Written evidence submitted by Risk & Policy Analysts Ltd (CWR0034)
Risk & Policy Analyst’s response to the EFRA Climate and Weather Resilience Enquiry
Risk & Policy Analysts Ltd (RPA) are a SME private environmental consultancy based in Norwich. For over 30 years, we have provided services to public and private clients across the UK and Europe within the sector of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management. Our response to the call for evidence draws on this extensive experience, which includes the evaluation of the first three years of the Flood & Coastal Innovation Programmes, as well as our close work with local authorities to develop innovative, place-based approaches to coastal resilience.
In addition to our evaluation of programmes, we also provide services to local authorities and risk management authorities, with one of our most recent examples being the development of a new economic approach for attracting funds to vulnerable coastal communities, for East Suffolk Council and the Resilient Coast project – for which we have written and published a conference paper for. We are also seeking to develop a circular sediment economy, which will also contribute to more equitable coastal management practices along the rapidly eroding East Norfolk and Suffolk coastlines. RPA has also contributed heavily towards aspects of the Coastwise project being administered by North Norfolk District Council, helping to provide consultancy services for a number of their workstreams, including an economic appraisal of their proposed housing options that will be put in place to help community members whose properties are vulnerable to coastal erosion.
Our response
Our response to this call for evidence emphasises that the risks associated with costal erosion and landslips are not distant or theoretical, but immediate and deeply personal for communities that are currently being affected and will be affected in the future. Entire neighbourhoods face relocation as coastlines recede, coming with it a high emotional toll for those affected. Economically, the consequences of these extend well beyond the loss of property and other community assets, with thee combined losses threatening community purpose and its ability to function. RPA argues that current funding mechanisms fail to capture the true economic and social value of coastal communities, leaving them under-resourced, and critically vulnerable. Environmentally, whilst erosion can destroy existing habitats, it also has potential to create new ones, underscoring the need for careful management and consideration of methods that support biodiversity and ecological resilience. Underpinning all these risks is of course the accelerating influence of climate change, which drives rising sea levels and more frequent storms which exacerbate both erosion and landslips.
It is noted that there is a solid framework in place for these risks to be managed, with the 2020 Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy, National Planning Policy Framework, and local Shoreline Management Plans being key. These combine both engineered defences with nature-based solutions such as dune restoration and managed realignment; however is should be noted that stresses such as funding and implementation remain inconsistent, coupled with research gaps and the underdeveloped nature of long-term adaptive planning measures.
Our submission highlights the social, economic, and psychological effects that erosion can have on communities, noting that they are profound and interdependent. Displacement, loss of homes and heritage, and an overall sense of uncertainty over the future as a result of the threats posed by coastal erosion and landslips all carry potential negative impacts for community cohesion and wellbeing. RPA argues for an adaptive, forward-thinking approach that anticipates risk, unlike the current reactive approach that is undertaken to coastal erosion. Projects such as Coastwise are enabling these approaches to be undertaken, enabling communities to plan for managed adaptive approaches, and exploring rollback options; however there are some continued grey areas over the level of practical and financial support available, erosion is not covered by insurance, compensation is limited, and small local grants do not offset the loss of property, or the emotional toll that follows. Whilst initiatives with organisations such as Norfolk and Waveney Mind have begun to help address the emotional toll of coastal change within the Coastwise remit, sustained funding and long-term support will be essential to maintain resilience.
Overall, our response emphasises that coastal erosion and landslips are not just solely environmental problems, but are interconnected social, economic and cultural challenges that require integrated solutions.
Coastal erosion and landslips present a profound and growing risk to communities, the economy and the environment. This is particularly prevalent along the vulnerable and dynamic East Anglian coasts. These risks are not abstract or distant, rather they are immediate, tangible and deeply personal to those that are living in areas at risk.
For communities, the threats posed by coastal erosion, and subsequent landslips are existential. Homes perched on eroding cliffs face the prospect of collapse, and entire neighbourhoods may need to relocate as the coastline recedes. The emotional toll of this uncertainty – watching one’s land disappear beneath one’s feet – is immense. Projects such as Coastwise has worked with local residents in Coastal Change Management Areas, helping them to understand the risks and plan for the future, including through innovative approaches such as property replacement opportunities and adaptive planning guidance.
