Coastwise working with communities and consultants to create the first iteration of Community Coastal Transition Plans

Date published: 3rd June 2026

During the second half of 2025, a set of local coastal transition plans was developed in Weybourne, Trimingham, Overstrand, Bacton/Walcott and Happisburgh. These are the first examples of this kind of plan anywhere in England.

Transition plans are strategic documents aimed at determining coastal risk, possible adaptation and resourcing options available, and when these options should be triggered.

The transition plans were co-created with local communities (Parish Councils, Coastwise and other relevant parties working together), combining input already gathered through previous initiatives (such as Coastwise cafés) with new voices and ideas from local events, meetings, and workshops. Three consultants supported Coastwise by leading this work and assembling the transition plan documents.

The plans cover topics such as housing options, highways, churches and churchyards, beach access, drainage, local facilities including car parks and toilets, utilities, farmland, community buildings and other assets. The plans are intended to be a starting point - over time, they can be developed and evolve as progress is made.

The next steps are for these plans to be adopted and taken forward by the local community in each location, with the support of NNDC, and for the activities identified in their action plans to be initiated by the relevant parties.

Eunomia was also commissioned to capture some learning about the process and impacts of developing these plans. These plans are intended to help others in areas where local coastal transition planning is being considered.

Queries can be addressed to coastwise@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Read the full documents here:

Last updated: 3rd June 2026