New coastal plans will help create greater clarity- Norfolk Council
Ministers are putting nearly £20 million towards helping Norfolk's most 'at risk' communities tackle this issue.
A local authority battling coastal erosion says it hopes new Government plans will create greater certainty for seafront residents
Ministers are putting nearly £20 million towards helping Norfolk's most 'at risk' communities tackle this issue.
This involves measures such as local authorities or government agencies buying properties at high risk of falling into the sea - known as selective property purchase or long term financing solutions.
The hope is that these initiatives could provide a sustainable model for managing changing coastlines in the coming decades.
"These are challenging times for coastal communities"
Carl Smith, Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader, said:
"Our borough, particularly at Hemsby, continues to see the devastating impact that coastal erosion has on the lives of our residents. The announcement of this additional funding to support continued innovative solutions around how we help communities adapt to our rapidly changing coastline is welcome recognition that coastal erosion is something that needs to be addressed urgently at a national level."
Councillor Harry Blathwayt, Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holder for Coast, said:
"I am delighted that the innovative work North Norfolk District Council has been doing through its Coastwise programme will continue thanks to this new funding. These are challenging times for coastal communities across the UK, but this investment will deliver a message of hope about the future. Coastwise has been instrumental in developing options to help communities adapt to coastal change, where erosion is a real and immediate threat. We are excited to share our experience with other places on the same journey."
The remaining £12 million will be made available to regional flood and coastal committees (RFCCs) for small-scale local projects across the country, such as improving beach access and tourism infrastructure, testing early warning systems for residents and moving community buildings away from at-risk areas.
"We are committed to sharing our learning across the country"
Alan Lovell, chairman of the Environment Agency, said: "England has some of the fastest eroding coastline in Europe, and climate change is accelerating these pressures.
"Through the Coastal Adaptation Pilots, we are supporting coastal communities to plan ahead and prepare for a safer and more resilient future.
"We are committed to sharing our learning across the country so that all coastal communities at risk can benefit from the climate adaptation actions being delivered in these areas."
"Will help some of our most at-risk coastal areas take practical action now"
Floods minister Emma Hardy said: "Coastal erosion is one of the most challenging impacts of climate change, and we will always support our towns to adapt where the forces of nature make long-term defence impossible.
"This new government investment will help some of our most at-risk coastal areas take practical action now, while building the evidence we need to support coastal communities across the country in the decades ahead."
The funding builds on the £36 million coastal transition accelerator programme, which supports authorities to trial new methods for managing erosion.
The Environment Agency said it will manage the pilots, which are due to start in April 2026, providing technical support and ensuring learnings are shared with other vulnerable communities.
The pilot projects will also require a local funding contribution from participating areas of 10%, with officials hoping it can unlock £3 million in additional investment.
England's coastline is already coming under increasing pressure, with the Environment Agency's recent national coast erosion risk map showing around 20,000 properties could be at risk by 2105.