Economically, the impacts ripple out far beyond the immediate loss of property. Tourism forms the economic backbone of many coastal towns, and is threatened when beaches and promenades are either damaged, or have their access impeded; as a result, infrastructure such as roads and utilities require constant monitoring and investment. Flood and erosion defences can also require regular monitoring, maintenance, and in some cases, replacement; however current funding mechanisms do not account for the economic support that services such as tourism provides, crucially undervaluing vulnerable coastal communities and denying them funding for adaptive approaches. It should be noted though, that these impacts can ripple out beyond tourism, particularly in areas such as East Suffolk, with towns being hubs for the renewable energy industry; leading to impacts that can be up to a national level
Environmentally, erosion and landslips can both destroy and reshape natural habitats. Cliffs, dunes and salt marches are home to diverse species, and may be lost, however there is also the possibility for new habitats to emerge. The challenge lies in managing this change in a way that supports biodiversity and ecological resilience.
Underlying all these risk is the accelerating force of climate change. Rising sea levels and more frequent and intense storms are intensifying the pace of erosion and increasing the likelihood of landslips. To respond, Coastwise, and the Resilient Coasts project have looked towards public engagement, recognising that coastal adaptation must be a shared endeavour between local authorities, communities and stakeholders,
In sum, the risks posed by coastal erosion and landslips are multifaceted and deeply interwoven with the social, economic, and environmental fabric of coastal life. Projects such as Coastwise and Resilient Coasts demonstrate that while the challenges are formidable, proactive, inclusive and adaptive approaches can chart a path toward resilience.
Across the UK, there is a comprehensive framework of national and local strategies that exist to manage the risks which are associated with landslips and coastal erosion. At the English level, the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy was developed in 2020, and addresses the statutory duty that has been placed on the Environment Agency by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. The strategy provides an overarching vision for creating a nation that is ready for and resilient to flooding and coastal change by 2100. The strategy promotes an adaptive approach to long-term change, encouraging the use of natural processes where possible and assigning shared responsibilities across risk management authorities, including the EA, local councils and internal drainage boards.
It can also be argued that these policies are complemented by the planning policies embedded within the National Planning Policy Framework, which requires local planning authorities to consider the impacts of coastal change and avoid inappropriate development in at-risk areas. In a coastal setting, these national policies are supported at regional and local levels by Shoreline Management Plans in England; setting out preferred options for coastal management over the next 100 years. Coastal Change Management Areas may also be designated by local authorities, which can guide adaptation and development control in high-risk coastal zones.
On the ground, management combines engineering defences, such as sea walls, revetments and cliff stabilisation, with nature-based approaches. Examples of this include dune restoration, managed realignment, and also beach nourishment – the latter of which was completed at Bacton-Walcott in 2019. Schemes such as these can be administered by either local authorities, the EA, or a combination of the two, with community preparedness and early-warning systems being increasingly integrated into coastal risk management.
Despite a coherent national strategy, funding and implementation remain uneven, most notably through the FCERM Strategy. While the strategy outlines a clear vision for long-term resilience which promotes innovative nature-based solutions alongside traditional engineering approaches, its success is reliant on local authorities having the resources and expertise available to deliver on these ambitions. In practice, many councils are facing severe budget constraints and lack technical support. Even within the context of the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme, projects have faced procurement issues, and are struggling with budget constraints associated with the ‘use it or lose it’ nature of funds provided by the Programme. These issues can combine to result in patchy execution and delayed interventions in high-risk areas. This inconsistency undermines the potential of the strategy, and to an extent the FCRIP, as communities with fewer resources are often left more vulnerable to erosion and landslip hazards; despite national commitments to equitable protection.
Landslips and coastal erosion can exert profound and multifaceted impacts on communities, disrupting lives, livelihoods, and the very sense of place. Socially, these events can fracture communities, displacing families and severing long-standing ties to land and heritage. Homes may be lost, infrastructure damaged, and public spaces rendered unsafe, leading to a breakdown in communal cohesion and trust in local governance.
Psychologically, the toll is not visible, but felt deeply by those affected. The trauma of sudden displacement, the anxiety of living under constant threat, and the grief of losing both homes and landscapes. These can lead to chronic stress, depression, and an overall diminished dense of identity.
Addressing these impacts requires a holistic and proactive approach. Though investment in resilient infrastructure, such as sea walls and early systems can help to mitigate physical damage, current economic assessments do not fully capture the value of communities, due to the fact that key economic drivers within coastal communities are not valued within FCERM appraisals - despite the fact that coastal communities are often heavily dependent on the coastline and the sea for their primary economic activities (e.g. ports, offshore energy, tourism). These impacts can be best addressed via two approaches; the first being to take an adaptive approach, as opposed to a more commonly used reactive approach. An adaptive approach to coastal erosion offers long-term, sustainable benefits over reactive strategies. By anticipating risks and planning ahead, it reduces emergency costs and avoids damage to vulnerable heritage sites and ecosystems. Nature-based solutions like dune restoration work with natural processes, preserving biodiversity and public access. Adaptive management also engages communities, builds resilience, and allows flexibility as conditions change – unlike reactive responses, which can be often costly, short-sighted, and environmentally harmful.
