Flood plain communities reassured

Floods Minister Phil Woolas talked to local people at Sea Palling

Villagers in Norfolk in fear of a scheme to flood them to save the coast have been told that is not the government's intention.

The floods minister, Phil Woolas, has been visiting Sea Palling, 15 miles up the coast from Great Yarmouth.

He told people there that a scenario by Natural England to allow six villages to succumb to rising sea levels, was not what was going to happen.

He said it was the government's duty to protect the area.

Natural England, which advises the government on environmental issues, drew up a list of possible outcomes from rising sea levels.

One option was to allow Eccles, Sea Palling, Waxham, Horsey, Hickling and Potter Heigham to flood.

Local pressure groups have been fighting any such proposal.

While visiting the area, Mr Woolas explained that the idea was simply a scenario and was not policy.

'Good news'

He said: " I have asked the Environment Agency to provide reports on what can be done for a 50 to 100 year period because it is no-one's intention to allow this area to flood".

He added the likelihood of swathes of Norfolk being allowed to flood like this was "about as likely as Oldham Athletic winning the European Cup".

Many residents have reported a significant fall in house prices with one woman claiming her property had been valued at a pound.

The North-East Norfolk Coastal Parishes Group, set up by councillor Michael Walker, said this was "extraordinarily good news" but was not a resolution to the matter.

He said what was needed now was clarity over sea defences beyond the next 50 years.

Mr Woolas said "Of course we value this beautiful area. This is people's livelihoods as well.

"This is where they have lived with their families for many, many generations and the government's duty is to protect it and that is what we are going to do."