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Navigation: Home Page > Management Plan 2009-2014 > 3.4 Sustainable communities
3.4 Sustainable communities
Haydn Rogers/NCP
Introduction The interaction of people with their environment, resulting in living, working landscapes that respond to environmental, social and economic changes, has made the area what it is today. As well as clear differences in the character of buildings and settlement layouts, different local customs, festivals, historical associations and language all contribute to the area’s distinctive and diverse cultural character. Maintaining natural beauty includes maintaining its distinctive communities, and sustainable communities will only be possible if their economic and social needs are met at the same time as they continue to adapt to change. This Management Plan focuses more closely than the 2004-09 Management Plan on the conservation and enhancement of the area’s special qualities of natural beauty, the pressures that affect them or may do so in the future and their management in order to meet the purpose of designation of the area. Although the importance of social issues in the area are recognised by the Norfolk Coast Partnership, it is beyond the scope of this plan to put forward policies and actions to address most of these issues, since they do not directly affect the area’s natural beauty. The relevant Partners have policies and mechanisms to manage them, however, and will do so whilst taking account of the area’s sensitivities and managing potential impacts on its natural beauty. Two key issues that do relate more closely to natural beauty, however, are affordable housing and second homes. The availability of affordable housing and local jobs are inseparable, although the need for affordable housing in different parts of the area varies. The main issue for this plan is how affordable housing is provided while respecting the area’s character (see ‘Built and historic environment’). Houses bought and used as second, holiday or retirement homes contribute to the shortage of affordable housing in many areas. This in turn contributes to young people moving away from the area and results in changes in the area's age profile and in the structure of its communities. Empty second and holiday-let houses also tend to affect community vibrancy and character, especially in the winter months. There can be tension and differences between people moving to the area and families who have lived here for generations, and a weakening of the character of local communities, but ‘incoming’ people can also bring valuable new perspectives, skills, knowledge and employment opportunities which benefit the area, as well as helping to build support and understanding of the AONB. Coastal settlements have long existed with the risks of flooding and erosion, but the difficulty of managing this while maintaining functioning coastal communities is increasing under the pressures of increased rates of sea level rise. Issues arising from the assessment of current condition of the area’s natural beautyThe assessment of the current condition of the natural beauty of the area has highlighted no key issues related to sustainable communities. Potential impacts of key external pressures for changeEach 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 sustainable communities in the area: 1. Coastal processes Wash coastline, North Norfolk Heritage Coast, Sea Palling to Winterton – primarily flooding. Impacts (current / anticipated)
2. Climate change Impacts (current / anticipated)
3. Development pressures 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 who work in the area from the market. Impacts (current / anticipated)
4. Global market forces and national and international policy Sustainable development for the Norfolk Coast includes consideration of both global and local impacts. Although adopting more sustainable ways of living and working in the area will have little impact by itself on the global situation, all people, everywhere must make a meaningful contribution for global sustainability to become a reality. More sustainable lifestyles and practices in the area could involve reduction in energy use and carbon emissions, reduction in use and better management of natural resources (especially water) and reduction and better management of pollution and waste (including litter). Impacts (current / anticipated)
Vision of the future for sustainable communitiesA twenty year vision for sustainable communities in the area sets the scene and guides the activities of the Norfolk Coast Partnership: The Norfolk Coast is a living, working area. Although diverse in terms of age, income and occupation, communities include people with family ties to the and people share an understanding and appreciation of the area's special qualities. While adapting to coastal change, the area maintains characteristic and viable coastal settlements and infrastructure. The economy is broadly based, with a range of environmentally sustainable economic activities, including opportunities to earn a living through 'traditional' activities for the area as well as activities based on new technology and communications, and others that draw on and support the area's distinctive and special features. Tourism remains an important part of the local economy, generating money that benefits a wide section of the local community. The area is widely recognised as leading in environmentally sustainable practice. Various forms of renewable energy are produced and used, although not at the expense of the key qualities that give the area its special character. Effective local food and products networks are in operation. Alternative forms of transport to the car are available and widely used by both visitors and residents. New buildings and roads are only located where they would be sustainable in the long term in respect of coastal erosion and salt and freshwater flood risk. All forms of pollution are low. Water quality is high and water is used and managed efficiently with maximum benefits to the local environment. Generation of waste is minimised and waste is used as a resource wherever possible. Five year objectives and policiesThe five year objectives and policies for sustainable communities are designed to achieve the twenty year vision: C1. Communities have maintained and strengthened their diverse, distinctive and thriving character:
C2. Local residents, especially young people, increasingly value the special qualities of the area and understand how it is managed:
C3. The infrastructure to support sustainable community life has been further developed:
Other relevant plans and initiativesOther relevant plans and initiatives involving Partners that can help to achieve objectives and implement policies for this theme include:
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