The coast is also home to some of our most deprived communities. Our coastal communities and economies face changes and pressures that, although different in character, are as challenging and far reaching as those facing communities directly affected by growth.
The coast and its communities also need to address some significant challenges associated with climate change; a fragile, changing coastline; and significant areas of high-value agricultural land and rare habitats vulnerable to flooding and salting.
These three observations led to the birth of the East of England Coastal Initiative, a multi agency project, initiated by the Government Office, and steered by a partnership of EEDA; EERA; English Partnerships; the Environment Agency; Natural England; the coastal Local Authorities, represented by Norfolk County Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council; and Sustainability East.
The Initiative is currently in the evidence-gathering stage. The evidence gathered so far was tested with Local Authority members at a Coastal Initiative conference in Lowestoft on 13 October 2008. Discussion at the conference included:
- an EEDA commissioned socio-economic study on the value of the coast to the regional economy now and in the future. This research will form one of the inputs to the evidence base for the review of the Regional Spatial Strategy and the eventual Integrated Regional Strategy.
- Implications for the rest of the region of North Norfolk District Council's evidence gathering study for their Coastal Management Plan.
- How the proposed new Regeneration Framework could apply to our coast
The event aimed to identify any remaining evidence gaps and begin work on the vision and strategy for the Coast. It also considered a long-term reporting mechanism for the future of the Initiative, such as a Forum or network made up of regional and local coastal decision-makers. Further evidence will be commissioned following the conference if required including:
- A governance study - this will focus on three places on the East coast to gain a better understanding of the policy interactions which are happening in reality for specific communities and how they are responding.
The Initiative has been working very closely with CLG and Defra officials to provide evidence and input into coastal policy-making. In particular, the Initiative aims to enable integration of coastal defence, regeneration and planning policies and to provide policy support and tools to the Environment Agency in their challenging coastal role.
