Scratby Coastal Pathfinder Project

Introduction
Aims of the Project
Scratby and California Community Consultation
Scratby and California Property and Business Study
Shoreline Plan and Letter to Residents
The Final Research Project....exploring options for the future use of land
The key components leading to achieving these objectives
Final Community Report

Please click on this link to view the Scratby Coastal Erosion Webcam

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has been awarded £296,000 for a one year Coastal Pathfinder Project. The village of Scratby has been put forward by the Council as one of 15 National "Pathfinders”, funded by the Government, to examine how Coastal Communities can best adapt over time to deal with the effects of the ever changing coast line.

Photograph kindly provided by Mike Page

The 15 projects vary in detail but they all involve working with their local Communities to explore ways by which people living and working along the coast can best adapt their lifestyles to the challenges of coastal realignment resulting from natural coastal erosion.

The Scratby project will explore a range of different options in order to find a short list of practical and acceptable possibilities.  It is important for the success of the Pathfinder, and for the long term future, that the community of the Scratby area take the opportunity to become involved and help produce a "vision” of how they see their community in the years to come.

There is already an enthusiastic Group of local Scratby residents who have come together to form the Scratby Coastal Erosion Group [SCEG.]. This Group has consistently lobbied both National Government and the other Agencies responsible for Coast Protection. They have already successfully achieved an amendment to the original Shoreline proposals which now recognise that some coast protection for the Scratby will be necessary in the short term. The  key objective of the Group remains to persuade Government that an existing rock berm along the base of the cliffs at nearby California be extended a further Kilometre north to protect the base of the cliff and Marrams at Scratby.

This work will continue to be the priority for [SCEG] Group.
Unfortunately the Government grant conditions make it clear that money which has been allocated for the Pathfinder Project cannot be use for any physical coast protection works.

To those residents presently living along the cliff line the issue of coastal erosion is  an urgent one whilst, for those in property further away, the plan may better inform them about some of their options.

The findings of the Pathfinder will also help inform other communities Nation Wide.

The project aims to explore a wide range of medium and long term options for better informing and supporting residents and businesses. A wide range of Agencies will be involved ranging from the Planning and Property Departments of the Borough Council to those involved with the provision of services such as electricity, sewerage and water supplies. Research will extend to those involved with tourism and economic development.

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The defined aims of project:-

• the development of a coastal Area Action Plan, in line with the proposed Development and Coastal Change Policy.

• the examination and testing of equity release and equity transfer schemes and opportunities, such as purchase/rent-back, property exchange programmes and business support programmes

• the exploration of land use 'rollback’ options and infrastructure implications

• sources of external and commercial funding that may be accessed to support adaptation programmes

• a programme of community education and information to engage, inform, re-assure and support communities and individuals in coming to terms with coastal change

It is intended that this pathfinder project, although initially focused on a single community, will underpin the development of a Template for Adaptation which can be applied elsewhere.

The Pathfinder Project aims to "Concentrate the mind” and give a "Golden Opportunity” so that residents and businesses can be informed and involved in the development of options and be best prepared for the future.

Following a press release to launch the Pathfinder a letter will be delivered to all Scratby addresses to provide more detailed information; encouraging residents and businesses to participate in the project. It is planned that a significant number, if not all residents, will be interviewed during the project and there will be a number of newsletters during the project to provide more information as it becomes available and to explain progress.

The Project is looking for a suitable site in the village for a Community Information and drop in point.

The Pathfinder is managed on a day to day basis by The Scratby Coastal Management Group which is chaired by Great Yarmouth Cabinet Member and Ward/Parish Council Councillor, Jim Shrimplin. It consists of three Council representatives; three members of the Scratby Coastal Erosion Group; a Business Rep and a member of the Community. The membership of the Group will likely change to reflect ongoing work and new members will be co-opted as appropriate. Technical advice is provide by The Councils’ Coastal Engineering Specialist  

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The Scratby and California Community Consultation
We have appointed Norfolk Rural Community Council [Norfolk RCC] to carry out the a Community Survey.  This will give residents, businesses and landowners in Scratby and California their first opportunity to become directly involved in the project.

Development Officer, Janice Howell is leading the project on behalf of Norfolk RCC.  Her contact details are: Tel: 01362 698216; Email janice@norfolkrcc.org.uk. Please contact her if you have any questions about the consultation process.

Norfolk RCC is an independent charity which helps small rural communities across Norfolk. If you’d like to know more about them please visit their web site at www.norfolkrcc.org.uk.

Janice and her team recently contacted residents and carried out a door-to-door survey to gather some basic information about the village because there is very little detailed information on the community. Scratby is part of the Parish of Ormesby St Margaret and, consequently, information about the village is mixed in with that of the whole Parish and we are unable to separate it out.

They have also been asking if residents if they want to be involved in some of the future “Group” work in the Pathfinder and how best to make make contact for the second more detailed questionnaire which will be both delivered and collected from you at the end of the month.

Norfolk RCC are also in the process of creating a specific web page to help with the Pathfinder together with TEXT and twitter addresses. details to follow.

All the members of the Survey Team are employees of Norfolk RCC; they will carry identification documentation which includes their picture.  If you have any doubts about their credentials please do not hesitate to telephone either the Norfolk RCC 01362 698216 or the Council to check 01493 856100.

All the information gathered is for the Pathfinder Project. It will be managed and stored in a secure way. No details which can identify an individual will be used or contained in the final reports.  At the end of the project all records which have any information that identify anyone directly will be destroyed.

This is a really important part of the Pathfinder process and I hope you will help us get the vitally important information we need to make the Project a success.

