine Plan42, covering inshore and offshore areas from Flamborough Head to Felixstowe, and so including and relating to part of the Area, was published in April 2014. The objectives and policies of the plan need to be taken into account by public bodies in making decisions that may affect the marine environment. The plan can potentially help to protect the area by managing development in the marine area to conserve seascapes, habitats and species that contribute directly or indirectly to natural beauty. Likewise, the local small-scale fishing industry makes an important contribution to the distinctive character of the area and its communities as well as to the local economy, and new legislative structures are due for implementation, following the UK’s exit from the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy.

Health and wellbeing policy A growing body of evidence indicates that greater access to, or contact with, natural environments (such as parks, woodlands and beaches) is associated with better health and wellbeing, particularly in urbanised societies. The pattern is consistent across key groups, including older adults and those with long-term health issues.

34. http://www.tinyurl.com/y85orlsf 39. http://www.tinyurl.com/yybk2726 35. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-plans 40. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/23/contents 36. http://www.tinyurl.com/y7fwggrf http://www.tinyurl.com/ydx2svou 41. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-marine-policy-statement 37. The use of undeveloped land within a built-up area for new construction 42. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/east-marine-plans 38. https://www.ipcc.ch 17 Understanding the area

The new concept of the ‘Natural Health Service’ gives Farming policy official recognition to the natural environment as a health With the UK’s exit from the European Union, the structure asset, one that can help prevent and treat both physical of support for farmers and fishing communities is due and mental health conditions. Central government is to change significantly. For farmers, replacement of the encouraging its use within ‘social prescribing’, a new, previous Common Agricultural Policy of payments related holistic, community-led approach to addressing people’s to land ownership with introduction of the UK government’s health and wellbeing needs. principle of ‘public money for public goods’ is to be The consequences of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic interpreted via a new Environmental Land Management include a public lockdown, economic disruption and severe Scheme; the fishing industry will also come under the stress for many individuals, and the natural environment regulation and control of central government. will no doubt have a significant role to play in the nation’s A large proportion of the Area is farmland. Changes recovery. Having to live in the shadow of the pandemic in crops affect landscape character, wildlife and the historic has ‘heightened our collective awareness of nature’s many environment, both positively and negatively. Loss of sugar benefits – from the tranquillity of the outdoors to clean air beet as a prominent local crop through loss of production and water, natural resources, disease suppression, and the support and market viability would be likely to affect farm capacity to help slow climate change and protect us from economics and wildlife, although it could benefit some 43 its impacts’ , and has engendered a desire not to return archaeological sites. Beet is an important ‘break’ crop to ‘business as usual’. Governments are being called on to in the rotation with no obvious alternative at present scale up nature-based solutions that provide cost-effective, and is important for farmland bird species such as skylarks environmental, social and economic benefits, and that help and wintering geese that use harvested beet tops as build resilience, and to commit to putting greater equality an important food source. Demand-led profitability of and climate resilience at the heart of their recovery plans. biofuels/biomass production is increasing, with resulting potential changes in crops and characteristic biodiversity and landscapes. Free-range pig farming is increasing with impacts on soil stability and fertility. Farmers (especially Image #12 Burnham Overy Staithe those who own smaller farms) may diversify away from farming into other activities, for example tourism, with possible landscape impacts. Environmental organisations also rely on agri-environment funding to help manage reserves, so how the Environmental Land Management Scheme is developed, targeted and applied in the Area, as well as the funding available, will have a significant influence on the conservation and enhancement of the area’s natural beauty, with difficulty in achieving sustainable economic management of some non-commercial characteristic habitats with related negative effects on landscape and wildlife.

Water management policy The Water Framework Directive44 is a powerful policy driver for river catchment improvement. The Directive commits European Union member states to achieve good ecological and chemical status of all water bodies, including marine waters up to one nautical mile from shore, by 2015, or if this was not possible, to set and achieve interim targets with full compliance by 2027. Under all conditions, it required that there should be no deterioration in status. It is expected that, following the UK’s exit from the European Union, this legislation will be transferred into UK law, with responsibility for managing implementation remaining under the Environment Agency. The Norfolk coast clearly has a strong basis in the water environment, with its freshwater marshes and saltmarshes, aquifer-fed springs and a number of small but incredibly valuable chalk rivers flowing northwards out to the sea, as detailed in the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.

43. http://www.tinyurl.com/y9l4ks3b 44. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html

