North Norfolk District Council: Sandscaping Plan Gets OK

A multi-million pound coast protection scheme passed an important hurdle last week after members of North Norfolk District Council’s Development Committee agreed to grant it planning permission.

The sandscaping project will see up to 1.8 million cubic meters of sand placed on to the beaches covering a 5.7km length starting north west of Bacton Gas Terminal and ending to the south eastern extent of Walcott.

Subject to securing the necessary permissions and consents, works would likely take place over Spring and Summer 2019.

This would be made up of:

• Approximately 1 million cubic meters in front of Bacton Gas Terminal;
• Between 0.5 and 0.8 million cubic meters in front of the villages of Bacton and Walcott.

Estimated scheme costs are between £17 million and £22 million.

The scheme is a joint venture between North Norfolk District Council, the Bacton Terminal Operators, the Environment Agency and a range of other contributors.

The project would create significantly bigger beaches, improved beach access and better protection from the sea for the gas terminal and the villages of Bacton and Walcott. Over time there could be benefits to other villages along the coastline, said the council.