Flint tools made by hunter-gatherers are the earliest evidence of human occupation and use of the area, dating back to around half a million years ago. More recent archaeological evidence, following the end of the last Ice Age about 10,000 years ago, is more plentiful. Artefacts and sites from the Mesolithic period (about 10,000 to 6,000 years ago) and Neolithic period (about 6,000 to 4,000 years ago) have been discovered. The Bronze Age (about 4,000 to 2,700 years ago) is well represented, with numerous burial mounds and the famous timber circle at Holme-next-the-Sea, discovered in the late 1990s. Iron Age forts and treasures, Roman forts and villas and Saxon settlements and cemeteries enrich the picture, which continues through medieval times with the development of fishing and trading ports.

Traditional buildings make a strong contribution to the distinctive character of the area through the use of local vernacular materials, particularly flint in the eastern sector, and chalk and carstone to the west. Villages, consisting largely of modest 18th and 19th century cottages, are clustered along the coast road, most markedly in the chalk downland area where the hinterland is noticeably empty of settlement, punctuated with an occasional isolated farmstead. In the eastern half, small settlements are found inland amongst a network of narrow, winding country lanes. Flint churches, mainly with square towers, are often prominent features in villages, particularly where they are sited on ground rising from sea level, as at Salthouse and Morston. A number of surviving windmills form landmarks in the coastal villages. Traditional farm buildings of flint and soft red brick are common, particularly in the area east of Holkham. Barns and other agricultural buildings often form characteristic blank boundary walls within villages. Many have been converted to residential use or have become redundant.

Historic parks shape a significant part of the landscape and contain country houses of great variety (Old Hunstanton, Felbrigg, Bayfield, Sheringham, Holkham, Sandringham). There is also a strong Arts and Crafts influence on the design of a number of early 20th century country houses found between Holt and Mundesley.

In addition to their visual contribution, these historic buildings are important for providing wildlife habitat, in particular for bats, barn owls, swallows and house martins. Traditional lime mortar also provides habitat for lichens.

The design of some more recent housing development has not always respected local character, although the Town and Country Planning system has been generally effective since designation in managing levels of development, including some affordable housing. The area still has a generally undeveloped character, in common with much of Norfolk.

Traditional materials and designs do not always lend themselves easily to improved environmental performance or for conversion to other uses, but this should be achievable with thought and care. Some new buildings, e.g. the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Visitors Centre at Cley and the Millennium Centre at Brancaster, include innovative sustainable design features, as well as complementing their surroundings.

The highway corridor

The network of narrow roads, often hedge-lined and with wide grass verges, makes a significant contribution to the area's landscape character and biodiversity, and needs sensitive management when undertaking signing, maintenance or other traffic management work.

Issues arising from the assessment of current Condition of the area’s natural beauty

The assessment of the current condition of the natural beauty of the area has highlighted a number of key issues related to the built and historic environment:

Negative impact of expansion of built development into the AONB around some settlements;
High proportion of scheduled monuments on ‘buildings at risk’ register; and
Information required to assess the condition of historic parks and gardens is being developed.

Potential impacts of key external pressures for change

Each of the four key external pressures for change (coastal processes, climate change, development pressures and global markets and national and international policy) affect the maintenance of the built and historic environment in the area:

1. Coastal processes

Wash coastline, North Norfolk Heritage Coast, Sea Palling to Winterton – primarily flooding.
Weybourne to Bacton – primarily erosion.

Impacts (current / anticipated)

Damage to / loss of historic buildings and archaeological sites from flooding and erosion;
Some loss of historic and cultural landscape features and patterns on the coast;
Loss of buildings contributing to distinctive character of area and settlements through erosion and flooding;
Changes to character of coastal settlements through ‘blight’ (lack of maintenance, dereliction); and
In the longer term, potential loss of whole coastal settlements.

2. Climate change

Impacts (current / anticipated)

Deterioration in condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites through changing climatic conditions – e.g. drying, waterlogging, flooding, humidity, storm damage;
Potential impacts on features and character of historic parks and other historic landscapes through drought, flooding, storm damage, pests and diseases; and
Rate of coastal change effects (acceleration) through sea level rise.

3. Development pressures

Impacts (current / anticipated)

Incremental extension, alteration and replacement of dwellings, intensification on existing ‘brownfield’ and infill sites - cumulative impacts on character of settlements;
Development of market housing as a means of funding provision of affordable housing;
Development of affordable housing on ‘exception sites’ – (potential effects as above, but less);
Residential development of non-residential vernacular / historic buildings (and difficulty in finding other suitable modern uses that conserve their character) - loss of historic character and buildings; and
Need to make new buildings and to adapt historic / vernacular buildings to be more efficient in resource use without significantly damaging character of buildings or settlements.

4. Global market forces and national and international policy

None noted at present.

A vision of the future for the built and historic environment

A twenty year vision for the built and historic environment in the area sets the scene and guides the activities of the Norfolk Coast Partnership:

The quality and locally distinct character of the historic environment are evident, and are valued, understood, maintained and conserved as far as possible. Traditional buildings that contribute to the character of the area are well maintained and in productive use. New buildings are located and designed to contribute to the area’s beauty and distinctiveness.

Buildings have been sensitively adapted where necessary to incorporate features that enhance their performance in terms of both local and global environmental sustainability. New buildings, including those using innovative design, also have these features as well as complementing their surroundings.

Within the constraints of rising sea levels and storm activity the area has characteristic coastal settlements and road networks. New buildings and roads are only located where they would be sustainable in the long term in respect of coastal erosion and flood risk from rivers and the sea.

Five year objectives and policies

The five year objectives and policies for the built and historic environment are designed to achieve the twenty year vision:

B1. The historic and archaeological heritage of the area is better understood, valued and conserved:

B1.1. Ensure the historic and archaeological heritage of the area is recorded, conserved and enhanced; and

B1.2. Provide opportunities for development of public knowledge and appropriate access to historic environment sites where consistent with conservation objectives.

B2. Changes to the built environment have respected and complimented the special qualities of the area:

B2.1. Ensure new construction activities and changes to existing buildings and infrastructure are consistent with the special qualities and conservation objectives of the area and take opportunities to improve sustainability;

B2.2. Make affordable housing available to the local population where needed, using existing housing where possible and with sensitive use of exception sites where necessary; and

B2.3. Take opportunities to improve the visual quality of the built environment in keeping with the character of the area.

Other relevant plans and initiatives

Other relevant plans and initiatives involving partner organisations that can help to achieve objectives and implement policies for this theme include:

Norfolk Coast Transport Strategy (Norfolk County Council);
Local Development Frameworks and development control (local planning authorities);
Catchment Flood Management Plans (Environment Agency);
Wash Estuary Management Strategy (Wash Estuary Strategy Group);
Conservation Area Statements (local authorities);
Shoreline Management Plans (Environment Agency / local authorities);
Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (Environment Agency / local authorities);
Landscape character assessments (Natural England/local authorities);
Historic Landscape Characterisation for Norfolk (English Heritage / Norfolk Landscape Archaeology);
Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment;
Archaeological site plans (English Heritage / local authorities); and
Guidance on sensitive adaptation of buildings for new uses and sustainability performance (local authorities, English Heritage).

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