North Norfolk CHaMP - Brancaster summary

Brancaster lies within a complex of designated sites on the North Norfolk coast. Past sea defences (including stone-filled gabions 'protecting' an eroding sand dune ridge) west of the Royal West Norfolk Golf Club protected 40ha of freshwater grazing marsh (designated SSSI and SPA). Winter storms resulted in these structures being regularly damaged and their ability to protect the land and it conservation interest was impaired. It was also considered that rebuilding the existing defences would be detrimental to the sand dune interest of the cSAC. It was concluded that this line of defence was not economically viable and a partial realignment of the site was proposed. The location of this site in relation to existing coastal habitats along this section of the coast is shown in the Figure below.

Caption: The location of the Brancaster realignment site. Pictures showing the eroding dune front and foreshore either side of the clubhouse and some of the past 'protection' measures adopted can be accessed by clicking on the labels in the picture. Click on the realignment site for further information about its operation.

Note: The information in the links from this page are also included in a more detailed appraisal of the Brancaster realignment. The Executive Summary of the North Norfolk CHaMP is also available on this CD.