Flooding of Brancaster's
West Marsh
2000

The existing but unsustainable sea defence
protecting West Marsh

A proposal to flood West Marsh at Brancaster as part of a managed retreat has now been agreed.  The present sea defences are unsustainable and discussions have been taking place for some time between the Environment Agency, Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, The National Trust, Titchwell RSPB, landowner Charles Borthwick, Brancaster Parish Council and the Common Rightholders' Association.

Included in the discussions were the importance of the area as fresh water wildlife habitat, rights of the commoners, protection for the Golf Club's practice greens and safety for the walking public.

Fresh Water Habitat
It was agreed that only the front part of the fresh water marshes should be flooded, leaving the larger area behind for the wildlife.

Rights of Commoners
The Environment Agency has now decided not to breach the bank on the Titchwell side of the Marsh.  They are putting in a piped culvert which will allow the existing footpath to remain and will give access for the commoners' cattle to that part of CL124.

For loss of rights over West Marsh, the Scolt Head & District Common Right Holders' Association may be looking for compensation from the appropriate Government Departments.

Golf Club's Practice Greens
It has not yet been decided exactly where the new flood defence for the greens will be.  However, the water surrounding the green will be disposed of via the existing sluice which discharges into the harbour area.

Safety of the Walking Public
During the discussions, the Parish Council and the Commoners were most concerned regarding safety and accessibility in case of emergency.  This problem has also been resolved by the decision not to breach the bank, as above.

Fresh Water Habitat looking towards Titchwell

Towards the Golf Club's practice greens

Safety of the Walkers

It is expected that work on the managed retreat will start later this year.    The cost is likely to be in the region of £365,000 and the work will take two years to complete.

The RWNGC will be bearing the cost of the new flood defences for its practice greens and will negotiate with the Parish Council and Common Right Holders' Association if it needs to disturb common land during the operation.

Adviser to the Environment Agency Professor John Pethwick, reports that this flooding of West Marsh will hold the line for the next 50 years despite the expected sea level rise and sinking of the north Norfolk coast.

Brancaster West Marsh Flood Defence Scheme - Latest Report November 2001
In 1997 the MAFF announced that it could no longer fund the necessary improvements and ongoing maintenance of the gabions west of the Golf Club, on the grounds of priority and cost.  As a result of extensive consultation, planning and consents, a scheme of 'managed retreat' was agreed by the Brancaster Sea Defence Consultative Committee as the best alternative.  This would involve the Environment Agency building a clay bank 300 metres further south running east/west and joining up with the Beach Road Bank and Titchwell bank and in turn the Golf Club constructing a clay/gabion bank running North/South to protect its practice ground.  The material would be won from the marsh and thereby create a creek system and also sand from the beach:  both the banks being of a similar size and shape as the present Beach Road bank and Titchwell bank.

Having gained planning permission, work commenced at the end of September and is being carried out by J. Breheney Contractors Ltd., of Ipswich.  The Golf Club's bank should be completed by the end of October and the Environment Agency's will take a little longer.  Both banks will be allowed to 'settle' for a year and in September 2002 (West of the Golf Club) will be removed and utilised to reinforce the north west corner of the Golf Club's bank.

The total cost of the scheme is being borne between the Environment Agency and the Golf Club.  N.A. Carrington Smith.  Secretary RWNGC