We are also moving forward with our next stage of the Pathfinder Project.  This will involve looking at ways to realise and enhance the value of assets, land and property, to support both long term options and intermediate schemes aimed at sustaining the existing coastline until a coastal adaptation management plan can be put in place.

A number of you have already contacted us offering to become more involved.  If you feel that you can also contribute to this important project please let us know by contacting the team directly at the Scratby Coastal Pathfinder Project Address below

The results of the consultation can be found by viewing the  Community Consultation Document

Survey Summary 1

Survey Summary 2

Survey Summary 3

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The Scratby and California Property and Business Study
We have appointed Risk & Policy Analysts (RPA), a Norfolk-based environmental consultancy, to undertake the study looking at options to realise and enhance the value of assets, land and property. This study offers residents, businesses and landowners in Scratby and California the opportunity to help choose ways forward that best meet their needs. The project will focus on how we can deliver practical options that will help those whose homes or livelihoods are at risk from coastal change. The information you have already provided through the questionnaires will be used to inform the types of options that will be considered.

Principal Consultant, Teresa Fenn, is project manager for RPA. Teresa and her team will be holding drop-in sessions and meetings during August and September. They will also be carrying out a survey to collect people’s views on different options for managing the coast. It is important that everyone is involved, so please take up the opportunities which will be provided to tell RPA your ideas on how the coast at Scratby and California could be managed. It will also be up to the people living or working in Scratby and California to choose which options they want to see taken forwards.

RPA have previously undertaken work for North Norfolk District Council looking at coastal erosion issues and ways to reduce the impacts on people and businesses. If you’d like to know more about them and their work, please visit their web site at www.rpaltd.co.uk. If you have any questions about this particular project and the opportunities to be involved, please contact Teresa on 01508 528465 or email teresa.fenn@rpaltd.co.uk

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Please click here to view the shoreline plan - October 2010

Please click here to view letter to residents from Councillor Shrimplin - October 2010

Summary of Responses to RPA Questionnaire

RPA Questionnaire results posters

RPA study results posters

RPA Adaption Land Final Report December 10	RPA Drop In Session Report	RPA Summary of Evaluation Matrix
RPA Questionnaire Results	RPA Summary of Responses to Questionnaire	RPA Costings Explained

The Final Research Project....exploring options for the future use of land

The Pathfinder has appointed The Planning Cooperative to carry out the final research project that will feed into the Community Adaptation Plan. The company is a consultancy staffed by Chartered Town Planners with experience in producing Planning Policies within Local Government, engaging local communities in innovative ways and understanding the culture, procedures and plans of the Environment Agency. The Planning Cooperative is promoting the use of Concept Statements to set aspirations for new development based on the community view of how their locality should evolve.

The primary objectives of this final project are to define the Coastal Change Management Area (CCMA) area for Scratby, identify locations and formulate draft planning policies for the potential rollback of development and associated infrastructure.

The work carried out by the Planning Cooperative will be guided by the requirements of new Government Guidance contained in Planning Policy Statement Supplement 25: Development and Coastal Change (PPS25)

The key components leading to achieving these objectives are:

The first step is to identify the Coastal Change Management Area (CCMA)  which is to be the subject of potential ‘rollback’ policies and initiatives. It will then be possible to identify the land and property which may be subject to relocation and retention policies as appropriate. (NB the properties and land ‘at risk’ over the next 100 years are as identified by the current the Shoreline Management Plan 2.)

The actual CCMA will have to be agreed with the Environment Agency, the Council and the Pathfinder Management Group.

Information about land and property within the CCMA, including research information from existing sources including the community and business will be collated. This will provide the necessary information to assess the need and the potential benefits to land/property owners, the local economy, local community and to the environment of ‘rollback’ opportunities.

The above information will be  considered against present

• Planning policy constraints: general policies, specific designations and allocations.

• The context of the village and surroundings: prominence of the village and surrounding area in the landscape; relationships to nearby settlements, surrounding land uses and potential nature conservation issues.

• Reinstatement of vacated land and property: difficulties and potential community benefits.

This work will result in the following:

• Identification of potentially suitable, available and deliverable locations for the relocation (rollback) and, where possible, the retention of development including residential, commercial and tourism uses outside the CCMA.

• Identification of potentially suitable sites for the relocation (rollback) of infrastructure and utilities outside the CCMA where existing developments may lose them, or have restricted access due to coastal change.

• The identification and assessment of mechanisms and funding for the relocation of infrastructure.

• The Identification of potentially suitable uses for land and property within the CCMA and mechanisms for the maintenance of vacated at risk sites.

• The exploration of innovative ways to deliver the community preferred options (as per the Land and Asset Study) and how these could fit within the Local Development Framework (LDF). To identify where changes to regulations or planning law would be required.

Community Consultation

The final options will as with previous work undertaken on behalf of the Pathfinder be submitted to the community to enable the views of householders, businesses and landowners to be taken into account.

Map	Shoreline Plan	The Scratby Concept
Draft Questions	Residents Letter - November 2010
P COOP Information	P COOP Appendix 1	P COOP Appendix 2
P COOP Appendix 3i	P COOP Appendix 3ii	P COOP Appendix 4
P COOP Full Final Report	P COOP Final Report Community	P COOP Final Report  Annex Community Statement
P COOP Final Report	P COOP Final Report-Annex

Final Community Report

To view the final report please click on this link:  Final Community Report

Please click on the following link to view  Report on the Workshop for Households with Property Located in the Most At-Risk” Areas The workshop report relates to a recent additional meeting with residents occupying the most at risk at this time and the second is the wash-up Evaluation of the whole project. You can also click on this link to view the  evaluation report