18 Image #13 Burnham Norton

19 Understanding the area

Coastal processes As the coast changes over the The geology and dynamic landforms of the Norfolk coast, longer term, it may be necessary including its submarine features, have been shifting shape for centuries, making it of international scientific importance. for some coastal settlements to Historical, geological and archaeological records evidence these changes, recording many ‘lost villages’ along the ‘roll back’ or to relocate inland in cliffs, and over time, a succession of alternating saltwater, order to maintain living, working intertidal and freshwater habitats. Today the direction of sediment transfer runs predominantly north to south down communities on the coast the east coast of England, although local tidal cells retain anomalous characteristics, for example the apparently westwards accretion at both Scolt Head and . The Norfolk coast comprises a mix of soft, natural Local development defences, such as saltmarsh and shingle, mixed with stretches of hard, human-made defence structures, such The latest available census data (from 2001 and 2011) as sea walls and groynes. These human-made hard defences identifies that the resident population of the Norfolk Coast offer protection but inevitably affect the natural operation Area of Natural Beauty is at approx. 13,000 individuals, of coastal processes. Both precedent and scientific studies a slight decline of 4.7 per cent across the decade, although demonstrate that natural defences better adjust to change this varies from –15 per cent to +13 per cent for different while supporting the conservation and enhancement of parishes45. However, there is significant pressure for natural beauty and maintenance of the landscape character, housing growth over the next five years and beyond, and whereas human-made defences interrupt natural processes an increase in housing in the Area is planned within Local and can lead to unexpected consequences in other parts Plan targets. New housing provision in and close to it has of the system. potential benefits for the local economy and viability Offshore dredging of aggregates such as sand of services, and there is a need for a range of housing and gravel, and offshore developments, such as wind farms, options, including for those who cannot afford high market have the potential to affect the coast through interaction rates. However, difficulty in financing affordable housing with sediment supply and transport systems, as well as provision means it can often only be delivered alongside having potential effects on marine ecosystems and species. new housing sold at market rates, in order to make it The actual effects, including potential cumulative and viable. Likewise, central government housing targets may long-term effects, are difficult to assess in an environment contribute to expansion pressures on some of the larger characterised by complex relationships and a lack of data, settlements on the Area’s boundaries. Some incursions into and are often not fully understood or agreed on. Continued it have already taken place. Even new housing outside the work is required to assess the impacts of offshore activities. boundary can have visual impacts on its setting46 as well Overall, predictions about the effects of coastal as more indirect effects. There are also pressures for other processes on the Norfolk coast are for a complex mix of forms of development in the countryside and in some cases changes to, and interchanges between, coastal habitats potential conflict between government and other guidance with some shifting of saltwater and intertidal habitats into and protection, for example in relation to introduction of freshwater and terrestrial ones, and of erosion and flooding, telecommunications masts and broadband infrastructure. with resultant threat of damage to habitats and species, As the coast changes over the longer term, it may and to coastal properties, archaeology, settlements be necessary for some coastal settlements to ‘roll back’ and infrastructure. Sea level rise is expected to greatly or to relocate inland in order to maintain living, working magnify and accelerate these effects. communities on the coast. This may mean planning to build on areas that have previously been outside the envelope of settlement development, and in some cases allowing settlements that are currently ‘hemmed in’ by The Norfolk coast, including the Area’s boundary to roll back into its protected territory. Even small-scale development can have impacts on its submarine features, have the character of existing settlements, on heritage assets and on the landscape and seascape character of a wider been shifting shape for centuries, area. There are also potential associated environmental impacts such as stress on water resources, sewage and making it of international sewage treatment, transport levels and infrastructure, scientific importance levels of air and light pollution, and tranquillity. Properties bought as second homes, for retirement, as holiday homes, or for buy-to-let cause high property prices, excluding people on relatively low incomes from the housing market.

45. https://www.norfolkinsight.org.uk/ 46. http://www.tinyurl.com/y85orlsf

20 Understanding the area

Often-empty properties (e.g. little-used second homes) also impacts on the natural environment. It is difficult to predict have impacts on the character and cultural distinctiveness the rise of new activities and the opportunities and pressures of communities and settlements, as well as on the viability they may bring, but they require managing in a way that of local communities and the local economy. is compatible with existing activities and with the Area’s Tourism-related development, including services and natural beauty and landscape character. provisions for the local tourism industry and diversification of farming enterprises into visitor-related economic activities, can have economic benefits for local communities. However, it also has the potential to create significant A 2017 study estimated adverse impacts on tranquillity and the area’s landscape character, and through increasing pressures on sensitive that there were 4,448,100 habitats and species. annual visits to the Area, with almost 90 per cent Visitor numbers and activities being day trips, generating Increasing numbers of visitors to the AONB are driven £294 million and supporting by increased desire for UK-based holidays locally, nationally and internationally, and by an increase in the numbers of 4,200 full-time-equivalent jobs people living within easy reach, resulting in the potential for much higher numbers of day visitors. More potential visitors will have increased impacts on some sensitive habitats and species, and cause increased disruption to local communities. Although there is a lack of reliable data about the total Image #14 numbers of people visiting different parts of the Area and Heath individual sites, , and Lady Anne’s Drive at Holkham are each thought to receive up to 1 million visitors a year, while high numbers are also estimated for other sites such as Sheringham Park (180,000 per year) and Blakeney and Morston quays (140,000 each per year). A 2017 study47 estimated that there were 4,448,100 annual visits to the Area, with almost 90 per cent being day trips, generating £294 million and supporting 4,200 full time-equivalent jobs. This compares to an equivalent 2005 figure48 of 2,499,600 visits, with 72 per cent being day trips, generating £199 million and supporting almost 3,000 full-time-equivalent jobs. Thus in the last 15 years there has been a shift from longer stays to more day visits, and a drop in the relative income and jobs that result from those numbers of visitors. Any focus on extending the visitor season by the tourism sector, while bringing advantages in increased income and a rise in year-round rather than seasonal jobs, would also put the natural environment under increasing pressure. Within the mix of more traditional recreational activities such as sailing and other forms of boating, windsurfing, wildfowling, sea angling, walking, cycling, dog walking, browsing in villages and scenic drives, new recreational activities may arise either as short-term fashions or more permanent features of the recreational scene. A recent example is kite-based activities on beaches. The England Coast Path49 – a new walking route following the entire coast of England that was enabled by the 2009 Marine and Coastal Access Act50 – is due for completion in 2021. This is likely to attract additional visitors, with associated economic benefits, but also to create potential

47. Economic Impact of Tourism – Norfolk Coast AONB 2017 (Destination Research) 48. Economic Impact of Tourism – Norfolk Coast AONB 2005 (Destination Research) 49. http://www.tinyurl.com/y7grxmf9 50. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/23/contents 21