A new economic approach should also be considered, and is something that is being developed as part of the Resilient Coasts project. Having this allows the impacts of coastal erosion to be identified, alongside the ways in which it affects community functioning, whilst also providing evidence of cross-government value. It also seeks to capture what is most important to communities, including economic drivers that are currently not considered within current funding models – something that can often be the make or break for funding decisions and lead to communities feeling despondent about future planning.
This question can be best answered when focusing on communities within North Norfolk, which is one of the fastest eroding coastlines in England, and sees communities including Happisburgh, Trimingham and Overstrand facing increasing risks from coastal erosion and landslips. The combination of soft cliffs, rising sea levels, and increasing frequency and intensity of sorts has made the long-term defence of this coastline unsustainable in many areas. In recognition of this, the Coastwise project has been administered by North Norfolk District Council, supported by the £36 million Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme. Through this initiative, help will be provided to vulnerable communities, helping them adapt to inevitable coastal change, developing practical and socially sensitive approaches to living with coastal erosion; opposed to constantly fighting against it.
Through Coastwise, the council has been working with local residents, landowners, and community organisations to plan for managed adaptation, including the development of community transition plans across five locations, which identify when and how communities might need to relocate or repurpose land. One of the most significant elements of this approach includes the exploration of coastal rollback (referred to by the project as property replacement opportunities). This approach refers to the process of allowing properties or coastal community assets at risk from erosion to be replaced or re-established further inland. In this practice, this means identifying suitable land, developing planning pathways that enable new housing or infrastructure to be build safely, and supporting people through the transition before erosion makes their current properties uninhabitable. This proactive planning marks a shift from reactive emergency responses to long-term managed adaptation; however it does also raise the question of who pays for elements of the rollback process, and who takes charge of these elements. In response to this, Coastwise have developed a number of housing options, some of which include a council responsibility to identify and purchase potential replacement sites, therefore removing some of the planning barriers that have previously made rollback difficult. Despite these efforts to simplify and make the process less onerous on affected community members, relocation remains a complex and deeply personal challenge. Not everyone has the financial or emotional resources to move, and the disruption to social networks, employment, and local identity can have significant impacts that can be just as great as the financial impacts felt.
Whilst Coastwise’s approach represents a step forward, the current levels of support to individuals who suffer damages or loss as a result of coastal erosion remains limited. Financial compensation for lost properties is not something that is being explored, and insurance policies typically exclude gradual erosion from coverage (opposed to insurance products that have been made available to properties that are vulnerable to flooding through FloodRe). There is some targeted assistance available via North Norfolk District Council – for instance, grants of up to £6,000 form the council to help cover the costs of property demolition, waste removed, or remedial works – these measures only provide partial relief. Many home owners continue to face the prospect of losing not only their homes, but the entire value of their properties, with no comprehensive financial safety net in place – further highlighting the importance of the development of the aforementioned housing options.
Beyond the financial and practical challenges, Coastwise has also recognised that there are significant emotional and psychological impacts that come with living with coastal change. As a result, the project has partnered with Norfolk and Waveney Mind and other local organisation to provide wellbeing support to individuals and communities affected by erosion. Initiatives such as Coastwise Cafes, along with walk-in events for the development of transition plans have created safe spaces for residents to share experiences, concerns, ideas, and access guidance, while also helping to strengthen community resilience. This emphasis on mental health and social connection marks an important evolution in the management of coastal erosion, acknowledging that adaptation is not only a physical process, but also has significant emotional and cultural elements.
Despite the positive developments outlined above, the overall sufficiency of support along the North Norfolk coast remains open to question. While Coastwise has brought new funding, engagement and ideas to the area, significant gaps persist. The lack of compensation for property costs continue to cause distress for vulnerable homeowners, with uncertainties persisting for long-term funding following the conclusion of the project in March 2027, and also the practicalities of large-scale relocation. Additionally, whilst wellbeing initiatives can provide valuable short-term support, sustained mental health provision and community cohesion programmes will be essential to help people navigate coastal change as it progresses.
Overall, Coastwise presents a promising, but incomplete model – one that highlights the importance of preparing for coastal change, however also demonstrates the continuing need for fairer, stronger and more comprehensive systems of support for those living on England’s most vulnerable shores.
