Residents fight Broads flood plan

Parts of the Norfolk Broads could be lost to the sea

Up to 400 people turned out for the first of three meetings to discuss plans which could see villages in the Norfolk Broads abandoned to the sea.

The flooding option is one of four being examined to help save parts of the county from sea level rises.

The villages of Eccles, Sea Palling, Horsey, Waxham, Hickling and Potter Heigham could be flooded if the sea is allowed to penetrate coastal defences.

The next meeting takes place in Potter Heigham on Wednesday evening.

Government advisers are considering four options.

'Fight now'

They include improving existing defences, modifying the sea defences, doing nothing, or allowing the sea to flood low-lying areas.

The first public meeting was held on Tuesday at St Mary's Church in Hickling to discuss the options.

Organiser Malcolm Kerby, from the Norfolk Coastal Concern Action Group said: "I am trying to raise peoples' awareness; there is no better time to fight this than now."

Norfolk County Council has already stated its opposition to the flooding idea.

Councillor Ian Monson said: "I can assure the people of Norfolk that the council has no intention of supporting any proposals that would see large areas of the Norfolk Broads and its villages given up to the sea."

A third meeting will be held at Sea Palling village hall on 15 April.