Despite the growing recognition of and increasing risks that are arising from coastal erosion, landslips, and severe weather, there is a resourcing issue present within UK emergency services and local authorities that allow for the effective response to these hazards; particularly in rural, coastal and hard-to-reach areas. Whilst projects focused on coastal adaptation and innovation have demonstrated progress within the adaptation and planning sphere, their activities also reveal systemic gaps in operational capacity, technical expertise, and sustained funding.
Central to this effort, is coordination among Risk Management Authorities, such as the Environment Agency, local flood authorities, and coast protection authorities. These groups work together through RFCCs to ensure that planning and investment decisions are both logical and targeted. Also critical to ensuring sufficient resourcing and training in advancements in technological fields and the availability of publicly available tools, such as the recent NAFRA2 and NCERM2 releases, which incorporate the latest climate projections. These resources help planners and emergency responders assess future risks with greater precision, allowing them to prepare effective responses for when coastal erosion and landslip events take place.
Though there are strengths to having these aforementioned resources, there are still a number of challenges that remain – particularly within coastal, rural, and hard-to-reach areas. The local implementation of national strategies can often be uneven, with communities in more remote or economically disadvantaged areas often lacking the infrastructure and personnel/expertise for rapid and effective emergency response. Emergency services may also face increasing pressure, as the frequency and intensity of storms and other climate change-related events rise, needing to be on call as a first responder to incidents related to these events in addition to their day-to-day duties; which may also introduce further constraints as budgets are squeezed. As part of RPA’s work to help develop transition plans for select vulnerable communities along the North Norfolk Coast for the Coastwise Coastal Transition Adaptation Programme, it was noted at some public engagement events that emergency service staff often did not have the expertise to deal with extreme weather events and the erosion/landslip events that have followed. This has on occasion created some friction with locals, with one walk-in event stating that they believed that ‘they have attended one seminar and think that they know everything about the hazard and the community response’.
Further to this, though it can be beneficial to have data available from publicly available tools such as NAFRA2 and NCERM2, these resources can only be helpful so long as there are staff available that are appropriately trained to interpret this data. Once again, if staff are not already available, then it may be a challenge to either get appropriately trained staff, or provide training to existing staff due to budget constraints.
The urgency of this issue is further emphasised by the fact that more than a quarter of the coastline within England and Wales experiences coastal erosion at rates of 10cm or greater per year. This, combined with modelling forecasts is going to lead to the number of properties at risk to rise significantly in the coming decades, so will require leaders at varying levels to develop and update policy, and develop more tailored funding allocations that support these high-risk zones.
Coastal erosion and landslips are increasingly threatening the protection and accessibility of landscapes and heritage sites – particularly along vulnerable stretches of UK coastline. In regions such as the East Riding of Yorkshire, and Norfolk and East Suffolk, erosion rates can exceed 10 cm per year, making them some of the fastest eroding coastlines in Europe. These enhanced erosion rates pose a serious risk to immovable heritage assets such as Happisburgh Lighthouse, and other archaeological assets alongside the Deep History Coast, which have significant historical and cultural value which can neither be replaced or defended.
The impacts of these natural processes are multifaceted. The physical loss of a heritage site can lead to an irreversible loss of cultural memory and also local practices. Further, access to areas are often compromised, as roads, footpaths, beach access ramps, and other forms of infrastructure may be rendered unsafe. This can also lead to economic impacts, particularly for coastal communities which rely on heritage assets for tourism, which may form the economic backbone of these communities. From an environmental perspective, erosion can lead to habitat degradation or destruction; and though it can make new ones, this leads to unpredictable shifts in biodiversity. For communities, the loss of property and disruption to daily life can be deeply distressing, severing ties to places that hold personal and collective significance to communities.
The challenges outlined above are significantly compounded by climate change, which is increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, which accelerate erosion and destabilise coastal soils, increasing their susceptibility to landslips. Adaptive strategies have been prepared in response, such as Shoreline Management Plans which are evolving to account for evolving climate projections and guide long-term coastal planning. National frameworks and funding mechanisms are essential to support consistent and sustainable adaptation efforts.
Where physical preservation is no longer viable, or loss is inevitable, heritage bodies such as Historic England should focus on documentation and, where possible and appropriate, the relocation of artifacts to safeguard cultural narratives. Community-led resilience initiatives are also crucial, ensuring that local voices shape planning and response strategies.
Though some loss of heritage assets may be inevitable, a proactive and inclusive approach can mitigate damage, preserve identity, and foster a sense of resilience in the face of ongoing environmental change.
October 2025